Linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. is 'the last of the Mohicans' for Tennessee's defense

Darrin Kirkland Jr.’s spring perspective has changed.

The University of Tennessee junior linebacker looks around at practice this year and doesn’t see Jaylen Reeves-Maybin, Cameron Sutton or Derek Barnett on the field in uniforms.

“I was telling my father it’s my third spring now and it’s a lot different because I have always been a good player surrounded by great players. Now I am kind of the last of the Mohicans,” Kirkland Jr. said on Thursday after practice. “I find myself being the main guy, the leader of the defense and I’ve embraced that role and I know I have to bring it every day.”

Kirkland Jr. is coming off a sophomore season that was limited by a high-ankle injury. He appeared in seven games, making six starts and recording 15 tackles.

“It was very difficult. I definitely learned a lot about myself and learned about this game of football,” said Kirkland, who said he finally felt 100 percent healthy again about three weeks ago. “It’s not always good and not always bad. My approach this season has definitely been very humbling. I am just very excited.”

Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has asked Kirkland to be “an extra coach on the field for him” from the middle linebacker position.

The two have grown closer as Shoop enters his second season in charge of the defense.

“It’s definitely a comfortable relationship. We meet all the time. We bounce things off each other,” Kirkland said. “We are both very cerebral guys, so I think we both are very passionate about what we do and I think that has really built a great relationship over the last year and a half.”

UT’s defense struggled last season, finishing 95th in the nation in total defense (449.2 yards), including 104th against the run (218.5).

The Vols revamped part of their defensive staff - adding Brady Hoke as defensive line coach and Charlton Warren as defensive backs coach - and Kirkland believes Shoop is “putting his own stamp on this defense.”

The process started during Tennessee’s bowl preparation last season and resulted in UT beating Nebraska 38-24. Kirkland said Shoop appeared more at ease entering the bowl game and the victory was a “confidence booster” for the defense.

“I think he voiced that he was more relaxed and more confident and that he was kind of going to do it his way and I feel like guys kind of embraced that role,” Kirkland said. “I feel like everything was more comfortable and it showed on the field.”

Kirkland feels stronger and healthier this spring and wants to maximize his time on the field to reach his full potential.

“I really just want to develop myself every day and to really grow to be a leader and become an All-SEC player. That is my goal,” he said. “My dream is to be one of the best linebackers in this conference, so I have to prepare for it every day.”

Despite the loss of several major players, Kirkland remains confident in UT's defensive personnel.

"Even though it's a lot of guys with not a lot of starters, it's a lot of guys with a lot of experience," Kirkland said ."It's definitely a close-meshed group and I feel this group is really close knit so it will be fun."

Before assuming a more expanded role for UT’s defense, Kirkland reached out to his former teammates for advice.

“They just really said to embrace it,” Kirkland said. “We always talked about the next man up and it’s your time. And it’s my time, so I have to embrace that role and be the leader, be the alpha male that we have always talked about.”