Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE
When receiver Justin Hunter tore his ACL early in Game 3 at Florida, Tennessee’s offense was deflated.
The Vols’ big-play threat was gone, and so was UT’s upset chance.
“When you lose a good player like that,” offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said, “it zaps you emotionally. I think that’s what took place down there a little bit.”
Not only did it impact the offense against Florida, it took its toll on the rest of the season. The Vols piled up 531 yards against nationally ranked Cincinnati, yet finished 10th in the SEC in scoring, ninth in total offense … and managed just seven points in a pathetic performance against Kentucky.
But the acrobatic Hunter was back during the spring, well ahead of schedule. He even caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in a scrimmage while wearing a red, non-contact jersey.
“We call him Gumby,” said receivers coach Darin Hinshaw, “because he can stretch and do some things not everybody can do. He’s a big, long kid (6-4, 200) that can eat up grass with his long strides. It forces defensive backs to get on their heels. And he can cut and turn like a little guy.
“Because of his range and radius, you can throw the football in a lot of different places and he’s going to get it.”
Just ask Vols corner Prentiss Waggner, charged with guarding Hunter in practice.
“He’s so shifty for being a tall guy,” Waggner said. “You’ve got to be on your horse when you’re covering him.”
Chaney said Hunter, a 26-foot long jumper, has remarkable athletic ability.
“He can jump out of the gym and twist around in five different pretzels and catch it,” Chaney said.
As a true freshman, Hunter caught 16 passes for 415 yards and seven touchdowns. He opened last season with two 100-yard games.
Hunter’s quick recovery was evident in April.
“I did a lot more than I thought I’d be able to do,” Hunter said. “I feel comfortable. At the same time, I think I have a lot more work to do on my knee. I was a little slower, but my agility was about the same.”
