Tennessee Football: Five Toughest Players for Vols to Replace in 2016

That is a school record for the most games anybody has ever appeared in.

Randolph was a staple at safety and, ironically, showed himself to be very durable following that season-ending injury. Seeing the secondary without him in it this year is going to be very weird considering he always made his presence known.

But aside from Randolph’s experience, he was an amazing player on top of that. Randolph was the leader of the secondary and kept everybody in line.

With him and McNeil gone, Butch Jones and new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop have a tough task ahead in having to replace both starters in the safety from last year.

The hardest part about replacing him is the talent pool selection to do so. It’s very clear that Todd Kelly Jr. is gong to start at strong safety for the Vols next year, which is why replacing LaDarrell McNeil was easier. But Randolph’s replacement is up for grabs.

Despite his kick return abilities, Evan Berry showed himself to struggle at times last year when playing at safety. Nigel Warrior, meanwhile, is completely unproven. But somebody has to fill Randolph’s void, and that could be more difficult than you might think.

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Brian Randolph

Free Safety, 

Just like LaDarrell McNeil, Brian Randolph started every game he played in with the Tennessee Vols throughout his career from his first game as a freshman. And due to a season-ending injury three games into the 2012 season that allowed him a fifth year of eligibility, he started 53 games for Tennessee football.

That is a school record for the most games anybody has ever appeared in.

Randolph was a staple at safety and, ironically, showed himself to be very durable following that season-ending injury. Seeing the secondary without him in it this year is going to be very weird considering he always made his presence known.

But aside from Randolph’s experience, he was an amazing player on top of that. Randolph was the leader of the secondary and kept everybody in line.

With him and McNeil gone, Butch Jones and new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop have a tough task ahead in having to replace both starters in the safety from last year.

The hardest part about replacing him is the talent pool selection to do so. It’s very clear that Todd Kelly Jr. is gong to start at strong safety for the Vols next year, which is why replacing LaDarrell McNeil was easier. But Randolph’s replacement is up for grabs.

Despite his kick return abilities, Evan Berry showed himself to struggle at times last year when playing at safety. Nigel Warrior, meanwhile, is completely unproven. But somebody has to fill Randolph’s void, and that could be more difficult than you might think.

Next: #1: Kyler Kerbyson