Tennessee players who will benefit from extra bowl practices
The Tennessee Volunteers (6-6, 3-5 SEC) will play in their first bowl game since 2010. The Vols went 3-1 in their last four regular season games and look to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2009.
Tennessee will have an extra month of practices in preparation for its bowl game, which is crucial for several key players. Here’s a look at which players will benefit the most from extra bowl practices.
QB Joshua Dobbs: Joshua Dobbs is the only non-freshman individual player included on this list. Despite ending the 2013 season as Tennessee’s starter, the sophomore saw limited action before taking the reins during his season debut against Alabama in Week 9. Dobbs is a raw talent that has the capability to beat opposing defenses both through the air and on the ground. However, his accuracy is a cause of concern and he’s been contained in the Vols’ last two games. The sophomore needs to build upon his raw ability and should benefit from the extra month of practices leading up to Jan. 2.
RB Jalen Hurd: Despite injuries, Hurd was Tennessee’s best offensive player. The Hendersonville, Tenn., native led the Vols with 777 rushing yards, along with 33 catches for 217 yards and five total touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving). Hurd seemed to progress through his first season, surpassing his previous season-best rushing total on four occasions and recording the most yards by a freshman tailback since Arian Foster in 2005.
WR Josh Malone: I refuse to jump off the Josh Malone bandwagon. Since his arrival (and my first article) I have stood by the idea that the former Station Camp standout would become one of the Vols’ best receivers. I stand by that theory, despite it taking a bit longer to play out than I anticipated. Malone has struggled during his first season, but has also shown glimpses of a player capable of dominating in the SEC once he reaches his full potential. During practice this week, Malone and the coaches noted his progress through the season and believe he will show improvement in Tennessee’s bowl game. Extra practices should help the former five-star wide receiver make a steady transition into his sophomore season.
Vols O-Line: No surprise here, the Tennessee offensive line was abysmal in 2014. The Vols ranked No. 118 in sacks allowed and No. 124 in tackles for loss allowed. Tennessee’s line was expected to struggle, returning zero previous starters entering Week 1. But the Vols limited their sacks in their last four games, which may have factored into the group’s gained experience. The extra practices should help the Tennessee linemen, who face a tough Iowa front seven.
DE Derek Barnett: It’s not that Derek Barnett needs the practices as much as some of his fellow freshmen teammates, but the idea of an extra month of preparation combined with his breakout freshman All-SEC season is a scary thought for opposing offenses. Barnett was one of the SEC’s best pass rushers, stepping up in conference games and setting freshman school records for sacks (10) and tackles for loss (20.5). The former Brentwood Academy standout will continue his development with extra practice reps and continue his emergence as a top-tier pass rusher.