5. Josh Palmer, WR
Last season, Josh Palmer had what many would consider a breakout campaign as a sophomore. He caught 23 passes for 484 yards and two scores, averaging 21 yards a reception. He also scored a rushing touchdown while running for 27 yards on five carries.
As good as Palmer looked last season, he struggled with consistency. He needed to take a big step forward in the offseason and solidify himself as a starter for the Vols in their main receiver rotation. And he did just that.
Palmer was awarded the Most Improved Offensive Player award for the Vols this spring after the Orange & White Game. The rising junior consistently performed well in practices, and he capped off that stellar spring with three catches for 25 yards and a touchdown in the Orange & White Game.
The only reason Palmer isn’t higher on this list is because Vol fans saw him flash his potential last season, and he already “broke out” a bit as a sophomore. But there were times this spring where Palmer looked like UT’s best receiver, and that was a surprise when you consider Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings are in the same group as him.
