KNOXVILLE - Asked on Sunday if the linebackers could be one of the strongest units on his first Tennessee team if healthy, Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt offered a quick clarification.
"Our guys are healthy," he said.
If anyone knows the fragility of a linebacker's health, it's Pruitt. As defensive coordinator at Alabama last season, he watched four of his top linebackers get hurt during the Crimson Tide's season opener. The rash of injuries at the position continued throughout the season and was brutal enough to cause a conniption for even the most seasoned of coaches.
As the Volunteers continue preseason practices, though, there is a fresh optimism blooming around a trio of veteran interior linebackers who - for now - are healthy at the same time, perhaps for the first time in their collegiate careers.
Daniel Bituli, the team's leading tackler a year ago, is back for his junior season after missing spring practices because of shoulder surgery. Redshirt junior Quart'e Sapp returns after finishing fourth on the team in tackles in his first season as a regular contributor after injury struggles early in his career.
Finally, redshirt junior Darrin Kirkland Jr. is back after missing all of 2017 with a knee injury and announcing his intent to leave as a graduate transfer this summer before reversing the decision.
"Healthiest that we've ever been," Sapp said.
Added Bituli: "Competition is good. We all want to push each other and everything like that."
Each member of the trio was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, but each has dealt with his share of adversity.
Kirkland's trek has been the most brutal. He started 10 games his first season at Tennessee, earning All-Southeastern Conference freshman honors. A high-ankle sprain in the second game of the 2016 schedule derailed his sophomore campaign, and he lost all of the 2017 season before it began.
Kirkland has worn a brace on his right knee during preseason practices so far, a visible reminder of the struggle he has endured to resume his career in Knoxville.
"I think Darrin is a fast learner," Pruitt said. "He didn't participate very much in the spring, but he picks things up really fast I think the guy's got instincts, and I've watched him play back in old film. You don't play in this league as a true freshman unless you've got something about you, and he did, so I think he's got a chance to really help us."
Sapp declined to reveal what the conversations were like between Kirkland and other linebackers as Kirkland considered transferring.
"That's just for players," said Sapp, who did describe his view of Kirkland's journey back to the field as "understanding."
Sapp also knows the trials of missing extended time due to injury.
"Just seeing he's back, all of us in the linebacker room are really happy and we're really motivated to be pushing forward," Sapp said. "We all have one common goal and we're working on that, and preparing for West Virginia's our number one goal. So we're really happy to have him back there."
Still to be ironed out are the specifics - which linebacker will make the defense's calls and which players will fit in which spots - but at least for now, the talented trio of juniors are healthy.
"I think we have lots of competition," Pruitt said, "which is going to make them all better."
Contact David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidWCobb and on Facebook at facebook.com/volsupdate.