Tennessee football: Five positions battles heading into Vols 2020 spring practice

4. Outside linebacker

With the loss of Darrell Taylor, Tennessee football has a major opening for a standout edge rusher this year. The Vols have two other veterans at outside linebacker in Deandre Johnson and Kivon Bennett who could be in line to fill the position. However, neither has really stood out yet, and that could mean a good bit of competition heading into spring practice.

UT recruited quite a few edge rushers in this class, but none of them will be arriving until the summer. That combined with Johnson and Bennett both having experience is why this position is down at No. 4 on the list and not higher. However, it’s not a position that has anybody locked down, which is why it clearly belongs on the list.

Roman Harrison was once a highly touted recruit, and he’s going to get a look in the spring. Also, if Jordan Allen is healthy, he may finally get his shot. Both of those guys have a chance to fight for a starting role, and even if they don’t, Jeremy Pruitt wants to establish a consistent four-deep rotation of outside linebackers. He lamented the shortage at that position last year.

One thing that makes this intriguing is Quavaris Crouch. He will be out this spring due to injury. Although Crouch was recruited as an inside linebacker, he’s one of the guys who can play inside or outside. As a result, his injury opens things up for the other guys to compete, and that somewhat makes this an even more intriguing position battle.