Tennessee football: 10 offseason improvements Vols must make before 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Tennessee football
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images

Tennessee football has plenty of issues to fix after a 5-7 season. Here are 10 offseason improvements the Volunteers need to make.

Well, the offseason is finally here. As everybody debates the greatness of the Clemson Tigers for dominating the Alabama Crimson Tide, Tennessee football is somewhere in the distance, trying to become relevant again.

After a 5-7 season and with no new offensive coordinator to replace Tyson Helton six weeks after his departure, it’s safe to say the state of the program is highly questionable. And that’s also why basketball season is the talk of Rocky Top.

However, Tennessee football is still the big story in town. It always will be. And no matter what happens or how long it takes, fans will hold their breath hoping the program can return to the glory days it once had.

So after his first year finishing in disappointment, what can Jeremy Pruitt do to make this happen? Well, for starters he can bring in an offensive coordinator. But what are some issues the Vols had that he can shore up from last year?

You have to assume that with another recruiting class and another full offseason of practices, more guys will understand what he’s trying to do by the Fall. And that will make the system easier to pick up.

But, even with a softer schedule, it won’t make 2019 any easier unless the Vols address clear weaknesses they had this past year. So what are these issues plaguing them? How could they have made a bowl game this past year? And which issues will help them get a bowl game and maybe even fight for eight wins in the future?

Well, let’s take a look at all the things the Vols need to do here. No matter what the staff or recruiting class look like, these are the 10 improvements that Tennessee football needs to make this offseason if they want to have a successful season in 2019.