Tennessee football: Top 10 Vols with 2020 NFL Draft potential
Tennessee football has a chance to really take a step forward at linebacker this year. All four starters down the stretch of the season are back, provided Darrin Kirkland Jr. can stay healthy, and none of them are more versatile than Daniel Bituli.
More from All for Tennessee
- How to Win a GUARANTEED $200 Bonus Betting Just $5 on the Vols vs. Florida!
- Tennessee Football at Florida: Five Keys to a Vols Victory
- Week 3 SEC Power Rankings: Did Tennessee Football’s Win Help At All?
- Week 3 AP Polls: Why Did Tennessee Football Drop in the Polls?
- Tennessee Football: Top Five Performers in 30-13 Win vs. Austin Peay
A true linebacker who was actually recruited as an edge rusher, Bituli moved to the inside in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 system. So he’s an elite talent who can truly line up anywhere on the field at linebacker, which is a big deal.
Last year, just his first season in this system, Bituli had 79 tackles for six and a half tackles for a loss and a sack. The year before, he had a pick-six and a forced fumble. So the guy can truly do it all at linebacker.
Bituli’s raw talents allowed him to become the most improved player in spring ball, so entering this season, he should take another huge step forward. And there’s a chance he’s the biggest standout of anybody on defense, which will clearly raise his draft profile as a senior.
Related Story. Ranking every Vols' NFL Draft class this decade. light
If Bituli lives up to the hype, his size, durability, versatility and production will make him an NFL scout’s dream. It’s a bit of a shock for his to put him so high, but Bituli has almost no holes in his game as a linebacker. And now he has a chance to reach a whole new level.