KNOXVILLE - While they have yet to complete their first official collegiate practice, Tennessee's quartet of freshman wide receivers already are impressing some of their older teammates.
That's a positive offseason development for the Volunteers.
With limited numbers and production returning at the position, Tennessee likely will need first-season contributions from Tyler Byrd, Marquez Callaway, Brandon Johnson and Latrell Williams, and based on the early reviews of those summer arrivals, they're aware they'll be needed.
"I'm very impressed," Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs said last week at SEC media days in Hoover, Ala. "I like to throw every day, (and) it's different being a receiver. I just have to throw, and receivers have to run routes, (find) breaking routes and all this stuff.
"Just seeing their drive, every time I walk on the field they're asking me, 'Hey, can I come throw? Can I do this? Can I do that? Can we go watch film?' T-Byrd, Latrell, Marquez, Brandon Johnson, Austin Pope in the tight end room - it's really cool to see that drive as freshmen. They're kind of making a statement that we're here and we want to make an impact early. That's definitely exciting to see out of that class."
Tennessee returns four wide receivers who caught passes in 2015, and though the passing game will be bolstered with weapons at tight end and running back, the receivers must improve to help the Vols reach the goals they've laid out for the 2016 season.
Better health would be a good first step.
"Everyone wants to talk about the quarterback, but sometimes playing winning football at the quarterback position is a by-product (of) the players around him," Vols coach Butch Jones said. "We've had the unfortunate circumstances the last couple of years to be decimated by injuries at the wide receiver position, so one of the keys for us in moving forward is having a healthy receiving corps."
In 2014 the Vols played long stretches of the season without Josh Smith, Von Pearson and Marquez North.
Last season, North and Pig Howard - who combined for 84 catches and 938 yards in 2014 - combined to catch seven passes as the former battled injuries and the latter was dismissed in September. Pearson led the team in receptions and receiving yards, but he was a senior.
Jones said Josh Malone was playing really well toward the end of last season and, after missing spring practice, has generated some "great momentum" this summer. Josh Smith has been extremely reliable when healthy, and his fourth-down catch-and-run touchdown against Georgia saved Tennessee's 2015 season. Preston Williams, a former five-star recruit, is primed for a breakout sophomore season after starring this spring.
Jauan Jennings may not be fully healthy when practice starts after undergoing knee surgery in April, but he showed potential as a freshman and during the spring. Junior college transfer Jeff George had ups and downs during the spring after enrolling early, but he could be a physical jump-ball target if he adds weight and strength to his skinny frame.
"We're going to have to rely on some true freshmen," Jones said. "We talk about the constant evolution of our football program. We talk about being nine strong, power of the position and nine strong interpositionally. That's a position where some of our older players are going to have to do a great job of leading the younger players."
Tennessee's young wideouts are expected to bring athleticism and elusiveness to the position.
Byrd (6 foot, 195 pounds) and Callaway (6-2, 190) are likely to be the most capable playmakers in the group at the start, while Williams (5-11, 175) is a Florida speedster. Johnson, the most unheralded recruit of the group, packed 15 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame this spring and showed up on campus at 190. He's been a surprise this summer with his polish and catching ability.
Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin said he watches the offense throw every day and is impressed with how the freshmen receivers have been working.
"Brandon Johnson, he's smooth," Reeves-Maybin said. "Marquez Callaway and Latrell Williams, they all bring something different. I've had fun watching those receivers. This whole freshman class as a whole, they work. They have no big egos. There was no, 'I'm coming in and I'm this star or that star.' Those guys work.
"They're a part of us, and those guys are catching on fast. It's been fun to see."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.