Tennessee Vols: John Kelly Is A True Leader

Tennessee Vols running back John Kelly is everything you’d want in a running back.

There are a lot of issues with the 2017 version of the Tennessee Vols. I think that’s something that’s readily apparent to anyone that’s watched a game this season.

One of the biggest problems, aside from the head coach, has been a lack of team leadership.

But don’t blame junior running back John Kelly.

Kelly took it upon himself on Monday after practice to challenge his teammates to do a better job of protecting quarterback Jarrett Guarantano.

Here’s what Kelly told reporters this week, via the Times Free Press.

"We definitely, as a whole on offense, have to make sure we take away from the hits he’s taking. That’s something I addressed after practice today with the offensive line and the running backs, was that we just can’t allow that to happen anymore."

It’s easy to forget, in the midst of the turmoil surrounding the team and head coach Butch Jones, that this is still a team full of 18-22 year olds giving their all for Tennessee.

Kelly and his teammates are still going out there every Saturday with the intention of playing their best and winning games. While the fans, and most of us writing about the Vols, are focused on what happens to Jones, the players are focused on football.

With that in mind, it’s great to see Kelly, an absolute beast of a running back that undoubtedly has a future in the NFL, step up and be the offensive leader the Vols desperately need.

Things haven’t went that well for the Volunteers this season, but this team still has a lot on the line. Reaching a bowl game might not be the goal that Tennessee sets each season, but it’s still something that needs to happen — regardless of who’s coaching the team.

Next: Breaking The Butch Jones Code

Players like John Kelly are what college football is all about. And he’s a big reason why the Vols still have a shot at a winning season in 2017.