From USA Today
"Tennessee wide receiver Alton “Pig” Howard said he never doubted he would return to the team after taking a leave of absence to deal with unspecified “personal circumstances.”Howard spoke to reporters Monday for the first time since rejoining the Volunteers. Howard, who led the team in receptions and touchdown catches last season, wasn’t with the team during spring practice.“Adversity makes you strong. … You’ve got to get back up and keep pushing,” Howard said.Read more at USA Today"
From the Jackson Sun
"Tennessee believes it’s on the way to recapturing its former status as an perennial Southeastern Conference contender.There’s no shortcuts in the SEC and the Volunteers still have far to go.This year’s Tennessee team has more playmakers than the squad that went 5-7 in Butch Jones’ debut season last fall, but it’s much less experienced. The Vols also are facing a brutal schedule that includes trips to Oklahoma, Georgia, Ole Miss and South Carolina plus home games with Florida, Alabama and Missouri.Read more at the Jackson Sun"
From the Times Free Press
"There are the budding sophomore standout, the dazzling junior college transfer and the five-star freshman.Then there’s Johnathon Johnson, the receiver Tennessee coaches and players affectionately call “Two-Star.”“When I hear that,” the 5-foot-9, 186-pound Johnson said after Tuesday’s practice, “I kind of just laugh. It comes from me coming out of high school and not having any offers. It’s something funny to me.“I try to come out there every day with a chip on my shoulder and definitely try to prove what I can do every day.”The moniker is a new one for the diminutive slot receiver, who was the other part of junior college receiver Kameel Jackson’s commitment to Tennessee last summer. The Volunteers were desperate for immediate help at wideout, and, well, Johnson was available.Read more at the Times Free Press"