Tennessee football’s top five options to replace Velus Jones Jr.
6'0 190 pounds. Jimmy Calloway. 2. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Redshirt sophomore. player. 839
Last year, Jimmy Calloway showed flashes of talent for Tennessee football with the ball in his hands. A full year to himself could make him dangerous.
Heading into the offseason, Jimmy Calloway seemed like a favorite to replace Velus Jones Jr. in the slot given his potential. Last year, he caught five passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was a notable catch and run against the Pittsburgh Panthers that showed what he could be for Tennessee football in the future.
That future may be now. Calloway is physical enough, despite his deceptive frame, that he could potentially line up at wideout, but he’s definitely a better fit in the slot. As a result, based on what he’s actually shown in pads, he’s one of the best candidates to replace Jones this year.
With that hype already behind him, Calloway helped himself in spring ball. In the one scrimmage open to the public during spring ball since there was no Orange and White game, Calloway had three catches for 101 yards, and he once again showed how deadly he can be with the ball in his hands, taking a swing pass in his own end zone to the other side of the field for a score.
On that play, Calloway reversed field and eluded lots of tacklers, something that’s key to being an elite slot receiver. He could be a kickoff or punt returner of Josh Heupel wanted to use him there, but what puts him up here is just how easily he could replace Jones at receiver specifically.