Redshirt junior wide receiver Jason Croom, when he’s healthy, has proved himself to be one of the Vols’ top redzone targets.
The Norcross, GA native, who stands 6’5″ and weighs 246 lbs, has the size of a tight end, but enough quickness to be a consistent threat at wide receiver.
Last season, we projected that Croom would finish the year with 21 receptions for 294 yards and five touchdowns.
We got pretty close, as Croom finished with 21 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers, however, could’ve been slightly better. Croom missed Tennessee’s bowl game against Iowa due to a knee injury.
Croom has missed some practice time this summer because of a bum knee, but Butch Jones has said the missed practice time is mostly “precautionary”.
I wouldn’t expect Croom to improve on his numbers too much in 2015, simply due to the fact that there are more playmakers on the field for the Vols this season.
But it is worth noting that Croom had his best game in 2014 with returning starter Josh Dobbs under center (3 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in a win against Kentucky). So we definitely can’t rule out a slight improvement in Croom’s third season on the field.