Tennessee football: Vols 10 biggest concerns for 2018 season

4. Injuries

It’s no secret that Tennessee football suffered a rash of injuries last year. More issues in the offseason shows the field is littered with injury-prone guys. And we have to wonder if many of them will go down again.

Both quarterbacks who are the favorite in the race to start have suffered injuries in their college careers. The Vols best and most proven offensive linemen both missed time in the offseason due to injury, and that doesn’t include numerous other players on that unit who got hurt.

Their most recognizable wide receiver missed all of last year. Meanwhile, the defense has four potential starters who have all suffered at least two season-ending injuries and numerous other guys who have missed significant time.

What happens if the same thing strikes the Vols this year? Recruiting suggests they have depth. That gives guys a chance to emerge. But the changes in systems likely leaves Jeremy Pruitt little room for flexibility. So if guys go down anywhere, he could be in trouble.

That’s already a likely scenario, as it is every year. Will nagging injuries on so many players add to it? What about the culture of the strength and medical staff there? Craig Fitzgerald is the third strength coach for the Vols in four years, and one of those years they didn’t have a strength coach. So there’s been no consistency here.

To be fair, Pruitt seemed to recognize the situation. That’s why he changed up the medical staff in the offseason. But you have to wonder if that will be enough. Time will tell pretty early on if it is. For now, though, it remains a major concern.