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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Five for ’15: Tennessee’s most valuable players

University of Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, right, is a major reason their is optimism surrounding the Volunteers as they prepare for their third season under coach Butch Jones, left.
University of Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, right, is a major reason their is optimism surrounding the Volunteers as they prepare for their third season under coach Butch Jones, left. University of Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs, right, is a major reason their is optimism surrounding the Volunteers as they prepare for their third season under coach Butch Jones, left.

Five for ’15

* Tennessee’s most important games of upcoming season* Possible second-year surgers for Tennessee Vols* Tennessee’s non-freshman impact newcomers * Tennessee Vols’ impact freshmen * UT Vols’ most intriguing camp competitions * Tennessee’s most valuable players

KNOXVILLE – With the Tennessee Volunteers nearing the start of preseason football practice, the Times Free Press is setting the stage for a much-anticipated 2015 season with the “Five for ’15” preview series, which begins today with a look at Tennessee’s most valuable players.

1. QB JOSH DOBBS

It’s not fair to say Tennessee’s season hinges entirely on its starting quarterback, but he’s certainly the primary source of the hype and the hope the Vols have for 2015 after he led last season’s turnaround.

Dobbs has both the talent and the intangibles to take Tennessee to the next level, but with a freshman (likely Quinten Dormady) as his backup, his health will be key. Dobbs will have to manage himself when he runs, and Tennessee must be better in protection than it was last season. The Vols weren’t able to keep their starter healthy the past two seasons.