KNOXVILLE – Marquez North’s breakout sophomore season never materialized.
It got off to a promising start for arguably Tennessee’s most talented wide receiver, but a rash of minor injuries slowly squashed any hopes North had of erupting after a Freshman All-SEC season in 2013.
In the Volunteers’ first three games of the season, the 6-foot-4, 221-pounder from North Carolina caught 14 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, both against Arkansas State.
In the next seven games, he managed just 16 catches for 147 yards and two touchdowns and missed the final three games of the season to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.
“The injuries I had, they were real nagging injuries,” North said after Saturday afternoon’s practice. “I couldn’t really get over them. I put all that behind me, and I’m ready for this new year.”