Tennessee Football: Starters on the Hot Seat in 2015 Spring Practice

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones by no means has his starting lineup written in ink heading into 2015 spring practice, but there should be much fewer position battles this year than in his first two seasons.

That's good news for a program that is inching toward firmer footing personnel-wise.

With all the injuries impacting the Vols, some of the starting spots won't be ironed out until much closer to the season. Others are so wide-open right now—especially with some starters, such as middle linebacker A.J. Johnson and nickelback Justin Coleman departed—there's nobody in place to supplant.

Still, though, there are several UT starters who are probably feeling their seats getting a little warm, and it isn't just because the weather is improving.

For the first time in several years, those Vols who'll have to battle for their jobs aren't doing so because they're mediocre players, either. It's because there are quality guys coming in from Jones' excellent recruiting classes who'll push them.

That makes for a competitive environment that even a thinned-down version of the wounded Vols will witness firsthand once spring drills begin March 24.

There are a handful of players who need strong springs to secure starting spots heading into fall practice. Let's take a look at a few.

LaDarrell McNeil, senior safety

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Following a forgettable sophomore year in which he had a difficult time adapting to defensive coordinator John Jancek's scheme, the Dallas native's career was at a crossroads.

Rather than be content with mediocrity, the 6'1", 215-pound safety devoted himself to getting in better shape and learning the defensive scheme. What transpired was a breakout junior season that was more what UT had in mind when it recruited the 4-star talent.

He recorded 76 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three pass break-ups and two interceptions. When anybody came over the middle, UT's own version of hockey's "goon" enforcer made them pay.

With another season such as last year's there's no reason to believe McNeil would relinquish the job, even with a hot-shot sophomore breathing down his neck.

UT legacy Todd Kelly Jr.'s first season on the Hill was extremely productive, as he earned Freshman All-SEC honors with 33 tackles and three interceptions, including a toe-tapping sideline pick against Vanderbilt that proved huge in the Vols' narrow victory.

He is big (6'0", 203 lbs) and fast, and TKJr. is the future at the position for UT. But is he too good to keep off the field when McNeil is producing? That answer is going to materialize this spring.

Both will play and play a lot. But who will start?

Emmanuel Moseley, sophomore cornerback

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Exiting last spring, no casual Tennessee fan without intimate inside knowledge of the program would have guessed that a skinny midterm enrollee would be starting along with Cameron Sutton at cornerback.

Yet, that's just what Emmanuel Moseley did.

Though he lost the job at one point to Michael Williams (who is no longer on the team), Moseley earned the job back, and the 5'11", 178-pound first-year player showed flashes of brilliance at times despite being thrust into a starting job before he was ready.

There were struggles, such as the Ole Miss game, but the Greensboro, North Carolina, native played admirably and has a very bright future.

So, why is he on this list?

The Vols went out and signed Nashville native Justin Martin, the nation's second-ranked JUCO cornerback prospect, according to 247Sports' Composite, who is blessed with a 6'2", 190-pound frame and track speed. All the top teams around the Southeast wanted him, but he elected to stay home.

If everything checks out and he gets on campus from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M this summer, Martin could contend with a player even as talented as Moseley right away.

Also, Moseley's status isn't currently clear, either, following a scary car wreck in which he was involved along with his family. He tweeted afterward: "Glad that my family and I were able to make it out of this accident. Thank you Jesus we are safe."

If Moseley is full-go this spring (and nothing indicates he won't be), it'll be a big opportunity for him to solidify the starting cornerback job before Martin even gets on campus. Sutton is definitely starting, so that other spot is up for grabs.

Perhaps Martin could play nickelback, and that would allow all three on the field. The coaching staff will have some decisions to make once everybody arrives, but the job is Moseley's this spring.

He needs to run away with it.

Mack Crowder, senior center

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When Mack Crowder went down with a late-season injury in 2014, UT really struggled on the interior of the offensive line.

During that period, Dylan Wiesman appeared overmatched at times, and a line that already had underperformed throughout the year was worse. Then, once Crowder returned against Iowa, he played perhaps his best game of the season.

So, entering his senior year, there may not be a lot of concern for a leader whom Jones tabbed to represent Tennessee at last year's SEC media days to lose his job.

But the bottom line is the 6'2", 295-pound Bristol, Tennessee, native has to be much more consistent than he was a season ago.

He had a difficult time through the first part of the year. Though he improved as the season matured, UT can't wait around for that gradual incline this year.

Wiesman returns to provide depth on the interior. Also, if a pair of strong offensive tackles emerge, Kyler Kerbyson could shift inside.

With Marcus Jackson and Jashon Robertson seemingly entrenched at guard, it's possible Kerbyson (who definitely will play because he's one of the team's best linemen) could get a look at center.

Perhaps the biggest wild card in the bunch is sophomore Coleman Thomas. He started some games as a true freshman at offensive tackle last year and took plenty of lumps. His versatility allows him to play every position, but his natural spot is at center.

That's what Thomas was listed as coming out of high school in Virginia, and it may be his future spot in Knoxville.

Those are options that may be speculative, but they're reasons why Crowder can't be complacent. If he is, he could find himself getting pushed.

Danny O'Brien, junior defensive tackle

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How can a player who won't even get to be on the football field this spring be on the hot seat?

That's precisely why.

Because O'Brien can't play, he can't prove to the coaches he should be solidly in the starting lineup. That's not great news for him considering UT is bringing in elite defensive tackle recruits Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle.

Even though he struggled last spring, the 6'2", 286-pound O'Brien played well during his redshirt sophomore season in 2014, finishing with 23 tackles, 4.5 for a loss and a sack. He teamed with Jordan Williams to form a quick but undersized pair of interior linemen.

With Williams gone, O'Brien's leadership will be needed. The Flint, Michigan, junior could nail down a starting job if he gets healthy. While he's out, however, Tuttle will get more reps along with sophomores Dimarya Mixon and Kendal Vickers.

At 6'3", 315 pounds, Tuttle, who is a midterm enrollee, has impressed coaches with his speed and agility despite his advanced size.

He has a good first step and solid strength for a first-year player, and he may help right away. The duo of sophomores showed flashes of being solid contributors last year, but the biggest future cog arrives this summer with former 5-star McKenzie.

An infusion of talent makes no jobs safe on the interior of Tennessee's line. It's going to be interesting watching those battles this fall with everybody healthy and vying for reps. Until then, O'Brien must wait to get back on the field where he can prove he should keep trotting out there with the first team.

All statistics gathered from UTSports.com, unless otherwise noted. Quotes and observations 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.