Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) throws as he’s pressured by Tennessee defensive lineman Curt Maggitt (56) and defensive lineman Maurice Couch (44) in Knoxville on Saturday.KNOXVILLE – Those 15 spring practices in a red noncontact jersey are distant memories for Curt Maggitt.
Carrying a lofty label from his defensive coordinator, the Tennessee linebacker is looking to build off a standout freshman season in an expanded role in the new defense.
“I feel like I’m caught up, and I’ve been in the [play]book a lot,” Maggitt said after Thursday afternoon’s indoor practice on a stormy day in Knoxville. He also said he liked new coordinator Sal Sunseri’s system and his part in it.
“It’s a lot different. I’m containing more and doing a lot of different things,” Maggitt said.
Sunseri really likes Maggitt and fellow sophomore linebacker A.J. Johnson. A former NFL assistant, Sunseri spent the last three seasons coaching Alabama’s talented crop of big, fast linebackers. He heaped praise on his new dreadlocked duo after Wednesday’s practice.