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Tennessee did not have a season to remember in 2017. The Vols finished 4-8, the program’s sixth losing season in 10 years and its first eight-loss campaign ever.
The result was Butch Jones’ firing with two games remaining in the season, obviously the historical peg of this sorry year in Knoxville. Here are 10 other things that will be remembered from Team 121.
Seniors
Twenty-two seniors laid the foundation in getting Tennessee back — prior to this year’s collapse — to being a Top 25 team.
The Vols finished each of the previous two seasons as a ranked team, and — though it seems like a distant memory now — entered the first three games of this year as a Top 25 squad.
The UT seniors played as an AP ranked team 14 times over the last three seasons. Between the Vols’ last SEC East championship in 2007 and the end of the 2014 season, Tennessee only played as an AP ranked team twice (2008 at UCLA, 2012 vs. Florida).
Ethan Wolf
Senior and Mr. Durability Ethan Wolf leaves Tennessee after holding down the tight end position over the last four seasons.
Wolf came into his senior season with 67 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns in 38 games. His first three seasons paralleled former UT tight end and Pro Bowler Jason Witten. Witten recorded 68 receptions for 797 yards and seven touchdowns from 2000-2002.
But 2017 will be remembered for not getting Wolf involved enough, part of Butch Jones’ downfall.
Wolf’s final numbers:
- 998 receiving yards, third on UT’s all-time receiving yardage list among tight ends
- 91 receptions, making him the second Vols tight end to record 90 receptions in a career. Only Reggie Harper (98 receptions from 1977-80) had more.
- Only Harper (1,141 yards from 1977-80) and Mychal Rivera (1,018 from 2010-12) have more receiving yards among Tennessee tight ends.
Guarantano’s toughness
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano showed his toughness before he was named the starting quarterback ahead of the South Carolina game Oct. 14. Guarantano sat patiently behind junior quarterback Quinten Dormady as he struggled on the field.
When Guarantano did finally reach the field as the starter, he took plenty of hits behind a depleted offensive line. Time and time again, he found himself on the ground, but he got back up and continued to compete. His toughness and patience in waiting his turn will be remembered.
Nigel Warrior
It was no secret when Nigel Warrior committed to Tennessee that he was going to be a difference-maker – it was in his makeup being the son of former Vols standout Dale Carter, who was an All-American at Tennessee in 1990 and 1991 and went on to an All-Pro career in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Warrior has been a leader on the Vols’ defense with many teammates missing time because of injuries or suspensions. The sophomore defensive back was a vocal part of a secondary that ranks second nationally in pass defense.
Trey Smith
True freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith (73 above) came to Tennessee as the No. 14 player in the nation and top-ranked recruit in the state. The Jackson, Tenn., native could have played anywhere and elected to stay home and play for his instate school.
Smith was an immediate factor, playing multiple positions and starting in the first game against Georgia Tech and later starting at left tackle – becoming the first UT freshman to do so in 30 years. No matter how bad the season was playing out, Smith continued to work hard and never complained. Smith will be in contention for the Outland Trophy in the next two seasons.
Brent Cimaglia
With three-year starting kicker Aaron Medley entering his senior season, it was a surprise to hear then head coach Butch Jones declare an open competition at the kicker position during fall camp. Freshman Brent Cimaglia received his fair share of playing time and showed signs that he can be a reliable kicker going forward. Three games into the season, Cimaglia was called on for a 51-yard attempt at Florida and converted.
Fans
No matter the downward spiral of the season, not winning a game in October, going 15 consecutive quarters without scoring a touchdown, and enduring a coaching change – Vols fans continued to pack Neyland Stadium, showing that their support for the school and football program does not waver.
Jauan Jennings
Junior wide receiver Jauan Jennings only played in one game in 2017, following a 2016 season in which he made iconic plays that put him in position to be remembered forever.
He may still be, but not for positive reasons.
Jennings was not there for his teammates on the sidelines during the games that followed his wrist injury. He was not even a participant in practices as the season unfolded.
Things came to a head when Jennings went on a tirade before the Vanderbilt game, calling the coaching staff liars and using racial slurs. The 2017 season will have Jennings being remembered for not being there for his teammates and being dismissed from the program.
John Kelly
Junior running back John Kelly has shown that he has the talent to be an elite running back in the SEC and to have a future in the NFL. On the down side, he was suspended for one game following a citation for a marijuana offense.
Perhaps Kelly will return for a senior season to continue to showcase his skills and prove his maturity for NFL scouts.
Interim head coach Brady Hoke made it a point to feature Kelly more than Jones did, saying Kelly needs at least 25 touches per game.
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic
The Vols have played twice in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic and twice have been victorious, yet both times their head coach did not last the season. In 2012, Tennessee defeated North Carolina State and then head coach Derek Dooley was fired with one game remaining in the season. This year, the Vols defeated Georgia Tech and Butch Jones was relieved of his duties with two games remaining.
Dan Harralson covers Tennessee football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danharralson.
