Tennessee Football: Ranking the Volunteers' Team MVP Candidates Through 5 Games

Although the season isn't quite halfway over, there are already a few clear MVP candidates emerging for the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

With the No. 3 third-down defense in the country and the No. 2 overall defense in the SEC East, per NCAA.com statistics, defensive coordinator John Jancek's unit is significantly outperforming the team's offense. 

That's why the majority of the team's MVPs at this point come from the defense. It doesn't take a stat sheet for even the most casual fans to know that the Tennessee defense has improved significantly since its disastrous outing in 2012 and ho-hum performance in 2013.

Every unit is clicking and making tackles, from the front four to the linebackers to the secondary.

While there's still time for the Vols' offensive players to begin making a case for MVP status, the list at the moment belongs almost entirely to the defense.

Here are the team's top MVP candidates through five games of the 2014 season. 

5. LaDarrell McNeil

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Although he was overshadowed by fellow starting safety Brian Randolph in 2012 and 2013, junior LaDarrell McNeil is putting together a solid season in the Tennessee secondary in 2014.

With 28 total tackles for the season, including nine against the University of Georgia, as well as an interception against the University of Oklahoma, McNeil is close to matching Randolph's overall production, which is huge for the Vols' defensive backfield moving forward.

With an additional year of eligibility remaining for both McNeil and Randolph, both players will allow Todd Kelly Jr. and Devaun Swafford to gain the experience and reps they need to become dominant as starters in 2016. 

4. Derek Barnett

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The first true freshman to ever start on the Vols' defensive line, Derek Barnett is playing well beyond what his age and experience level dictate.

As good as he was to start the season, Barnett seems to be improving with each game as well, as he notched his first career sack and two tackles for losses against the University of Florida on Saturday.

With 25 total tackles on the season—five for losses—Barnett may be an easy pick for SEC All-Freshman honors. 

3. Aaron Medley

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The only MVP candidate to come from a unit other than the defense, freshman kicker Aaron Medley is quietly having an outstanding season.

After a shaky first attempt at a field goal against Utah State University in the Vols' season opener, Medley has been incredibly solid, connecting on eight out of 10 total attempts, including a 46-yarder on the road against Georgia, a 31-yarder against Oklahoma and three in a row against Florida.

He's also a perfect 13-for-13 on extra points and averaging 59 yards per kickoff. If Medley keeps this level of production up, the Vols will be in good hands at the kicker position for years to come. 

2. Cameron Sutton

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Cameron Sutton continues to prove that he's one of the best cornerbacks in college football.

His three interceptions, 19 total tackles and four tackles per game put him on pace to turn in an All-American worthy performance this year. 

It seems that every time opposing quarterbacks dare throw toward Sutton this year, he comes down with a pick. In addition, he rarely gives up completions. 

Sutton's success on the field means he will likely shoot to the top of the draft boards and be in contention as a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft if he chooses to leave college early. 

1. A.J. Johnson

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A.J. Johnson was expected to lead the team in tackles this season, and he's doing so with apparent ease. Johnson already has 59 total tackles through five games and is now tied for fourth all-time on the Vols' list of top tacklers.

He needs just 24 more tackles to slide comfortably into third place, and his pace this season means he's all but assured of reaching it.

Johnson will be one of Tennessee's biggest losses after this season. But with seven games left on the schedule, he's also one of the team's biggest keys to making a bowl game.