There are several benchmarks that tell the story of a program’s development and progress, the most obvious being wins and losses, but that isn’t the whole story.
One constantly overlooked area is the views that alumni have about the program. Over this past weekend at the Orange and White game, several former Volunteers shared their perceptions of the Vols’ progress toward returning to the normality of Tennessee’s winning tradition.
Entering coach Derek Dooley’s third season, the Vols’ record under his tenure is less than stellar. With only 11 wins to 14 losses, including a controversial bowl game loss to North Carolina in Dooley’s first season, former Vols would seem to have every reason to be pessimistic about the future. But oddly enough, most are excited for the possibility the 2012 season can hold.
“With the tradition that Tennessee is used to, we’re looking for them to get back on track and win some ball games,” said former All-American linebacker Al Wilson. “I’m hoping that they can get eight-to-10 wins this year and get us back to what we know and love here.”
Wilson was not alone in his feelings about the future.
“I got to talk to coach today and I’m excited,” Jonathan Crompton, UT’s starting quarterback from 2008-09 and a current member of the Washington Redskins, said. “It looks like we’re about to turn the tide on where we’re heading.”
One main area of optimism was the new 3-4 scheme that first-year defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri is implementing.
“I think it’s going to take some time to get used to that 3-4, but they have the players to fit that scheme,” said former defensive end Chris Walker. “So I think they’ll be great.”
Walker singled out rising junior Jacques Smith, his former teammate, as a player to watch this coming fall.
“I’ve always been a fan of Jacques Smith,” Walker said. “He was my little brother when I was here. I am just excited for him to be at his natural position at the 3-4 linebacker, and I think he’s going to play very well.”
Along with Walker, Wilson and former cornerback Inky Johnson singled out the defense as a bright spot for next season.
“I think the 3-4 is great,” Johnson said. “It’s the defense for beasts. They’re going to get it in and play well. They got a lot of good players on defense.”
In the new scheme, Wilson put emphasis on this year’s linebackers.
“The 3-4 is a definite change-up for what we at the University of Tennessee are used to,” Wilson said. “… The linebackers are the key for the defense. If they can step up, which I know they will, and make plays, then it will make it a lot easier for the defensive line and the secondary.”
The defense wasn’t the only talking point among UT alumni, however. The offense grabbed attention as well, especially the receiving corps.
“The abilities those two (rising juniors Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers) have is off the charts,” said Tennessee’s all-time leading receiver Joey Kent. “They can be the biggest combination of two wide receivers in the nation.
“They can be a force in the SEC. Hunter and Rogers have the ability to be whatever they want to be.”
Kent also heaped praise on rising junior quarterback Tyler Bray.
“He can make all of the throws,” Kent said. “And he has the athleticism to move around in the pocket.”
One feeling that all the former players in attendance seemed to share was the return of stability to a program that has seen nothing but chaos and turnover for the past five years.
“This year, we have 18 returning starters on offense and defense, and there aren’t a lot of excuses anymore,” Kent said. “There’s a lot of promise for this year for them to get Tennessee back to where it needs to be.”
