Tennessee Volunteers Face Critical Turning Point as Josh Heupel Leans on Dynamic 1,145-Yard Duo After Stunning CFP Exit

Tennessee Volunteers Face Critical Turning Point as Josh Heupel Leans on Dynamic 1,145-Yard Duo After Stunning CFP Exit

The Tennessee Volunteers football program is at a critical juncture. Coming off a devastating exit from the College Football Playoff (CFP), head coach Josh Heupel now faces the monumental task of retooling a team that had hopes of competing for a national title, but instead, found itself on the wrong side of the playoff race. While disappointment has set in, there’s a silver lining to Tennessee’s current predicament—an emerging dynamic duo in the backfield that has the potential to reshape the offense and carry the Vols back into contention.

The combination of running back Jabari Small and wide receiver Brew McCoy, who together have amassed an impressive 1,145 yards this season, represents the future for Tennessee football in 2025 and beyond. Small, a powerful and elusive running back, and McCoy, a versatile and explosive wideout, are providing the kind of offensive spark that could propel the Vols back into the CFP conversation. After a bitterly close defeat that led to Tennessee’s early exit from the playoff picture, Heupel is betting on his playmakers to keep the team competitive and on track for a strong finish to the season.

For fans, this partnership represents hope—a glimmer of potential that, while not immediately enough to get the Vols into the playoff this year, could lay the foundation for a resurgence in the near future. As Heupel shifts his focus to developing these two key offensive players, it’s essential to understand how they got to this point, what they bring to the table, and what the future might hold for Tennessee football under their leadership.

A Season Full of Promise, Yet Heartbreak

To fully appreciate the weight of Tennessee’s current situation, it’s essential to examine what happened in the season that led to this point. After a thrilling 2024 season, the Vols entered the CFP race with high hopes. A powerful offense, led by Joe Milton and a talented cast of wide receivers, was poised to make a deep playoff run. With Heupel’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense operating at full throttle, Tennessee seemed primed to finally secure a spot in the postseason.

However, despite their explosive offense, the Vols fell just short of a CFP berth. A combination of defensive lapses, missed opportunities, and a heart-wrenching loss to a conference rival dashed Tennessee’s hopes of reaching the playoff. The result was a bitterly disappointing early exit that has left many in Knoxville wondering how to regroup and move forward.

Despite this setback, there’s a sense of optimism that lingers in the air. While the CFP may have been out of reach this season, Tennessee still boasts one of the most dynamic offenses in the SEC, led by two players who have consistently proven their worth: Jabari Small and Brew McCoy.

Jabari Small: The Ground Game’s Backbone

Jabari Small, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound running back out of Memphis, has become a cornerstone of Tennessee’s offense. His ability to both power through tackles and display quick bursts of speed makes him a dual-threat on the ground. Over the course of the 2024 season, Small has run for over 900 yards and scored 9 touchdowns, proving to be one of the most consistent and reliable backs in the SEC.

Small’s contributions to the running game cannot be understated. He has a rare blend of vision and patience that allows him to follow his offensive line, waiting for the perfect hole to open up. Once he finds the seam, Small has the burst to hit it quickly, often turning modest runs into explosive gains. His low center of gravity, combined with his power, allows him to break tackles and fight for extra yardage after contact. This makes him a perfect fit in Heupel’s up-tempo system, where running backs need to be both elusive and strong enough to make plays in space.

In addition to his rushing ability, Small has also shown improvement in the passing game. He’s become a reliable check-down option for the quarterbacks, often catching passes out of the backfield to create mismatches in the open field. With the rise of passing offenses in college football, the ability to have a running back who can be a legitimate threat as both a rusher and a receiver is invaluable. Small’s versatility has made him even more valuable to Tennessee’s offense, especially when the team finds itself in tight games and needs someone who can make a play.

While Small’s individual performance has been impressive, his success is also a testament to the offensive line’s improvement. The Vols have made strides in their blocking schemes, creating running lanes for Small to exploit. As the season has progressed, he’s become a more effective runner, wearing down defenses with his physical style and ability to get the tough yards.

Brew McCoy: The Playmaker on the Outside

While Jabari Small anchors the ground game, Brew McCoy provides the explosive threat through the air. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 215 pounds, McCoy has the size and speed to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders. The wide receiver has already racked up over 600 yards and 6 touchdowns, despite missing several games due to injury earlier in the season. McCoy’s combination of physical tools and refined route-running makes him one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the SEC and one of the premier playmakers in the country.

McCoy’s biggest strength is his ability to stretch the field. He has the speed to get behind defenses, and once he’s in the open, he’s tough to catch. His large frame allows him to box out defenders and make contested catches in traffic, making him a great asset on jump balls and red-zone situations. Moreover, McCoy’s precise route-running and strong hands make him a reliable target for quarterbacks, allowing him to contribute in all areas of the field.

One of the most impressive aspects of McCoy’s game is his ability to make plays after the catch. Whether it’s breaking tackles, outrunning defenders, or navigating through traffic, McCoy has proven time and again that he can turn a simple catch into a big gain. This ability makes him an invaluable weapon in Tennessee’s high-paced offense, where every play has the potential to become a game-changer.

As Heupel’s offense continues to evolve, McCoy’s role will only become more significant. The ability to use McCoy in various formations—whether on quick slants, deep balls, or screens—gives Tennessee offensive coordinators the flexibility to keep opposing defenses on their toes. With McCoy’s skillset, the Vols have the potential to create big plays and open up the offense for other players, all while keeping defenses honest.

The Need for Leadership and Balance

In the aftermath of Tennessee’s shocking CFP exit, Heupel must look to his two most dynamic players—Small and McCoy—to lead the team through a tough stretch and ensure that the Vols remain competitive. With both players excelling in their respective roles, the future of the offense appears to be in good hands. However, Heupel needs to establish a balance between running the ball with Small and getting McCoy the touches he needs to continue to shine.

As Small continues to develop as a reliable workhorse, the coaching staff will need to find ways to get him involved in the passing game more consistently, allowing the offense to stay unpredictable. At the same time, McCoy’s ability to stretch the field and create big plays will be vital in keeping defenses honest and allowing other offensive weapons to get involved. Heupel must strike the right balance between both players, understanding that Small’s bruising runs can open up opportunities for McCoy down the field, and McCoy’s speed can, in turn, create space for Small to work in the open field.

Moreover, Tennessee’s defense will need to continue to develop and support the offense. Although the Vols’ defense has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, consistency will be key in ensuring that Small and McCoy can operate in advantageous situations. With a balanced offense and a defense that can hold its own, Tennessee will be well-equipped to make a run at a high bowl game and continue to recruit top talent for the future.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Tennessee Football

As the 2024 season winds down, the road ahead for the Tennessee Volunteers looks promising. While the immediate disappointment of a CFP exit stings, the development of Jabari Small and Brew McCoy provides a clear path forward for the program. These two players are not just the present—they represent the future of Tennessee football. With their combined 1,145 yards this season, Small and McCoy have proven they can be the pillars of an offense that will continue to compete at the highest level.

Tennessee’s football future remains bright, and if Heupel can successfully harness the talents of his dynamic duo, the Vols could be back in playoff contention sooner than expected. Despite the setback, the foundation for success has been laid, and it is now up to the team’s leadership, particularly Small and McCoy, to take Tennessee to new heights.