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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols 4 JuCo and regular transfers by potential impact

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Darel Middleton is the one guy who could have been below Deangelo Gibbs because his projected talent is the lowest on this list. Let’s be clear though, guys. This is still projected talent, so we don’t know how he’ll shape out.

Middleton is a junior college transfer who comes to Tennessee football from Last Chance U, so he’s already coming from a name background. The defensive lineman also arrives with three years of eligibility left, so he’s the perfect player for Jeremy Pruitt to help reload his roster up front on the line.

However, as a three-star who is only 280 pounds while standing 6’6″, Middleton is limited as to where he can line up on the line. Right now, it’s only at end, and Matthew Butler stole the show there in the offseason. Add in the arrival of four-star freshman Roman Harrison and the potential of John Mincey, and Middleton has an uphill climb to make an impact over the next couple of years.

Still, Middleton will be good to go immediately after arriving in the summer, and that gives him a great chance to move up in the roster. If he puts on some weight, he could bring some versatility as well. There’s still a need up front, and things remain wide open there, so keep an eye on him.

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