Five Players That Need To Step Up For Vols In 2015

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Oct 11, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Chattanooga Mocs quarterback Jacob Huesman (14) slides with the ball in front of Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Jakob Johnson (44) and linebacker Kenny Bynum (51) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Jakob Johnson — Linebacker

2014 stats: 14 tackles

Let me start by saying that I know Jakob Johnson won’t be the Volunteers’ starting middle linebacker next season.

Unless something crazy happens, that will almost certainly be Dillon Bates.

But you should still see plenty of Johnson in 2015.

The native of Germany saw some valuable game reps at the end of the 2014 season, starting two games in place of suspended linebacker A.J. Johnson.

And the coaching staff didn’t give Johnson those reps (or those two starts) just for the fun of it. They gave him those reps because they see potential in Johnson.

There’s obviously going to be a big learning curve for a player like Johnson. He’s not entrenched in the game of American football like the majority of kids who play collegiate football. Johnson didn’t even start playing American football until 2012, when he moved to the United States.

So the fact that Johnson even received a scholarship offer from Tennessee, let alone actually start a game, is already an amazing feat. It just goes to show you how much natural talent he has.

But for all the talent Johnson has, there’s still a ton of work that needs to be done.

In Johnson’s two starts, there were noticeable coverage issues, missed tackles and misalignments. Those are issues that will have to be corrected if Johnson wants to have an impact in 2015.

The Vols play a lot of nickel, so there might not be a ton of chances for Johnson. But he’s going to be one of the top backup options at linebacker for Tennessee in 2015, so he best be ready.