Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should redshirt in 2019
When Jauan Jennings got hurt in 2017, Brandon Johnson became one of the main faces among the Tennessee football wideouts. He actually led the team in receiving yards that year with 482, getting them on 37 receptions and scoring a touchdown.
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However, the arrival of Jeremy Pruitt and introduction of the pro-style offense relegated him, especially with the return of Jennings. Johnson was behind Jennings, Marquez Callaway and a newly resurgent Josh Palmer last year, so he only had 14 catches for 132 yards.
This year, Johnson is going to be behind all three of them again, just as he was in the spring game. However, he’s too good of a receiver not to have one year starting as a wideout. As a result, he’s another guy who should take a redshirt along with Tyler Byrd.
That way, when Jennings and Callaway are gone next year, Johnson can step into one of the roles. Sure, Pruitt will bring in talent to compete with him. But Johnson has proven himself to have enough ability that he should hold onto the spot given his experience.
Assuming Palmer doesn’t leave, Byrd and Johnson redshirting could make for three seniors next year among the wideouts. You could have Palmer and Johnson as the two wideouts and Byrd as the slot guy. Both guys could benefit from the redshirt, and Johnson wouldn’t even have to compete for a starting job.
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This also puts Tennessee football in better shape for the future given the number of older receivers on the team this year. Redshirting Byrd and Johnson sets the Vols up through 2021 there, and Pruitt needs that stability. As a result, his talent and history of production combined with the prospects of playing this year make Johnson the guy who most needs to take a redshirt.