Former Tennessee Vols WR Justin Hunter Is Balling Out In Pittsburgh
By Zach Ragan
Could 2017 be the year that former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Justin Hunter finally delivers on the hype?
After spending three seasons in Nashville, and touring half of the AFC East in 2016, it looks like former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Justin Hunter has finally found a home in Pittsburgh.
It’s still early in pre-season, but Hunter has been a camp star so far for the Steelers.
Check out some of the praise he’s been receiving lately.
Justin Hunter is balling. No way around it. Just made two leaping catches in one-on-ones, one that drew about... https://t.co/xLRDRsbvbP
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 3, 2017
Justin Hunter catches a bomb... this is getting ridiculous.
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) August 3, 2017
Training camp touchdown catches.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) August 2, 2017
Justin Hunter: 4
Rest of Team: 6
Is it really any surprise that Hunter is killing it with the Steelers?
This is the perfect situation for the former Vol. Hunter excelled in college at Tennessee because he played with a quarterback (Tyler Bray) that had a big arm and could him the ball down the field.
Hunter’s game isn’t going over the middle. He isn’t a move the chains type of wide receiver. Hunter is a big play waiting to happen. That’s his game.
Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ offense is absolutely perfect for Hunter. And Roethlisberger, who is trying to temper his expectations for Hunter, is clearly excited by his new wide receiver.
Roethlisberger: "I don't want to get too excited too early, but I really like the presence that (Justin Hunter) brings."
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 2, 2017
Hunter still has some work to do in order to earn significant playing time with the Steelers. Especially with Martavis Bryant’s return from suspension looming.
But even though Bryant will be returning to the first team offense soon, it doesn’t mean he will be a fixture in the Steelers’ lineup.
Bryant is obviously a very talented player, but staying on the field has been a major issue for him. The former Clemson wide receiver dealt with injuries as a rookie in 2014. He was suspended four games in 2015 and he missed all of the 2016 season due to a suspension. I don’t think the Steelers can fully count on him at this point.
Next: Final Pre Season Game By Game Predictions For Vols
Hunter might have to bide his time for a while in Pittsburgh, but I think he’ll eventually get a chance to shine for the Steelers.