Standing in at 6-4 and weighing 221 pounds, Tennessee Volunteers sophomore wide receiver Marquez North already possesses a grown man’s frame. He also happens to have a grown man’s game, earning Freshman All-American honors after a 38-catch, 496-yard true freshman season that ranked him third all-time in receiving yards by a UT frosh behind Kelley Washington and Stanley Morgan.

As he continues to develop under an emerging coaching star in UT wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, that frame and that talent will likely lead him to a long, illustrious career playing on Sabbaths. After all, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and if that’s true, this picture from last year’s Georgia game by USA Today photographer Jim Brown tells you everything you’ll ever need to know about Marquez North’s talent.

However, despite the inevitability of everything North is set to accomplish, his biggest challenge may come this fall when, whether he likes it or not, he becomes the unquestioned leader of a talented, young corps of wide receivers that may be the strength of Tennessee’s offense.

Depending upon who you listen to, there’s varying theories about whether there’s something within the chemical composition of a man that makes him a leader. Some folks are vocal, others, like North, are meant to lead by example because their standard of excellence makes them our luminaries.

It’s a role that’s bestowed upon rather than sought after.

Yes, Marquez North is still young. And he seems to remain relatively soft-spoken despite his immense talents, but if Tennessee is going to improve upon a disappointing 5-7 season, they’ll need North to not only withstand the pressures of leadership, they’ll need him to embrace them.

This spring, the Vols welcomed in a few talented young newcomers at wide receiver that should aid North’s development as a go-to wide receiver. With Von Pearson working out of the slot, it should free up North along the outside. And five-star Josh Malone is hoping to segue a huge spring game into a role opposite Marquez North that forces opposing defenses to cover the entire width of the football field. Add in the continuing development of Josh Smith and Jason Croom and the Vols have a slew of dangerous playmakers.

However, it will be North’s responsibility to aid these youngsters’ development as Volunteers, even though he is himself a youngster, too.

That’s because he’s The Man.

He’s the guy that you go to in the corner of the endzone against the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs to cut the lead to one score. He’s the receiver you lock in on and expect to make the miraculous play down the field to set up the winning field goal for your first victory over a ranked opponent since 2009.

Marquez North may never be Ray Lewis, whisper-yelling something about focus and intensity. He might be quiet among the media, or even in the huddle and the locker room, but that doesn’t mean he can’t serve as an inspiration.

Because on the football field, Marquez North is already a leader. He’s the guy you expect to make the play when you need it most. He’s the guy that lines up and expects to physically dominate whoever is standing across from him, and even though that confidence is exuded silently, it’s infectious.

As Butch Jones continues to try to build this program into something Tennessee can be proud of, Marquez North has to pave the brick path. He has to be one of the shining lights who helps steward this young receiving corps, this football team and this university to greatness.

He has to be a torchbearer in the shadow of The Torchbearer.