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Tennessee football 2020 preview by position: Special teams

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 12: Brent Cimaglia #42 kicks the ball held by Joe Doyle #47 of the Tennessee Volunteers against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 12: Brent Cimaglia #42 kicks the ball held by Joe Doyle #47 of the Tennessee Volunteers against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images
Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images /

Kickoff returner

Velus Jones Jr.; Redshirt senior; 6’0″ 202 pounds; Saraland, Ala.

A graduate transfer from the USC Trojans, Velus Jones Jr. has reunited with Tee Martin. He’ll immediately be eligible to go, and since Tennessee football hasn’t had an official kickoff returner in a few years, it’s likely that Jones steps into that role in addition to having the chance to be the go-to slot receiver for the Vols. He’ll have a ton of potential if he does that.

The product of Saraland High School in Saraland, Ala. averaged over 24 yards a kickoff return last year and ran one back for a touchdown. He increased his role in that part of the game every season, and expectations are for him to be able to do the same thing on Rocky Top. If he does, he’ll give the Vols a major advantage in this regard.

Punt returner

Eric Gray; Sophomore; 5’10” 200 pounds; Memphis, Tenn.

With Marquez Callaway gone, UT has a major opening in the punt return game. Eric Gray, who proved himself late as an elite running back with the ball in open space, should take on that role. He did only have 12 yards on two punt returns last year, but given the rapid development he showed late, that should translate into this area.

One of the reasons we have Gray starting here as an all-purpose back is that we expect the in-state graduate of Lausanne Collegiate School to be the No. 2 running back, despite his strong finish, in the rotation. That leaves more room for Jeremy Pruitt to use him elsewhere, which is where this role comes into play.

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