5 Things The Tennessee Vols Must Do To Win The SEC East In 2017

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Head coach Butch Jones against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Head coach Butch Jones against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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Find A Third Playmaker

Tennessee’s offense was historically great in 2016 because they had a barrage of playmakers.

The Vols could beat you in numerous ways. Josh Dobbs with his arm or his legs. Josh Malone in the deep game. Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd (before he quit the team) were both great rushers, in addition to being receiving threats.

And then there was Jauan Jennings, who emerged as a reliable option in the passing game.

Entering 2017, however, the Vols only have two (somewhat) established playmakers — the aforementioned Jennings and running back John Kelly.

While those two players will certainly be centerpieces of the Vols’ offense, they’ll need at least one more guy to step up and be a playmaker.

It could be one of the quarterbacks, Quinten Dormady or Jarrett Guarantano. Or perhaps one of the wide receivers that’s expected to see more playing time in 2017, Marquez Callaway or Tyler Byrd.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter who it is. The Vols need, at the bare minimum, one more playmaker on offense to have a legitimate chance to win the SEC East this season.