Could a new offensive weapon be on the way for the Tennessee Vols this season
Could a new offensive weapon be on the way for the Tennessee Vols this season? It seems like that could be the case based on some social media posts from a couple of Vols players. Punt/kick returner Dee Williams posted a photo on his Instagram story this week that shows him standing beside wide receiver […]
Could a new offensive weapon be on the way for the Tennessee Vols this season?
It seems like that could be the case based on some social media posts from a couple of Vols players.
Punt/kick returner Dee Williams posted a photo on his Instagram story this week that shows him standing beside wide receiver Squirrel White with the words "almost time".
Vols wide receiver Kaleb Webb also seemed to hint this week that something is in the works with Williams.
It could just be some players having some fun on social media. But the idea of Williams — who is absolutely electric with the ball in his hands — playing on the offensive side of the ball is incredibly fun to think about for Vols fans.
Teams are trying to keep the ball out of Williams' hands on punt/kick returns as much as possible, which has limited his ability to make plays (though he's still having an impact on games even when he's not on the field, just look at what Shane Beamer had to say after South Carolina's loss to Tennessee).
Playing Williams on offense would be a way to utilize his electric abilities. And with wide receiver Bru McCoy out for the rest of the season, there's a vacancy on that side of the ball (not that anyone is suggesting Williams will fill McCoy's role, obviously that's not the case — they're two completely different types of players).
Williams, who initially arrived at Tennessee as a cornerback (he had 13 interceptions at East Central Community College), is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. All the Vols need to do is get the ball in his hands in space and see what happens. Williams has the ability to turn some of those perimeter screens into six points with his open-field abilities.
The only concern, aside from being able to operate in Tennessee's up-tempo offense, is whether or not Williams can be an effective blocker. UT's play calls are often dependent on what the defense is offering. If a play for Williams isn't there, he could be asked to block in the run game or in the passing game. If he can't be an effective blocker, it could limit Tennessee's options with Williams on offense.
Tennessee has a week off before hosting Texas A&M on October 14. That's plenty of time to see what Williams can do on offense. It could be something to keep an eye on when the Aggies visit Knoxville in two weeks.
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