Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should have breakout seasons in 2018

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Ty Chandler #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Ty Chandler #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

We’re finally moving away from the trenches and the front seven for this next player. Marquez Callaway was supposed to break out last year. And to be fair to him, like Darrell Taylor, he did have a couple of breakout games for Tennessee football.

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Just look at what Callaway did against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Vols’ season-opener last year. The 6’2″ 200-pound receiver is at his best with the ball in open space, but he also has great leaping ability and great hands.

With Jauan Jennings’s return and Tyson Helton’s claim that he want to utilize the deep ball, Callaway has a chance to finally become a superstar this year. Brandon Johnson and Josh Palmer will threaten for starting wideout spots, but you have to figure Callaway’s the one who will hold it alongside Jennings.

After just over 400 yards receiving last year, that will give him a great chance to become an elite star this year. Unlike Butch Jones, who randomly rotated receivers for no reason, Jeremy Pruitt comes from a system that focuses on giving the ball to the best receiver no matter what. Helton will likely stick to that philosophy.

Even with Jennings back, Callaway figures to be in that mix. As a result, he should finally burst onto the scene this year. He has already demonstrated what he can do his first two years on Rocky Top. It’s now just time for the right coaching staff to put those skills on full display. And that’s why he’s so high on our list.