A Look At Tennessee Vols Receivers

Sep 6, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Smith (25) hurdles Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive back Rocky Hayes (3) during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Smith

Josh Smith is going to be a really, really good receiver at Tennessee. Josh has had his share of injuries so far, and one of those ended his season early in 2014. Smith had a rough Freshman year as he could not catch a cold. Smith dropped everything is sight. However, Smith was coming off of a Meniscus tear suffered in high school at Christian Academy of Knoxville, and a busted up finger that did not help.

Smith put the 2013 season behind him. Coaches were still very high on Josh for one reason. He kept getting open. They knew he would work out the case of the drops. Getting open at the College level is not easy, but Smith made it look that way.

Smith started out strong in 2014. He turned heads at practice as he ran by the Vols defensive backs consistently. He also started the season with 10 catches in the first 3 games which included a 40 yard touchdown against Oklahoma. Josh was back, and he looked like the deep threat the Vols needed.

Then an ankle gave way in the Oklahoma game. Josh could not get back up. It was diagnosed as a high ankle sprain at first and Tennessee fans were not sure when he would be back. Reports kept saying 3-4 weeks, but as the season wore on it was evident he was not getting better. Von Pearson also had an ankle injury. The once deep Wide Receiver position was now not so deep after all.

Smith underwent surgery in November to repair the ankle. He was granted a red shirt season since he played in only 3 games, and is technically a Sophomore now. That is good for Tennessee and for Tennessee fans.

It remains to be seen if Josh will come back after the surgery as fast as he was before the surgery. Before the surgery he was one of the fastest guys on the team. That is Josh’s gift. He is fast. He simply runs by corners and safeties that do not respect his speed.

Josh needs that speed to be successful as a receiver at this level. All of Tennessee is pulling for him. I do not think we well see him until the Fall, but it will be a welcome sight to see number 25 back on the field.