Tennessee football: 10 safest starting spots on 2020 roster

Inside linebacker

There’s no doubt about this one. Henry To’o To’o started every game for Tennessee football last year, emerging as the play-caller on defense in the opener against the Georgia State Panthers due to Daniel Bituli’s injury. He struggled in that game, a big reason for why the Vols lost, but dramatically improved after that and became an anchor for the defense later in the year.

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Now, with Bituli gone for good, the 6’2″ 225-pound graduate of De La Salle High School in Northern California is set to be the leader of the defense as a true sophomore. He is coming off a Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American season, awarded by some outlets, and has a deep understanding of Jeremy Pruitt’s system.

Lots of players are competing for the other inside linebacker spot with Bituli gone. Quavaris Crouch is the favorite, but J.J. Peterson, Jeremy Banks and Solon Page III could make a push. Kivon Bennett and Deandre Johnson are the projected starters at outside linebacker, but without Darrell Taylor, neither is guaranteed. They both have to prove they can play a larger role.

As a result, at this moment, the only guaranteed starting linebacker is To’o To’o. He also has no injury or off-field drawbacks, at least since he entered college, and he’s playing a role that will always be on the field regardless of the formation, unlike Shawn Shamburger at nickel. That’s why he’s up here on the list.