Tennessee football: Top 5 non-conference players 2019 Vols have to face

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Isaiah Kaufusi #53 of the BYU Cougars celebrates with teammates after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Isaiah Kaufusi #53 of the BYU Cougars celebrates with teammates after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images
Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images

When Zach Wilson stepped in as the starter for the BYU Cougars last year, their offense soared to new heights. They took major leaps in efficiency in the month of November, and he now enters 2019 with a ton of hype. The only question surrounding Wilson is if he can stay healthy.

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In 2018, Wilson completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,578 yards, an average of over eight and a half yards an attempt, to go along with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns.

Wilson’s breakout game came in the Potato Bowl against the Western Michigan Broncos, completing all 18 of his attempts for 317 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-18 win. Those are historically great numbers, and it’s worth noting he added 23 rushing yards.

This year, as the firmly set-in starter, he’s looking to take the Cougars to new heights after they went 7-6. Tennessee football will likely have their hands full with this guy, and Jeremy Pruitt needs to do everything he can to prepare for the 6’3″ 201-pound junior.

Although Tennessee football will likely be favorites over BYU, guys like Wilson can definitely still make it a tough game. Again, the only thing that might change this up a bit is the fact that he may not be fully healthy by Week Two. But he’s still likely to go, so he’s easily the top non-conference star UT has to worry about this year.