Baylor School alum Colton Jumper, left, is practicing as a No. 1 linebacker for Tennessee this week as the Vols prepare to host Ohio on Saturday. Starter Darrin Kirkland Jr. was injured during last week’s game against Virginia Tech, and Jumper finished the game in his place.KNOXVILLE – Colton Jumper is Tennessee’s Plan A at middle linebacker against Ohio.
The Volunteers don’t seem entirely clear yet on what Plan B might be.
On Wednesday, Tennessee coach Butch Jones confirmed the former Baylor School standout will start in place of the injured Darrin Kirkland Jr. when the Bobcats visit Neyland Stadium on Saturday, but the program’s official depth chart didn’t even include a backup to the former walk-on.
“I say this all the time: No individual is bigger than the team. If it was, you wouldn’t have much of a team,” defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said. “Our job is to prepare the players who are ready to go this week, and right now, because of the injury, Colton’s our No. 1 linebacker. He prepares as hard as anybody.
“He’s done that through the course of spring. He’s done that through the course of the summer. This wasn’t handed to him by any means. He’s earned this opportunity, and he’s going to play very well.”