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Tennessee football: Jeremy Pruitt will have the Vols a Top-10 team by 2022

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Drew Richmond #51 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets yelled at by head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Drew Richmond #51 of the Tennessee Volunteers gets yelled at by head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football is in rebuilding mode. However, give Jeremy Pruitt a few years, and he will have the Vols a Top-10 team by 2022.

Tennessee football fans have been hurt in the past. I don’t blame you for tossing this article out to the trash and calling me an idiot. The Vols haven’t been consistently relevant since 2000-2004.

The program hasn’t seen a ten-win season since 2007. I wasn’t even an adult yet. I grew up in the 1990s, but my first memories were in 1997. I would say the first full season I remember is 1998. Oh, how things are much different now.

Vol fans should feel good about Jeremy Pruitt, the guy eats, sleeps, and thinks football. He has a little bit of Saban in him in that regard.

I know, we’ve heard this before. If you weren’t out on Butch after he had no answer for Appalachian State in 2016, I don’t know what to tell you. And, everyone knew Derek Dooley wasn’t the answer.

Last week, an anonymous coach from the SEC (we think) said, “Tennessee needs a talent upgrade.” It’s going to take five years to get it done.” Yeah, no duh about the talent upgrades. One coach said, “Jeremy lucked out getting rid of Tyson Helton and hiring Jim Chaney.” One coach even said. “Tennessee should have hired Ed Orgeron after Lane Kiffin left.” That coach has no clue what’s going on since Ed wanted to leave with Kiffin and was recruiting players to USC.

I want to go back to the first quote one second. “A five year rebuild.” Is that okay with Volnation? Is five years too long? That would make it 15 years since the Vols were good.

I say, yes. I believe Pruitt is the guy, and if we are patient, I know that’s tough to hear, Tennessee football will get back to dominance. Pruitt deserves five years if players are developing, and there are noticeable signs of improvement on the field. That may not come in wins, but the wins will come eventually.

Next. 5 concerns with Vols revamped staff heading into 2019. dark

Butch Jones was able to climb the rankings and make the Vols relevant for a short while. By the year 2021, Pruitt will have the Vols, a solid Top-10 team at the beginning of each season. Tennessee’s days as the laughing stock of the SEC are over.

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