Tennessee football Smokey Points: Top 5 Vols performers in loss at Georgia

It looks like the title of Punter U is staying with Tennessee football. And just like Trevor Daniel, a walk-on is retaining that title for the Vols this year. Doyle beat out Paxton Brooks for the starting job, shocking the world just like Daniel did when he beat out Johnny Townsend back in 2015.

And each game, Doyle has gotten better punting the ball. Saturday was his best. That was the case despite the fact that the Vols had three illegal formation penalties on their first two punts because of the odd way they lined up.

That wiped off two elite Doyle punts. And as a result, he did have two go into the end zone for touchbacks. Those are the negatives from his play on the day, but remember, they will happen sometimes when you’re developing like he is.

What about the positives? Doyle averaged an amazing 47 yards a punt. He had three go beyond 50 yards, and he nailed an amazing 71-yard punt at one point. Two of his punts were pinned inside the 20-yard line, and none of them were returned.

In fact, because none of them were returned, even with the two touchbacks, his net average on punts was over 41 yards an attempt. That’s a really good number, and it’s one that would have been even better were it no for those penalties. As a result, Doyle deserves a ton of credit for his efforts in the game. Field position is a big deal for this Vols team, and he’s becoming a critical part of that.