Tennessee Vols true freshman shows he deserves more playing time after his first game action
There usually isn’t much to glean from a blowout win over an FCS program, but the Tennessee Vols’ 72-17 victory over East Tennessee State this past weekend revealed one thing that needs to happen for UT football moving forward. Vols true freshman wide receiver Radarious Jackson caught three passes for 35 yards (the first three […]
There usually isn’t much to glean from a blowout win over an FCS program, but the Tennessee Vols’ 72-17 victory over East Tennessee State this past weekend revealed one thing that needs to happen for UT football moving forward.
Vols true freshman wide receiver Radarious Jackson caught three passes for 35 yards (the first three receptions of his career) in the win against ETSU.
One reception, in particular, showed Jackson’s elite body control and pass catching skills.
Jackson, a former four-star recruit from Memphis, made an impressive adjustment on a pass from backup quarterback Jake Merklinger that was just a bit off.
That’s an elite catch. The ball was behind Jackson and a bit high, but he made an NFL-level adjustment to reel it in.
Radarious Jackson needs to see more playing time for the Vols
So far this season, it appears that Tennessee is content to give the bulk of the wide receiver snaps to Chris Brazzell, Mike Matthews, and Braylon Staley.
The Vols, however, have an extremely talented group of young pass catchers waiting in the wings behind that trio — including Jackson, Travis Smith, and Joakim Dodson.
Those three true freshmen wide receivers are too talented to leave on the sideline. And they certainly need to see some more action in non-garbage time situations — especially Jackson.
Of those three freshmen wide receivers, Jackson saw the fewest snaps against ETSU (Jackson played 15 snaps, Smith played 57 snaps, and Dodson played 21 snaps).
Tennessee needs Jackson’s hands on the field. If there’s a criticism of the Vols’ offense early this season, it’s that there’s been a few too many drops from receivers. Now, not every pass has been perfect, but off-target passes in college football are always going to be a thing. Starting quarterback Joey Aguilar isn’t going to put every ball on the money. That’s why it’s important to have a player like Jackson — who can make high-level adjustments to the ball — on the field in important situations.
I’m not saying Jackson needs to be pushing for starter snaps — he still has plenty of developing to do — but it’s clear from his highlight catch against ETSU that he needs to see more opportunities moving forward.
Jackson, by the way, was Tennessee’s third highest graded wide receiver against ETSU according to Pro Football Focus (behind Chris Brazzell and Tommy Winton III, respectively).
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