Tennessee's 5 best touchdown celebrations from the 2022 season
The Tennessee Vols' 2022 season was truly epic. From beating Florida and Alabama and ending those losing streaks to boat racing a confident Kentucky team that talked plenty of trash before playing the Vols, there were plenty of great memories from Josh Heupel's second season in Knoxville. Later this month, I'll get into all of […]
The Tennessee Vols' 2022 season was truly epic.
From beating Florida and Alabama and ending those losing streaks to boat racing a confident Kentucky team that talked plenty of trash before playing the Vols, there were plenty of great memories from Josh Heupel's second season in Knoxville.
Later this month, I'll get into all of the great moments from this entire season. But for now, let's take a look at the five best touchdown celebrations from this season.
5. Jalin Hyatt hits the silencer against Kentucky
Jalin Hyatt wasn't a flashy guy this season when he scored. More often than not, he tossed the ball to the officials, high-fived his teammates, and ran to the sidelines.
But against Kentucky, we saw Hyatt display some swagger (the whole team did that night). And after one touchdown, Hyatt broke out "the silencer", the celebration inspired by NBA superstar Lebron James.
4. Princeton Fant pokes fun at Henry To'o To'o
This one isn't so much about the celebration, but the meaning behind it.
Before Tennessee played Alabama, the Crimson Tide released a hype video featuring Henry To'o To'o, a former Vols linebacker.
In the video, To'o To'o talks about making a few more plays in Neyland before saying "it's not personal, it's just business". The clip showed To'o To'o pretending to straighten a tie while also pretending to pick up a briefcase.
Tennessee's players, including Fant, heard those comments. And they took it personally.
After Fant scored on a fullback touchdown, he mocked To'o To'o's tie-straightening "celebration". Fant also mocked it in the locker room after the Vols' win against Alabama.
After the game, Fant admitted that the team used To'o To'o's comments as motivation.
3. Jaylen Wright against Florida
The moment I knew for sure that Josh Heupel was different than other coaches that have been at Tennessee in recent years was when the Vols beat Florida in early September.
Tennessee only won the game by five points thanks to a late flurry of points from the Gators, but the Vols dominated most of the game.
When Jaylen Wright scored Tennessee's final touchdown of the day, he celebrated by mocking Florida's "Gator chomp".
There's nothing better for a Tennessee player than scoring against Florida and hitting the Gator Chomp in the end zone. Wright became an instant Vols legend with that move.
2. Squirrel White's "waddle" against Clemson
Squirrel White is expected to play a huge role for the Volunteers in 2023, so it was appropriate that he had a big game against Clemson in the Orange Bowl in Miami.
White caught nine passes for 108 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee's 31-14 win over the Tigers.
After White's touchdown, which gave the Vols a 21-6 lead, the true freshman wide receiver celebrated by doing the waddle in the end zone (the celebration made famous by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle).
Tennessee was certainly having some fun against Clemson.
1. Dee Williams after a punt return TD against Vanderbilt
The No. 1 Vols celebration in 2022 is a no-brainer.
Dee Williams' celebration after scoring on a punt return in the regular season finale against Vanderbilt is one of the best I've ever seen (and yes, I know it's been done before).
Williams pretended to pull a hamstring as he ran into the end zone, before transitioning into a celebratory dance with a teammate (which was perfectly timed by the way).
That was the moment I knew the Vols had their swagger back after losing to South Carolina the previous week.
What a season for Tennessee. It was one full of plenty of great moments that we'll continue to look back on throughout the offseason.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
