Tennessee football: 10 Vols most likely to win postseason awards in 2022
player. Scouting Report. Return specialist. Junior. 839. Pick Analysis. Jimmy Holiday. 8
6’0″ 205 pounds
You might be shocked by this one. No, Jimmy Holiday is not going to become Tennessee football’s starting slot receiver. Jalin Hyatt has that role, and Jimmy Calloway will likely back him up. However, Hyatt won’t be doubling up on special teams like Velus Jones Jr. did, and that’s what ended up keeping him off this list.
Instead, Holiday is likely going to handle that role. Last year, Holiday was the Vols’ No. 2 option at kickoff returner behind Velus Jones Jr., and although Mike Ekeler has turned to lots of guys this year to help out, most notably another slot receiver in true freshman Squirrel White, it’s pretty clear that Holiday is the main guy.
In 2021, Holiday averaged over 25 yards a kickoff return. He did just run back five kickoffs, but that was a good sign of what he could be with a full season to himself. He is an elite, speedy returner with plenty of experience in the role, and that gives him a great chance to burst onto the scene.
As a result, Holiday has a chance to earn postseason recognition specifically as a return specialist, and even more specifically as a kickoff returner. It’s not the same chance Jones had since Holiday won’t return punts, but what he does on kickoffs should get him noticed.