Tennessee football’s top 10 underclassmen back for 2021 spring practice

Oct 24, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 24, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Caitie McMekin-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Tennessee defensive lineman Kurott Garland (79) during the Vol Walk at the Tennessee Spring Game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, April 13, 2019.Kns Vols Springgame5things
Tennessee defensive lineman Kurott Garland (79) during the Vol Walk at the Tennessee Spring Game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, April 13, 2019.Kns Vols Springgame5things /

Redshirt junior. 6. player. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman. Kurott Garland. 839. Scouting Report

6’3″ 310 pounds; Hometown: Conyers, Ga.

A year ago, if we had to predict which defensive tackle would make this list, we would have picked Greg Emerson. In 2019, Emerson had 30 tackles, 10 solo tackles, four tackles for a loss, two sacks and two passes defended, amazing stats for a nose tackle in a 3-4.

At the time, Kurott Garland was behind Emerson, and to his credit, after flirting with the transfer portal that summer, he had 18 tackles in 2019, eight solo tackles and two tackles for a loss. Then came this past year, and Emerson only played in one game and had just one tackle.

Garland, meanwhile, continued his production. The graduate of Heritage High School in Georgia’s Rockdale County had 22 tackles, 11 of which were solo and one tackle for a loss. There wasn’t much of an improvement, but he maintained his production from the previous year, and entering his fourth-year junior season, he brings a lot to the table.

Now, Tennessee football is loaded on the defensive line with numerous seniors, including Darel Middleton and Aubrey Solomon playing in the middle. However, Garland is a guy everybody should be excited about, as he is a proven, reliable producer. Emerson may have more potential, but Garland, at this point, is a more known commodity, which is why he makes the list.