Tennessee football 2018 preview by position: Vols LBs
Projected starters at inside linebacker
Daniel Bituli; Junior; 6’3″ 244 lbs; Antioch, Tenn.
Last year’s leading tackler for Tennessee football, Daniel Bituli is one of the guys who has lived up to his hype. In fact, you could almost put him in the conversation with guys like Nigel Warrior as Vols who bring a lot to the table.
At 6’3″ 244 pounds, Bituli has the perfect size and is definitely the top linebacker in this group. He fits Pruitt’s mold perfectly of playing all four positions, as he actually came to Rocky Top as an edge rusher. That means converting to the inside only makes him more versatile, and he should be the best linebacker on the field for UT in 2018.
Darrin Kirkland Jr.; Junior; 6’1″ 234 lbs; Indianapolis, Ind.
He hasn’t been fully healthy since 2015. But during that season, Darrin Kirkland Jr. was one of the best players on the field. He thrived as the inside linebacker that year, showing he’s great in coverage and knows how to stop the run.
There were clearly some issues in the offseason, but you have to believe he’s going to be back and ready to go. Those issues would hint he won’t start. However, Kirkland’s size makes him the second most versatile player for Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer. As a result, I project when it’s all said and done that he’ll be the other starting linebacker for Tennessee football. But it’s just barely.
Other inside linebackers in the rotation
Quart’e Sapp; Junior; 6’2″ 223 lbs; Alpharetta, Ga.
Putting Kirkland over Sapp is probably unfair. After all, Sapp hasn’t pondered transferring, and last year was his first season playing fully healthy. All he did was come in fourth on the team in tackles. Now, after a full offseason and working in the system, Sapp should thrive and take another step. He’ll definitely be in the rotation with Kirkland, and the two may split time. However, he’s a bit smaller, making him a slightly lesser fit. That’s why we have him just behind Kirkland on the roster.
Dillon Bates; Senior; 6’3″ 229 lbs; Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
The son of Vols legend James Bates has one more chance to make a name for himself. Although he won’t be a starter, he will be in the rotation this year. And the right coaching combined with getting fully healthy will finally give him his chance to make a real impact. So don’t expect Dillon Bates to become a star, but he will definitely be productive at times. And that matters.