4. Kivon Bennett, OLB
When Kivon Bennett first came to Tennessee, he was a four-star defensive tackle prospect. He was with the defensive line unit in 2017, but Jeremy Pruitt and his staff decided to move him to outside linebacker prior to the 2018 season. Bennett appeared in four games last season and was able to redshirt as he learned a new position.
This spring, Bennett thrived in his new role.
The Vols have a lot of questions at outside linebacker besides Darrell Taylor, and Bennett took the challenge from UT’s coaches and showed out this spring. He competed with Deandre Johnson and Jordan Allen for that second outside linebacker spot, and he was impressive in practices. He ended up recording a sack in the Orange & White Game as well, though he was with the second team defense.
Bennett has recorded just three tackles in his first two years with Tennessee, but he’s put himself right in the thick of things to be a big contributor as a redshirt sophomore this season. He should continue to fight for a starting spot on defense, and even if he doesn’t earn that job, he’ll likely be firmly in the two-deep.
