Many Tennessee Volunteers football legends have appeared in the Super Bowl, including Peyton Manning, Reggie White and Jamal Lewis, to name a few. Super Bowl LX will include two new names on that list.
New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs and Seattle Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. are Tennessee’s newest additions to the club. Tennessee now has 76 former players who can say they made it to the big game. Of those 76 players, 40 have combined for a total of 50 Super Bowl rings. Regardless of the game’s outcome, that total will increase to 51 because Dobbs and Jones play on different teams.
Here is a detailed look at Dobbs’ and Jones’ time in Knoxville:
Joshua Dobbs, QB
Better known as “Astro Dobbs” at Tennessee, Joshua Dobbs was a star quarterback for the Volunteers who famously majored in aerospace engineering. His knowledge in the classroom helped him excel on the gridiron.
Dobbs played at Tennessee from 2013-16, throwing for 7,138 yards with 53 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. He ranks fifth in program history in passing yards and sixth in passing touchdowns.
Not only was Dobbs dangerous through the air, but he was also an exceptional runner. During his four-year career, he rushed for 2,160 yards and 32 touchdowns. His 32 rushing touchdowns are the most by a Tennessee quarterback and the fourth-most by any player in program history. He scored more rushing touchdowns than Stanley Morgan, Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry. Dobbs also caught two touchdowns during his career with the Volunteers.
Coming out of high school, Dobbs was a four-star recruit and the No. 8 pro-style quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports. He was rated higher than other notable college quarterbacks such as Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff.
In both 2015 and 2016, Dobbs led Tennessee to back-to-back 9-4 records with bowl victories over Northwestern and Nebraska. In 2015, Dobbs threw a game-winning touchdown to Jauan Jennings in a 38-31 win against the Kirby Smart-led Georgia Bulldogs. In 2016, Dobbs won five consecutive games to begin the season before Tennessee lost to Texas A&M in a double-overtime thriller. He finished his collegiate career with a 23-14 record as a starter.
Notable Accolades:
- 2016 Athlon SEC Offensive Player of the Year (Dec. 12, 2016)
- 2016 AP second-team All-SEC (Dec. 8, 2016)
- 2016 coaches second-team All-SEC (Dec. 6, 2016)
- SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 26, 2016)
- 2015 preseason All-SEC third team (AP, coaches)
- 2015 Athlon Sports preseason SEC All-Conference third team offense
- 2015 Athlon Sports preseason third-team All-SEC
- 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl MVP
Velus Jones Jr., WR
Although Velus Jones Jr. plays running back for the Seahawks, he was a wide receiver and return specialist for the Volunteers from 2020-21. Before transferring to Tennessee, Jones played for USC from 2016-19.
During his two seasons with the Volunteers, Jones totaled 84 receptions for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns. His best season came in 2021, when he finished second on the team in receptions (62), receiving yards (807) and touchdowns (seven).
In 2020, Jones led the SEC in kickoff return yards (272). The following season, he led the conference in punt return yards (398). During his Tennessee career, Jones totaled 1,298 return yards and one touchdown, making him one of the most decorated returners in program history.
Notable Accolades (Tennessee):
- 2021 SEC co-Special Teams Player of the Year
- 2021 All-SEC first team (AP, coaches, Phil Steele)
- 2020 All-SEC fourth team (Phil Steele)
