KNOXVILLE -- It may behoove Tennessee's football team to hold open tryouts for anyone on campus that can or wants to play on the defensive line.
Well, not really.
For a second straight year, though, the Volunteers will be severely shorthanded along the defensive line for spring practice due to offseason surgeries and one suspension.
Five of the 11 players who will miss the spring are defensive linemen: Defensive ends Derek Barnett, Kyle Phillips and Andrew Butcher and defensive tackles Kendal Vickers and Shy Tuttle.
Junior college transfer defensive tackle Alexis Johnson remains suspended, too, as his legal case runs its course after he was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and false imprisonment.
"We didn't tell Coach (Bob) Shoop this when we hired him," Jones said of his new defensive coordinator, "but he may have to play a little defensive line this spring."
Tennessee will have eight scholarship defensive linemen available this spring: Ends LaTroy Lewis, Corey Vereen, Darrell Taylor, Dimarya Mixon and Austin Smith and tackles Kahlil McKenzie and Quay Picou.
Three walk-ons -- Paul Bain, Charles Folger and Morris Eguakun, a transfer from Stetson of the Football Championship Subdivision -- round out the unit.
Shoop indicated the Vols would look at sliding some of those defensive ends inside in passing-down packages, starting this spring.
Other players that will miss spring practice are safety/kickoff returner Evan Berry, wide receiver Josh Malone, offensive linemen Jashon Robertson and Chance Hall, tight end Joe Stocstill and running back Joe Young.
Jones did not disclose the specifics of any injuries or surgeries.
He did have a somewhat positive update, however, on Tuttle's recovery from a broken leg and torn ankle ligaments he suffered against Georgia last October.
"He just had the screws taken out from the second surgery on his foot, so he'll continue to progress. It's really day by day by him and how the body heals. We're hoping maybe by early July, late June. That's kind of the target date (for a return), but we'll know probably every two or three weeks with how he's progressing.
"I've been very proud of him, because he's really kept his demeanor up. He's been very positive. He's really focused on the mental part of his game, and then he's really focused on developing his upper body. It's hard for a young man.
"His first year in the program and suffers that type of injury that he's had and the recovery that's associated with that injury, and he's handled it remarkably well, and I think his teammates have done a good job around him."
Smith joins the defensive line full time after playing linebacker as a freshman last season.
"He continues to grow and get bigger," Jones said. "I believe he's over 250-plus pounds right now, and he has an explosiveness off the edge. He's done a great job of really the hand tactics and the different techniques through skill development that are associated with that position, and we all know that he can run.
"He's very, very physical. He's very explosive. That's just going to add to the overall depth, the overall component of the defensive end position."
Taylor is another player Tennessee's coaches are excited to unleash this spring after he took a redshirt last season.
"I can't wait to see him," Jones said. "He has had as good of an offseason as any player in our football program. He's added the size, the stature, and I know he's looking forward to playing football."
In addition to Smith's move, Jones confirmed Micah Abernathy is switching to safety and Jason Croom is moving to tight end. Jauan Jennings will remain at wide receiver. Rashaan Gaulden will work at safety and cornerback.
Tennessee's first spring practice begins later Monday afternoon.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.