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Every Top 25 College Football Team's Most Under-the-Radar Player | Bleacher Report
7. Tennessee: Darrin Kirkland Jr.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Year: Sophomore
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6'1, 230 lbs
Tennessee has brought in so many talented young players in the last few seasons that there's not enough room for each to get their fair amount of publicity.
The Volunteers' 2015 class was highlighted by defensive linemen Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle, offensive linemen Jack Jones and Drew Richmond, wide receiver Preston Williams and junior college running back Alvin Kamara.
And then there was Darrin Kirkland Jr., who would have rated as a higher-profile prospect at other schools but ended up being just part of the pack in Knoxville. Unable to garner the same kind of hype as most of his teammates, Kirkland had to settle for standing out via his performance.
Kirkland started 10 games at middle linebacker last year, his 66 tackles being fourth-most in school history for a true freshman (per his online bio). He made for a great complement alongside Jalen Reeves-Maybin yet couldn't get out from Reeves-Maybin's sizable shadow.
As Wes Rucker of 247Sports noted, that could change this fall based on Kirkland's dedication in the weight room. "Every time I see [Vols sophomore] MLB Darrin Kirkland, he looks bigger," Rucker tweeted last week.
Can't argue with this. I expect Kirkland to blow up this season.
Go Vols
7. Tennessee: Darrin Kirkland Jr.
Year: Sophomore
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6'1, 230 lbs
Tennessee has brought in so many talented young players in the last few seasons that there's not enough room for each to get their fair amount of publicity.
The Volunteers' 2015 class was highlighted by defensive linemen Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle, offensive linemen Jack Jones and Drew Richmond, wide receiver Preston Williams and junior college running back Alvin Kamara.
And then there was Darrin Kirkland Jr., who would have rated as a higher-profile prospect at other schools but ended up being just part of the pack in Knoxville. Unable to garner the same kind of hype as most of his teammates, Kirkland had to settle for standing out via his performance.
Kirkland started 10 games at middle linebacker last year, his 66 tackles being fourth-most in school history for a true freshman (per his online bio). He made for a great complement alongside Jalen Reeves-Maybin yet couldn't get out from Reeves-Maybin's sizable shadow.
As Wes Rucker of 247Sports noted, that could change this fall based on Kirkland's dedication in the weight room. "Every time I see [Vols sophomore] MLB Darrin Kirkland, he looks bigger," Rucker tweeted last week.
Can't argue with this. I expect Kirkland to blow up this season.
Go Vols
