Breakout Player
Nathanael: Nigel Warrior, S
Coaches said last year they had a hard time keeping Warrior off the field because of his talent. All he needed to do was learn the schematics of the defense and better develop his game. His instincts and skill? Those were already there. And he’s shown enough this offseason to earn a starting job heading into his sophomore season, and I think he’s due for a big season this year.
Will: Darrell Taylor, DE
I think that Taylor is a double digit sacks guy for Tennessee this season. He’s completely changed his body and improved his game since arriving on campus. And I think that like my other two picks, UT is going to really count on Taylor to be a difference maker. We’ll find out how good a coach Brady Hoke really is in the first few weeks of the season based on Taylor’s play.
Mason: Darrell Taylor, DE
Taylor will be seeing a ton of time at end along with Kongbo and Phillips, and I think he doesn’t waste it. He’s learned from guys like Barnett and Vereen and he’s got the speed to be a make his name known. Warrior takes a close second, Josh Palmer in third.
Tennessee fans know who John Kelly is, but the rest of the country does not. Kelly will rush for 1,000 yards this season and burst onto the scene as one of the best in the country. Between Kelly and Dormady, the offense will have a nice duo in the backfield, but the offense needs to live up to its potential.
