2014 Tennessee Volunteers football team

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2014 Tennessee Volunteers football
TaxSlayer Bowl champion
TaxSlayer Bowl, W 45–28 vs. Iowa
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEastern Division
Record7–6 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMike Bajakian (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorJohn Jancek (2nd season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumNeyland Stadium
Seasons
← 2013
2015 →
2014 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 14 Missouri x   7 – 1     11 – 3  
No. 9 Georgia   6 – 2     10 – 3  
Florida   4 – 4     7 – 5  
Tennessee   3 – 5     7 – 6  
South Carolina   3 – 5     7 – 6  
Kentucky   2 – 6     5 – 7  
Vanderbilt   0 – 8     3 – 9  
Western Division
No. 4 Alabama x$^   7 – 1     12 – 2  
No. 11 Mississippi State   6 – 2     10 – 3  
No. 17 Ole Miss *   5 – 3     9 – 4  
No. 22 Auburn   4 – 4     8 – 5  
LSU *   4 – 4     8 – 5  
Texas A&M   3 – 5     8 – 5  
Arkansas   2 – 6     7 – 6  
Championship: Alabama 42, Missouri 13
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * LSU and Ole Miss vacated all wins (except for Ole Miss' win over Presbyterian) due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2014 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the 118th overall season, 81st as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and its 23rd within the SEC Eastern Division. The team was coached by Butch Jones in his second season with Tennessee, and played its home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

The Vols finished the regular season at 6–6, 3–5 in the SEC, making them

TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 2, 2015.[1] In that game, the Vols, with Joshua Dobbs
leading the team as the quarterback, struck quickly and hammered away at the Hawkeyes to secure a 45–28 win, marking Tennessee's first winning season since 2009. The bowl victory was the Vols' first since 2007.

Before the season

Tennessee has 11 starters returning from the 2013 season. All five starting offensive linemen from last season are gone, as are the top five tacklers from the defensive line.[2]

After missing the 2013 season, outside linebacker Curt Maggitt will be back on the field playing various roles. He led the team in 2012 with five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks before tearing his ACL, which kept him off the field last season.[3]

Bobby Denton, longtime

PA announcer at Neyland Stadium, died on April 9 at the age of 73 after battling cancer for a year.[4] Jeff Jarnigan, the PA announcer for Tennessee's basketball games, was named the new PA announcer for football games on July 17.[5]

Spring practice

Tennessee began Spring football practice on March 7 and played their annual Orange-and-White Game on April 12.[6] They were without star wide receiver Pig Howard for unspecified personal reasons.[7] Reserve defensive lineman Gregory Clark, who was a fifth-year senior, left the team in the offseason to focus on his postgraduate career.[7] Wide receivers Drae Bowles and Ryan Jenkins, tight end Brendan Downs, safety Brian Randolph, and defensive lineman Trevarris Saulsberry did not participate so that they could recover from injuries.[8]

Marlin Lane was expected to be limited on reps through spring practice with a broken bone in his hand[9] and that highly recruited running back Jalen Hurd would see an increased workload. This was not the case however as Lane was carrying most of the first-team reps in practice.[10] Josh Malone, also a highly recruited wide receiver, competed with Jason Croom for the starting spot in the outside receiver slot opposite of Marquez North.[9]

With the graduation of Michael Palardy, Tennessee was in need of a new kicker and punter. Matt Darr is expected to take over as punter. George Bullock is in line to handle kicking.[11]

Defensive tackle Jason Carr and defensive end Malik Brown were both expected to sit out of spring practice for wrist injuries.[11] But Jason returned to practice on April 2 while Malik remained sidelined.[12] Coach Jones considered moving Jason Carr from defensive tackle to offensive tackle.[10]

The battle for the starting spot at quarterback showed no clear frontrunners through most of spring practice.[13] Justin Worley, who won the starting job last August, lost his starting spot against Florida in week 4 (he ended up subbing in for Nathan Peterman). After being knocked out of the week 8 game against Alabama, then redshirted freshman Joshua Dobbs took over the starting role for the rest of the 2013 season. In the final week of practice, Worley and Ferguson emerged as the frontrunners for the starting job.[14] Justin Worley is most likely to retake the starting spot at quarterback.

Senior cornerback Justin Coleman played the nickel back role this spring and is expected to lineup as the fifth defensive back this season.[15]

Coach Jones challenged his 'soft' defense to toughen up during spring practice along with reiterating themes of "fundamental improvement" and "competing all day".[12]

Devrin Young, after playing a season as slot receiver, returned to the running back position during spring practice.[16]

Spring game

Tennessee played the Orange and White Game on April 12. Coach Butch Jones said that the offense had made great strides from where they started at the beginning of spring practice. Jones, however, made note that the defense was still deficient overall.[17]

In his first action since tearing his ACL in 2012, Curt Maggitt finished the game with three tackles and one sack. He played defensive end in nickel situations and at outside linebacker during base packages.[17]

Jalen Hurd, highly recruited running back, got a chance to show his ability when he carried the ball for 66 yards rushing and one touchdown carry. He also caught a pass for 27 yards.[17] "Jalen has been pretty much doing that all spring", Jones said. "You can see he adds a whole other dynamic to our offense. I said it in the offseason: We have to be able to throw a 5-yard pass and turn it into a 20-yard gain. That was missing from our offense last year, and we've really helped ourselves in recruiting. Jalen has been an individual that, right from practice one, he can be as good as he wants to be."[18]

Jalen Reeves-Maybin finished second on the team with seven tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss at outside linebacker.[17]

Joshua Dobbs, who started the final four games last season in place of Justin Worley, was not in contention for the starting job at QB. He completed six passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns and took a low, bounced snap off the ground and rumbled 59 yards for another touchdown. "Josh has had a productive spring, but I thought he really stepped it up today", coach Butch Jones said. Though all that action came against mostly reserves, Dobbs' had noticeable muscle gain and sheer arm strength on deep balls.[17]

Justin Worley, who is expected to be the starting quarterback when the season starts, finished the game 11–13 and 151 yards passing along with one touchdown. He also had 55 yards rushing on two carries.[17]

Marquez North makes up one of many impressive wide receivers playing for Tennessee this season. He finished the game with 106 yards receiving and a 50-yard touchdown reception.[17]

Josh Malone showed why he was so coveted as a recruit with 181 yards receiving on six catches and three touchdowns. The longest of which he took 79 yards to the end zone.[17] The Gallatin, Tenn. standout pass-catcher had been improving throughout the spring and dominated defenders when he got the ball.[18]

In 2013, Tennessee finished 11th in total defense in the SEC (418.4 YPG) and the spring game showed that the defense was dealing with the same problems such as tackling. This was something that Butch Jones had spent a chunk of time during spring practice to work on.[19]

Post spring practice

On April 22, reserve running back Alden Hill announced that he was leaving the team. "As of today I am I’m sad to say I am no longer a Tennessee Vol. I have decided to move on for my best interest and find a new home. I have loved Tennessee and the entire Big Orange family. I thank the coaches and the fans for my time here and will always remember my time spent at Tennessee, my first true love," Alden said via his Instagram account.[20] He tweeted a link to the post. Although his Twitter account is unverified, head coach Butch Jones confirmed that Hill had left the team and was looking to transfer to another school.[21]

On April 30, fifth-year defensive back JaRon Toney announced that he was leaving the team. Coach Jones said Toney would graduate in the summer and planned to pursue his professional non-football career. "I'm very excited for him getting his college degree, and I'm very appreciative of everything he's done for Tennessee", Jones said Wednesday.[22]

On May 6, lineman Jason Carr announced that he was leaving the program and transferring to another school. Carr played defensive tackle last season for the Vols but was moved to offensive tackle after this spring and was expected to practice at that position this summer.[23]

In a May 14 interview with the Chattanooga Times Free Press, coach Jones told Patrick Brown that Pig Howard, who didn't participate in spring practice for unspecified personal reasons, would be back with the team for the team's summer workout program on the condition of meeting school requirements. "He's in here in mini-term, so he's here", Jones said. "When we start our official summer strength and conditioning program he will be a part of it. He still has certain stipulations and requirements that must be met for him. It'll be ongoing throughout the summer months. A lot of it is laid out upon our player staff, but up until this point in time right now, he's done everything that's been required of him."[24] On July 15, Butch Jones announced that Pig Howard was officially back on the team.[25]

On May 27, Riley Ferguson announced that he would transfer to another school according to coach Jones.[26] "As of right now, based on our recent conversations, we do not anticipate that he will be a member of our football family moving forward," Jones said.[27] He was expected to battle Justin Worley and sophomore Joshua Dobbs for the starting spot throughout summer and into fall after redshirting last season following a stress fracture in his right leg. "I'm not sure how much this helps or hurts Tennessee", GoVols247's Wes Rucker said in an interview with Bleacher Report. "I think Ferguson had the most upside of Tennessee's four quarterbacks, but he was arguably the least consistent. "I thought before this came out that Justin Worley was the starter going into the season, and obviously, this news doesn't change that. I think this potentially creates more long-term questions than short-term questions."[28]

Summer months

On June 2, coach Jones confirmed that redshirt freshman Malik Brown would transfer from Tennessee.[29]

Incoming freshman Charles Mosley suffered a broken leg in a July 6 car crash. He was traveling back to the university campus with family at the time.[30] He underwent tibia surgery later that night. Mosley was in good condition following the surgery according to associate athletic director Jimmy Stanton.[31] However, coach Jones announced that he would miss the season as a result of his injuries. "We don't anticipate him being back for this year", Jones said following UT's second preseason practice Saturday at Haslam Field."He's been back since reporting day, so he's getting the rehabilitation that he needs", Jones said. "He's still around the meetings, so it's great because, again, he's another Von Pearson. He's always up. He's always positive. And to be able to have him around our team is very, very good — good for him and good for the team, as well."[32]

On July 7, the Maxwell Football Club released an official list of college football players who are considered frontrunners for the annual Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player. Tennessee linebacker A. J. Johnson was named to the list.[33] Johnson was also named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is also given to the best defensive player, the Butkus Award that's given to the top linebacker and the Rotary Lombardi Award that's given to the best lineman or linebacker.[34][35]

SEC Media Days

On day two of SEC Media Days, Butch Jones took the podium to make it clear that his team is very optimistic about the upcoming season. "Obviously, it's an exciting time of year right now," Butch Jones said Tuesday. "Everyone starts at 0–0." He also noted that no teams are ever alike when comparing the current squad to the previous season's squad and that Tennessee has had enough of losing. "I think the whole dynamic of our football program has changed," Jones said. "From a work capacity, from a mentality, from a passion to represent the University of Tennessee, we had some great seniors last year and are very indebted to them, but overall as an organization, losing is a disease. We’ve been sick, we’ve been ill, and we’re working to get over those ills. This football team has worked exceptionally hard, and they have a great competitive component about them." A. J. Johnson also took the podium on day two. "I know we’re going to turn it around," senior linebacker A.J. Johnson said. "We were a couple plays away, a couple inches away last year. We’re going to better ourselves this season, so it's going to turn around. I didn’t come back for my senior season to not win." When asked how Tennessee plans to replace interior lines and how the highly touted freshman class will respond, coach Jones said that the great thing about the SEC is that it's so talented and anybody is capable of winning.[36]

On day four of SEC Media Days, senior linebacker A. J. Johnson was named to the Preseason All-SEC First Team and sophomore wide receiver Marquez North was named to the Preseason All-SEC Third Team.[37] Tennessee was picked to finish fifth in the SEC Eastern Division while South Carolina was picked to win the East.[38]

Fall camp

Tennessee opened its preseason fall camp on July 31 with a preseason media session and began practice on August 1.[39] "We have to get a lot of players ready to play for the first time," Butch Jones said. "We have a lot of questions. We have a lot of untested positions and individuals in our football program. We have to test them each and every day both mentally and physically."[40]

Junior wide receiver Cody Blanc suffered an injury in the Vols opening practice of fall camp on August 1. "We don't know (what he injured)", Coach Jones said. "It may be his ankle, maybe Achilles tendon. We're kind of waiting right now."[41] On August 5, Coach Jones announced that Cody Blanc would be out the entire season after tearing his Achilles tendon.[42]

On August 4, Coach Jones announced that freshman Jashon Robertson would move from defensive tackle to offensive guard.[43]

In an interview with Ryan Callahan, Coach Jones spoke about the test of week 1. "They’re being challenged—not only on the field, but, again, this being the final week of classes, so they have papers due. They have final examinations coming up. So I think it's just a combination of a lot of things, but I was very pleased in the way they fought through it today. But (it's) not fighting through it. It's more in how you attack the day, and I thought that they attacked the day exceptionally well."[44] The first week showed no clear front-runner for the starting QB job. In fact, it brought a lot of all too familiar problems to the surface such as inconsistency and timing. "I need much more consistency at the quarterback position right now", Bajakian said.[44] The freshman who are here to bring Tennessee back to prominence did show great signs in the first week. "It's gonna be a slow process", Utah freshman safety Todd Kelly Jr. told GoVols247's Wes Rucker. "It's a learning process. We just got here. We've only been here for about a month and a half. Ultimately we just want to make this program [a] better place."[44]

On August 14, Coach Jones announced that Justin Worley would be the starting quarterback.[45]

After the second week of fall camp, Daniel Helm and Ethan Wolf emerged as the leading contenders for the starting role at tight end.[46] Highly touted freshman wide receiver Josh Malone, who had struggled in the first week of practice, showed dramatic improvement in the team's second full scrimmage. "I'm proud of Josh Malone", Coach Jones said. "He's been fighting through things and he took big steps tonight."[46] While Curt Maggitt was hobbled by a minor leg injury, freshman Derek Barnett got rave reviews from the coaches while practicing with the first team in Maggitt's place.[46] No decision has been made on who will be the starting kicker according to Coach Jones.[46]

After the final week of fall camp, Coach Jones made it clear that the young team is a work in progress on maturity and mentality. "We're still work-in-progress from the maturity standpoint. Like I said, some individuals are ahead of others in terms of maturity. We knew this. This isn't any surprise to us. They're 17-year-old kids going through their first training camp. It's having that mental toughness, mental conditioning to fight through the fatigue, especially the mental fatigue. We talk about being relentless and having a relentless approach. But the mental approach is so much more important than the physical approach. … We're very, very youthful. So every day is a learning experience for them."[47] Despite a re-aggravated knee injury, Trevarris Saulsberry won't be out for the season as was initially feared. Coach Jones said he would be out for a few days at most.[47]

Personnel

Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones will enter his second year as the Volunteers' head coach for the 2014 season. In his first season last year, he led the Vols to a 5–7 record that included wins over #11 South Carolina and Austin Peay that gave Tennessee its 800th win in school history. Tennessee also retains its entire coaching staff from 2013 for the first time since 2007.[8]

Roster & staff

2014 Tennessee Volunteers football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
RB 1 Jalen Hurd Fr
WR 2 Pig Howard Jr
WR 3 Josh Malone Fr
WR 4 Vic Wharton Fr
WR 5 Ryan Jenkins  Fr
WR 7 Drae Bowles  So
WR 8 Marquez North So
WR 9 Von Pearson  Jr
QB 10 Will Bradshaw Fr
QB 11 Joshua Dobbs So
QB 12 Nathan Peterman  So
QB 13 Patrick Ashford  Jr
QB 14 Justin Worley Sr
RB 15 Marlin Lane Sr
QB 17 Devin Smith Fr
WR 18 Jason Croom  So
RB 19 Devrin Young Sr
RB 23 Chris Beck Jr
RB 24 Derrell Scott Fr
RB 24 Deanthonie Summerhill  Sr
WR 25 Josh Smith So
WR 26 Jaye Rochell  Fr
RB 31 Justus Pickett  Jr
FB 39 Michael Cantwell Jr
TE 40 Alex Ellis  Jr
FB 46 Logan Cavendar  So
TE 47 Joe Stocstill  So
RT 55 Coleman Thomas Fr
C 57 Mack Crowder  Jr
LG 60 Austin Sanders  Fr
RT 63 Brett Kendrick  Fr
C 64 Ray Raulerson Fr
LT 65 Jacob Gilliam  Sr
OL 66 Marques Pair  Sr
RG 71 Dylan Wiesman So
LT 74 Dontavius Blair Jr
LG 75 Marcus Jackson  Jr
OL 76 John Simcox  So
RG 77 Kyler Kerbyson  Jr
OL 78 Charles Mosley Injured Fr
OL 79 Thomas Edwards  Fr
TE 80 Daniel Helm Fr
WR 81 Johnathon Johnson Jr
WR 82 Neiko Creamer Fr
WR 83 Cody Blanc Injured Jr
TE 84 Woody Quinn Sr
TE 85 Brendan Downs Sr
TE 86 A.J. Branisel So
WR 87 Jacob Carter  Sr
TE 88 Ethan Wolf Fr
TE 89 Greg Tisho  Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 2 D'Andre Payne Fr
DL 4 LaTroy Lewis  So
S 6 Todd Kelly Jr. Fr
S 7 Rashaan Gaulden Fr
DE 8 Dewayne Hendrix Fr
DE 9 Derek Barnett Fr
CB 12 Emmanuel Moseley Fr
FS 13 Devaun Swafford So
ROLB 17 Dillon Bates Injured Fr
S 20 Cortez McDowell Fr
DB 21 David Priddy So
CB 21 Riyahd Jones Sr
CB 22 Malik Foreman So
CB 23 Cameron Sutton So
DB 26 Geraldo Orta  Jr
NB 27 Justin Coleman Sr
FS 28 Lemond Johnson So
ATH 29 Evan Berry Fr
DB 30 Devin Williams  Fr
SS 33 LaDarrell McNeil Jr
ROLB 34 Jalen Reeves-Maybin So
OLB 36 Gavin Bryant Fr
FS 37 Brian Randolph  Jr
LB 38 Nikolay Timoshchuk  So
ROLB 38 Justin King  So
DL 39 Kendal Vickers Fr
DL 40 Dimarya Mixon Fr
OLB 41 Elliott Berry Fr
DL 42 Charles Folger  So
LOLB 43 Chris Weatherd Jr
LB 43 Gage Beeler Jr
DE 44 Jakob Johnson Fr
MLB 45 A. J. Johnson Sr
DB 46 Max Arnold  Jr
DE 50 Corey Vereen So
LB 51 Kenny Bynum  So
DE 52 Joseph Henderson Fr
MLB 53 Colton Jumper Fr
DT 54 Jordan Williams Sr
LOLB 56 Curt Maggitt  Jr
DL 58 Owen Williams  Jr
LB 59 Gregory Grieco  Sr
DL 69 Allan Carson  Jr
DT 72 Michael Sawyers Fr
DL 78 Charles Mosley Injured Fr
DL 89 Jaylen Miller So
DT 95 Danny O'Brien  So
DT 96 Trevarris Saulsberry  Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK 5 George Bullock  So
LS 10 Will Bradshaw Fr
K 25 Aaron Medley Fr
PK 34 Patrick Toole  Jr
P
 35 Ryan Ault  So
P
 36 Trevor Daniel  Fr
PK 42 Derrick Brodus  Sr
P
 43 Matt Darr  Sr
LS 54 Danny Finch  Fr
LS 57 Andrew Henry  Jr
LS 59 Matt Glampapa  Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: September 22, 2014

2014 recruiting class

Tennessee's 2014 recruiting class was ranked the fifth-best overall 2014 class by both

247Sports.com.[51] The Vols' 2014 class is known as the "legacy class" for its unusually large number of legacies, including Todd Kelly, Jr. (son of Todd Kelly), Dillon Bates (son of Bill Bates), twins Elliott and Evan Berry (sons of former Vol running back James Berry and brothers of All-American safety Eric Berry), Neiko Creamer (son of former Vol defensive back Andre Creamer), and Vic Wharton (nephew of former Tennessee basketball player Brandon Wharton).[52] Isaiah McDaniel, the son of former Vol cornerback Terry McDaniel, joined the squad as a preferred walk-on.[53] Will Bradshaw and Devin Smith, who were both standout quarterbacks at their respective East Tennessee high schools, joined the team July 10 as walk-ons.[54]

US college sports recruiting information for 2014 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Derek Barnett
DE 		Brentwood, Tennessee Brentwood Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 272.5 lb (123.6 kg) 4.96 Oct 9, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Dillon Bates
OLB 		Ponte Vedra, Florida Ponte Vedra HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 219.25 lb (99.45 kg) 4.51 Aug 3, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Elliott Berry
OLB 		Fairburn, Georgia Creekside HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 4.55 Nov 4, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Evan Berry
ATH 		Fairburn, Georgia Creekside HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 191.75 lb (86.98 kg) 4.56 Nov 4, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Dontavius Blair
OT 		Garden City, Kansas Garden City Community College 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 302.5 lb (137.2 kg) 5.00 Oct 8, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Gavin Bryant
ILB 		Jackson, Alabama Jackson HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 231.25 lb (104.89 kg) 4.53 Jun 17, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Neiko Creamer
TE 		Elkton, Maryland Eastern Christian Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220.25 lb (99.90 kg) 4.68 Mar 3, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
RaShaan Gaulden
S 		Thompson's Station, Tennessee Independence HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 174 lb (79 kg) NA Jul 20, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Daniel Helm
TE 		Chatham, Illinois Gleenwood HS 6 ft 3.5 in (1.92 m) 219.75 lb (99.68 kg) 4.88 Apr 23, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Joseph Henderson
DE 		Shaker Heights, Ohio Shaker Heights HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 226.25 lb (102.63 kg) 4.50 May 30, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dewayne Hendrix
DE 		O'Fallon, Illinois O'Fallon HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 254.5 lb (115.4 kg) 4.70 Oct 27, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Jalen Hurd
RB 		Hendersonville, Tennessee Beech HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 228 lb (103 kg) NA Mar 14, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Jakob Johnson
OLB 		Jacksonville, Florida Jean Ribault HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 238 lb (108 kg) NA Nov 24, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Todd Kelly
S 		Knoxville, Tennessee Webb School of Knoxville 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190.75 lb (86.52 kg) 4.50 Mar 10, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Josh Malone
WR 		Gallatin, Tennessee Station Camp HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 191.75 lb (86.98 kg) 4.49 Dec 4, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Cortez McDowell
S 		Locust Grove, Georgia Locust Grove HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 202.5 lb (91.9 kg) NA Jul 16, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Aaron Medley
K 		Lewisburg, Tennessee Marshall County HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 171.25 lb (77.68 kg) NA May 22, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Dimarya Mixon
DE 		Mesquite, Texas West Mesquite HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 264.33 lb (119.90 kg) NA Nov 9, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Emmanuel Moseley
CB 		Greensboro, North Carolina Dudley HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 163.75 lb (74.28 kg) NA Sep 10, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Charles Moseley
DT 		Brighton, Tennessee Brighton HS 6 ft 4.5 in (1.94 m) 353.5 lb (160.3 kg) NA Dec 9, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Treyvon Paulk
RB 		Alpharetta, Georgia Milton HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 196.5 lb (89.1 kg) 4.37 Mar 15, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
D'Andre Payne
CB 		Washington, D.C. Woodson HS 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 171.5 lb (77.8 kg) NA Apr 3, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
LaVon Pearson
WR 		Quincy, California Feather River 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 182.5 lb (82.8 kg) NA Oct 20, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Ray Raulerson
OT 		Tampa, Florida Plant Senior HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 274.75 lb (124.62 kg) 5.15 Jul 18, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jashon Robertson
OG 		Nashville, Tennessee Montgomery Bell Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 285.25 lb (129.39 kg) 4.82 Jan 15, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Michael Sawyers
DT 		Nashville, Tennessee Ensworth HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 298 lb (135 kg) 4.90 Feb 5, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Derrell Scott
RB 		Havelock, North Carolina Havelock HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 182.5 lb (82.8 kg) 4.55 Jan 27, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Coleman Thomas
C 		Max Meadows, Virginia Fort Chiswell HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 295.5 lb (134.0 kg) NA Mar 9, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Christopher Weatherd
OLB 		Athens, Texas Trinity Valley 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 213.75 lb (96.96 kg) NA May 31, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Vic Wharton
WR 		Thompson's Station, Tennessee Independence HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 184.5 lb (83.7 kg) NA Dec 25, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Owen Williams
DT 		El Dorado, Kansas Butler County HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 282.5 lb (128.1 kg) NA Nov 24, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Ethan Wolf
TE 		Minster, Ohio Minster HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 240 lb (110 kg) NA Apr 10, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
247Sports: 7  ESPN
: 5
  • ‡ Refers to
    40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Returning starters

Depth chart

* This depth chart is the official lineup for week six.

Schedule

The 2014 schedule was officially released on August 21, 2013.

FCS, and Arkansas State of the Sun Belt Conference.[58]

In his College Football Preview in March 2014, football analyst Phil Steele pointed out that, according to the NCAA method, Tennessee's 2014 schedule would be the nation's third toughest, behind the schedules of Arkansas and Virginia.[59] His own ranking of the nation's toughest schedules has yet to be released.

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 p.m.Utah State*
SECNW 38–7102,455
September 612:00 p.m.Arkansas State*
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, Tennessee
SECNW 34–1999,538
September 138:00 p.m.at No. 4 Oklahoma*
ABCL 10–3485,622
September 2712:00 p.m.at No. 12 Georgia
ESPNL 32–3592,746
October 412:00 p.m.Florida
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, Tennessee (rivalry / Checker Neyland)
SECNL 9–10102,455
October 114:00 p.m.No. 13 (
FCS) Chattanooga
*dagger
  • Neyland Stadium
  • Knoxville, Tennessee
SECNW 45–1093,097
October 187:00 p.m.at No. 3 Ole Miss
ESPNL 3–3462,081
October 257:30 p.m.No. 4
ESPN2
L 20–34102,455
November 17:30 p.m.at
Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, South Carolina (rivalry
    • )    		SECNW 45–42 OT81,891
    November 154:00 p.m.Kentucky
    		SECNW 50–16102,455
    November 227:30 p.m.No. 19 Missouri
    		ESPNL 21–2995,821
    November 294:00 p.m.at
    Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Nashville, Tennessee (rivalry
    • )    		SECNW 24–1740,350
    January 2, 20153:20 p.m.vs.
    EverBank Field
  • Jacksonville, Florida (TaxSlayer Bowl
    • )    		ESPNW 45–2856,310
    • *Non-conference game
    • daggerHomecoming
    • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game
    • All times are in Eastern time

    Schedule source

    Game summaries

    Utah State

    Utah State Aggies vs Tennessee Volunteers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Utah State 0 0 077
    Tennessee 14 3 71438

    at Neyland Stadium Knoxville, Tennessee

    • Date: August 31, 2014
    • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
      EDT
    • Game weather: Temperature:81 °F (27 °C) • Wind:7 mph (11 km/h) • Weather: partly cloudy[60]
    • Game attendance:  102,455
    • Referee: Referee: Marc Curles • Umpire: Rick Lowe • Linesman: John Langlois • Line judge: Kirk Lewis • Back judge: Scott Vaughan • Field judge: Jabir Walker • Side judge: Richard Rooker • Alternate: Blake Parks[60]
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Brock Huard (color) & Shannon Spake
     (sideline reporter)
    Game information

    In their first ever matchup on the gridiron, Tennessee opened the season with a 38–7 win over Utah State. Justin Worley threw for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns. "I didn't have the nerves I've had in the past", Worley said. "It goes back to my confidence level, the confidence I have in these guys, the confidence I have in the offensive scheme and everything. This being the second year (as a starter), my confidence is a lot higher. I tried to go out there and play like that."[61]

    Starting left tackle Jacob Gilliam suffered a torn ACL. "It's very very unfortunate," Butch Jones said of Gilliam's injury. "I feel for him and his family. He's a young man that– I love him to death. A walk-on who earned his scholarship, he earned it. It's very very unfortunate but that's football and we’ll need to have the next guy in. But I just feel for Jacob just because he's earned the respect of his peers and put himself in the position to be our starting left tackle."[62]

    Arkansas State

    Arkansas State Red Wolves vs Tennessee Volunteers – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Arkansas State 6 6 0719
    Tennessee 10 14 7334

    at Neyland Stadium Knoxville, Tennessee

    • Date: September 6, 2014
    • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
      EDT
    • Game weather: Temperature: 84 °F (29 °C) • Wind: 3 mph (4.8 km/h) • Weather: partly cloudy
    • Game attendance:  99,538
    • Referee: Referee: Matt Loeffler • Umpire: Brent Sowell • Linesman: Gus Morris III • Line judge: D. LaFontaine • Back judge: Tony Josselyn • Field judge: Bobby Ables • Side judge: Jess Dupuy
    • TV announcers (SEC Network):  
    • [63]
    Game information
    Game action in the 34–19 win.

    Tennessee improved their overall record against Sun Belt Conference teams to 8–0 with a 34–19 win over Arkansas State. This was the fourth straight year Tennessee started a season 2–0.[64] Despite trailing for the first time this season, Tennessee took control of the ball game at the tail-end of the first quarter and Arkansas State wasn't able to fight back.

    Von Pearson suffered a high ankle sprain in this game and didn't play against Oklahoma.[65]

    #4 Oklahoma

    Tennessee Volunteers at #4 Oklahoma Sooners – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Tennessee 0 7 3010
    #4 Oklahoma 13 7 7734

    at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, Oklahoma

    • Date: September 13, 2014
    • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
      EDT
    • Game weather: Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind: 6 mph (9.7 km/h) • Weather: partly cloudy
    • Game attendance:  85,622
    • Referee: Referee: Matt Moore • Umpire: Tom Quick • Linesman: Gary Jayroe • Line judge: David Oliver • Back judge: Grantis Bell • Field judge: Phillip Davenpo • Side judge: Chris Conley
    • TV announcers (ABC): Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (color commentator), Heather Cox (sideline reporter)
    • [66]
    Game information

    In the first road game of the season, Tennessee suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of the fourth ranked Oklahoma Sooners. The young offensive line was overwhelmed the whole night by the much more experienced Sooner defense as they sacked Justin Worley five times (not including one that was negated by a face mask penalty), intercepted two balls in the end zone, including one that was returned 100 yards for a touchdown, and recovered a fumble. "We improved in some areas, but when you go on the road against a quality opponent like Oklahoma you can't turn the football over", Butch Jones said. "A game can come down to two or three plays and you never know which plays are going to make a difference."[67]

    During the time between Oklahoma and Georgia, Coach Jones announced that freshman running back Treyvon Paulk had been dismissed from the team for a "personal conduct" issue. He did not elaborate further.[68]

    #12 Georgia

    Tennessee Volunteers at #12 Georgia Bulldogs – Game summary
    Period 1 2 34Total
    Tennessee 10 7 01532
    #12 Georgia 7 14 01435

    at Sanford Stadium Athens, Georgia

    • Date: September 27, 2014
    • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
      EDT
    • Game weather: Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: East 13 miles per hour (21 km/h) • Weather: overcast
    • Game attendance:  92,746
    • Referee: Referee: Matt Austin • Umpire: Rodney Lawary • Linesman: Tim Sistrunk • Line judge: Michael Taylor • Back judge: Jimmy Russell • Field judge: Blake Parks • Side judge: Bobby Moreau
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color commentator), Tom Luginbill (sideline reporter)
    • [69]
    Game information