Butch Jones, staff biggest problem for Vols football — not lack of talent

When you ask what’s wrong with Tennessee football — and people ask that a lot — you get more than one answer. And sometimes, you get a debate.

Have Tennessee recruiting classes been overrated under fifth-year coach Butch Jones? Or is this a matter of attrition and lack of player development?

Maybe, some of UT’s recruits have been overrated. 

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But I still contend that inadequate coaching and player development are more responsible for UT’s 3-2 start, including a 41-0 loss to Georgia in its last game.

The 2014 recruiting class was No. 7 nationally in 247Sports composite team rankings. The attrition from that class has been well documented. Eleven members of the class remain, and three of them are out with injuries.

The 2015 class, which was ranked No. 4, hasn't suffered nearly as much attrition. But it’s not having the impact you would have thought.

Those two classes included 31 four-star recruits. 

Recruiting services are hardly infallible, but they aren’t that far off base.

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Take UT's quarterbacks, for example. Before Sheriron Jones transferred, he was one of three four-star quarterbacks on the roster. Quinten Dormady, a junior who backed up Joshua Dobbs for two seasons, and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano remain.

Dormady was outstanding in UT’s comeback victory over Georgia Tech in the season opener. But he was at his worst in a 41-0 loss to Georgia. He looks less comfortable by the game.

Guarantano doesn’t look comfortable, either. He surely doesn’t remind me of the player I saw on videotape from high school.

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Maybe neither quarterback is as talented as the recruiting services suggested. But my guess is they’re more talented than what they’re showing under first-time college offensive coordinator Larry Scott and first-year UT quarterbacks coach Mike Canales.

Other examples that make you wonder about UT’s player development. Coleman Thomas struggled as a starter as a freshman offensive tackle in 2014. He fared much better the next season as a starting center. Now, it takes an injury to get him in the starting lineup even though the offensive line needs help, Thomas has a hard time getting on the field.

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The 2015 recruiting class is well represented on UT’s defense. Some are starting; others are playing as backups. However, with all the four-star recruits on that unit, shouldn't some have emerged as All-SEC candidates?

That hasn’t happened.

Two of the most heralded signees of the Jones Era — tackle Kahlil McKenzie and end Jonathan Kongbo — had a tackle apiece against the Bulldogs. Four-star defensive linemen Darrell Taylor and Shy Tuttle, whose playing time was limited because of an eye injury, had two tackles each. Kyle Phillips, a four-star who has played both tackle and end, had one tackle.

Taylor has been the most productive of the bunch this season. Tuttle has been bothered by injuries throughout his career. McKenzie and Phillips also have been hampered by injuries. Kongbo has shown only flashes of talent.

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That’s not enough production for so many highly touted recruits. And it’s more of a reflection on UT’s coaching than recruiting services.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.