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Tennessee football: Ranking 15 options to replace Kodi Burns as Vols WR coach

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receivers coach Kodi Burns at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kodi Burns at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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Tennessee’s J.J. McCleskey, left, and assistant coach Rex Norris celebrate their 49-20 victory over Vanderbilt at Dudley Field in Nashville Dec. 1, 1990, that clinched the Southeastern Conference title and a trip to the Sugar Bowl.
Tennessee’s J.J. McCleskey, left, and assistant coach Rex Norris celebrate their 49-20 victory over Vanderbilt at Dudley Field in Nashville Dec. 1, 1990, that clinched the Southeastern Conference title and a trip to the Sugar Bowl. /

Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Tulane Green Wave. Secondary coach. J.J. McCleskey. 9. player. 2115

Years at current position: 4

Speaking of former players, why not bring back one of the former notable players from the Johnny Majors era? J.J. McCleskey played receiver for Tennessee football from 1989 to 1992. He caught 39 passes for 452 yards in his career and ran the ball four times for 24 yards and a touchdown. Afterward, he had a seven-year pro career with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals.

McCleskey began working as an assistant coach back in 2018, when he joined Willie Fritz’s staff on the Tulane Green Wave. He’s remained on that staff ever since, coaching defensive backs the entire time and helping the team capture a share of the American Athletic Conference West back in 2018, when they went 7-6.

Although he has never actually coached receivers, which is what keeps him low on this list, McCleskey’s experience playing receiver combined with his coaching experience could still make him a solid hire for Tennessee football. As a result, he should be on the list.

Add in the fact that he’s from Knoxville, and he could really strengthen the necessary in-state recruiting ties UT needs to build. He also brings a Louisiana connection, which could be a huge plus on the trail in the future, so there are lots of positives to adding him.

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