Tennessee football: Cedric Tillman returning should give Vols best passing offense in SEC

Last year, Tennessee football was fourth in the SEC in yards per pass attempt and second in touchdown to interception ratio. Now, the Vols will have their quarterback and their top receiver most responsible for these numbers back next year.

A week and a half after Hendon Hooker announced he would return for another year as UT’s starting quarterback, the Vols received news that Cedric Tillman, his go-to receiver would be back. As a redshirt junior, Tillman has caught 57 passes for 931 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021.

All of those stats are first in receiving among Tennessee football players. The 6’3″ 215-pound playmaker did this in just 11 games as well. He announced his decision to return to Rocky Top Thursday afternoon on Twitter.

Make no mistake. This is a huge early Christmas gift for the Vols. Those numbers we mentioned in the first paragraph came despite Hooker not starting the first two games and Tillman not playing in the third game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

That means these two didn’t become a duo until the fourth game of the year. However, Hooker still finished second in the SEC in yards per pass attempt (9.84), second in completion percentage (68.97) and second in touchdown to interception ratio (26:3).

Taking all of this into account, with both of these guys back, Tennessee football should have the most efficient passing offense in the SEC in 2022. Buckle up, because Josh Heupel is about to put on a show with these guys.

Heupel still has to address the losses of Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton, but we know what Jalin Hyatt can do, and Jimmy Calloway is elite with the ball in his hands. Add in Ramel Keyton still being there as a wideout, and there is already enough proven talent combined with tons of guys with potential already in the rotation.

Still, the running game, which sets up the pass, should be fine. Jabari Small, Jaylen Wright and Len’Neth Whitehead are all back. As of right now, it looks like every starter on the line except for Cade Mays is back, and K’Rojhn Calbert getting healthy could offset the loss of Mays.

Then, in the passing game, you’ve got Hooker and Tillman.  Both players are dramatic overachievers. Hooker was Joe Milton III’s backup at the beginning of the year, and Tillman was a two-star on Rivals when he signed with UT in 2018.

With a full offseason for them to work together and more experience for Tillman, they should become the best duo in the SEC in 2022. That’s why this should be the most efficient pass offense in the league, especially when you add Hooker’s mobility.

Now, they do need to cut down on sacks, as their 42 sacks allowed led the conference. However, with so much continuity on the line and enough talent, it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to cut down on that issue. If they do, Tennessee football should be dominant next year. Simply put, the Vols continue to be loaded with key returning talent. Tillman is another player like that.