Tennessee Vols: Players That Will Break Out At Each Position For UT In 2017

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Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker — Austin Smith

Redshirt Sophomore

Austin Smith played in 13 games as a linebacker as a freshman, making one start. He then moved to defensive end, got injured, set out the entire 2016 season, and then moved back to linebacker.

It looks like Smith will get his chance to shine at linebacker in 2017.

Defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has indicated the Volunteers will play more of a 4-3 base defense in 2017, as opposed to the 4-2-5 alignment the Vols were typically in last season.

If that’s the case, then Smith should see a lot of time as the Volunteers strongside linebacker.

Smith recently told the Knoxville News Sentinel that everything has “slowed down” for him in his third year at Tennessee.

The Georgia native could end up being a pleasant surprise in 2017, which would be great for the Vols considering the lack of production they received at the linebacker position in 2016.

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