Freshmen Who Could Star Right Away at Tennessee

For the first time in several seasons, the Tennessee Volunteers won't be so dependent on freshmen.

Even though the Vols signed a consensus top-five class (including the fourth-ranked haul on 247Sports' composite rankings), it's difficult to find a handful of surefire first-year players who'll log significant snaps.

While head coach Butch Jones did grab a couple of junior college transfers who will factor into the immediate equation, the Vols are finally in a position to bring a lot of these youngsters along slowly. That will help them developmentally and as a team down the road.

But sometimes you run across players who are simply too talented to keep off the field, and UT has several of those kids on the docket.

Depth concerns are still prevalent at a few other positions, so talented first-year players may be inserted to provide the spark Tennessee needs to be competitive right away.

Regardless, some of this class of prized freshmen will play, and play well. Let's take a look at a few from this recruiting class who will make an immediate impact right away.

Darrin Kirkland, Middle Linebacker

Credit: 247Sports

It was always going to be exciting to see how much freshman mid-term enrollee Darrin Kirkland Jr. developed this spring in his battle to win that vacated starting middle linebacker job.

Then he went and tore his pectoral muscle in winter workouts, ending any hopes of participating this spring.

Now, the 6'2", 235-pound freshman from Indianapolis must wait till the summer to start showcasing an elite skill set that includes the ability to run downhill toward running backs, deliver a punch once he gets there and cover a lot of space with SEC sideline-to-sideline speed.

Kirkland is going to be a force in the middle of Tennessee's defense for years to come. But will he be able to make up lost ground in the short term without participating this spring?

It's going to be difficult. With Dillon Bates expected to move inside and get a look in the middle of the defense, as well as the returns of Kenny Bynum and Jakob Johnson—both players who logged starts last season—it's going to be a crowded race. 

That's not even mentioning redshirt freshman Gavin Bryant, who can enter the mix and get his first live action as a threat to win the job this spring.

A redshirt is probably not going to happen for Kirkland, who is talented enough to get defensive reps and be a force on special teams. UT might find good enough linebackers where it can, but Kirkland is talented enough to play right away.

If he gets out there, he may just prove too talented to watch.

Kahlil McKenzie, Defensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

At 6'3", 354 pounds, 5-star defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie couldn't hide if he wanted to, but there's no way the outspoken future star can slide under the radar this year.

Anybody who follows recruiting knows about the big new Vol.

With Tennessee's lack of depth (and beef) along the defensive front and especially in the interior, McKenzie—who is the son of former Vol and current Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie—has a golden opportunity to step in and start right away.

McKenzie possesses strength that is uncharacteristic of an incoming freshman and is a monster at the point of attack. He also has a quick first step and should project as a relentless pass-rusher up the middle who also is big enough to be a force against the run.

In other words, he's the ideal all-around defensive tackle.

It's difficult to envision a scenario where McKenzie, if healthy and ready to go, doesn't start at some point in 2015. He's simply too talented to sit on the bench and will carve out a role immediately. It's even possible he'll start from day one.

He's that good.

Kyle Phillips, Defensive End

Credit: 247Sports

Nobody expects Kyle Phillips to start this year—not with senior star Curt Maggitt and sophomore Derek Barnett returning to anchor was could be one of the best pass rushes in the country.

But Phillips—who was a 247Sports composite 4-star recruit from Nashville who surged to 5-star status on 247Sports and Rivals with his dominant week at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl—will almost certainly work his way into the rotation.

Even with players such as Corey Vereen and LaTroy Lewis providing depth, Phillips is a 6'3", 250-pound force with the perfect combination of size and speed to play strong-side defensive end in the SEC.

One thing that definitely hurts Phillips' chances to star early is the fact that he'll miss the spring with injury, which robs him of the chance to work out some kinks in the transition from high school to college.

A positive thing for Phillips, however, is that Maggitt and Barnett will miss spring drills, too, and Vereen will be limited, so he isn't going to fall too far behind. Still, classmate Andrew Butcher could position himself to move ahead of Phillips with a healthy spring.

Regardless, Phillips is one of the biggest coups of the recruiting class for Butch Jones. If he is healthy, he'll have special packages to get him on the field. It's impossible to keep such a talented player off the field, especially when he can help right away and provide quality depth.

Look for Phillips to be a fresh-legged sub who works more and more into the rotation, much the way Auburn's Carl Lawson did a couple of years ago. He could have that same type of impact.

Drew Richmond, Offensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

Very rarely does a freshman step in and play exceptionally well at offensive tackle in the SEC, so it would be best to let star prospect Drew Richmond have a season to get stronger.

Tennessee may not have that luxury.

The Vols' tackle situation simply has to get much better than it was a season ago, and former gladiator Jacob Gilliam, who earned a scholarship as a senior and played extremely well on a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is gone.

While rising senior Kyler Kerbyson is almost certainly going to play one tackle spot, the Vols have to find a dependable player at the other exterior anchor.

Redshirt junior Dontavius Blair has a high ceiling and was once a star prospect but hasn't hammered down a job yet at UT. Redshirt sophomore Brett Kendrick showed flashes of being a good player last year but wasn't consistent.

That leaves a huge opportunity for the trio of UT freshman tackles Richmond, Chance Hall and Jack Jones. Of the three, Richmond is the most talented. He looks like a prototypical right tackle with NFL potential.

But can he do it this year?

It's a tall task, but talent and opportunity could make Richmond a key part of Tennessee's line, not only for the future but in the present as well.

Shy Tuttle, Defensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

Shyheim Devonte Tuttle is not particularly comfortable in the glare of the spotlight, dealing with the nuisance of reporters' questions.

In other words, the nickname "Shy" suits him.

But away from the attention, the 6'3", 315-pound mid-term enrollee is putting in the work. It's an ideal situation for him, as he came in to UT needing to shed some extra weight.

With a head start in the weight room and on a training and nutrition regimen, Tuttle could thrive. He could make an immediate impact due to the fact that Kahlil McKenzie won't arrive until this summer.

Throw in all the injuries along the defensive front for the Vols (starters Danny O'Brien, Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt will all miss spring drills) and Tuttle could turn heads when practice starts later this month.

According to GoVols247's Wes Rucker, "Tuttle, like most newcomer SEC defensive linemen, came in with some conditioning and reshaping-of-the-body issues, but he’s low to the ground, extremely powerful and surprisingly quick, and he’s turned heads in early workouts on campus the past couple of months."

The Lexington, North Carolina, native was coveted by some of the top teams in the country as the nation's ninth-rated DT, ultimately choosing the Vols over North Carolina, Clemson and others. He is nimble for his size and has a huge upside.

If his work ethic matches his talent, Tuttle could be a huge star for the Vols. He and McKenzie are already the faces of the future on that defensive front, but Tuttle could work his way into the rotation right away.

Tommy Townsend, Punter

Credit: 247Sports

There's no Vol freshman on a roster with a clearer path to playing time than Tommy Townsend, a U.S. Army All-American punter who will arrive on campus as the only scholarship punter on Tennessee's team.

That alone doesn't guarantee stardom (or even a job), of course. The 6'1", 168-pound specialist has the bloodlines and the track record to be successful.

Townsend's brother Johnny already punts in the SEC for the Florida Gators. He decided he'd leave the state to play for Butch Jones and the Vols.

According to the Orlando Sentinel's Chris Hays, Townsend was the nation's No. 3-ranked punter by Kohlskicking.com and also played safety in high school.

He will have an ideal opportunity to step right in for departed senior Matt Darr and handle fourth-down duties for UT. After a shaky career, Darr had a nice senior year, averaging 42.2 yards per punt, including 21 punts of 50 or more yards.

There are huge questions at punter, just as there were regarding place-kicking duties in 2014, when freshman Aaron Medley came in and shored up the position in a hurry. Townsend will try to do the same.

All recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports composite rankings unless otherwise noted. All quotes obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted.

Brad Shepard covers SEC football and is the Tennessee Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow Brad on Twitter @Brad_Shepard.