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Tennessee football’s top 10 impact players for 2020

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers warming up before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Offensive lineman Trey Smith #73 of the Tennessee Volunteers warming up before the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

8. player. 839. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Linebacker. Redshirt junior. Kivon Bennett

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Last year, Kivon Bennett burst onto the scene for Tennessee football. He was only a by-committee starter at outside linebacker opposite Darrell Taylor. Despite having to share time with Deandre Johnson as an edge rusher, Bennett came away with six tackles for a loss, which was tied for second on the team, two sacks and one pass deflection.

Now, the 6’2″ 245-pound graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida finally gets to become a full-time starter. As a result, his potential to become a star is through the roof, and we have him on this list because of that. With Taylor gone, Bennett is going to be the guy that Jeremy Pruitt and Derrick Ansley have to rely on to make the big plays for the pass-rush.

New outside linebackers coach Shelton Felton, who is replacing Chris Rumph, has a chance to grow into the job with a guy like Bennett, and the two could both establish themselves this year. Although Johnson, Roman Harrison and numerous freshmen such as Tyler Baron and Morven Joseph finally bring a lot of depth to the edge rusher position, Bennett is now the star.

At the moment, Pruitt has been expressing some concern about the pass rush. However, Bennett has already proven himself. He just has to show he can do it when all eyes are on somebody else, that somebody else being Taylor. With an experienced defensive line, there’s no reason not to believe in him.

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