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Tennessee football 2022 preview by position: WR

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /
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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 /

Returning starters at WR

Cedric Tillman

  • 6’3″ 215 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman High School)

Yes, only one starter is back, but he’s a huge deal. Cedric Tillman came from out of nowhere last year and beat out lots of players who were much more highly touted recruits and ready to take over for the departures of Josh Palmer and Brandon Johnson. Immediately, he became Tennessee football’s No. 1 wideout and top playmaker.

Tillman is the 1,000-yard receiver who is back, as he finished last year with 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those latter two stats are top four all time for a regular season in UT history. The touchdowns are tied for second all time, and this is at Wide Receiver U.

What makes this more impressive is the lack of consistency at quarterback. Joe Milton III started the season and struggled with accuracy at times. Tillman still caught a touchdown pass from him in the opener. He then helped Hendon Hooker adjust when he came in.

Now, Tillman and Hooker have another year together. With Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton gone, more pressure may be on him. He’ll probably see even more targets, but he’ll also have to win tougher matchups. To take the pressure off him will require other players to emerge, and that’s where the next slide comes in.

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