Tennessee football: Ranking 4 Vols in limbo by need for 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Darrin Kirkland Jr. #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers returns an interception for a touchdown during a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

Darrin Kirkland Jr. was among those with the brightest future for Tennessee football when he first became a starter as a freshman in 2015. His photographic memory, incredibly intelligence and raw athleticism were a great combination.

However, he has battled injuries on and off throughout his time in Knoxville since then, missing all of 2017, and it’s really slowed him down. Kirkland missed the spring again this past year and remains in limbo entering his redshirt senior season, and even if he’s lost a step, he’s a huge asset for the Vols at inside linebacker.

Even with newcomers like Quavaris Crouch and Henry To’oto’o and rising young stars like Shanon Reid, Solon Page III, Will Ignont and JJ Peterson, Kirkland is the best guy to complement Daniel Bituli at inside linebacker in Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 rotation. He is the guy who always knows where to be, and fully healthy he is athletic enough to make an impact.

As a result, even with the arrivals of Reid and Page, Kirkland returning to health would be very helpful for the Vols at linebacker. The position is not a major question like the one the two other players play on this list, which is why he’s down here at No. 3. But he’s the first guy on this list whose return would significantly improve the depth of the roster this year

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