NFL Playoffs Provide Reminder of How Jeremy Pruitt Screwed the Tennessee Vols
As the NFL playoffs reach their climax, college football fans have been treated to a number of exciting games showcasing some of the best talent the league has to offer. Among the many narratives that emerge each postseason, one particular storyline seems to linger in the minds of Tennessee Volunteers supporters: how their program, still recovering from a turbulent period of instability, was hampered by former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.
The NFL playoffs serve as a vivid reminder of the talent that Tennessee produced during Pruitt’s tenure, and yet, the Vols were never able to capitalize on it. Players that thrived in the NFL, especially those who came through Tennessee during Pruitt’s regime, highlight the program’s missed opportunities and the long-lasting impact of Pruitt’s coaching decisions on the Vols’ program.
In this article, we will revisit the crucial years of Jeremy Pruitt’s time at Tennessee, examining how his decisions, or lack thereof, affected the program and its potential for success. We will also look at how players who thrived in the NFL, many of whom came through Pruitt’s system, are part of a painful reminder of what might have been for the Volunteers.
Jeremy Pruitt’s Tenure at Tennessee: A Promising Start That Quickly Crumbled
Jeremy Pruitt was hired as Tennessee’s head coach in 2018 after the firing of Butch Jones. Pruitt was expected to bring stability and success to a program that had been in a tailspin for several years. A former Alabama defensive coordinator, Pruitt was known for his aggressive, hard-nosed defense, and Tennessee hoped he could inject the program with the same kind of energy that had propelled Alabama to dominance during his time there.
Pruitt’s first season (2018) was a rough one. Tennessee finished with a 5-7 record, and the team struggled mightily in key games. The Vols faced tough competition in the SEC, and their inability to develop a competitive offense left them with little chance of success. Despite the early struggles, there was hope for the future. Pruitt was bringing in solid recruiting classes, and there was optimism that he could turn things around in the coming years.
The 2019 season seemed to provide a glimmer of hope. Tennessee finished the year with an 8-5 record, including a win in the Gator Bowl against Indiana. The Vols showed flashes of potential, particularly on defense, and fans began to believe that Pruitt was on the right track. The recruiting efforts under Pruitt were beginning to show promise, and several key players who would later go on to have success in the NFL were starting to come into their own.
However, 2020 would be the beginning of the end for Pruitt’s tenure at Tennessee. The team started the season with some early promise but ultimately finished with a disappointing 3-7 record. The offense continued to underperform, and the defense, despite having some talented players, was inconsistent at best. The loss of key players due to injury and the team’s inability to develop a quarterback compounded the problems.
By January 2021, Tennessee had decided to part ways with Pruitt, amid NCAA investigations into potential recruiting violations. Pruitt was dismissed, and the program was once again left searching for stability. His tenure, while initially promising, ended in failure. However, the lasting impact of his time at Tennessee was not only in terms of the lack of wins on the field but also the missed opportunities with players who had the potential to succeed in the NFL.
The Missed Opportunities: Players Who Excelled in the NFL Under Pruitt’s Watch
One of the most painful aspects of Jeremy Pruitt’s tenure at Tennessee is the number of talented players he recruited and developed, only for the team to fail to build around them. While Pruitt is known for his defensive prowess, he was never able to build an offense capable of competing at the highest level. Meanwhile, many of his recruits, despite a lack of success at Tennessee, have gone on to shine in the NFL, adding salt to the wounds of Volunteers fans.
Here are some of the notable players from Pruitt’s time at Tennessee who have made significant impacts in the NFL:
1. Derek Barnett (DE, Philadelphia Eagles)
Derek Barnett was a standout defensive lineman at Tennessee, and his production with the Volunteers carried over into the NFL. Despite the struggles of Tennessee’s defense during Pruitt’s tenure, Barnett remained a force on the line, showcasing his ability to disrupt plays and get after the quarterback. Drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Barnett has gone on to have a successful career. His impact on the Eagles’ Super Bowl win in 2018, including a key sack in the championship game, is a lasting memory of the type of player Tennessee produced under Pruitt’s watch.
However, Tennessee’s inability to build a consistent and competitive team around players like Barnett left many Vols fans questioning what could have been. Barnett’s potential was never fully realized at the college level, and Tennessee failed to put together the pieces necessary to contend in the SEC.
2. Jauan Jennings (WR, San Francisco 49ers)
Jauan Jennings, a former wide receiver for the Vols, is another player who has flourished in the NFL after his time at Tennessee. Jennings was a physical receiver with great hands and the ability to make big plays downfield. He went undrafted in 2020 but quickly earned a spot on the San Francisco 49ers’ roster, where he has made an impact as a reliable target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jennings’ success in the NFL serves as a reminder of Tennessee’s inability to utilize his talents during his time in Knoxville. Despite Jennings’ potential as a top-tier playmaker, the Vols’ offense under Pruitt never seemed to find the right system to maximize his skill set. His success in the NFL only highlights the frustrations of Tennessee fans, who wonder what might have been if Pruitt had better utilized his star receiver.
3. Trey Smith (OG, Kansas City Chiefs)
Trey Smith was one of the most highly regarded offensive line recruits to come to Tennessee in recent years. A highly touted prospect coming out of high school, Smith lived up to his billing on the field, becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the SEC during his time at Tennessee. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he has quickly become a key figure on the Chiefs’ offensive line.
Smith’s success in the NFL only serves to amplify the frustration of Tennessee fans. Despite having a player of Smith’s caliber on the roster, Tennessee’s offensive line was often a weakness during Pruitt’s tenure. The inability to build a competent offense and establish a strong running game left Smith’s talents underutilized, and the Vols struggled to protect their quarterbacks.
4. Nigel Warrior (S, Baltimore Ravens)
Nigel Warrior was a standout safety for Tennessee under Pruitt’s leadership, and his physicality and ability to read offenses made him an important asset to the Vols’ defense. Warrior was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 and has continued to show promise in the NFL. His development at Tennessee, however, was stunted by inconsistent coaching and a lack of cohesion on the defensive side of the ball.
Warrior’s transition to the NFL serves as another painful reminder for Vols fans. Despite having a player with his skill set on the roster, Tennessee’s defense under Pruitt often struggled to put together a cohesive unit capable of competing with the best teams in the SEC. Warrior’s success in the NFL only highlights what could have been for Tennessee if they had been able to fully unlock his potential during his time in Knoxville.
Pruitt’s Legacy: Talent Wasted and Potential Unfulfilled
Jeremy Pruitt’s legacy at Tennessee will forever be intertwined with missed opportunities, particularly when it comes to player development. Under his watch, the Vols produced several NFL-caliber players who went on to have successful careers, but the program itself never realized its potential. Pruitt’s inability to build a complete team, especially on the offensive side of the ball, left Tennessee in a constant state of rebuilding.
The NFL playoffs serve as a poignant reminder of what could have been. As we watch former Tennessee players thrive on the biggest stage in football, Vols fans are left wondering how their team could have fared if Pruitt had maximized the talent at his disposal. Tennessee’s struggles under Pruitt were compounded by poor offensive schemes, inconsistent quarterback play, and a failure to recruit and develop talent in the way that other SEC programs were able to do.
In the end, Pruitt’s time at Tennessee was marked by disappointment, and his departure from the program was a necessary step in the rebuilding process. However, the painful reality remains: Tennessee was blessed with talent during Pruitt’s tenure, but the program was never able to fully capitalize on it. As we watch the NFL playoffs unfold, the success of players like Barnett, Jennings, Smith, and Warrior is a reminder of what could have been for the Tennessee Volunteers. The program has made strides under current head coach Josh Heupel, but the ghosts of Pruitt’s failed tenure continue to haunt the Vols as they work to rebuild and regain their place among the elite programs in college football.
