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Tennessee football 2021 highlights: Top 10 plays of the season

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Theo Jackson (26) celebrates after a sack during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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7. Velus Jones Jr. kickoff return South Alabama

After two years as the featured kickoff returner and punt returner for Tennessee football, Velus Jones Jr. kept knocking on the door to run one back. He made tons of impressive plays in the offense down the stretch of 2020 and in all of 2021, but this was where fans were looking for him to generate his biggest highlight.

That finally came against South Alabama. Of all the fun plays that happened in that 60-point game, Jones had the most impressive play. UT jumped out to a 28-0 lead, a similar score they had been hitting all year in the first half. However, the Jaguars then had a 10-play 75-yard touchdown drive to cut it to 28-7.

With just over a minute to go in the second quarter, they could have gone into halftime with some momentum. Well, Jones finally stepped up to make sure there was no way that could happen. He took the kickoff, shed multiple tackles and ran 96 yards for the score.

Earlier in the year, Jones ran one back against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, but a meaningless penalty called it off. He averaged over 27 yards a kickoff return and over 15 yards a punt return, so this runback was overdue and helped him earn All-SEC as a return specialist.

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