Tennessee football: Looking for a bright spot for the Vols? Try Tim Jordan

Tennessee’s offense did little to inspire hope for its faithful fans in a 40-14 loss to West Virginia on Saturday. However, for those searching for a bright spot, look no further than Tim Jordan.

Jordan’s powerful running style is something the Vols can lean on in the coming months. He punished West Virginia’s defense for 118 yards on 20 carries until the game got out of hand.

As first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt builds his program, the 5-11, 203-pound Jordan is exactly what the Vols need. The Vols have faster, more athletic tailbacks, but Jordan showed he can be a pillar of UT’s offense.

For those who prefer high-flying offenses, the Jordan approach won’t appeal to you. Jordan hasn’t shown the ability to explode for a long gain, although he could be capable of that if the Vols could threaten defenses with at least a serviceable passing game. We may never know the answer to that question.

Tennessee’s backfield was already a mismatched collection before the season. There was Ty Chandler, the speedy incumbent who seemed a bit light to be the stalwart of a power running attack. There was Madre London, a graduate transfer from Michigan State who many thought would be the bellcow for the Vols’ ground game. While no one was talking about Jordan, he let his running do the talking against the Mountaineers.

You probably don’t remember Jordan when he came out of Bartow (Fla.) High School. He was formerly committed to Western Kentucky before finally selecting the Vols over Purdue, North Carolina and a host of smaller schools. While other programs recruited tailbacks with more impressive measurements, Jordan signed with the Vols at the behest of former UT coach Robert Gillespie in 2017. Gillespie should know tough, hard-running tailbacks with some size deficiency. He was one when he played for Florida. Gillespie was well known for his ability to close the deal on top recruits. Now, he should be commended for his ability to evaluate a player most thought not worthy of a scholarship from a Power Five school. No matter what happens in Jordan’s career, he has proven himself capable of playing at college football’s highest level.

Jordan’s powerful running style gives the Vols something to build on. First, Jordan can help UT beat opponents down. Would-be tacklers will become more hesitant in the second half as they try to tackle Jordan. That should open up the Vols’ offense, especially on the outside if safeties begin to focus on UT’s running game.

Jordan and Tennessee’s surprisingly physical offensive line also create an identity for the Vols. Assuming Pruitt wants to mold these Vols like his mentor, Alabama coach Nick Saban, Tennessee has the building blocks to do so. No, UT’s running game isn’t fortified in mortar. No, it’s not ready to dominate foes, but it is ready to send a statement to future opponents. Tennessee’s offense will remind the opposition that football is a physical game. UT’s offense will remind opposing players that an ice bath is mandatory.

Jordan’s impact on the West Virginia game was essentially negated once the Mountaineers exploded for 20 points in the third quarter and took a 33-point lead. Relying on a physical running game has its limits. The game clock is its ultimate enemy. Jordan can’t run over time.

However, imagine Jordan in a close game. Imagine UT’s offensive line asserting itself when it knows it can take over a game with Jordan behind it. Looking for a positive memento from UT’s lopsided loss to West Virginia? Jordan and the Vols’ running game is something the Vols can look back to — and lean on.

Dave Hooker

Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.