By Caleb Calhoun

There was still excitement surrounding Jeremy Pruitt when Jimmy Holiday committed to Tennessee football as a member of the 2020 class. The speedy athlete was actually considered part of the future quarterback race after Jarrett Guarantano. He committed as a three-star dual-threat signal caller out of Mississippi.

Holiday, though, decided to move over to receiver immediately. It made sense at the time because of the options at quarterback in Harrison Bailey, J.T. Shrout and Brian Maurer. Ironically, though, none of those quarterbacks are with the program anymore, and of course, Josh Heupel replaced Pruitt a year later.

For his part, Holiday has caught just one pass in two years. Still, he hasn’t expressed any regret about switching positions.

“I mean, I wasn’t really approached to play receiver,” he said. “I always wanted to. I always felt like I was better using my speed at other positions but really felt the love with receiver.”

The departure of Velus Jones Jr. has left a vacancy in the slot, which is where Holiday, at 6’0″ 205 pounds, would play. He’s got competition there, though.

Jaln Hyatt is far and away the favorite to land that spot on the depth chart, and Jimmy Calloway had more catches than Holiday last year. Both were in his class. Walker Merrill, who committed in 2021, could play slot or wideout, and he also had more catches than Holiday.

However, there is room for Holiday to be effective and for the switch. The opening is for him to be the Vols’ next great kickoff returner with Jones gone.

“Kickoff return wise, I did it last year,” he said. “I mean, I have always been a return guy, so having the opportunity to do that, just trying to put my best foot forward for this team.”

Indeed, Holiday was the Vols’ backup kickoff returner last year behind Jones, averaging over 25 yards a kickoff return on five returns. Barring any surprises, the job is likely his this year.

As a recruit, Holiday reportedly clocked in a 4.38 40-yard dash in high school, so he’s got the speed to be an elite returner. It sounds like he is ready to handle the role as well.

Of course, competition still exists there. In fact, one of the guys competing with him in the slot, newcomer Squirrel White, could take some returns from him.

However, Holiday is the favorite, and that’s a huge opportunity. Also, don’t sleep on his ability to make a bigger impact in the slot this year.

Remember, as the backup slot receiver, Hyatt still had 21 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns last year. Calloway had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. If Merrill stays outside, Holiday would be in line to do what Calloway did or even more. He’s shown a willingness to be patient while he develops.

Not only is Holiday patient, but he’s aware of where he needs to develop too. He specifically mentioned his speed coming towards the ball and improving his hands. Holiday added that he’s now more comfortable with Heupel’s system as well, noting that more peer coaching made him more comfortable. 

“I’ve just been kind of taking it day-by-day, learning from the other guys like Cedric Tillman, Ramel Keyton, Princeton Fant, Jacob Warren, the guys that have been here and instilling the little things that they have been taught to do,” he said. “I have kind of just been going up under their wing.”

Regardless of what happens this year at receiver, switching from quarterback was probably the right move for Holiday. If he were still behind center, the coaches wouldn’t be using him in the return game. Also, it’s still unlikely he would’ve beaten out Hendon Hooker or even Joe Milton III for the job.

Add in Holiday’s approach to the game, and it’s hard to see the move not paying off in the long run. It may happen sooner than you think.