All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee Vols in Could be in Serious Trouble with Curt Maggitt Injured

By Caleb Calhoun

facebooktwitterreddit

The news that Tennessee Vols linebacker Curt Maggitt is out for a period of time is devastating. As a result, the Volunteers could be in serious trouble.

With a very young roster still and a little bit of issues when it comes to depth, the biggest thing the Tennessee Vols football team needed to do this year was maximize its strengths.

And without Curt Maggitt, arguably the biggest strength of the football team might be neutralized.

More from Vols Football

Although young and questionable at linebacker, on the offensive line, and in a few other spots, part of Tennessee’s Top 25 ranking in the preseason had to do with the fact that they might have had the best pass rush in college football coming back.

Derek Barnett on one side is elite no matter what, but Maggitt was the fast edge rusher who could line up at linebacker or end on the other side and wreak havoc. Not having him is a big deal because nobody else can fulfill the role he can.

There are other ends and defensive linemen who can cause serious issues, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin is an elite linebacker at the same time. But nobody caused the same mismatches Maggitt did, and it became noticeable even last Saturday.

With the Vols reeling toward the end of the game, they were not able to wrap up Baker Mayfield because it took so much energy to get to him. That would not have been a problem with Maggitt in the game.

So without him, this football team is in serious trouble. To be fair, Maggitt is a fifth-year senior, so Tennessee will have to learn to win without him anyway.

But with Daniel Bituli coming in next year, that hybrid role should be filled immediately.

This was Maggitt’s year, and the Vols desperately need a successful season to prove they are back.

It will get much harder if he misses all the October games that will define this season. Tennessee has a lot of youth. Experience on the edges was supposed to be one of the sure things to keep them strong.

And without it, they could struggle.

Next: Five Vols to Watch vs. Western Carolina

More from All for Tennessee

Home/Vols Football