Former walk-on receives PFF's highest grade for Tennessee against Florida
Tennessee fans critical of former walk-on junior linebacker Colton Jumper in the past owe the guy an apology following his fantastic performance in the Vols comeback win over Florida last weekend.
Here’s a sampling of the feelings toward Jumper prior to the Florida game:
When they announce Colton Jumper will start at MLB on Saturday pic.twitter.com/K7dg2mywq2
— Jim Bob Cooter (@JBCVOL) September 14, 2016
Me every time Butch acts like Colton Jumper is good at football pic.twitter.com/w00e11UiaF
— Whitney Woods (@WhitW_TnBelle) September 14, 2016
"Colton Jumper will see meaningful snaps this week." Me- pic.twitter.com/2x0JvZnlfr
— Jacob Seifert (@Shake_And_Jake) September 14, 2016
Many have argued Jumper is only on the team thanks his family connections and has no place on a SEC roster, however judging by his overall performance grade assigned by Pro Football Focus, if the Vols did not have his services against the Gators, Tennessee likely would not have won the game.
While the start of the game didn’t go well for Jumper, it appeared he got beat on the goal line on Florida’s first touchdown of the game, he responded to have the best game of his career for Tennessee.
In fact, after handing out individual grades from the Florida game, Pro Football Focus graded Jumper as Tennessee’s highest graded player at 86.3. Pretty outstanding considering defensive end Derek Barnett registered a score of 83.5 – defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said Barnett ‘took over unlike any player he’d ever seen’ after the game.
After being called out by many fans for poor performance early in his career, Jumper is thriving under Shoop’s guidance. Check out this monster hit Jumper had against Florida:
Maybe the best hit of yesterday’s game from Colton Jumper pic.twitter.com/uKLdj8yCTv
— O&W Report (@OandWReport) September 25, 2016
While the injury to starting middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland seemed like a nightmare early on, Jumper is well on his way to proving he can hold down the position until Kirkland can return to the field.
It should be noted that Jumper got a ton of snaps last week too, and he played like trash. He also did not play very well in the first half, but drastically improved.
Yup, and UF’s first TD wasn’t his fault. That was Abernathy’s man and Jumper was just chasing, trying to make up for the blown coverage.
Good for the young man. The early criticism he received, was warranted, but he has also shown a lot more ability that most gave him credit for. That play where he knocked the ball from between the UF RB’s hands on the pass to the corner of the endzone, was perfect.
He also had a broken up TD pass in the end zone. I remember seeing that and thinking, wow you don’t see a LB winning that match up every day! Glad he has stepped up and is playing great football. Thanks Colton, keep up the good work!
that was a great play too. turned his head and put his hand up at the exact right time to block the catch. perfect defense