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Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should have breakout seasons in 2018

By Caleb Calhoun

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Ty Chandler #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 28: Ty Chandler #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

We stay on the defensive line and move to the final guy Rutherford had among his three best defensive linemen. Notice they are the three seniors on the line as well? Anyway, Kyle Phillips has had a career identical to Shy Tuttle’s.

Phillips suffered season-ending injuries after showing promise his first two years on Rocky Top, although it was at the end of his sophomore season. He finally played all 12 games last year, but he only started seven. Still, he came away with two sacks and four and a half tackles for a loss.

Now, like Tuttle, he has been able to participate in all offseason programs for the first time since his freshman year. And with the move of last year’s other two rotational defensive ends to outside linebacker, Phillips is the only true defensive end on the line who has significant experience.

Once a five-star recruit, Phillips is going to be the main end starting on the line this year. And that gives him a chance to finally break out and become a superstar. The guy just has too much talent not to do so.

At 6’4″ 273 pounds, Phillips could be one of the major playmakers for the Vols. Remember, Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer need their tackles to take up lots of attention. That could allow Phillips, if healthy all year, to wreak havoc.

Like Tuttle, Phillips just needs a full year healthy to show what he can do. With a new strength coach and new medical personnel, Tennessee football should be much healthier this year overall. That will work out perfectly for these guys.

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