4. Shy Tuttle, DT
As is the case with Darrin Kirkland Jr., injuries have derailed what could’ve been a fantastic career for Shy Tuttle. Coming in to Tennessee, Tuttle was a borderline five-star recruit by most services, and he was an athletic defensive tackle who had all the makings of becoming a big-time lineman for the Vols.
But he suffered a devastating season-ending leg injury against Georgia as a true freshman. And he sustained yet another season-ending injury in 2016 during the game in which he made his first career start.
Last year, Tuttle was mostly healthy and played in 10 games, making four starts. But this spring marked the first time since he was an early enrollee in 2015 that he was truly healthy and wasn’t having to rehab anything. He looked more explosive and more in shape this spring than he ever has, and he could finally be ready to live up to his potential in his final year with Tennessee. Injuries have probably robbed him of some of the athleticism and explosiveness he had as a freshman, but he still has a high ceiling.
