Tennessee football: 10 Vols who could leave early for NFL after 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Ty Chandler #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers takes a hand off from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 24-7. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

Tennessee football had an opening for a third guy in the inside linebacker rotation during spring ball alongside Daniel Bituli and Darrin Kirkland Jr. Shanon Reid, Solon Page III, Will Ignont, JJ Peterson and early enrollee Quavaris Crouch all had a chance to steal it. Page and Reid were the guys to work their way into the rotation.

Then, in the spring game, Reid became the star, proving that he was clearly the standout inside linebacker outside of the two starters, and that gives him lots of chances to play this year. Add in the fact that Kirkland’s health remains in question, and Reid himself could become the starter.

If that happens, the 6’0″ 230-pound junior could become a huge force for the Vols, and NFL scouts would notice immediately. Reid will have quite a bit of help with other talented guys in the linebacker rotation as well, including Bituli inside and Darrell Taylor on the outside.

After playing in nine games last year and seven the year before, he clearly has the experience in different systems to be effective. So if he takes a huge leap forward this year, there’s a great chance that he draws attention from pro prospects. But again, his potential to do that still depends on his chances of starting, and those are slightly up in the air.

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