Tennessee football vs. Bowling Green: Five Falcons to watch

Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

6’4″ 240 pounds; Hometown: Norcross, Ga.

As a true freshman in 2019, Christian Sims appeared to have a bright future with the Bowling Green Falcons. He had eight catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Last year, he played all five games, but he was used more as a blocker and only had one catch for two yards. Scot Loeffler likely realizes now that was a mistake.

Loeffler’s system relies on running multiple tight ends at once. His Power I is a tempo-based rushing attack, so he needs those blockers. However, they also need to be a threat in the intermediate receiving game, and that’s where Sims comes in.

This year, with Sims as one of the most experienced players on the roster, Loeffler will likely use him a lot more. He arrived at BGSU as a graduate of Norcross High School in Georgia’s Gwinnett County, just outside of Atlanta. Ironically, that’s where 2022 Tennessee football offensive line commitment Addison Nichols comes from.

Anyway, given all the departing talent at receiver, including the top three pass catchers from a year ago, Sims will become key to the passing game this year. UT’s linebackers and safeties need to account for him at all times. If he gets loose, that could create problems.