Rank:
18
Round Drafted:
18
College:
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee coach Butch Jones wasn’t complaining even after his team allowed a 17-point lead to turn into a narrow escape. Jalen Reeves-Maybin recovered a fumble deep in Tennessee territory with 32 seconds remaining Saturday to preserve the Volunteers’ 27-24 triumph over South Carolina. Aaron Medley’s 27-yard field goal with 9:14 left broke a 24-all tie after Tennessee squandered a 17-0 advantage to continue a season-long pattern. “I’m never going to apologize for winning,” Jones said. “This is a hard-fought game. We’re playing a good football team. I give South Carolina all the credit in the world. … They’re going to have success. We’re still building. I’m proud of our players. I’m proud of our program. We need to start being positive around here.” South Carolina (3-6, 1-6 SEC) was seeking a game-tying or game-winning score when Jerell Adams caught a pass inside the Tennessee 35 and started spinning away from defenders as he headed into the red zone. Adams was trying to gain extra yardage when Malik Foreman knocked the ball out of his left arm. Reeves-Maybin recovered at the Tennessee 13 to seal the victory. “We’ve just got that confidence now,” Reeves-Maybin said. “Whoever has to make the play is going to find a way to get it done and not let anybody in the end zone. In crunch time like that, we’re not playing on our heels at all. Everyone’s looking to make big plays.
