Tennessee's early enrollees receive their jersey numbers
As spring practice is less than a month away at Tennessee, roster numbers are beginning to be revealed by the players themselves, especially the early enrollees.
Tennessee signed 10 players in the 2021 class who arrived on campus in January as early enrollees. Then there was junior college wide receiver Andison Coby, who also arrived in Knoxville in January. The Vols also added two scholarship transfers in former Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker and former Southern Cal kicker Chase McGrath since early January.
GoVols247 compiled a list of players who have announced their jersey numbers on social media in recent days.
41 — Aaron Willis
7 — Kaidon Salter
19 — Walker Merrill
8 — Tiyon Evans
86 — Miles Campbell
14 — Christian Charles
23 — Jaylen Wright
95 — Isaac Washington
5 — Hendon Hooker
41 — JT Carver
Tennessee will host fans inside Neyland Stadium to conclude the first spring of the Josh Heupel era on April 24. The new coaching staff, and competition at quarterback will be among the major storylines this spring on Rocky Top. The contenders for the quarterback spot are sophomore Harrison Bailey, junior Brian Maurer, graduate transfer Hendon Hooker and incoming freshman Kaidon Salter.
New offensive coordinator Alex Golesh said don’t expect a decision for a while.
“I don’t think we have that answer – I know we don’t have that answer right now. And I don’t think we will have an answer at the end of the spring,” he said. “I think this is going to be, at that position specifically, a six-month process to get to Week 1 and roll with the guy that you feel is the most prepared and the most functional in terms of running the offense.”
I’d like to know if there are reasons behind these number aquistions. Interesting that number 5 Hendron Hooker was number 2 at VT and number 2 upside down looks like a 5. According to the Waybackmachine about the tradition of a Virginia Tech cheer a $5.00 prize was given to the winner of the cheer contest. Here was the winning cheer.
“Hoki, Hoki, Hoki, Hy.
Techs, Techs, V.P.I.
Sola-Rex, Sola-Rah.
Polytechs – Vir-gin-ia.
Rae, Ri, V.P.I.
Later, the phrase “Team! Team! Team!” was added at the end, and an “e” was added to “Hoki.”
Notice there are 5 H’s in the first line. There is also the letter “e” that was added to “Hoki” using the 5th letter of the alphabet and making the word into a 5 lettered word.
Notice QB HH has 2 H’s going to play the number 5. A graduate transfer apparently in his 5th year. He will play for the 5th coach past NC Coach Fulmer and UT’s 5th game of the year will be against Missouri where CJH assisted and he has coaching experience at 5 schools before landing the UT job.
Hopeful for good things to come! I’d like to know more about these number assignments.