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One of Tennessee’s best players on either side of the ball will be limited during spring football practice, according to Jesse Simonton of Volquest.com. That player is Daniel Bituli, who emerged as a difference-maker for the Vols in a disastrous season in 2017.
NEWS: Vols LB Daniel Bituli will be limited this spring rehabbing a pair of injuries (knee, shoulder), creating a huge opportunity for sophomore Will Ignont. The 6-1, 230-pound LB showed flashes in 2017 and has a chance to carve out a real role in Pruitt's defense.
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) March 17, 2018
It’s unclear just how limited Bituli will be, but missing any kind of reps as Tennessee transitions into Jeremy Pruitt’s 3-4 base defense is significant. As Simonton notes, this would present a decent opportunity for Will Ignont, who is heading into his sophomore season. Getting these physical reps in place of Bituli could prepare him for an expanded role, potentially starting as soon as this season.
Bituli was the team’s leading tackler in 2017, despite not even being a starter at the beginning of the year. He’s expected to be one of the most important pieces for Tennessee as they usher in a new era.
Spring practice opens this coming Tuesday, so we can add this to our list of things to watch.