Vols Football: 5 Players Poised for a Breakout 2015 Season
Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (34) pressures Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Jake Rudock (15) into throwing an incomplete pass in the first quarter of their 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Outside Linebacker
The Vols will have to replace 4-year starter A.J. Johnson at middle linebacker in 2015, but they’ll need to replace more than just a player with Johnson’s departure. Johnson was the undisputed leader of Tennessee’s defense in 2014 before being suspended amid rape allegations late in the season. The Vols will need someone to step up in 2015 and be the leader of the linebacker unit and the entire defense.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin may be just what the Vols are looking for in 2015.
Reeves-Maybin impressed coaches with his tenacity and fundamentally sound play in his freshman year in 2013 on special teams, and he made the most of his opportunity as a sophomore in 2014 by earning a starting job as an outside linebacker. He started all 13 games his sophomore season, quietly making a name for himself as an up-and-coming defender on a young Tennessee defense.
As a sophomore, Reeves-Maybin racked up 101 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, and intercepted a pass. He finished 8th in the SEC in total tackles and 9th in tackles per game with 7.8. He finished the season strong as well, making 13 tackles and getting his final tackle for a loss against Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl.
While still a tad undersized for an outside linebacker, Reeves-Maybin is extremely athletic and has a knack for being where the ball carrier is and ensuring he doesn’t escape from a tackle. He also proved in 2014 he can be disruptive to offenses and not just make tackles 5 or 6 yards past the line of scrimmage.
The Vols will need a linebacker who can be a tackling machine, make pivotal plays, and be a leader in 2015. Jalen Reeves-Maybin looks poised to be just that.