1. Dillon Bates, Linebacker
Dillon Bates was showing some potential on special teams his freshman season before sustaining a season-ending injury. And ever since then, Bates has completely disappeared. Bates got a medical redshirt his freshman year, but he played rarely during his redshirt freshman season last year. Now a redshirt sophomore, Bates is at a pivotal juncture of his career at UT.
The former high school All-American has drifted into obscurity for the Vols, but a defensive coordinator change may be just what he needs. Bates certainly has potential as a former four-star high school linebacker as as the son of former Vol legend Bill Bates, but he has done very little thus far. There’s an open linebacker spot available in the true 4-3 look, and Bates needs to impress this spring to get back into the conversation on defense. Otherwise, the fall may be a tough time for Bates.
