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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols at 2022 SEC Media Days

By Caleb Calhoun

Jul 21, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel talks to the media on the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel talks to the media on the stage during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 21, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers player Cedric Tillman speaks to the media during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers player Cedric Tillman speaks to the media during SEC Media Days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

4. One big question, one big answer at receiver

Obviously, Cedric Tillman, who spoke Thursday, is the star for Tennessee football at receiver. He’s a go-to guy who had 1,000 yards last year, and with Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton both gone, more expectations will be on him this year. However, he’s a team guy on the matter and is clearly about the whole unit improving. Here’s a bit of what he said.

"“For the other receivers on the team, they are taking the same approach and working on their hands and their running. I want to see the receivers working hard and representing the team well this year. … It’s team chemistry. That’s what it’s all about.”"

From a selfish perspective, this would still be smart, as he needs other receivers to step up and replace Jones and Payton so he can get those one-on-one matchups. Josh Heupel made statements Thursday that answered one question on that front while raising another.

In terms of answering the question, building on what he said in the spring, he couldn’t avoid mentioning Jalin Hyatt again when talking about the slot. Based on those statements, it’s clear that Hyatt is poised and ready to replace Jones immediately on that side. Here’s what he said.

"“Very proud of Jalin Hyatt and the steps he’s made. I think there’s great competition inside of our program at the slot position. On the outside, this training camp there will be great competition as well. We’re going to need somebody to step forward, multiple guys to step forward, at all those positions.”"

However, Heupel also revealed in another media session, which you can see here, that USC Trojans transfer wide receiver is still working on his eligibility this year. McCoy was expected to immediately become the No. 2 wideout to replace Payton, but his off-the-field issue last year combined with the transfer puts his eligibility in question.

As a result, it’s not clear who will complement Tillman on the other side of the ball. Hendon Hooker did mention Ramel Keyton when he was speaking, but that was more in passing, so while the slot receiver spot is locked up, finding the other wideout is clearly still up in the air.

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