KNOXVILLE — While several position groups across Tennessee’s 2019 football roster drastically improved their play to engineer the team’s turnaround after a 1-4 start, arguably the most impressive group was a veteran wide receiver core that led the Vols to a 7-5 finish.
Seniors Marquez Callaway and Jauan Jennings, and junior Josh Palmer combined for 1,947 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns during the regular season.
While Palmer will return to help Tennessee’s offense in 2020, Jennings and Callaway have just one more game in orange and white when they play in the Gator Bowl against Indiana on Jan. 2. They won’t be done representing Tennessee, however, as both seniors were recognized for their play this season by being invited to a pair of postseason bowls to play in front of NFL scouts.
Jauan Jennings was invited to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 25.
"January 25th … Mobile, Alabama! Can't wait!"
Jauan's ready, @seniorbowl.#PoweredByTheT pic.twitter.com/zzpmPtEbzB
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 11, 2019
As one of the primary leaders on Tennessee’s football team, Jennings compiled 942 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns in his final season.
As for Callaway, he will be headed to the Rose Bowl in California for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 18.
Welcome to #Pasadena | The #NFLPABowl would like to welcome @Vol_Football WR Marquez Callaway (@CallawayMarquez).
A receiver & punt returner, Callaway’s 13.9 career punt return avg ranks 4th in school history and his 22.14 yds/catch led the @SEC! #PoweredByTheT #MakeYourMarkinLA pic.twitter.com/0FXhgwqHNT
— The Collegiate Bowl (@NFLPABowl) December 12, 2019
Callaway caught 29 passes for 616 yards and six touchdowns in 2019, but made an impact in the return game as well. The wideout averaged over 13 yards per punt return and totaled three touchdowns across his career.
The Senior Bowl in Mobile is reserved for seniors, while the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl contains several draft-eligible players.
Both of these bowls are filled with NFL coaches and scouts, providing opportunities for players to make an impression before the combine and draft process really gets underway.
It’s hard to overstate how important Callaway and Jennings have been to Tennessee football over the past four to five seasons, but both players will get one final chance to represent the Vols on the collegiate level after the conclusion of the Gator Bowl.