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Tennessee Football 2016 Recap: Ranking the Top 10 Vols Performers of the Season

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) hands the ball off to running back Alvin Kamara (6) during the first half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) hands the ball off to running back Alvin Kamara (6) during the first half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Tennessee football’s 9-4 season in 2016 was highlighted by many great players. Here are the Top 10 Volunteers performers from the year.

After an up-and-down roller coaster season, Tennessee football finished in the Top 25 in both polls for the second consecutive season. And the Vols’ 9-4 record signals that they have reached a consistent level under Butch Jones.

Lots of players have been instrumental in helping to restore the Vols back to relevance, and that was particularly true for this year.

As a result, we are going to take a look at the Tennessee football players this year who deserve the most recognition for their contributions to the team. And we’ll also name our defensive and offensive MVPs.

Related Story: Top 10 Plays of Vols' 2016 Season

This includes their performances on the field, their intangibles, and their impact on other players’ performances.

All of that has to be taken into account when ranking the best players of a season. Think of this as our season finale for Smokey Points.

These are the final helmet stickers we are going to give out.

The impact players on the Vols cover all three phases of the game. And while there was a disappointing end to the regular season, these guys created lots of great memories.

Lots of these players had to step up beyond what they expected to because of surprising injuries. And they all handled their jobs admirably.

So with a second straight 9-4 season, let’s take a look at the biggest contributors to the Vols this year.

Must Read: Ranking All Nine Wins of Vols' 2016 Season

Here are the Top 10 Tennessee football players from the 2016 season.

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