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Darrin Kirkland Jr. leaving Tennessee is actually a positive

By Garrett Sanders

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Darrin Kirkland Jr. #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers tackles Austin Carr #80 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Darrin Kirkland Jr. #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers tackles Austin Carr #80 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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Like it or not, Darrin Kirkland Jr. leaving Tennessee is a positive. And while it won’t show as a positive on the field, it will undoubtedly show in the team chemistry.

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Hearing the news that Darrin Kirkland Jr. was leaving the Tennessee football program as a graduate transfer was quite shocking. There are a lot of Vol fans questioning why he would want to transfer.

It could be because of the coaching change. That reason would make sense if Butch Jones didn’t have a hot temper. However, Jeremy Pruitt surely does, and he loses it quite often. But, Butch Jones was worse. So, that reason has to be out of the picture.

A scheme change in the defense could be another thought. Butch Jones believed in a 4-3 defense. But, now with a new head coach, Jeremy Pruitt, the scheme is set for a 3-4 defensive style.

You would think that would be the case. However, Butch Jones’s defensive scheme was less of a fit, whereas Jeremy Pruitt’s defensive scheme seems to fit Kirkland’s style of play.

Nagging injuries retained Darrin Kirkland Jr. down during his time at Tennessee, which kept him from getting his opportunity to be a full-time starter.

Kirkland Jr. played more of a backup role as he had to step in and play for Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Most of the time, Kirkland came in with situations where Reeves-Maybin was fatigued.

This upcoming season could have been impactful on Kirkland. He had the opportunity to make things better for himself. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that is what he wants for his future.

If coaching changes, coaching schemes, and the potential of being a full-time starter are not enough evidence to prove this case of Kirkland Jr. leaving, what is?

While I can’t speak for Kirkland Jr., I can certainly come up with a theory of what led to this decision.

It seems to me Darrin Kirkland Jr. isn’t buying into the vision that Jeremy Pruitt wants to have for his team. And if he wants to leave the Vols, then let him.

As a Tennessee fan myself, I would love to have Kirkland Jr. on this year’s roster. He could have proved he was NFL ready. He also would have been a great asset for our defense.

However, hearing the news that he is leaving, I am glad that he is moving on.

The last thing Tennessee needs is someone who is not going to buy into Pruitt’s vision for the program. And in the past, players that do not buy into the vision typically end up being a cancer for their programs.

An example is Auburn’s, Duke Williams. You knew he was a cancer due to how poor Auburn’s team chemistry was. It especially showed on the offensive side of the ball.

Why was he a team cancer? Because he didn’t buy into the vision of the Auburn football program.

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If Darrin Kirkland Jr. leaving upsets you, it shouldn’t. Ask yourselves this question. If Darrin didn’t move on, would the results of what happened at Auburn with Duke Williams happen at Tennessee? It would be possible. And it would affect this year’s team. And we already know as Tennessee fans, this is not the chance we should be taking.

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