Despite a three-year bowl game drought, these players promise a better season ahead. Here’s “who to watch” in 2014.
Jalen Hurd (No. 1)
Freshman running back
There has been no shortage of great running backs at Tennessee, with names like Travis Henry, Jamal Lewis, Arian Foster, James Stewart, Cedric Houston and Jay Graham topping the list. Perhaps Jalen Hurd will land on that elite list– but first, he has to push through his freshman campaign.
The Beech High School standout, who rushed for 394 yards and scored seven touchdowns in a state title game, will join a Vols backfield featuring senior Marlin Lane and possibly freshman Derrell Scott.
Unfortunately for opposing defenses, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound freshman will arrive as the most celebrated athlete since Eric Berry in 2007.
He led all rushers during the Orange and White game with 66 yards on 11 carries, including a 4-yard scamper for a touchdown.
The team wants to save his legs for his career, so he probably won’t see much playing time. But if he can juke and spin around defenders like he did in high school, the Vols will be tempted to give him the ball more frequently.
2014 Predictions: 150 rushes, 750 yards, 8 TDs
Red shirt junior defensive lineman
Butch Jones said the biggest news of the offseason was A.J. Johnson’s decision to return for his senior season. But the second-year head coach will be happy to see another minister of defense emerge, too.
While Curt Maggitt has two years of experience as a linebacker, the coaches felt he’d fit best on the defensive line, where his speed and agility can pressure the quarterback.
When Magitt last suited up on Nov. 10, 2012 in a quadruple-overtime loss to Missouri, his fast-and-furious style of play shone. He finished the game with five tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a career-best three quarterback hurries– and a torn ACL in his right knee. The injury sidelined him for the rest of the season and last season as well.
However, the redshirt junior, with 86 tackles and three forced fumbles logged in 20 career games, said he’s ready for the season. He participated fully in offseason workouts and in fall camp.
While no players return with any experience on the defensive front, Maggitt will likely bring great mentorship and positivity to the field and his fellow players. At the Orange and White Game he was awarded the Al Wilson Leadership Award. He is the award’s first recipient.
If he can stay healthy this season, he will prove valuable whether he stays on the line or switches over to linebacker.
2014 Predictions: 40 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Marquez North (No. 8)
Sophomore wide receiver
Known for his miraculous one-handed catch against South Carolina, Tennessee’s go-to wide receiver is set up for a monster sophomore campaign.
As a freshman, North started in 11 of 12 games and caught 38 passes, the second most by a first-year player in program history. He also led the team with 496 receiving yards.
In four games against Top-15 ranked opponents—South Carolina, Alabama, Auburn and Missouri—he hauled in 19 catches for 315 yards (16.6 yards per catch) and his lone touchdown of the season.
With great speed after the catch and a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, North is more than capable of out-muscling opponents.
Whoever starts at quarterback this season should locate No. 8 quite often on the field this season. He will be the go-to receiver in a unit that includes more depth than last year with highly touted freshman Josh Malone, who scored three touchdowns in the Orange and White Game, and JUCO transfer Von Pearson.
Athlon Sports, Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele have named North to the Preseason Third Team All-SEC.
2014 Predictions: 55 receptions, 800 yards, 6 TDs
Patrick MacCoon is a rising senior in journalism and electronic media. He can be reached at [email protected] or followed on Twitter at @PatrickMacCoon.
Then sophomore lineback Curt Maggitt sacks Mizzou's quaterback during the 51-48 quadruple overtime loss on Nov. 10, 2012. Maggitt tore his XXX during that game that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2012 season and the 2013 season. Maggitt will return for the fall 2014 season as a redshirt junior offensive lineman.
