Dillon Bates, 6-3, 231 - This young man arrived to much fanfare, but an injury as a freshman threw him off track and getting back on track has been difficult. After starting his freshman season with six tackles in four games, he didn't register any stats as a redshirt freshman despite playing in all 13 games on special teams. Things went a bit better as a redshirt sophomore with 3 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries, and last season saw him record six tackles in ten games. A new staff means a new start, and Bates will work to take advantage of the opportunity. At worst, Bates is an excellent special teams performer and quality reserve.
Daniel Bituli, 6-3, 242 - Perhaps no returning starter from last season on defense is expected to take as big an additional step forward as Bituli, who became a reliable player on an unreliable defense last year. He started eight games and played in all twelve, stacking up 90 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and an interception that he returned 97 yards for a touchdown. He was a solid all-around linebacker last season, but he's still got room to grow. He showed an excellent ability to attack in high school and that didn't entirely materialize last year, but some of that has to do with
Will Ignont, 6-1, 234 - Ignont joined the Vols, bringing with him plenty of excitement around the athletic linebacker, and the consensus top 20 inside linebacker played in six games with five tackles as a true freshman last year. Now he's one of the top candidates to compete for a #2 job at inside linebacker. As he continues to put on more weight and add strength, Ignont should see his role steadily grow. A quick and active linebacker who made a number of plays behind the line in high school, Ignont looks like a good fit for the new 3-4 and he's a solid candidate to be the #2 Mike linebacker.
Darrin Kirkland Jr., 6-1, 240 - When healthy, Kirkland has been very good. Unfortunately, healthy hasn't been happening for the better part of the past two seasons. Through his first two seasons with the Vols, Kirkland had 111 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 2 passes defended, a fumble recovery, and an interception despite missing five games as a sophomore. He missed the entirety of his junior campaign, and now the redshirt junior will look to get back on track in a new defensive scheme. Kirkland will compete for either the Will or Mike spot, but he's likely not guaranteed a job at either spot with the emergence of Bituli and soon to be discussed Quart'e Sapp. Still, don't bet against this talented, athletic, and experienced defender.
Solon Page III, 6-2, 220 - Page arrived in Knoxville too skinny to contribute right away and redshirted last season, but to say he was productive in high school is a bit of an understatement. In three seasons, he put up 359 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 3 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries. He was an outside linebacker in high school, he's too small for the role in the new defensive scheme, but he could be a perfect fit for the Will linebacker role on the inside in the 3-4. Long, athletic, and active, Page certainly has the skill set to make an impact before his time in Knoxville is done, but this season he's likely to find himself in a reserve role.
Shanon Reid, 6-0, 224 - Reid is very, very athletic. Like, 4.4 forty athletic. While not the biggest linebacker on the roster by any means, he might be easily the quickest of the bunch. Although he only had one tackle in seven games last season, his high school numbers show nice productivity. In three seasons, he had 253 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Safety speed in a linebacker body is a rare combo, so it may just be a matter of time until he makes a bigger impact with the Vols.
Quart'e Sapp, 6-2, 230 - Sapp had teased fans with his ability and athleticism his first two seasons in Knoxville, looking like a potential star in spring and fall camp, but never really being able to stay healthy enough to show out during the season, registering just four tackles through six game in his first two seasons on campus. Then last year, as a redshirt sophomore, it finally started coming together. He finished the season with 8 starts while playing in all twelve games with 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended. That may just be a tease of what he can do if his high school stats over two seasons tell the real story, as he had 239 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 7 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in his final two high school seasons. Sapp has been steadily growing and building on his frame, and now he'll have a chance to compete for one of the two starting inside linebacker jobs. He might very well be someone to bet on rather than bet against.
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