All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Ranking position groups in Vols 2021 recruiting class with grades

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next
The sun peeks over Neyland Stadium before the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee college football game on Volunteer Boulevard in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.Kentucky Vs Tennessee Football 202095971
The sun peeks over Neyland Stadium before the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee college football game on Volunteer Boulevard in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020.Kentucky Vs Tennessee Football 202095971 /

7. Linebacker: C-

Number of signees: 1

If we go by quality and eliminate need, this unit could get a B. Aaron Willis is actually a great pickup for Tennessee football. Standing somewhere between 5’11” and 6’0″ and weighing somewhere between 200 and 210 pounds, Willis is a four-star prospect out of Virginia across all services. He is listed as an inside linebacker on Rivals and 247Sports but an outside linebacker on ESPN.

However, the product of Life Christian Academy in Colonel Heights, Va.is the only linebacker committed to a class that desperately needs help. The Vols have three linebackers currently in the transfer portal in Quavaris Crouch, Henry To’o To’o and J.J. Peterson.

There are also hybrid players, who are listed as outside linebackers but could play defensive line in a 4-3 system, in the portal. This includes Deandre Johnson and Kivon Bennett. Johnson has transferred to the Miami Hurricanes. Bennett isn’t coming back given the fact that he was dismissed from the team.

Simply put, even if the Vols move to a 4-2-5 under Heupel, they have lost too much talent for the quality of Willis to make this a solid grade. Willis puts it above the D range, but this unit could be in trouble when the 2021 season kicks off.

Home/Vols Football