The NFL playoffs serve as a reminder of the Tennessee Vols’ mistreatment by Jeremy Pruitt.

The NFL playoffs are a time when football fans from all walks of life gather around their screens, watching their favorite teams battle it out for a shot at the coveted Lombardi Trophy. However, for fans of the Tennessee Volunteers football team, the playoffs this year have brought a sense of nostalgia mixed with frustration—frustration about the way their own program was mishandled during the tenure of former head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

As we watch the continued success of former Tennessee players in the NFL—whether it’s quarterbacks, wide receivers, or defensive standouts—the performance of Tennessee alumni in the pros serves as a stark reminder of what could have been if the Vols had been handled properly during Pruitt’s tenure. With several Vols now excelling in the NFL, the legacy of Jeremy Pruitt’s time at Tennessee looks all the more damaging, as it becomes increasingly clear that the program’s potential was squandered during his years in charge.

This article will explore how the NFL playoffs have amplified the frustration surrounding Tennessee’s football program under Pruitt, looking at key players whose talent was underutilized, as well as how the issues stemming from Pruitt’s mismanagement continue to impact the program today.

The Rise of Tennessee Talent in the NFL

One of the most telling aspects of Tennessee’s football program under Jeremy Pruitt is the number of players who have been able to transition to the NFL and perform at a high level, despite facing significant challenges and mismanagement during their time in Knoxville. The presence of Tennessee alumni in the NFL playoffs reminds fans of what could have been had the players received better development and coaching during their time at the university.

Players like wide receiver Jauan Jennings, defensive tackle Derek Barnett, and linebacker A.J. Johnson have all gone on to carve out successful careers in the NFL, but their time at Tennessee didn’t reflect their full potential. It begs the question: what could have happened if they had received the right guidance and support during their college careers? How different could Tennessee’s trajectory have been if their talent had been nurtured properly?

Jauan Jennings

Jauan Jennings, now a key contributor for the San Francisco 49ers, is one of the most notable examples of a Tennessee player who found success in the NFL after a tumultuous college career. Jennings had all the physical tools to be a standout wide receiver, but his time under Pruitt was marked by inconsistent play, issues with the offense, and a lack of development.

Jennings was a dynamic playmaker at Tennessee, but his career with the Vols was largely defined by his inability to play in a structured, productive offensive system. Under Pruitt, the Vols often struggled to establish any kind of offensive identity, and this directly impacted Jennings’ ability to showcase his skills. Despite this, Jennings never wavered in his determination to succeed, and he now finds himself excelling on one of the NFL’s most promising teams. His journey from underappreciated college star to NFL standout is both a testament to his resilience and a reminder of the mismanagement that characterized Tennessee’s program under Pruitt.

Derek Barnett

Derek Barnett, a former All-American defensive end for the Vols, is another example of a player whose talent was mishandled during Pruitt’s tenure. Barnett was a dominant force on the Tennessee defense, breaking records and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. However, his time at Tennessee was often marked by inconsistency and a lack of stability within the coaching staff. Barnett, whose NFL career has been defined by his relentless pass-rushing ability, could have had an even greater impact at the collegiate level if Tennessee had provided the right coaching and development.

Barnett’s potential was evident during his time with the Vols, but Tennessee’s struggles under Pruitt’s leadership, particularly on defense, prevented Barnett from reaching his full potential. Nonetheless, Barnett has since gone on to carve out a successful career with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he has made key contributions to the team’s defensive line. As Barnett competes in the NFL playoffs, Tennessee fans can’t help but wonder what could have been if he had been properly supported in his college years.

A.J. Johnson

A.J. Johnson, a standout linebacker for Tennessee, is yet another example of a player who had the talent to be an NFL star but struggled to reach his full potential during his time in Knoxville. Johnson was known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, tackling ability, and leadership on the field, but the mismanagement under Pruitt prevented him from reaching his full potential.

Despite having the ability to play at a high level, Johnson faced an inconsistent coaching staff, and the defensive scheme under Pruitt was often mismatched with Johnson’s strengths. As a result, Johnson’s college career didn’t fully showcase the skills that have made him a key player in the NFL. He now plays a pivotal role for the NFL’s Denver Broncos, demonstrating just how valuable a player like him can be when placed in a system that maximizes his talents.

Jeremy Pruitt’s Inability to Maximize Player Development

While the NFL playoffs serve as a showcase of individual talent, they also highlight the broader issues that Tennessee faced under Jeremy Pruitt. Pruitt, who took over as head coach of the Vols in 2018, inherited a program that had been struggling for years. However, his inability to cultivate talent, foster consistency, and develop players left Tennessee in a much worse position than it should have been.

Pruitt’s tenure was plagued by a series of issues—most notably, the inability to recruit effectively, manage internal team dynamics, and develop quarterbacks. Tennessee has historically been a program known for producing elite talent, yet under Pruitt, the Vols seemed to underachieve in nearly every area.

The Quarterback Situation

Perhaps the most glaring example of Pruitt’s inability to manage talent was his handling of the quarterback position. During his tenure, Tennessee cycled through multiple quarterbacks, including Jarrett Guarantano, Brian Maurer, and others, but none were able to consistently produce. Guarantano, in particular, was a highly-touted recruit who showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to find consistency and develop under Pruitt’s system.

Pruitt’s inability to settle on a starting quarterback or develop a long-term solution at the position set the Vols back significantly. A quarterback is the most important player on the field, and Tennessee’s struggles in this area were reflective of larger issues with player development under Pruitt.

Coaching Inconsistencies

In addition to his struggles with quarterbacks, Pruitt also faced significant challenges in terms of building a cohesive coaching staff. Inconsistent game plans, lackluster recruiting, and an inability to develop a strong team culture all contributed to Tennessee’s struggles during Pruitt’s tenure. The Vols’ offensive and defensive schemes were often mismatched with their personnel, leading to a sense of frustration and underperformance.

One of the most frustrating aspects of Pruitt’s time at Tennessee was the wasted potential of some of the program’s best players. Despite having high-caliber talent, Tennessee’s on-field performance often failed to live up to expectations, leading to a revolving door of coaches and players leaving the program in search of better opportunities.

The Continued Frustration for Tennessee Fans

As Tennessee fans watch former Vols thrive in the NFL playoffs, the frustration over what could have been under Pruitt grows. It’s difficult not to imagine how Tennessee might have fared in the postseason if the program had been better managed. The Vols have long been one of the most prestigious programs in college football, but the past few years have been marked by mediocrity and disappointment.

In hindsight, Pruitt’s tenure at Tennessee now looks like a missed opportunity. He was given a talented roster that included players who went on to thrive in the NFL, yet he was unable to unlock their potential. Tennessee fans are left wondering what could have been if the program had been better positioned to develop and utilize the players it had. With players like Jennings, Barnett, and Johnson excelling in the NFL, there is a sense of frustration that the Vols were unable to experience similar success in college.

The Future for Tennessee

While the past few years under Jeremy Pruitt have been disappointing, Tennessee is now in the hands of a new coaching staff led by Josh Heupel, who has brought a fresh energy and vision to the program. The Vols are beginning to turn things around, with an exciting offense and promising recruiting classes. While the scars of the Pruitt era remain, there is hope that Tennessee can rebuild and return to its rightful place among the elite programs in college football.

The NFL playoffs serve as a reminder that Tennessee has the talent to compete at the highest level, and with the right coaching and development, the program can once again produce stars who excel both in college and the pros. The future is bright for Tennessee football, but the mistakes of the past will continue to sting, especially as we see former Vols flourishing in the NFL.