Tennessee starting guard Marcus Jackson could miss entire season

Maybe not all the way to the top of the East Division and a place in the SEC title game in Atlanta, but another step that would have the Vols winning eight or nine games this season.

Tennessee guard Marcus Jackson will undergo potential season-ending surgery, leaving the Vols without the most experienced member of an offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the Southeastern Conference past year.

The Tennessee football team cancelled practice Thursday amid multiple reports that junior wide receiver Marquez North suffered a leg injury in Wednesday’s practice.

> Sophomore kicker Aaron Medley had what Jones called “his best practice he’s had of his career” in Tennessee’s scrimmage on Thursday when he hit field goals of 56 and 58 yards.

But Jones never has possessed this much talent.

“In the past, I would say we were underachievers”, said senior defensive lineman/linebacker Curt Maggitt.

Dobbs isn’t Tennessee’s only playmaker. In fact, the Vols averaged 6.43 yards per passing attempt last season.

“A CEO is the person who runs the company, is involved in everything in the company”, said Dobbs, who in the offseason had an internship at Pratt & Whitney, an aerospace manufacturer. “They’re going to have to account for all three of us in the backfield, at the same time even”. Tennessee returns all seven players who caught at least 20 passes or accumulated at least 200 yards receiving last fall.

What’s more, Jackson was one of the reasons that the Vols thrived down the stretch, as Jack Farrell of Pro Football Focus noted in June. “They embraced the mindset, as we talk about, getting one percent better every day”. These are young adults, and it’s my job to protect them. Freshman Sheriron Jones also had been competing for that job….

Sophomore guard Jashon Robertson wants to switch from No. 73 to Jackson’s number as a way to honor his close friend and teammate, and he’s hopeful Nike can produce the commemorative jersey for him to wear. “From running backs to receivers, it’s great to have that out there”.