That was posted in the front page article. Went through the list and reflected on expectations vs. realities. Majority on the list did not become the high level contributors that the program needed to win. No doubt there are great kids on the list that have given their all for Tennessee and deserve to be well celebrated. But also there are many on the list that just did not hit the expectations they came in with.
SENIORS
No. 41 LB Elliott Berry - played the most his senior season due to injuries.
No. 29 RS/DB Evan Berry - electric, but injuries really cost him his last two years. Was a real threat.
No. 93 P Trevor Daniel - fantastic at a school known for great punters, has the chance to be the best. Sent the more highly rated Townsend packing to Florida.
No. 19 WR Jeff George - hardly seen until a few times this year with JJ being out.
No. 44 TE Jakob Johnson - always seemed to be an experiment.
No. 53 LB Colton Jumper - good story from walk-on to starter. Gave his all regardless of what some think about his talent.
No. 63 OL Brett Kendrick - meet his family at the OK City Bombing Memorial when we were out in Oklahoma for the game earlier in his career. Played a lot of football over his year. The O-line was one of the bigger struggles this year.
No. 8 DB Justin Martin - Seemed to disappear at times.
No. 20 LB Cortez McDowell - injuries
No. 25 PK Aaron Medley - inconsistent over 40 and have to be able to count on a kicker. Hitting the winner at Florida would have been a huge kick to hang his career on. Just seemed to have what many golfers have dealt with over their putter before.
No. 12 DB Emmanuel Moseley - considering what he showed up as actually played fairly well at times. On day 1 you would have not been sure he would ever contribute quality snaps. Has played a lot of football, but never dominate.
No. 75 OL Jashon Robertson - Just seemed to always be there and played all over the line. For some reason the line could never gel this year.
No. 25 WR Josh Smith - Injuries hurt him, but he has given his all.
No. 55 OL Coleman Thomas - up and down consistency. Had the chance to be the starter for years and could never take it.
No. 39 DT Kendal Vickers - solid player for the team, but never the dominant player that scared other teams. He was very consistent for Tennessee in the middle.
No. 6 DB Shaq Wiggins - many expected day 1 starter with experience at Georgia and L'ville. Not sure if it was coaches or him, but never saw it.
No. 82 TE Ethan Wolf - Consistent, QB and Coordinator struggles never fully utilized.
JUNIOR
No. 66 OL Jack Jones - hate it for Jack. Came in with the kind of attitude the team needed.
When you reflect on a senior class and what they did for the program this group has played a lot of football, but the drop of from last years gradating group to this seems like part of the struggles the program has had. This group seemed to really struggle with injuries that really cost the program.
Regardless, do believe they have given their all for the program and deserve respect as VFLs.
SENIORS
No. 41 LB Elliott Berry - played the most his senior season due to injuries.
No. 29 RS/DB Evan Berry - electric, but injuries really cost him his last two years. Was a real threat.
No. 93 P Trevor Daniel - fantastic at a school known for great punters, has the chance to be the best. Sent the more highly rated Townsend packing to Florida.
No. 19 WR Jeff George - hardly seen until a few times this year with JJ being out.
No. 44 TE Jakob Johnson - always seemed to be an experiment.
No. 53 LB Colton Jumper - good story from walk-on to starter. Gave his all regardless of what some think about his talent.
No. 63 OL Brett Kendrick - meet his family at the OK City Bombing Memorial when we were out in Oklahoma for the game earlier in his career. Played a lot of football over his year. The O-line was one of the bigger struggles this year.
No. 8 DB Justin Martin - Seemed to disappear at times.
No. 20 LB Cortez McDowell - injuries
No. 25 PK Aaron Medley - inconsistent over 40 and have to be able to count on a kicker. Hitting the winner at Florida would have been a huge kick to hang his career on. Just seemed to have what many golfers have dealt with over their putter before.
No. 12 DB Emmanuel Moseley - considering what he showed up as actually played fairly well at times. On day 1 you would have not been sure he would ever contribute quality snaps. Has played a lot of football, but never dominate.
No. 75 OL Jashon Robertson - Just seemed to always be there and played all over the line. For some reason the line could never gel this year.
No. 25 WR Josh Smith - Injuries hurt him, but he has given his all.
No. 55 OL Coleman Thomas - up and down consistency. Had the chance to be the starter for years and could never take it.
No. 39 DT Kendal Vickers - solid player for the team, but never the dominant player that scared other teams. He was very consistent for Tennessee in the middle.
No. 6 DB Shaq Wiggins - many expected day 1 starter with experience at Georgia and L'ville. Not sure if it was coaches or him, but never saw it.
No. 82 TE Ethan Wolf - Consistent, QB and Coordinator struggles never fully utilized.
JUNIOR
No. 66 OL Jack Jones - hate it for Jack. Came in with the kind of attitude the team needed.
When you reflect on a senior class and what they did for the program this group has played a lot of football, but the drop of from last years gradating group to this seems like part of the struggles the program has had. This group seemed to really struggle with injuries that really cost the program.
Regardless, do believe they have given their all for the program and deserve respect as VFLs.
