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Tennessee Football 2016 Recap: Ranking the Top 10 Vols Performers of the Season

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) hits Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) causing a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) celebrates with fans after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) celebrates with fans after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

He only played in three games this year and tried to go in a fourth, but Jalen Reeves-Maybin has to be on this list for what he did for Tennessee football. After suffering what became a season-ending injury against the Ohio Bobcats, Reeves-Maybin’s off-the-field leadership keeps him on here.

By the way, considering he only played one full game during the year, finishing with 20 tackles and two tackles for a loss is pretty darn impressive.

Anyway, Reeves-Maybin showed his greatness by his decision to return for his senior season and his offseason leadership for the Vols.

Then, when he went down with a season-ending injury, he remained in high spirits and helped his team in every way that he could.

That shows a true leader and a true Vol, and he managed to have a huge impact on the team despite not playing. For that, he still is able to get a spot on this list as one of the Top 10 Vols of the year.

And it’s a spot he definitely earned.

If he could have played the full season, he would have likely been a heck of a lot higher on this list as well. His heart, intangibles and toughness outweigh anybody else’s in all of college football.

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