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Tennessee football: 10 Vols most likely to win postseason awards in 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs into the end zone during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) runs into the end zone during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

Scouting Report. Wide receiver. player. 839. Pick Analysis. r-Senior. Cedric Tillman. 2

6’3″ 215 pounds

Although the system favors the running backs and even more so with Jabari Small this year, the by-committee approach by Josh Heupel always limits a running back’s chances, even if it’s slightly. That’s not the case with receivers, and as a result, Cedric Tillman is one spot higher on this list than Small, even if both are crucial.

Last year, his first as the No. 1 wideout, Tillman caught 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s the only returning 1,000-yard receiver in the SEC and the first returning 1,000-yard receiver for Tennessee football since Kelley Washington came back in 2002. Washington played four games before suffering a season-ending injury.

As a result, the best comparison for Tillman is Joey Kent from 1995 to 1996, and Kent had a second straight 1,000-yard season. It’s reasonable to expect the same thing from Tillman, especially since new receivers coach Kelsey Pope is the one who developed Tillman last year when he was in an off-field role.

Another huge advantage for Tillman is the fact that we still don’t know how Tennessee football’s receiver rotation will look. Yes, Jalin Hyatt is the favorite in the slot, but the other wideout position is wide open, and you can’t just replace Velus Jones Jr. and Javonta Payton that easily. This could mean many more targets for Tillman.

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