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2015 Tennessee Vols Football Season Preview by Position: Tight End

By Caleb Calhoun

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Previewing the Tennessee Vols 2015 football team at every position, here is a look at the tight end situation.

During the first two years of Butch Jones’s tenure on campus, the tight end position was not used that often. It was hardly used at all in 2013, and the production went up in 2014 with Ethan Wolf, but it still was not much.

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With the amount of depth at the wide receiver position, it is understandable why Jones and Co. have not used the position as much as you might think. But that could change this year with the development of Wolf and other players at the position.

It will definitely change in the future with multiple tight ends slated to come in next year. But for this year at this point, there is a good chance the position is utilized a lot more.

There is clearly some experience there this year combined with quite a bit of raw potential, and if they can at least improve their blocking, which was a problem just like the rest of the offensive line last year, then the situation should be much better.

But depth could still become an issue. Let’s take a look at the tight end situation. Here is the order in which the players are likely to be ranked in the depth chart going into the season.

1. Ethan Wolf, Sophomore (Minster, Ohio)

As a true freshman last year, Ethan Wolf played pretty well at the tight end position. He did not make any headlines, and his inexperience definitely showed at times, but he still came away with 23 catches for 212 yards, and at 6’5″ 240 pounds he is in the perfect position to develop into a great blocker.

Wolf had a good spring, according to most reports, with the exception of some rare mental errors, but becoming more familiar with the offense should help that. Add to the fact that, according to multiple reports, Wolf also appears to have reached his goal of getting bigger and faster this offseason, and his potential is through the roof.

As long as he can stay healthy, he should be a gigantic mismatch for anybody that tries to guard him.

2. Alex Ellis, Senior (Delmar, Del.)

One of the great stories of the offseason, Alex Ellis came onto the scene last year and developed as a solid back-up. Initially a walk-on, he was awarded a scholarship last December for his work ethic. At 6’4″ 236 pounds, Ellis is a player who has experience, decent size, and he loves Tennessee to death, which holds true for most walk-on players who give that type of effort.

As a result, he will definitely see some action this year, and he provides reliable depth should something happen to Wolf. Last year he did come away with six receptions for 115 yards, which is pretty impressive. And if called on, he will be a useful player at the position.

Final Take

Help is on the way in the future, but the tight end position is very thin right now. As such, Butch Jones and Mike DeBord will have to be very careful how often they utilize Wolf and Ellis. He can use extra receiver sets due to the depth at that position, but Wolf is a talent you don’t want to simply save.

If neither one gets injured, which comes down to complete luck, the tight end situation should be fine this year. Wolf has the potential to develop into an All-SEC player, and he appears to be a lot more comfortable with the offense this year. And if something does happen to him, Ellis can play the role fine as a back-up.

So, barring injuries, the tight end situation should be fine, and it could actually become a huge advantage for the Vols if Wolf lives up to what everybody thinks he can be.

Next: 2018 O-Lineman Offered by Tennessee

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