Jauan Jennings has come a long way in under a year’s time. There was a point where his status at Tennessee was in serious jeopardy after former AD John Currie dismissed him from the program after the receiver called out the former coaching staff on social media.

Once Phillip Fulmer and Jeremy Pruitt arrived on the scene, cooler heads prevailed and Jennings was given another chance to prove he wanted to be a Volunteer. An offseason knee surgery has limited Jennings effectiveness on the field during the early part of the season, but it certainly looks like all that is now behind the receiver, as well.

Jennings had his best performance of the season on Saturday, catching five passes for 71 yards and a score but it wasn’t even his catches that were the highlight of his appearance on SEC Network show, SEC Film Room. In the video below, show host Matt Stinchcomb highlights a devasting block Jennings threw on Auburn middle linebacker Deshaun Davis.

“That’s something I take pride in,” Jennings said about the play. “Not only do I catch footballs, I love to block, too. That’s why I play football. It’s a physical sport, you have to man up out there.”

The Tennessee receiver took things a step forward by standing over Davis following the decleating hit. Stinchcomb asked Jennings what that was all about during the show.

“Just a realization right there, it’s been a while since I’ve put my facemask right through somebodies chest,” Jennings admitted. “For him to be the first one to get it, I felt bad for him because I know his mom and dad was looking up from the stands. It’s just a moment right there, with a lot of pride. The sideline was crunk. We was getting it. I know he felt that, he probably still feels it.”

The exchange from the show was captured by Trey Wallace of The Read Optional and FOX Sports Knoxville:

Outside of his outstanding effort as a blocker, Jennings is a pretty good receiver, too. This touchdown play from Jennings gave Tennessee its first lead against Auburn on Saturday:

https://twitter.com/betqlapp/status/1051175166607327232

Safe to say Tennessee’s most enthusiastic receiver is returning to form at just the right time.