Vols 2014 Stat Projections: Justin Worley

For Vols senior quarterback Justin Worley, the 2014 season is one last chance to write his name in Tennessee history.

Worley, for the second season in a row, was recently named the starting quarterback by Butch Jones.

And the Rock Hill, SC native is hoping to pick up right where he left off in 2013.

Worley’s final two full games of last season saw a much different quarterback than the one that lost his starting job against Florida earlier in 2013.

Last season, with Worley under center, the offense was starting to click. The Vols nearly beat Georgia, before knocking off South Carolina at home for their first win over a ranked opponent since 2009 under Lane Kiffin.

When Worley went down, the offense noticeably regressed. The Vols struggled to score points against Missouri and Vanderbilt.

I’m not saying the Vols would’ve beat Alabama, Auburn or Missouri with Worley starting — that wouldn’t have happened.  However, I do think they would’ve beat Vandy and went to a bowl game — but I digress.

Worley will have a lot more to work with this season, including an improved Marquez North and Marlin Lane to go along with newcomers Jalen Hurd, Josh Malone and Von Pearson.

The only problem will be the young offensive line. I don’t think Worley will be constantly running for his life like the naysayers would have you believe, but there are definitely going to be some growing pains. Worley will get hit more than he did last year. A team like Florida could possibly wreak havoc in Tennessee’s backfield if the offensive line doesn’t have it together by October 4.

It’s going to be an up and down season for Justin Worley, but I think his growing confidence, combined with the added weapons, will lead to an improved season for the senior signal caller.

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