Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should have breakout years in 2019

Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should have breakout seasons in 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Wide receiver Josh Palmer #84 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs for yards with Jeff Gemmell #34 of the Charlotte 49ers and Ben DeLuca #28 of the Charlotte 49ers defending during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

One of the major things Tennessee football is tasked with this year is improving on short-yardage plays. Brandon Kennedy is a necessary breakout player to help with that in his return to center. The other is Jeremy Banks.

A four-star commitment in 2018, Banks received a lot of love from Jeremy Pruitt and fans for how hard he played. However, a fumble issue resulted in Pruitt moving him over to linebacker for part of last year before moving him back to running back. This year, he’s back at running back full-time, and he’s the only power back in the system.

We mentioned Pruitt’s desire to run three to four backs. That also applies to Jim Chaney. But one of those guys always has to be a power back. A power back has to be in the system even if you run just two backs. Last year, Madre London was that guy. This year, Banks is the only power back in the system.

Ty Chandler and Eric Gray are speedsters, Carlin Fils-Aime and Tim Jordan are fundamental backs. So it’s all on Banks, at 6’1″ 225 pounds, to be the physical back. After 52 carries for 185 yards and three touchdowns last year, he should turn into a touchdown machine this year on the goal line.

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