Jaylen Carey is starting to turn heads in Knoxville-and for good reason. Over Tennessee’s last five games, the junior forward has quietly become one of the most impactful players on the floor.
His latest outing? A 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in the Vols’ convincing 83-62 win over Louisville.
It was his second double-double of the season, and it came against a team that, while struggling, still brought size and athleticism to the paint.
But if you think Rick Barnes is ready to hand out gold stars just yet, think again.
“I think Jaylen could be terrific,” Barnes said postgame. “A double-double, he could be that every night.”
And that’s not just coach-speak. Barnes sees a ceiling for Carey that’s much higher than what we’ve seen so far.
But the message was clear: talent alone isn’t going to get him there.
For Barnes, it’s about consistency-especially in practice. That’s where he believes Carey can separate himself.
“He won’t get there every night until he gets consistent in practice every day,” Barnes added. “It hurts to be great.
You’ve got to put yourself out of your comfort zone.”
That’s classic Barnes-pushing his players to chase something more than just flashes of potential. And when it comes to Carey, the flashes are real.
He’s athletic, long, and skilled. He can run the floor, elevate above the rim, and knock down shots when he’s in rhythm.
But Barnes isn’t just coaching the player Carey is now-he’s coaching the player he could be. And that player, in Barnes’ eyes, is one who can make All-SEC noise if he locks in.
Interestingly, with Cade Phillips sidelined for the season following shoulder surgery, many assumed Carey would slide into the starting lineup. Instead, Barnes gave the nod to freshman DeWayne Brown.
That raised some eyebrows, but Barnes didn’t offer much beyond a simple explanation: Brown earned it. His daily approach, his consistency, and his effort in practice gave him the edge.
That decision says a lot about Brown’s maturity, but it also sends a message to Carey. Tennessee knows what Carey is capable of.
They’ve seen it. But they want more.
Not just in games, but every day in the gym, in film sessions, in shootarounds. The standard is high, and Carey is being asked to meet it.
And to be fair, he’s not far off. Over Tennessee’s last five games-a stretch that included four ranked opponents and a tough road trip to Syracuse-Carey has averaged 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
That’s steady production against top-tier competition. In fact, outside of point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more consistent performer for the Vols during that run.
Still, there’s room to grow. Carey’s free throw shooting remains a concern-he’s hit just 11-of-24 (45.8%) from the line over the last five games.
And for a player who draws contact and plays around the rim, that’s an area that can’t be ignored. Barnes believes Carey is a better shooter than the numbers suggest.
It’s not about mechanics-it’s about mindset and focus. That’s where Carey can take the next step.
Now, with two buy games on deck before SEC play begins, Carey has a chance to show he’s ready to bring the same energy and production regardless of the opponent. Historically, he’s played better in big games than in lower-profile matchups. That’s not uncommon, but for Tennessee to reach its ceiling, they’ll need Carey to bring the same motor every night.
This stretch isn’t just about padding stats. It’s about proving that Carey’s growth is real-and sustainable. If he can string together a few more strong outings, especially in games where intensity can sometimes dip, it’ll be a strong sign that he’s turning the corner.
Jaylen Carey has the tools. The Vols know it.
Barnes knows it. Now it’s just about putting it all together-every practice, every rep, every game.
If he does, Tennessee’s frontcourt just might have a new anchor heading into SEC play.