Vols Football: 5 Most Important Returning Players in 2015

Nov 15, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) passes the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

1. Josh Dobbs, Quarterback

Tennessee’s offensive explosion at the end of the season would not have happened if not for the emergence of Josh Dobbs at quarterback, and he’ll look to carry that momentum into a pivotal junior season in 2015.

After entering 2013 and 2014 over midway through the season, Dobbs will finally enter his junior year as the undisputed starter at quarterback for the Vols. After a disappointing freshman year that didn’t see him throw a touchdown until the last game of the season against Kentucky, Dobbs burst onto the scene as a sophomore, displaying a play-making ability the Vols haven’t seen in a quarterback since Tee Martin.

In just 6 games (5 starts), Dobbs threw for 1,206 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, completing 63.3% of his passes. But what helped spark Tennessee’s offense was his ability to run, and run he did. Dobbs ran the ball 104 times in just 6 games, running for 469 yards and 8 scores.

Dobbs took over for injured QB Justin Worley in the Alabama game, relieving ineffective starter Nathan Peterman after a handful of series. From that point on, Tennessee’s offense looked much improved. The Vols scored an average of 36.7 points per game once Dobbs took over, and they amassed a total of 431 yards per game as well.

Against South Carolina, Dobbs became the first Tennessee quarterback to throw for 300 yards and rush for 100 more yards in a game. He obliterated Tennessee’s record for most rushing yards in a game by a QB with 166 against the Gamecocks, surpassing Jimmy Streater’s 150 in 1977.

Dobbs will be the centerpiece of Tennessee’s offense in 2015, and the success of the offense will depend largely on how he progresses as a quarterback. While his overall body of work was quite impressive in 2014, he still had flashes of inconsistency and overthrew receivers more than coaches and fans wanted.

Despite that, Dobbs is Tennessee’s most important returning player on either side of the ball. With three unproven freshmen as his only backups, his health will be of utmost importance, and if he can play the entire season and perform up to expectations, the Vols will one of the more potent offenses in 2015.