Tennessee football: 15 potential dark-horse Vols for 2019 season

Yes, we’ve got another inside linebacker on this list. Defensive line is more open than linebacker for starters, but the defensive linemen had many standout guys who bring expectations. That’s why they don’t count as dark-horse players. It’s the opposite for linebackers, and as a result, we have to put tons of them on here.

Anyway, Will Ignont, similar to Shanon Reid, is also listed as a potential starter on here. Those two join Henry To’oto’o, ,who is not a dark-horse player given the recruiting hype he brought, as the three guys in competition to join Daniel Bituli. And this week, with Bituli out, it could be any four of them starting in those two spots for Tennessee football.

Ignont emerged in fall camp after falling behind Reid and Page in the spring. He was listed on the second team then in the Orange and White game. But at 6’1″ 225 pounds, he has more experience than both. Last year, he played in all 12 games and registered 47 tackles, including two tackles for a loss. So he was already in the rotation.

This year, there’s no reason not to expect Ignont to remain in the rotation, and if things go right, he could also emerge as an elite talent. He hasn’t lost his spot, and this weekend, if Bituli is hurt, he’ll be the only player with significant experience playing inside linebacker for UT on the field.