The first-year head coach, fresh off helping Alabama win its fifth national title in nine seasons, will now be tasked to bring that sort of success to a historically important Tennessee program that has fallen on hard times.
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None of Tennessee’s three previous coaches — Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley and Butch Jones — has been able to stand in the shadow of legend Phillip Fulmer, coaching the Vols to a combined 53-50 record since 2009. Can Pruitt, the latest Nick Saban disciple to receive a head coaching position, finally break the mold? He has a lot to overcome in 2018 if he does: The Volunteers, unranked in Sporting News’ updated way-too-early top 25, face a murderer’s row in the SEC this season.
Here’s what to look for from Pruitt and the Vols in 2018:
Tennessee football schedule 2018
Tennessee football recruiting 2018
Tennessee’s 2018 recruiting class ranks 20th nationally and eighth in the SEC, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. The Volunteers’ class is headlined by four-star outside linebacker JJ Peterson, the No. 3 player at his position and No. 48 overall player in the country. Tennessee also has three four-star players enrolled early in receiver Alontae Taylor, defensive tackle Greg Emerson and JUCO transfer defensive end Jordan Allen.
MORE: SEC offseason primer
Tennessee football roster 2018
Reflects spring roster and will be updated.
What to watch in 2018:
- What is the measure of success for Pruitt?
Let’s not mince words: Pruitt was brought on to oversee a massive rebuilding effort at Tennessee. That means success will look different for the Volunteers under the first-year head coach. Tennessee should be aim to finish above .500, beat Vanderbilt and win a bowl game. If the team can avoid utter destruction against Alabama, Georgia and Auburn, all the better. Do that, and Pruitt will already be on the road to success in Knoxville.
- Can the Vols survive a brutal October?
Tennessee has a five-week stretch from Sept. 22 through Oct. 20 that sees them take on Florida, No. 4 Georgia, No. 8 Auburn, No. 1 Alabama and No. 23 South Carolina. Tennessee might best hope to be competitive in those games — but if it can pull off even one upset in that stretch, it will do wonders to build up morale for Pruitt and Co.
- Who takes over at running back?
John Kelly declared for the NFL Draft, leaving a sizable void at the running back position. The most obvious answer is rising sophomore Ty Chandler, who rushed for 305 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards a carry. Carlin Fils-aime will also need to contribute. Both backs will likely work in a rotation, with Chandler getting the majority of carries. Success running the ball will go a long way in determining how comfortable quarterback Jarrett Guarantano will be.
