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Tennessee football: Top 10 breakout Vols from 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) plays defense during the first half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) plays defense during the first half against the South Alabama Jaguars at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

839. Pick Analysis. LInebacker. Jeremy Banks. Redshirt junior. 4. player. Scouting Report

6’1″ 224 pounds

Yes, we’re back to linebackers. It’s odd to see three linebackers make a list of breakout Tennessee football players, but again, when you consider the two who transferred, it’s not surprising. Jeremy Banks being the top producer at linebacker is a bit of a shock, though.

Remember, Banks was a running back in 2018. He moved to linebacker in 2019 but was dismissed after the third game of the season, a game in which he had two interceptions. Then he came back in 2020 and had 28 tackles and a tackle for a loss. This year, though, that production was taken to a new level in dramatic fashion.

As the Vols’ No. 1 linebacker, Banks finished the year with a team-leading 128 tackles and 59 solo tackles. He tied Byron Young to lead the team in tackles for a loss and sacks in 11.5 and five and a half respectively. Add in an interception and four pass deflections, and he truly did it all.

On the other hand, like Solon Page III and Aaron Beasley, he had a low PFF regular season grade, coming in at 52.9, and like them, that was largely due to him not getting off blocks to be able to contain quarterbacks. He didn’t have safety help in this regard either from guys like Jaylen McCollough, so it’s not all his fault, but it keeps him from being No. 1 on here.

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