Tennessee football: Top 10 in-state Vols on 2019 roster

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs up the sideline with a 67-yard touchdown reception against the Florida Gators in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Florida 38-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs up the sideline with a 67-yard touchdown reception against the Florida Gators in the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Florida 38-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images

Murfreesboro has actually slowly developed into a solid pipeline for Tennessee football over the past few years, but the most standout player from there is a guy who actually committed to the Vols as a four-star quarterback but became a top playmaker at wide receiver. That’s the story of Jauan Jennings.

Make no mistake about it, Jennings is the most proven game-changer on the Vols. All that held him back last year was trying to get healthy after missing the entire 2017 season and having a tumultuous offseason. But he still managed to catch the go-ahead touchdown that put UT up for good against the Auburn Tigers.

Combine that with his go-ahead touchdown reception in 2016 against the Florida Gators and his game-winning Hail Mary touchdown reception against the Georgia Bulldogs a week later, and it’s clear he’s an elite game-changer. This year, coming off a fully healthy offseason, expectations are through the roof for him as a fifth-year senior.

Jennings is a Tennessee guy through and through, and at 6’3″ 216 pounds, he provides a size advantage that very few people can match. As a result, he should become a superstar provided he stays healthy, and that’s more than enough for us to put him so high on our list.