Medley looking to improve on stellar freshman season

Lost in Tennessee’s group of 23 true freshmen that played in 2014 was one of the most important.

Kicker Aaron Medley started all 13 of Tennessee’s games last season, and was responsible for 102 points, tied with quarterback Josh Dobbs for the team-lead.

“We were expecting him to make them last year; that’s why he was on the field,” special teams coordinator Mark Elder said in the spring. “When we put a guy on the field we’re expecting him to be successful.”

Medley was 20-of-26 on field goals last season with a long of 46. Medley also handled extra points, where he made 42 out of 43.

Coming out of high school, Medley was rated as one of the top kickers in the country. He grew up a Tennessee fan, which led to his decision to sign with the Vols.

When he arrived at UT last fall, Medley was in a battle for the starting kicker role with George Bullock.

He won that battle, and didn’t look back.

Medley carries the momentum from his freshman season into his sophomore year, where he will be the unquestioned starter in the fall.

“You see a guy that a year ago was competing for the starting position, believing ‘I think I can do it’ and so forth,” Elder said. “Now you’re seeing a guy that is out here with confidence.

“He knows he can do it. He’s competing to be the best in the country. That's his mindset: He wants to be the best.”

Though Medley’s first season as a Vol was impressive, his accuracy on longer field goals was the weakest point of his game.

Medley was 1-of-6 on field goals longer than 40 yards.

Medley has been working on his accuracy from long range this offseason, and said in the spring that he is comfortable at up to 55 yards, “easy”.

He backed that up in the Orange and White Game when he split the uprights on a 55-yard field goal.

A strong freshman season and a strong offseason means one thing for Medley – higher expectations.

“There’s no question: From the outside vantage point, there’s going to be higher expectations for him after a solid freshman year,” Elder said. “But that’s what he wants.

“Competitive guys don’t want people nervous about what their performance is going to be. Competitive guys want to go out there when the game is on the line in clutch situations and do what they’re here to do.”

Added Medley: “I think the biggest change from last year to this year is when we go out for a field goal I’m expected to make it now. Last year it was like, ‘Okay, let’s see what he can do.’

“I think the standard is up there now, and I have to maintain it.”

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