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Tennessee football: Five Vols to watch for against Alabama

ByDean Zulkofske|
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: LaBryan Ray #89 of the Alabama Crimson Tide battles with Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
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Oct 17, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 17, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis-USA TODAY NETWORK

6’0″ 200 pounds; Hometown: Saraland, Ala.

In a multitude of ways, Velus Jones Jr. has been a welcomed surprise to Tennessee football’s offensive unit. The former USC Trojan has never been a No. 1 receiver. In fact, the five receptions he caught Week 1 against South Carolina was a career-high.

It’s Jones’ kick-return ability that made a name for him in Southern California and had UT’s coaching staff asking him to come to Rocky Top. In the return game this season, Jones has quietly been one of the more efficient athletes in the conference.

The graduate transfer senior is currently third in the SEC with 200 return yards, returning eight kicks over four weeks for an average of 25 yards per return. Take a look at his season-high 40-yard return that came against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 1.

Against what’ll be the best team Tennessee football faces all year, field position and big-play momentum could not be valued any more. Given the uncertainty of what the offense will even look like on Saturday, it wouldn’t hurt to start with the ball at or above midfield each drive

Jones isn’t the deep ball threat receiver you’d take a shot with like-say Josh Palmer, but with his speed and vision, he probably deserves more touches. What better week to put the ball in his hands than against a Crimson tide team that probably wouldn’t expect it? Look for offensive coordinator Jim Chaney to get the ball to Velus Jones Jr. in Week 5.

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