Tennessee Vols: Butch Jones Should Give Former Four-Star WR Sam Bruce A Chance

The Tennessee Vols have talent at the wide receiver position in 2017, but they also have a lot of unknowns (because of youth).

Outside of the Jauan Jennings, the Tennessee Vols don’t have a lot of sure things at the wide receiver position.

That doesn’t mean they don’t have talent, they do. Guys like Tyler Byrd, Marquez Callaway and Josh Smith.

But as you can see, depth could quickly become an issue.

Which is why I think Butch Jones and the Vols should give former four-star wide receiver Sam Bruce a chance at Tennessee.

Bruce originally signed with Miami, mostly because of current Vols wide receivers coach Kevin Beard (Bruce still signed with Miami, despite Mark Richt not retaining Beard on the staff when he took over as head coach).

The Florida native was the top player in Miami’s 2016 recruiting class. He was rated as the seventh best wide receiver in the nation.

Which brings us to why he’s no longer at Miami.

Bruce was going to miss all the 2016 season due to a broken leg he sustained in a pickup basketball game.

Richt suspended Bruce for three games after a photo of the talented wide receiver holding a gun was released.

Bruce was then dismissed from the team after being late to several team meetings and a rehab session.

And if that’s not enough, Bruce was arrested and charged with marijuana possession a week after his dismissal (he was with several other Miami players).

Before Bruce’s dismissal (and injury), however, Richt had positive things to say about Bruce.

From the Miami Herald:

"“Great, great practice player,’’ Richt said of Bruce before he broke his leg. “Works hard. Brings a lot of energy. He’s not getting as many reps as the other guys, so he’s fresher. But when he gets his reps, he’s going full speed. He looks like a player.’’"

So obviously there are a TON of red flags surrounding Bruce, who will play at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. this fall.

But if Bruce cleans his act up (perhaps having to go the JuCo route will be a wake-up call), then he could turn into a fantastic football player.

Bruce will have three years of eligibility remaining after the 2017 season, and we already know he has a close relationship with Kevin Beard.

(It should be noted that Beard wasn’t around for any of Bruce’s transgressions at Miami.)

Bruce’s only current offer is from West Virginia, but that will obviously change.

The Vols would be smart to take a risk and offer Bruce. He’s clearly a tremendously talented player that could be a difference maker for Tennessee.

If the Vols were to offer Bruce, I would think it would be highly likely he would come to Knoxville, thanks to his aforementioned close relationship with Beard.

Next: Athlon Sports Has One Vol QB Ranked

Sometimes taking players with character risks will backfire, but sometimes it works out great.

There’s really no way to know, but it’s definitely worth it in this case for the Vols to take a chance.