ESPN says Tennessee Vols player is one of top 10 "draft steals"
The Tennessee Vols only had two players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but ESPN thinks one of those former UT players is a "draft steal". Wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who was selected in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers, was a fan favorite at Tennessee thanks to his hard-nosed playing style that […]
The Tennessee Vols only had two players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but ESPN thinks one of those former UT players is a "draft steal".
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who was selected in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers, was a fan favorite at Tennessee thanks to his hard-nosed playing style that often led to broken tackles and memorable touchdowns.
(Note: Darrell Taylor was the other former Vol selected. The Seattle Seahawks drafted Taylor in the second round.)
But Jennings fell in the draft because he doesn't have elite speed (he ran a 4.72 in the 40 yard dash at the combine).
Despite Jennings' lack of speed, ESPN's Zach Lowe still believes Jennings is one of the top 10 steals in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Here's what Lowe had to say about Jennings.
Jennings broke 30 tackles on only 59 catches last season. Defensive backs bounced off his legs repeatedly, and his fall to the seventh round had more to do with off-field issues than on-field production. While he lacks the top-end speed to be productive downfield in the league, Jennings doesn't have to be that in Kyle SHanahan's offense.
I'm not sure I agree with Lowe about the off-field issues being a major concern with Jennings.
Jennings faced assault charges stemming from a high school party in early 2015 (when he was an early enrollee at Tennessee…he essentially shoved someone at a party). And he had a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge dismissed in 2017.
The former Vol wide receiver was also kicked off UT's football team by former athletic director John Currie and interim head coach Brady Hoke in late 2017. He was later reinstated by current Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
Pruitt coached Jennings the last two seasons and had nothing but positive things to say about the Murfreesboro native.
The 49ers made a good move by selecting Jennings. I don't know what kind of stats he'll put up as an NFL player, but he's going to give it his all every time he steps onto the field.
And sometimes that means a lot more than how fast you can run.
Featured image via Handout Photo-USA TODAY Sports
