Spring Primer: Who will man the inside linebacker spot with Henry To'oto'o
The Vols enter the spring looking to replace several departed senior leaders. Players like Nigel Warrior and Darrel Taylor are going to leave holes in Tennessee's leadership as well as on the field on the defensive side of the ball. As difficult as those two will be to replace, perhaps the biggest challenge comes in replacing Daniel Bituli. Bituli was the heart of the Tennessee defense when he was on the field. He took over games on the defensive side of the ball with double-digit tackles and forcing turnovers. He was twice the SEC Defensive Player of the Week as a Senior, and his veteran presence and knowledge of the Tennessee defense made him valuable for the Vols. Rising Sophomore Henry To'oto'o starred beside Bituli in his true freshman campaign, and while he looks to have many parts of Bituli's role nailed down, who will start in the other inside linebacker spot in Tennessee's base 3-4 is a major question this off-season. Our staff offers their thoughts on the answer to that question here.
Brandon: Position changes are going to be a major factor in determining who ends up starting beside Henry To'oto'o on opening day. The Vols are thin in terms of returning players for the role, as Quavaris Crouch seems to have found a home at outside linebacker and JJ Peterson saw limited action, and then only when the Vols depth inside was decimated by injuries and transfers. Those factors, coupled with the impressive linebacker haul Tennessee landed in the 2020 cycle, make it likely that the Vols will again start a true freshman at inside linebacker.
How Zach Evans recruitment plays out could change this. If the Vols land Evans it is likely Len'Neth Whitehead moves to linebacker rather than running back. The Vols could also move Bryson Eason to outside linebacker in a role similar to Crouch. However, as things stand now, Bryson Eason should be the starter alongside To'oto'o against Charlotte. Bituli was a big, strong linebacker, able to take on blocks, fight through them, and be a huge factor in run defense. Eason is bigger and in the conversation strength wise as a freshman with Bituli as a senior. Eason flies to the football, plays through blocks well, gets sideline to sideline, and is a sure, form tackler. He fills the void left by Bituli nicely.
Eason is also a good replacement for Bituli because he is also a natural leader. He was one of the players that his teammates at Whitehaven consistently looked to and that the coaches trusted to make the defense there grow. Eason arrives at Tennessee with the body and tools to immediately come in and contribute in the SEC, and if the Vols ask him to do that by being a sideline to sideline backer that attacks blockers and ball carriers alike, he should step easily into that role.
Matt: I like JJ Peterson to emerge as the front runner here. Several true freshmen could make an impact, but I look for Peterson to finally break through this Spring. He has an advantage in the fact that the Freshmen will not arrive until the summer, which should allow him to receive adequate reps and lock this spot down. Peterson should be healthy and has had more than enough time to learn the playbook. Peterson is hands down the most athletic linebacker on the team, but now he has to convert that athleticism into on-field play.
He will be pushed with competition this season, as Bryson Eason will be a freshman who will see playing time, not to mention, Len'neth Whitehead could find himself amid the competition as well. Both true freshmen are big bodies that can move and display a high football IQ which will make this storyline intriguing headed into the season.
I would also not rule out Quavaris Crouch being paired by To'oto'o. Crouch is a utility guy on the defense because he can play so many roles. Brian Niedermeyer played a huge role in landing him on the recruiting trail, but could he join his inside linebacker group? For now, I will say that Crouch sticks on the edge, but we will see what Jeremy Pruitt has planned for him this season.
featured image via Jake Nichols (RTI)