Butch Jones didn’t hide it.
The youth is in abundance.
“We’re going to be playing upwards of 28 freshmen,” the second-year Tennessee head coach said. “And that’s true freshmen — individuals who just concluded their first week and a half of school.”
That said, here’s a handful of first-year Vols who will either start the Aug. 31 opener versus Utah State or are in line to make a significant impact in 2014.
Derek Barnett: As the Vols first true freshman to start a season opener on the defensive line, Barnett will lock down the right defensive end spot opposite sophomore Corey Vereen.
“I’m excited, but that means I’m held to a higher standard now,” the 6-foot-3, 267-pound Nashville native said. “I’ve got to do the little things right and still continue to get better and not get complacent.”
The Berry twins: As two of the most discussed freshmen upon arriving in Knoxville, both Evan and Elliott Berry have both established themselves as potent weapons in Jones’ UT attack. While neither of them will start in the secondary Week 1, look for Evan to potentially make some noise on special teams as a starting kick returner.
Jalen Hurd: The heralded jewel of UT’s illustrious 2014 recruiting class, Hurd has been pegged with monumental expectations ever since his 6-foot-3, 227-pound frame first graced Knoxville surface. And while the freshman running back will officially start in the season opener in a backup role behind Marlin Lane, look for Hurd’s presence to be made apparent early.
“It’s been a wait,” said Hurd, who missed nearly all of his final high school season with a shoulder injury. “But I’m just excited for Sunday, and I can’t wait to be out there with my team and all those great fans.”
Josh Malone: While Malone maybe hasn’t grasped the UT offense as quickly as his 5-star ranking and Orange and White Game performance may have indicated, the first-year wide receiver is still in a position to make some serious headway this season.
“He’s a freshman, and we put a lot of expectations on him, but the great thing is he has a lot of mentors around him now,” Jones said. “That entire receiving group has a lot of confidence right now.”
Jashon Robertson: Easily the biggest surprise of UT’s offseason, Robertson snatched a starting offensive guard spot after switching over from the defensive line midway through fall training camp.
“He hasn’t hit the freshman or training camp barrier,” Jones said. “He’s come and brought it each and every day. It’s like your kids — every individual has a maturity level different than the others … Jashon has done a great job overall.”
Ethan Wolf: Representing the first freshman tight end to ever start a season opener for the Vols, Wolf headlines a possibly four-deep group of tight ends looking to resurrect the position in Mike Bajakian’s offense.
“Ethan’s a big guy,” quarterback Justin Worley said. “He’s probably 6’5″ or 6’6″. He’s physical. He runs good routes, and he has good hands. So I don’t know if you could say many bad things about Ethan. He’s done a great job, came in early, got in the offense quick and has really developed.”
