May 29
By Jimmy Hyams
Greg McElroy thinks Tennessee’s football future is bright under coach Jeremy Pruitt, it just might take a while to get there.
McElroy watched Tennessee intently during a practice and its spring game in April.
“Let me start by saying how impressed I am with the staff that Jeremy Pruitt has assembled and the vision he has for the program,’’ McElroy said in a recent interview on Sports Talk, Sports Radio WNML.
“Personnel is not as important to me right now. What I wanted to gain from having gone to Knoxville … I wanted to see what it was they saw Tennessee becoming. Not what they were, but what are they going to become.
“I’m very optimistic given the direction of the program and knowing the things that Jeremy Pruitt is stressing and prioritizing. I’m very optimistic about where this program is going to be a couple of years down the road.’’
But the immediate future isn’t so bright.
“As far as personnel is concerned,’’ said the former Alabama quarterback and SEC Network analyst, “I think they need to improve a lot of spots.’’
McElroy said as many as 12 players who started the spring game might start the Sept. 1 opener against West Virginia. (My estimate is closer to 10).
McElroy said a 6-6 record is a “reasonable expectation; I think that should be the goal.’’
He added: “Six wins would be great, I really believe that. Not just because it would show progress … but increasing the win total in such a difficult year would be remarkable.’’
Plus, he said, you would get added bowl practices for some young players.
McElroy expects Pruitt to continue to be aggressive pursuing grad transfers. UT has signed two – quarterback Keller Chryst of Stanford and running back Madre London of Michigan State. The Vols have pursued several others but haven’t signed anyone else yet.
McElroy thinks Chryst and London will be “immediate difference makers.’’ Chryst was 11-2 as a part-time starter at Stanford. London rushed for almost 1,000 yards in three seasons as a Spartan.
But getting to six wins won’t be easy. The Vols are unlikely to beat West Virginia, Georgia, Alabama or Auburn. They should beat East Tennessee State (4-7 last year), UTEP (0-12) and Charlotte (1-11).
McElroy thinks Missouri is a darkhorse team in the East because of its “offensive firepower.’’ And he believes South Carolina is two years ahead in the rebuilding process under Will Muschamp, who won nine games last year.
That means UT likely will have to beat Florida, Kentucky and Vanderbilt to go 6-6.
While McElroy says a fair goal for Tennessee this season is six wins, nine wins in year three – which Butch Jones accomplished – is doable.
“I think that should be the goal,’’ McElroy said. “I think Tennessee fans should have sky-high expectations in year three, four and five.
“Years one and two, it might take a little time and if they’re relying on a lot of youth, then you peak in year three and four, when those guys are juniors and seniors. So I think it’s well within reason (to win nine in 2020). They just have to find the right pieces in recruiting.’’
“And if they find the pieces and they buy into the program that Jeremy Pruitt is laying out, then it’s absolutely possible.’’
McElroy pointed out that former UT coach Butch Jones had a “tendency’’ to finish strong and won three bowl games in a row. “That’s why I think Tennessee always went into the offseason with a full head of steam and a lot of momentum. And he had a tendency to play well early in the season.’’
But last year, the roof caved in. The Vols went 4-8 overall, 0-8 in SEC play.
McElroy said UT gave a “forgettable’’ performance last year against UMass.
“If you’re significantly better than the opposition,’’ he said, “you need to play like it. Tennessee didn’t always do that.’’
McElroy said UT found ways to lose games, like against Florida in 2017 and 2015.
Now, McElroy likes the direction of the program under Pruitt and his staff.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take,’’ McElroy said, “but I would say three years is a safe guess as to when this program will be vying again at the top of the SEC East.’’
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