Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Russell Hansbrough (32) rushes against Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Curt Maggitt (56) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (34) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
4. Who Starts at Middle Linebacker?
Tennessee’s defense looked vastly improved in 2014 compared to the 2013 defense, improving in every major statistical category. A large part of that was due to a drastically improved defensive line, but the secondary and linebackers looked better as well throughout most of the season.
But Tennessee’s defense took a huge hit late in the season. Senior middle linebacker A.J. Johnson was named in a rape investigation prior to the Missouri game in November, and from that point on Johnson was suspended from the team. True freshman Jakob Johnson earned the start at middle linebacker, but after A.J. Johnson averaged double digit tackles per game at the position, Jakob averaged only about three per game.
The position with the biggest question mark heading into the 2015 is easily at middle linebacker, and it likely won’t be answered until the season begins. Even then, it will likely remain an open competition barring someone running away with the starting job.
Redshirt freshmen linebackers Gavin Bryant and Dillon Bates are expected to be two of the main competitors for the position, and incoming freshman linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. will certainly get a shot as well. Junior Jalen Reeves-Maybin and redshirt senior Curt Maggitt will man the outside linebacker positions, but neither one is expected to move inside to play middle linebacker.
Middle linebacker might be the most important position on defense, as they are essentially the quarterback of the defense, calling audibles and reading the offensive set-up and ensuring everyone is lined up how they are supposed to be.
Unless an unforeseen upperclassman steps up and takes the spot, the Vols will have to turn to a redshirt or true freshman at the position in 2015. Every other unit on the defense looks to be even further improved in 2015, but if the middle of the defense suffers a setback, it will complicate Tennessee’s overall growth and performance on defense in 2015.