The story of wide receivers for Tennessee football entering 2022 can be told two ways. On one hand, the Vols have their first 1,000-yard receiver returning since 2002, and if he’s healthy, he’ll be the first to come off that year playing a full season since Joey Kent in 1996. They also have the same quarterback throwing them the ball.
However, at the same time, the Vols lost two other key players at the position from last year, both of whom graduated and have gone to the NFL, one of whom was selected in the draft. Josh Heupel has a lot of young talent to help offset that, and he brought in a great recruiting class there, but it still leaves a lot of questions.
A new receivers coach adds to the chaos. Our preview for Tennessee football’s receivers in 2022 touches on all of this. As usual, we’ll have a slide for starters returning, backups returning and newcomers before closing with our top questions and a final take, but let’s start with who’s gone.
Who’s gone?
Starters
Velus Jones Jr.
Last year’s primary slot receiver, Velus Jones Jr. caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns, all good for second on the team. He ran out of eligibility and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the NFL Draft. Replacing him is Heupel’s toughest task.
JaVonta Payton
In one year of eligibility after transferring, JaVonta Payton had a greater impact per touch than any receiver in the nation. He caught 18 passes for 413 yards and six touchdowns and has now signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Without him, UT needs to find another No. 2 wideout.
Backups
Andison Coby
After transferring to the Vols from junior college, Andison Coby had one catch five yards last year. He has since transferred to the Indiana Hoosiers.
Deangelo Gibbs
Initially a defensive back who transferred from the Georgia Bulldogs in 2019, Deangelo Gibbs moved to wide receiver. However, he had no catches in 2021 and enterer the portal again.
Kaemen Marley
Similar to Gibbs, Kaemen Marley was more of an athlete and was moved to receiver as a true freshman. He never recorded any stats, though, and has since entered the transfer portal.
Tanner Dobrucky
In 2017, Tanner Dobrucky walked on to Tennessee football. He saw action in 15 games in 2019 and 2020 but never recorded any stats and has run out of eligibility.
J.T. Siekerman
Like Dobrucky, J.T. Siekerman was a walk-on. He joined in 2018 and saw action against the UAB Blazers in 2019. However, he never recorded any stats and has since graduated.