KNOXVILLE — With Tennessee set to start spring football practice Tuesday, the Times Free Press is taking a position-by-position look at the Volunteers as they prepare for the 2015 season. After looking at the defensive line on Friday, the preview continues today with the linebackers.
WHO’S BACK
* Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Jr.): After he was Tennessee’s best special-teams player as a freshman in 2013, Reeves-Maybin translated his difference-making to the defense, where he thrived as a first-year starter. The budding star made 106 tackles to share the team lead and chipped in 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Reeves-Maybin made a career-high 13 tackles in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
More spring practice previews
* Quarterbacks * Running backs* Wide receivers* Tight ends* Offensive line* Defensive line
* Chris Weatherd (Sr.): His late arrival from junior college didn’t prohibit Tennessee from finding a way to get the super-athletic Weatherd on the field. The Vols created a 3-3-5 package in which he replaced a defensive tackle and often used his speed to rush off the edge. In the specified role, Weatherd finished with 12 tackles, three for loss and 2.5 sacks.