Tennessee football: Top 10 potential dark-horse Vols for 2018 season
We talked earlier about Tennessee football needing a clear slot receiver. Right now, if Tyler Byrd continues to struggle there, the Vols would likely have to turn to a wideout to play the position. That limits what Tyson Helton can do with his offense, particularly with using speed on the inside to stretch the field.
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But while Latrell Williams is a guy who could help with that, Jordan Murphy seems more primed and ready. At 6’0″ 177 pounds, Murphy is clearly the size of a slot receiver. Once a four-star on Rivals, this year is his perfect chance to make that impact.
Last year, despite racking up few stats, Murphy did see action in seven games. So he has the experience to be effective. Also, Murphy is already making an impact in scrimmages for the Vols this fall camp.
The guy caught a deep ball for a touchdown in the first scrimmage, which is exactly what Helton needs his offensive guys to be able to do. Entering his sophomore season, the Mississippi native has a great chance to become a regular starter. In fact, he could almost be a favorite to do so.
However, nobody has really talked about him when mentioning the playmakers among Vols receivers. There are no projections for him to start either. And he has done more than enough to warrant some recognition. That’s why we have him as a dark-horse player. Don’t be surprised if Murphy becomes a major safety target for the passing game this fall.