Tennessee commit Joakim Dodson thriving in senior season
Tennessee pledge Joakim Dodson has thrived since transferring to Chattanooga Baylor this offseason. He has been steady and a key playmaker for the Red Raiders.
“The season has been pretty good,” Dodson said. “I’ve learned a lot playing under a good coach in (Erik) Kimrey. I’ve played in some big time games with the first one being on ESPN. We play good competition and have had a good year so far. I’ve got seven touchdowns and that’s probably close to the most I’ve had in a single season. I feel like I’ve learned a lot and have matured a lot as a player. It’s been a good season so far.”
He has helped his team start 5-0 and has improved a lot in the process.
“Just route running and the mental side,” Dodson said. “I also think coach (Adarius) Bowman being here and being an Oklahoma State legend. He has really helped my game a lot and Kimrey knowing what an SEC receiver looks like since they both have been at that level.”
Not only is his team having success but his future team is also undefeated.
“Honestly I expected it,” Dodson said. “This train has been going up. Heupel has just turned the whole program around. This is a glimpse of what the program is going to look like for years to come.
“It hit me the other day we only have a couple months left. We are halfway through the season and I remember when I was a freshman thinking I had all of this time but now I don’t. It’s almost done for me but it did hit me.”
Dodson will partake in his first Baylor/McCallie game next week and he has heard a lot about it but isn’t sure what he will be in for in that rivalry. 
“I don’t think I understand it yet,” Dodson said with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ll understand until next week. I don’t think I’m going to go anywhere because they talk about egging cars and toilet paper and cars. It just sounds crazy.”
Dodson can’t wait to see Tennessee in October
The meat of Tennessee schedule is coming up with home games against Florida and Alabama and just a matter of weeks. He can’t wait to be in Neyland for those games.
“I can’t wait and I’ll be at both,” Dodson said. “They will be exciting. The atmosphere will be crazy. I’m ready for it. And to see the crowd and how the team plays. I’m ready to see how this team shapes up for the rest of the year as the schedule gets harder for them.”
