Five Tennessee football greats who would have thrived in Josh Heupel's offense | Adams
One of the best things about Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel’s offense: Every player has a chance to excel.
Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends all have thrived in Heupel’s first two seasons at UT, which made me think of former Vols who also would have flourished in his system.
Quarterback: Condredge Holloway
Holloway is one of Tennessee’s all-time greatest athletes but starred in a different era (1972-74) – one in which the offenses weren’t as progressive or prolific as they are now.
A terrific dual-threat quarterback, he might have won the Heisman Trophy in this offense. In three seasons with the Vols, he completed 238 of 407 passes for 3,012 yards and rushed for 966 yards. He could have matched those totals in one season in Heupel’s offense.
Holloway, who was an All-America baseball player as well, also could have played shortstop for Tony Vitello’s baseball team.
Running back: Alvin Kamara
He was under-used in former coach Butch Jones' offense in two seasons at Tennessee (2015-16) when he rushed for 1,294 yards and caught 74 passes for 683 yards.
Kamara caught 81 passes and rushed for 728 yards as a rookie with the New Orleans Saints. In six NFL seasons, he has caught more than 80 passes four times and never rushed for under 700 yards.
His quick burst and cutting ability would have been highlighted in Heupel’s offense. Imagine the all-purpose yardage he would have accumulated as a runner/receiver. Think “Reggie Bush.”
Wide receiver: Cordarrelle Patterson
He caught 46 passes for 778 yards in his only season at Tennessee (2012). He also rushed 25 times for 308 yards.
That was just a preview of his potential.
Patterson has become one of the NFL’s most versatile players. He has twice caught 52 passes in a season and last season rushed for 695 yards with the Atlanta Falcons.
As a kick returner, Patterson has averaged 29.5 yards for his career and scored nine touchdowns.
One of the strengths of Heupel’s up-tempo, spread offense: Receivers are usually open. With Patterson’s open-field running ability, he would have put up huge numbers in this offense.
Wide receiver: Peerless Price
Price was a star on Tennessee’s 1998 national championship team. He repeatedly bedeviled defenses on deep routes, which became a greater part of UT’s offense as the season went along.
Heupel loves to stretch a defense with deep throws. That approach helped Jalin Hyatt become an All-American last season.
Price likely would have done the same thing in this offensive system.
Tight end: Jason Witten
Witten is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. In 17 seasons, all but one with the Dallas Cowboys, he made 11 Pro Bowls.
His career stats are staggering: 1,228 catches for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns.
ADAMS: How Josh Heupel has made Tennessee football a problem for the rest of SEC
Contrast that with what he did at Tennessee from 2000-02. He caught 68 passes for 797 yards and seven touchdowns. He only caught one of those passes when he played sparingly as a freshman.
How long do you think it would have taken Heupel to recognize Witten’s skills as a receiver?
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamkns.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football greats who would thrived in Josh Heupel offense
