MIKE STRANGE

5 things on the Tennessee Vols' linebacker corps

Mike Strange
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Tennessee's Darrin Kirkland Jr. (34) goes for a tackle against Tennessee Tech's Austin Hicks (81) on Nov. 5, 2016.

Elliott Berry and Quart'e Sapp were running without pads Tuesday, their restricted spring practice routine.

When they get cleared for play, they'll have to work their way back into a crowded linebacker depth chart.

Tommy Thigpen, the man in charge of Tennessee's linebackers, gave a rather glowing report on his position after the 10th spring session.

Here are five things I think I learned from Thigpen:

1. Depth is good. Last year was rough on UT's linebackers. Jalen Reeves-Maybin went down early. Darrin Kirkland Jr. missed five games. As a result, Cortez McDowell, Colton Jumper and Berry saw a lot of action.

"You can't underestimate actually playing in front of that 102,000,'' Thigpen said. "I've got a ton of experience in the room.''

All but Reeves-Maybin are back. Daniel Bituli has improved "100 percent" from his freshman year, Thigpen said. Austin Smith has come home from defensive end. Early arrival Shanon Reid hit the ground running.

"So many teams play hurry-up, your second-string or Plan B guys are just as important as your first string,'' Thigpen said. "Having that depth and being able to play a high level of football, making sure we don't have to coach to the lowest denominator, we (can) be as sophisticated as we want to.''

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 2. The best two: Most offenses dictate using only two linebackers plus a fifth defensive back for pass coverage. If Tennessee's best two guys are both Mikes (middle) or Wills (weakside), can they can play together? Are the responsibilities interchangeable?

This is a topic of interest. Fans wonder if Kirkland and Bituli, both of whom are Mikes, have the skill sets to play alongside each other. Thigpen says yes.

He also says playing "in space"  is not a problem.

"All of 'em can play in space,'' Thigpen said. "I would have thought Bituli would struggle, but, man, he's doing an excellent job playing in space.''

As is Smith, the sophomore who got shipped out to defensive end when he pudged up to 260 pounds. Now he's back in the 230s and moving well again.

"He's back like the kid we recruited,'' Thigpen said.

Tennessee's Daniel Bituli (35) during Tennessee Volunteers spring practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

3. Kirkland, the fixer: Kirkland, the junior with the photographic memory, is the brains of the outfit.

"You look for him being a guy that can fix problems,'' Thigpen said. "That's one thing we've always prided ourselves on, not having to run to the sideline to get a problem fixed, being able to get it fixed on the field, being able to get all 11 guys aligned without a coach having to do it for you.

"He's kind of like Reeves-Maybin was his third or fourth year.''

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4. Speaking of Reeves-Maybin: Thigpen hurt for his star linebacker who returned for his senior year only to get injured and shut down in September.

"He's a kid that bled orange,'' Thigpen said. "He sacrificed for us. I hope to God he gets a chance to keep playing on Sunday.''

So do I.

5. Looking ahead: Reid, the early enrollee, has shown a nose for the football. He returned a fumble 98 yards in Saturday's scrimmage. Signees Solon Page and Will Ignont  get to campus this summer.

"Solon is another long, sleek body,'' Thigpen said. "Ignont is a Mike. You feel good about the future as far as Bituli and Ignont being the Mikes. They're strong, they're athletic, they've got that presence about them.

"Then you've got these long, sleek bodies like Austin Smith, Solon Page and Shanon Reid who can go sideline to sideline. It's a good mixture of young guys that are going to be fun to watch grow.''

Mike Strange may be reached at mike.strange@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Strangemike44.