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Tennessee Football: 5 Vols Who Have to Improve Dramatically As SEC Play Begins

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) celebrates with offensive lineman Coleman Thomas (55) after a touchdown during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) celebrates with offensive lineman Coleman Thomas (55) after a touchdown during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first half of the game between the Ohio Bobcats and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first half of the game between the Ohio Bobcats and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

We are going to be fair to Drew Richmond and put him here at No. 5, mainly because he is a freshmen who had to face two straight experienced, talented, and complex front sevens while playing blindside tackle to open his Tennessee football career.

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However, as a five-star recruit who has had a year to practice with the Vols, he should be looking much better to this point.

His play forced Butch Jones and Mike DeBord to bench him against the Ohio Bobcats. The 6’5″ 301-pound freshman has no excuse for that.

Sure, he doesn’t have a lot of experience. And yes, his lack of ability to understand schemes is why he took a redshirt last year. But the coaching staff all seemed to imply that he had figured everything out and took major strides beginning last December.

All the hype had Vols fans everywhere psyched to see him live up to his five-star potential at the start of this year. It hasn’t happened.

In fact, Richmond has looked horrible so far. Now again, this is early, and he’s inexperienced. So we are giving him a break. But with Chance Hall still trying to get healthy and other issues on the offensive line, the Vols need Richmond to play a lot better.

Otherwise, Tennessee football will be in trouble during SEC play.

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