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

COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 11: Running back Larry Rountree III #33 of the Missouri Tigers carries the ball as defensive back Nigel Warrior #18 and defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers defend during the game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 11: Running back Larry Rountree III #33 of the Missouri Tigers carries the ball as defensive back Nigel Warrior #18 and defensive lineman Kyle Phillips #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers defend during the game at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

This is just a basic roster issue. Kyle Phillips was once a five-star recruit who, like Shy Tuttle, suffered back to back season-ending injuries. But he enters his senior year coming off his first full offseason since his freshman year, like Tuttle. And he now figures to reach his potential, like Tuttle.

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Tennessee football, meanwhile, needs Phillips more than Tuttle or Alexis Johnson on the line. He is the only defensive end we know can be serviceable for the Vols this year. That’s a huge deal, and it makes him a more crucial player than most.

Yes, Jeremy Pruitt’s and Kevin Sherrer’s 3-4 scheme calls for only one true defensive end. But given all the conversions made, there’s only one the Vols can count on this year. That one person is Phillips, and without him, there’s no telling who Tracy Rocker can turn to. So yeah, he’s going to be high up on here.

Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor would’ve been the guys to provide depth. But they’ve moved to outside linebacker. Four-star junior college transfer Jordan Allen is another guy who could have helped but is now at outside linebacker. The conversions of Deandre Johnson and Austin Smith only made it tougher.

So who is going to back up Phillips? Matthew Butler and Kurrott Garland are really the only guys who can provide depth there. And none of them have shown anything. As a result, the complete unknowns behind Phillips make him one of the top players on this list whom the Vols can’t lose.