Linebacker
OLB1: Darrell Taylor, Kivon Bennett
ILB1: Daniel Bituli, Shanon Reid
ILB2: Will Ignont, Quavaris Crouch
OLB2: Deandre Johnson, Jordan Allen
The terminology in Pruitt’s defensive system is much different than what we have listed here, but we wanted to simplify things and simply list the linebacker positions as “outside linebacker” and “inside linebacker.”
Darrell Taylor is an undoubted starter at outside linebacker, as is Daniel Bituli at inside linebacker. But right now, everything else is still up for grabs heading into the summer.
Even though Shanon Reid earned the starting spot alongside Bituli at inside linebacker for the Orange & White Game, Will Ignont still seems like the likely second inside linebacker here. That could change, especially since Reid had a strong spring and capped that off with a really good Orange & White Game performance. But Reid doesn’t look like he quite has the size to be an every down linebacker, giving Ignont the edge there.
At outside linebacker, Deandre Johnson appears just ahead of Kivon Bennett and Jordan Allen for the starting spot right now. But that’s far from a guarantee once the fall arrives because both Bennett and Allen had good springs.
The wildcard here is Quavaris Crouch. The true freshman absolutely looked the part in the Orange & White Game, and he moves exceptionally well. He could crack the two-deep by the time the season starts, and he could play either inside or outside.
J.J. Peterson’s development and maturation will also factor into this group. He was a non-participant over the last week of practice and didn’t play in the Orange & White Game, either.
Henry To’oto’o and Roman Harrison will also likely shake things up a bit here when they arrive over the summer.
One Response
Old born and bred Volunteer from the 60’s. Some of you guys are so blind. You talk about JG being in command and being consistent. When in his entire career has he been consistent in 21 starts ??? Two anomalies jump out, Kentucky and Auburn and 5 wins against nobodies from no where, 13 losses. But that is past, so the O & W game last Sat. JG looked bad for the first half and got it together in the second. But if you slow the tape, and depend on a whistle, he was sacked for a loss twice when he ran for yardage. He threw some great touch passes and he threw some horrible ones. Yes, he does not turn the ball over and is tough, wow. And that is the main deal. We can stay reserved and conservatively vanilla or give someone new a shot. JG is no manager, cannot adjust, cannot read. But he has had 4 OC’s and that is not his fault. The point I am trying to make to you guys is tell the entire picture. Not some lopsided one. And the two things you accused Shrout and Maurer of, inconsistency and awful throws. That is JG’s description to a T. I want JG in the Vol Hall of Fame one day. but he is so far over his head. We need a manager who can SPREAD the ball to the talent available, JENNINGS, Callaway, Woods-Anderson, etc…..