VolsnRavens
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And we continue our 2020 position previews with linebackers. This group has a lot of potential but also a lot to prove with DB and DT both moved on. I think Henry T will be the leader of this group from here on out until he leaves. He has so much talent and motivation for the position and the team. Go Vols 2020!
2020 Spring Position Preview: Linebackers | Rocky Top Insider
Seniors: Jordan Allen (RS), Deandre Johnson
Juniors: Kivon Bennett (RS), Solon Page III
Sophomores: Aaron Beasley, Quavaris Crouch (out), Roman Harrison, J.J. Peterson (RS), Henry To’o To’o
Freshmen: N/A
"The biggest question facing Tennessee’s defense in 2020 will be how the Vols replace their leading sacker and leading tackler from the last couple seasons. Both of those players — Darrell Taylor and Daniel Bituli — were two of the most productive defenders for UT over the last two seasons, but both have graduated and are set to go to the NFL.
Aside from star rising sophomore Henry To’o To’o, Tennessee’s linebacking corps is full of unknowns this spring.
To’o To’o will figure to lock down one of the Vols inside linebacker spots, as he was phenomenal as a true freshman starting alongside Bituli last season. But with little returning experience across the board at the position and a lack of overall quality depth, UT’s linebackers will be pushed hard by their new position coaches, Shelton Felton and Brian Niedermeyer.
This group was dealt another blow when it was announced that rising sophomore Quavaris Crouch would miss the entire spring as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. This spring figured to be a big one for Crouch as he continued to learn the nuances of the inside linebacker spot. Crouch played at both outside and inside linebacker as a freshman, but it was expected that he would be groomed more into an inside linebacker for 2020.
Now that Crouch will miss the spring, does he remain at outside linebacker since he’ll miss crucial reps over the next couple months? Or will UT’s coaches still have him work towards becoming an inside backer?
Whatever the decision on Crouch, Tennessee has a lot to try and work out at linebacker this spring.
Tennessee ranked third in the SEC in total sacks in 2019, totaling 34 as a team. But the Vols will be losing a third of that production just from Darrell Taylor and Daniel Bituli alone, as those two combined for 11.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2019.
Deandre Johnson and Kivon Bennett are the Vols’ most experienced returning linebackers, and both will be fighting for the top pass rushing spot at outside linebacker. Bennett was a breakout player on UT’s defense last season, getting his first real action of his Tennessee career. As a redshirt sophomore, Bennett totaled 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. Johnson had 13 total tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound Miami native has 5.5 career sacks and 9.5 career TFLs in 31 career appearances with the Vols.
2020 Spring Position Preview: Linebackers | Rocky Top Insider
Seniors: Jordan Allen (RS), Deandre Johnson
Juniors: Kivon Bennett (RS), Solon Page III
Sophomores: Aaron Beasley, Quavaris Crouch (out), Roman Harrison, J.J. Peterson (RS), Henry To’o To’o
Freshmen: N/A
"The biggest question facing Tennessee’s defense in 2020 will be how the Vols replace their leading sacker and leading tackler from the last couple seasons. Both of those players — Darrell Taylor and Daniel Bituli — were two of the most productive defenders for UT over the last two seasons, but both have graduated and are set to go to the NFL.
Aside from star rising sophomore Henry To’o To’o, Tennessee’s linebacking corps is full of unknowns this spring.
To’o To’o will figure to lock down one of the Vols inside linebacker spots, as he was phenomenal as a true freshman starting alongside Bituli last season. But with little returning experience across the board at the position and a lack of overall quality depth, UT’s linebackers will be pushed hard by their new position coaches, Shelton Felton and Brian Niedermeyer.
This group was dealt another blow when it was announced that rising sophomore Quavaris Crouch would miss the entire spring as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. This spring figured to be a big one for Crouch as he continued to learn the nuances of the inside linebacker spot. Crouch played at both outside and inside linebacker as a freshman, but it was expected that he would be groomed more into an inside linebacker for 2020.
Now that Crouch will miss the spring, does he remain at outside linebacker since he’ll miss crucial reps over the next couple months? Or will UT’s coaches still have him work towards becoming an inside backer?
Whatever the decision on Crouch, Tennessee has a lot to try and work out at linebacker this spring.
Tennessee ranked third in the SEC in total sacks in 2019, totaling 34 as a team. But the Vols will be losing a third of that production just from Darrell Taylor and Daniel Bituli alone, as those two combined for 11.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2019.
Deandre Johnson and Kivon Bennett are the Vols’ most experienced returning linebackers, and both will be fighting for the top pass rushing spot at outside linebacker. Bennett was a breakout player on UT’s defense last season, getting his first real action of his Tennessee career. As a redshirt sophomore, Bennett totaled 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks. Johnson had 13 total tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 246-pound Miami native has 5.5 career sacks and 9.5 career TFLs in 31 career appearances with the Vols.
