Tennessee football: Can Velus Jones Jr. immediately replace Marquez Callaway?
USC Trojans graduate transfer wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. has joined Tennessee football. Will he help offset the Volunteers losing Marquez Callaway?
Jeremy Pruitt’s connections to the state of Alabama and his decision to bring back Tee Martin last year has paid off. It showed in a big way with Tennessee football picking up graduate transfer wide receiver Velus Jones Jr.
Once a four-star out of the state of Alabama, Jones played for the USC Trojans for three years, where Martin spent two as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. So the connections were clearly there, and Pruitt was smart not to pass up that opportunity.
The need for a player like Jone is clear as well. UT is losing its go-to wideout in Jauan Jennings, but it’s also losing its most versatile wideout in Marquez Callaway. Although Jennings can’t be replaced, Pruitt and Jim Chaney at least have wideouts with size in Josh Palmer and Ramel Keyton.
However, a speed guy like Callaway who can double as a special teams threat is a bit harder to replace. With the addition of a veteran like Jones, it appears Pruitt is looking for a guy to be able to replace him immediately.
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Will it pay off? Well, Jones had only two career touchdowns from scrimmage with the Trojans and only one receiving touchdown. His best year as a pass-catcher was in 2018, when he had 24 catches for 266 yards. In 2017 and 2019, he failed to surpass 100 yards combined. Callaway also has two inches on him.
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It’s a different story in the return game, though. Jones nearly has 2,000 kick return yards, and he ran one back for a touchdown this past year. Him being a return specialist for Tennessee football is a distinct possibility.
Guys like Ty Chandler and Eric Gray, though, have proven their value on those fronts as well. So it doesn’t seem like Pruitt would just bring him on to be able to field kickoffs and maybe punts. You have to think he wants to incorporate him into the offense.
Last year, the Vols were loaded with big, physical wideouts. Jones could be a No. 2 wideout who brings a different package, this time providing speed. He did clock in a 4.4 40-time coming out of high school. That is another similarity to Callaway, who was touted for his speed and clocked in a 4.36 40-time at one point.
Taking everything into account, Jones probably won’t fully be able to replicate Callaway’s production. But he can help Pruitt somewhat offset what is a crucial loss. Tennessee football is picking up a veteran receiver who has speed and can play on special teams, and that’s exactly what they lost in Callaway.
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There will still probably be lots of competition for the open receiver spots. It’s a point of concern for the Vols heading into this year, and Pruitt is looking elsewhere for help. But in Jones, he’s got a guy who’s familiar with Martin and the Vols’ previous offensive coordinator, Tyson Helton. So lots of things suggest he could become a big part of the offense along with special teams.