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Tennessee football: Ranking position groups by spring practice play

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Calloway (9) during Tennessee football’s spring practice on campus in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp
Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Calloway (9) during Tennessee football’s spring practice on campus in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.Kns Ut Football Practice Bp /
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Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III (38) runs on the field during preseason practice at University of Tennessee Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018.Volspractice0807 1032
Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III (38) runs on the field during preseason practice at University of Tennessee Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018.Volspractice0807 1032 /

9. Linebackers

Building off the last slide, linebackers were the worst unit int he spring game. Again, though, there’s an excuse here. Tennessee football was already depleted at linebacker with the transfers of Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch to the Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan State Spartans respectively. J.J. Peterson entering the transfer portal didn’t help matters for the Vols either.

But then, in spring ball, a litany of other players had to miss time. Aaron Willis, a star freshmen in the 2021 class, was suspended alongside Martavius French, a redshirt freshman who was highly touted in the 2020 class. Then there was Aaron Beasley, who was suspended for a separate issue. French entered the transfer portal, but Willis has been reinstated.

Anyway, this opened up opportunities for Kwauze Garland, Solon Page III and many other young guns to stand out. Unfortunately for them and the Vols, despite Page emerging as a leader, it didn’t translate to elite production on the field.

With how limited the unit was, it naturally struggled severely. The good news, though, is with guys like Willis back and Beasley likely back, it should be much better when fall camp arrives. Texas Longhorns transfer Juwan Mitchell and Michigan Wolverines transfer William Mohan should help make it even better.

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