http://insider.espn.go.com/college-...e-football-top-defensive-triplets-2016-season
What does everyone think?
4. Tennessee
DE Derek Barnett, LB Darrin Kirkland Jr., CB Cameron Sutton
Tennessee's defense should benefit greatly from the arrival of a new coordinator. Bob Shoop's defenses have been ranked an average of 14th in the country in yards per play the past six seasons, and he has far more talent than he did at Vanderbilt and Penn State.
Barnett is the standout. He has 19 sacks in two seasons. An increasingly talented line, including breakout candidates Kahlil McKenzie and Jonathan Kongbo at tackle, helps take the pressure off Barnett.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin and his 200-plus career tackles would've been the clearer linebacker choice, but the versatile Kirkland emerged as a freshman and appears to have a higher ceiling. Shoop has indicated as much.
He also raved about Sutton's natural cover ability after seeing him this spring. Following a dip in talent the past five or so years, Butch Jones and the Vols have reloaded at every level of the defense. Shoop is the beneficiary.
What does everyone think?
4. Tennessee
DE Derek Barnett, LB Darrin Kirkland Jr., CB Cameron Sutton
Tennessee's defense should benefit greatly from the arrival of a new coordinator. Bob Shoop's defenses have been ranked an average of 14th in the country in yards per play the past six seasons, and he has far more talent than he did at Vanderbilt and Penn State.
Barnett is the standout. He has 19 sacks in two seasons. An increasingly talented line, including breakout candidates Kahlil McKenzie and Jonathan Kongbo at tackle, helps take the pressure off Barnett.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin and his 200-plus career tackles would've been the clearer linebacker choice, but the versatile Kirkland emerged as a freshman and appears to have a higher ceiling. Shoop has indicated as much.
He also raved about Sutton's natural cover ability after seeing him this spring. Following a dip in talent the past five or so years, Butch Jones and the Vols have reloaded at every level of the defense. Shoop is the beneficiary.
