Tennessee football: Former players chime in on Vols’ issues

Fans weren’t the only ones upset over the Tennessee football Volunteers’ loss to Arkansas.

With the click of a button “Vol Nation” becomes “Vol Twitter”, an online presence powerful enough to swing recruits and block coaching hires even after they reportedly happen. To the SEC and Tennessee football, it just means more.

Through social media, fans have the opportunity to interact with the former players they once watched on television and heard the late John Ward calling out on brisk autumn evenings. For many of these players, it’s been years since they last wore the orange Power T on their helmets, but they know what it’s like to be in the huddle, in the locker room, and under a coaches discretion.

Not that these men necessarily know more about UT’s coaching situation following their loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks, but there’s something to be said about guys that used to be on the field being outspoken on the matter. When VFL’s talk, you listen. You’ll notice a lot of them see something is clearly off with the Vols.

Jayson Swain

It should come as no surprise to find Jayson Swain on this list, the former UT wide receiver that played under Phillip Fulmer from 2003-2006 now hosts a Tennessee football sports radio show. The former Chicago Bear didn’t mince words when he tweeted about the Vols performance on Saturday, also providing an opinion on where the fault lies.

Ramon Foster

After an 11 year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ramon Foster still takes time each Saturday to watch the university he played for from 2004–2008 under Fulmer. You’ll notice much Foster, like Swain, didn’t necessarily have a problem with the players themselves, more what they were being told to do.

Brett Kendrick

Another former Tennessee football offensive lineman, Brett Kendrick, who blocked for Butch Jones from 2013-2017, is no stranger to voicing his thoughts on the current state of the program. He made no exceptions on Saturday. Kendrick, like many, questioned Pruitt’s decision to go for it on fourth and four rather than kicking a field goal to bring Arkansas within a score.

Aaron Hayden

Aaron Hayden, a former San Diego Chargers draft pick that rushed for over 2,000 yards under Johnny Majors and Fulmer from 1991-1994, had something to say as well. While he too stressed his concern for the current state of the program, Hayden isn’t sure about a coaching change just yet.

So Tennessee football fans, if you’re wondering what was going on against the Arkansas Razorbacks, you’re not alone. Even some of the former players can’t help but wonder what’s happening behind closed doors in Knoxville.