According to multiple reports, wide receiver Jauan Jennings is expected to be reinstated to Tennessee’s roster. But there will be certain stipulations he must meet.
Per reports from both Trey Wallace of The Read Optional and John Brice of Gridiron Now, Jennings is expected to be welcomed back onto the Vols’ roster. But according to both, he will have to abide by certain stipulations in order to remain in good standing. Neither specify any of the stipulations, however.
Jennings was dismissed from the Vols prior to Tennessee’s game against Vanderbilt after he posted a video of a profanity-laced tirade to his Instagram account that called out Tennessee’s coaching staff. Jennings was dismissed by interim head coach Brady Hoke, and Athletics Director John Currie signed off on Hoke’s decision to kick off the junior receiver.
But now both Hoke and Currie are no longer in their respective positions. And Jennings’ standing with Tennessee appears to be in much better shape.
Jeremy Pruitt is now the Vols’ head football coach, and Phillip Fulmer is the new AD. Pruitt said during a press conference last week that Jennings and Fulmer had already spoken and that “There may be a time in the next couple of days where I meet with him and see where things are at.”
It appears that meeting may have already happened and that Jennings is now being welcomed back. As long as he can remain on his best behavior, that is.
The Vols desperately need someone like Jennings on the roster in 2018. Jennings only caught three passes for 17 yards this season before a wrist injury in the second quarter in Tennessee’s season opener sidelined him for the rest of the season prior to his dismissal. But Jennings was a big play-maker in 2016, hauling in 580 receiving yards on 40 catches and scoring seven times. Jennings made two of the biggest catches of the Vols’ 2016 season, burning Florida cornerback Jalen Tabor for a 67-yard touchdown in the second half of Tennessee’s win over the Gators and then caught the game-winning Hail Mary against Georgia the following week.
If Jennings is indeed reinstated as the reports state, he will be the only four-year player in the Vols’ receiving corps. He will be the team’s leading receiver despite missing almost all of 2017. His 746 receiving yards on 57 catches are the most by any current Vol on Tennessee’s roster. Brandon Johnson is the next closest with 575 career receiving yards on 44 career catches.
