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Tennessee football: Ranking every starter from 2020 who returned by performance in 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
Tennessee defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) high-fives fans after defeating South Carolina 45-20 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /
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Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) points to a South Carolina defender as he runs downfield in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) points to a South Carolina defender as he runs downfield in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007 /

Pick Analysis. Wide receiver. Redshirt senior. Velus Jones Jr.. player. 839. Scouting Report. 3

6’0″ 200 pounds

For a long time in 2020, Velus Jones Jr. was not seeing the action he needed to see after transferring from the USC Trojans. However, he was still Tennessee football’s primary kickoff and punt returner, and towards the end of the year, he became the Vols’ top receiver.

As a speedster who should line up more in the slot, Jones shouldn’t put up wideout numbers, but he should be a threat in multiple ways. That’s exactly what he was with the Vols this past year, as Josh Heupel was able to use him to perfection in his offense.

Jones had a PFF regular season grade of 78.4, catching 62 balls for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. For what it’s worth, he also had a 15-yard run. On the receiving side though, he had more yards and touchdowns this year than his previous five in college combined.

The return game was also impressive, as Jones averaged 27.3 yards on 23 kickoff returns, 15.1 yards on 18 punt returns and ran one kickoff back for a touchdown. He earned First Team All-SEC as a return specialist. Simply put, Tennessee football is going to miss him, as he obviously can’t come back another year since this was his sixth season.

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