Tennessee football: Henry To’o To’o named a top five SEC LB

Cole Cubelic has lots of love for Tennessee football Volunteers linebacker Henry To’o To’o.

After putting three Tennessee football offensive linemen in his top five lists for 2020, SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic is now showing love to Vols on the defensive side of the ball. One of his top prospects is a rising star at linebacker.

Henry To’o To’o, who started as a freshman alongside Daniel Bituli for almost the entire season at inside linebacker, will be the main guy at that position for 2020. After a strong finish to last season, expectations for him are through the roof.

In a recent list he made, Cubelic made clear that he also has high expectations for the rising Tennessee football star. Cubelic ranked To’o To’o at No. 5 on his list of top five SEC linebackers for the 2020 season. He posted that list Sunday.

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Since Bituli battled injuries early last year, To’o To’o is probably more prepared than Jeremy Pruitt initially planned for him to be when he secured the elite prospect from California on National Signing Day in 2019. It proved both a blessing and a curse for the Vols.

Yes, it’s blessing for them that To’o To’o has much more experience than was planned. But Bituli’s injury, which had a huge role in him gaining that experience, was likely a huge reason for UT’s 0-2 start last year as well. If Bituli had been healthy, they could have gone 10-3, and while To’o To’o would be less experienced, Pruitt’s top 10 class for 2020 may have even been greater.

That’s all speculation, though. What’s clear is that the Freshman All-American who hails from Sacramento, Calif. and stands at 6’2″ 235 pounds has potential that is through the roof entering this year. He’s one of many young players in Pruitt’s system with a bright future.

Last year, To’o To’o finished the season with 72 total tackles, 33 of which were solo. He could now become the lead guy for Tennessee football’s defense, which is why his expectations are so high. But now he has to prove himself without Bituli.