Garth Brooks sang about having friends in low places, but Joshua Dobbs, Jauan Jennings, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin have their connections in high places. These former Tennessee Volunteers may be donning different colors—Dobbs and Jennings with the San Francisco 49ers and Reeves-Maybin with the Detroit Lions—but their bond remains as strong as ever in the NFL spotlight.
On Monday night at Levi’s Stadium, the trio made a memorable appearance during the Lions’ stunning victory over the 49ers in their pursuit of the NFC’s top seed. With San Francisco’s star quarterback Brock Purdy sidelined late in the game, the 49ers turned to Dobbs, who wasted no time making his presence felt. In just 1:36 of action, Dobbs connected with his former Tennessee teammate, Jennings, on the first play for a 15-yard gain, marking a magical moment for Vols fans.
And as fate would have it, Reeves-Maybin—another ex-Vol—was right there to make the tackle on the play, completing the Tennessee trifecta. Out of Dobbs’ four pass attempts, three were directed at Jennings, who finished with seven catches for 67 yards on the night.
For Vols fans, Monday night was a heartwarming trip down memory lane. It wasn’t long ago that Dobbs and Jennings connected on one of the most iconic plays in Tennessee football history—a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown against Georgia in 2016. Now, both players are making their mark in the NFL, with Jennings enjoying a breakout 2024 season and Dobbs continuing his journey through his fifth NFL team.
While Purdy will eventually return to his starting role, Monday’s game reminded everyone of the lasting impact Tennessee’s gridiron legends have made in the pros. As the NFL playoffs heat up, Vols fans can take pride in their past and present stars lighting up the big stage.
