Tennessee football: 10 players Vols can’t afford to lose in 2020

Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.

Last year, when Henry To’o To’o had to fill in as a true freshman for Daniel Bituli in Tennessee football’s first two games as the main inside linebacker, calling all the plays for the defense, it was disastrous. That was a huge reason the Vols fell to 0-2, particularly in their first game, when they could not figure out the Georgia State Panthers’ offense.

As a result, it’s safe to say having your top inside linebacker matters. With new inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer running the show, he needs a proven veteran to help him out. Given the way To’o To’o began to develop after Bituli returned, he’s the guy to run the show. He proved he can replace Bituli in the Gator Bowl last year, when Bituli was knocked out again for a bit.

On the heels of leading the team with 72 tackles, coming away with five tackles for a loss and earning Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC honors, To’o To’o has preseason All-SEC honors this year. With Bituli gone, he is now the sole player responsible for holding the defense together, and UT needs him desperately.

Quavaris Crouch and Jeremy Banks will compete to start alongside To’o To’o this year, and guys like J.J. Peterson and Solon Page III are returning contributors who provide experience. To’o To’o, however, is the only player properly positioned to start there for now, and without him, Jeremy Pruitt’s and Derrick Ansley’s job will be much more difficult, at least early in the season.