Tennessee football: 10 Vols who should have breakout seasons in 2019

When the offseason began, it was assumed that Tennessee football would return both starters at inside linebacker in Daniel Bituli and Darrin Kirkland Jr. But with injuries forcing Kirkland to retire, the other starting inside linebacker spot is wide open to complement Bituli, who could be the Vols’ best defensive player this year.

That spot is Shanon Reid’s for the taking. He only appeared in nine games last year and did not start at all. However, with Kirkland out in the spring, he emerged as the top inside linebacker among the ones competing, all of whom had two years of experience with the program.

As a result, Reid is the favorite among himself, Will Ignont and Solon Page III to start there right now. His experience should fend off the insurgence of Quavaris Crouch, Henry To’oto’o and J.J. Peterson, and that puts him in great position to be a star this year.

Jeremy Pruitt is clearly looking for more bodies at linebacker, and Reid has proven the most of all of those guys. That puts him on this list of potential breakout stars. This should be his year for the taking, and if he does make an impact, he could be the heir apparent to Bituli to become a defensive star his senior year in 2020.