When it comes to analyzing the University of Tennessee’s prospects for this coming season, I oscillate with the thought of the 2016 season being the one where its at the top of the heap, or thinking it’s much too talented to not be in the conversation to reach the Southeastern Conference Championship Game right now.

My mind says that the Vols, although equipped with a ton of talented upperclassmen, have been recruiting like mad men — but it still may take a couple of seasons for players like Shy Tuttle, Kahlil McKenzie, Drew Richmond, Preston Williams and Darren Kirkland to gather their respective sea legs. (Or S.E.C. legs…zing!)

But it’s hard to gloss over uber-talents like Curt Maggitt, Derek Barnett, Jaylen Reeves-Maybin and Cam Sutton…and that’s just on the defensive side of the ball. Quarterback Josh Dobbs, running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara along with interior lineman Jashon Robertson, provide the Vols a formidable set of offensive players.

But it’s the receiving corps that may separate the Vols from the have-nots.

I went into the spring thinking the combination of Marquez North, Alton “Pig” Howard, Jason Croom, Josh Malone, Josh Smith and flex “Y” Ethan Wolf comprised, perhaps, the best receiving corps in the conference as it possessed a plethora of players capable of executing in the quick game, dominating in the mid-range aspect of offensive coordinator Mike DeBord’s multiplicative scheme, all while adding value to the vertical-stretch portion.

And that was prior to the reinstatement of the most dynamic player on the roster, Von Pearson.

Knowing that the Vols will be able to count on Pearson in a plethora of ways, may, in fact, swing the balance of power towards the Power T.

I’ve found myself enthralled with what some people may describe as “gadget players.” These Swiss-Army-knife-like players add value in a plethora of ways from various positions. In recent memory, former University of Southern California star Reggie Bush (6’0″, 203 lbs) captured the imagination of the college football landscape with his ability to be equally effective with both the run and pass.

As a running back by trade, I remember making an argument that he would be far more successful if converted to a full-time slot receiver where he could use his pause-and-go-joystick-like style out in space rather than having to rely on bending the edges as a running back to get out in space.

(Thus far, his disappointing career as a running back has supported said theory.)

From there, former University of Florida receiver Percy Harvin, 5’11”, 184 pounds, reminded me of the exact opposite of Bush. The Gator staff found a surplus of ways to get the ball in his hands including deploying him as a running back and allowing him to show off his powerful, yet diminutive, frame on Counters, Sweeps and Pitches.

But it was the dynamism of former Vol Cordarrelle Patterson — albeit for a single season — that really set it off for me. The 6’2″, 220-pound receiver by trade was an absolute blur with the ball in his hands, but that was the problem — getting the ball in his hands consistently.

As a receiver, he was limited to 9’s, Posts, Drags and Slants, but he was absolute money in the return game and could easily transition into a 1,000-yard rusher as a RB.

That’s why I almost lost it when I was tipped off to the presence of Pearson, as the Tennessee faithful were extremely vocal about how much he reminded them of Patterson. At 6’3″, 187 pounds, coming from the JUCO ranks like his predecessor, I could definitely see where people were coming from.

However, when I truly got a chance lab Pearson’s game, it was clear he had a style all his own; the first thing that jumps out to me is his unique blend of body-control and hands. The SportsCenter highlight of his one-handed grab in Red-Zone drills is a prime example of that.

There’s an A.J. Green-like quality to that part of Pearson’s game as he’s able to adjust to any pass that comes his way; the concentration lapses that have plagued Patterson’s game rarely shows with Pearson; he has outside receiver size with the adroitness of a slot receiver.

Pearson1-Handed

This aspect makes him almost indefensible on back-shoulder fades — like in the above sequence. Notice how aggressive he is at the beginning of the route; most receivers vary their start, which tips off the route. He also displayed how easily he can stick his foot in the ground and change direction.

The catch? That’s simply a work of art, people.

Do you realize how hard it is to complete a 180-degree turn when you’re in full gait? Try doing that while sticking your arm up; now try to squeeze a pass.

(If you just completed that task feel free to contact me and have me serve as your agent; I’ll only charge 75 percent!)

PearsonTDIowa

This touchdown against Iowa proved that Pearson’s exploits are not contained to the practice field, as it looked, virtually, identical.

Pearson has the flexibility to be used as a z-receiver or the motion player in a formation, which coincides with his ability to run reverses and even take pitches to the edges. His run-after-the-catch ability is almost identical to Patterson’s as both are extremely physical and like to initiate contact, but the former’s propensity for high-pointing the ball is far superior.

One thing you don’t have to worry about with him, especially if you’re an NFL scout, is his letting the ball get into his body during a catch. While it’s plausible a receiver can catch every pass as a “body catcher,” more often than not, eventually, we will see some dropped passes.

PearsonMotion9

Here we see Pearson going vertical as a motion S-receiver; he’s already tough to corral off the line of scrimmage, so not being able to attempt a jam on him has to feel like skiing up a mountain; he quickly gained separation and generated more real estate with his unique yards-after-the-catch ability.

Pearson is simply put: a physical freak.

After avoiding a health scare with North, the Tennessee faithful are undoubtedly brimming with confidence as it trots out the most talented group of skill position players in the SEC East.

When you factor in the front seven is as talented as any in the conference, you can see why many are picking Tennessee to finally get back to the top of the heap; this should be a fascinating season.