Tennessee fifth-year senior receiver JaVonta Payton is the unquestioned deep threat for the Volunteers entering the final month of the regular season.
It’s just that deep, early threat might be a bit more accurate.
The graduate transfer from Mississippi State has amassed 12 receptions for 287 yards, which translates to a whopping 23.9 yards per catch. All five of his touchdown catches have covered at least 29 yards, with all five transpiring within the first 20 minutes of a game.
“One of the big factors that helps is me being fast,” Payton said this week. “Running track growing up really helped me with my speed, and a lot of the times when I do score, it’s early in the game when a lot of teams like to play man coverage. I think my speed helps me get space.
“It just helps me being able to pretty much run faster than my defender.”