Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can least afford to lose for 2018

Darrin Kirkland Jr. is the Chance Hall of the Tennessee football defense. And yes, his return is crucial for the Vols. Even with the almost-transfer this offseason, him being back in the roster will work wonders for Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer.

Sure, Kirkland missed most of 2016 and all of 2017 due to injury. But it’s worth pointing out that the Vols clearly struggled without him. And they are going to desperately need him to stay healthy there if the defense is to be even somewhat decent.

Right now, the Vols only have three inside linebackers who have ever proven anything: Kirkland, Daniel Bituli and Quart’e Sapp. None of them would figure to be crucial this year, through, because of the fact that the switch to a 3-4 defense leaves inside linebackers more vulnerable than most.

That’s actually why Kirkland is on this list. It’s difficult enough for inside linebackers to pick up the 3-4 scheme, but what makes it hardest is they are usually transitioning in from outside linebacker. That applies to Bituli and Sapp. It does not apply, however, to Kirkland.

So Kirkland should already have an easier transition to the 3-4 defense as he’s the only proven inside linebacker who has succeeded at the position in the past. On top of that, Kirkland brings something else to the table. The guy has a photographic memory.

As a result, Kirkland is one player who will have no trouble with the transition to a 3-4. His intelligence is a huge deal, and that makes him the MOST important inside linebacker. He can offset the bumps in the road that come with the change. Without him, though, things could become a disaster. So Rocky Top needs him now more than ever to stay healthy, unlike what happened the last two years.