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Tennessee football: Five things promoting Kelsey Pope to WR coach means for Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) celebrates with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) celebrates with wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /

1. Focus on wideouts

Velus Jones Jr. was a star in the slot last year for Tennessee football, but the outbreak of Cedric Tillman and Josh Heupel’s recruiting continued to suggest that he wanted an offense more focused on wideouts. The promotion of Kelsey Pope all but confirms that.

Pope, as we mentioned earlier, specifically had a rapport with Tillman, which helped the selling point of his hire. He actually earns credit for helping Tillman burst onto the scene as a breakout receiver, generating over 1,000 yards, last year. Heupel has Tillman back, but he’s losing Jones. That didn’t stop him from hoping to find the next Tillman.

When he played at Samford, Pope was a go-to wideout, catching 68 passes for 789 yards and three touchdowns his senior season. Although he is only 6’0″, that seems to be his area of expertise. Remember, with him as an analyst, JaVonta Payton also emerged as a playmaking wideout despite only being 6’1″180 pounds.

Next. Ranking offseason coaching changes by impact on Vols. dark

Unstoppable talent on the outside seems to be the future for Tennessee football, evidenced by the number of receivers they are bringing in who are 6’2″ and above. Pope appears to have a focus on those guys specifically, and with his promotion, that’ll be a priority in Heupel’s offense.

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