One thing that has always been a strength at Tennessee is the offense, where the Vols have produced a plethora of NFL players including Darnell Wright, Dylan Sampson, Jaylen Wright, Cedric Tillman, Hendon Hooker, Jauan Jennings, Cade Mays, and others. Production has been consistent year after year, and just a couple of months ago, the Vols also put wideout Chris Brazzell into the league, where he is already flashing in Carolina. Offense and Tennessee go together like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it's just natural.
How Josh Heupel’s recruiting strategy could elevate Tennessee in the coming years
Perhaps what really stands out is that the offense under Heupel has taken a big step forward and consistently ranks among the nation’s top units, despite Tennessee playing in the SEC against elite defenses. Last season, which was considered a down year for Tennessee, the Vols still ranked eighth in the nation in points per game at 37.1. Even with Tennessee losing its quarterback at the eleventh hour, Heupel adapted and made Tennessee not only a threat, but a legitimate top offense, which is significant.
It’s tough to have a great offense without great players, and Josh Heupel has recruited plenty of them. CBS Sports recently released its list of the top 25 skill players in college football, and two Vols made the cut. Star tailback DeSean Bishop came in at No. 19 on the list while wide receiver Braylon Staley was just behind him at No. 24.
Regarding Bishop, one of the best players in the nation who was Second Team All-SEC last year, and a pivot piece of Tennessee's offense, CBS said, "A compact, explosive runner with sharp-cut ability, Tennessee's DeSean Bishop excels in space, but that's not his only strength. Tennessee has leaned on perimeter speed in recent years, but Bishop adds interior balance, forcing defenses to respect the run between the tackles. His value goes beyond raw production -- he helps sustain drives, sets up play-action and keeps the offense ahead of schedule."
Staley also received significant praise with the claim of a potential All-American season. CBS said, "There are growing expectations in Knoxville that Braylon Staley will have an All-American-like season at Tennessee after showcasing his skills last fall. He's one of several emerging young playmakers for the Vols, who are loaded at the position. A quick, instinctive receiver with natural separation skills, Staley is expected to carve out a meaningful role in an offense that thrives on tempo and perimeter exploitation."
DeSean Bishop and Braylon Staley are rightfully recognized
This is a major relief because it feels like anytime a list like this is released, Tennessee somehow gets disrespected. Just yesterday, Athlon Sports released its rankings of the top running back units, and it completely overlooked DeSean Bishop, who many believe is one of the best running backs in the nation. Bishop rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and scored 16 touchdowns last season while barely seeing action against cupcakes. If he had played more against teams like ETSU and UAB, he probably would have finished with around 1,500 yards, which would have completely changed the national perception of him. I’m glad CBS got this one right.
Staley, on the other hand, was the SEC Freshman of the Year last fall and will make life much easier for whichever quarterback wins the starting job. He’s such an explosive athlete who can make all kinds of plays with the ball in his hands. Tennessee being able to retain him this offseason was a huge win, and he’ll be a major focal point of the offense this season, especially in the screen game.
If you're a Vols fan, this is exactly the kind of praise you want to see for your players, because it proves that Heupel still is recruiting and developing at a high level, as they're the only SEC team with multiple players mentioned. If Tennessee outperforms expectations next season, Bishop and Staley will play pivotal roles in the process while also proving the doubters wrong.
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