Tennessee Football: Week 3 Fall Camp Stock Report

Rashaan Gaulden went from sterling special teams star as a freshman to winning the Most Improved Defensive Player award this spring to a surefire starter at nickelback for Tennessee as a sophomore.

Now, the No. 25-ranked Volunteers are going to have to endure 2015 without him.

The 6'1", 178-pound defensive back fractured his foot during a punt return drill Thursday, and though he was initially expected to miss about a month, UT head coach Butch Jones informed the media this weekend that Gaulden would miss the entire season.

"Rashaan meant so much to us, not only from a defensive standpoint, but on special teams as well," Jones said after Saturday's practice, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press reporter Patrick Brown:

The setback is the third season-ending injury suffered by the Vols during fall camp, including the second for a definite starter. Senior left guard Marcus Jackson tore his biceps tendon, and he'll miss the year. Reserve guard Austin Sanders will also miss the 2015 season on UT's suddenly shrinking offensive line depth chart.

Gaulden's injury is perhaps the most devastating.

While it isn't out of the question for the Vols to replace his production, Gaulden's unique skill set was ideal for such a crucial position on coordinator John Jancek's defense. He is a hard-hitting, sure tackler, and he is also strong in coverage. 

The Spring Hill, Tennessee, native is smart and instinctual, able to make all the calls and line up personnel on the exterior as well as come up and help in run defense or cover receivers. He was going to have a strong season in that secondary.

So where do the Vols go from here? Supremely talented sophomore and JUCO transfer Justin Martin has missed some time with injury, but he's expected back this week. He could slide into one of the edge corners, and the team's most talented defensive back, Cameron Sutton, could shift to nickel.

If UT wanted to keep Sutton outside, it's also possible that junior Malik Foreman or freshman Micah Abernathy could play nickelback. 

Regardless, the Vols must find consistent play at the position. If they're bad there, it can damage the entire defense—as it did two seasons ago when the revolving door at nickel led to big play after big play as opponents shuffled play-making receivers into that spot and blew past UT defenders.

Gaulden is a massive loss, but it isn't insurmountable. It hurts depth, but the Vols have the talent to go plug-and-play. They just need to prepare a couple of guys there in a hurry. Gaulden, meanwhile, will most likely use this season as a redshirt year.

Name	Class	Position	Impact
Marcus Jackson	RS Sr.	OG	Jackson was the definite starter at LG.
Austin Sanders	RS So.	OG	Reserve guard wasn't a major factor but provided depth.
Rashaan Gaulden	So.	NB	Starter at an important position. Vols will rally defenders to make up for his expected production.

Kirkland Coming On

Credit: 247Sports

The Vols need a talented, difference-making athlete to step up and take control of the middle linebacker spot. If they do, it'll be the best thing for the defense.

It appears that may be happening.

True freshman Darrin Kirkland Jr.—a former 4-star prospect who is the most talented player of the ones vying for the position—has emerged during the past week, getting more headlines than incumbent redshirt junior Kenny Bynum and sophomore Colton Jumper.

According to GoVols247's Wes Rucker, Jones had glowing remarks about his young defensive stalwart this week:

"

I think when you look at him, first of all he's very mature. He's very mature, he's very, very intelligent, he's very instinctful (sic) and he can run. He has very, very good explosiveness, so he has the skills set, obviously, that we're looking for at linebacker. But the football intelligence…again, he can retain information immediately. You only have to tell him one time. And he's a run-and-hit individual. We're excited. He's another one, just like Kyle Phillips, that continues to get better and better with every rep that they gain. He will play this year.

"

While that in no way, shape or form sounds like a definitive endorsement to start, Kirkland is at least making things interesting at the position.

Having a run-stuffing force such as Bynum manning the middle may not be such a bad idea in an early-season stretch that features run-heavy opponents such as Oklahoma, Arkansas and Georgia. But the Vols need to have the ability to put a more athletic personnel grouping on the field, and Kirkland gives them that option.

He'll be the man in the middle of Jancek's defense for years to come.

JJ and Other Dy-no-mite Freshmen

Credit: 247Sports

You hate to pin expectations on first-year kids who are only just now adjusting to the college game, but Jones and Co. continue to heap immense praise on freshman receiver Jauan Jennings.

The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native continues to flourish after being moved from quarterback. It appears he has the skills to be special, and he'll help a loaded unit right away.

This coaching staff referred to Derek Barnett and Jashon Robertson in much the same way last year, and both of those guys wound up being first-year starters.

But beyond Jennings, what other freshmen could carve out a role for this year's Vols?

Kirkland has already been mentioned, and everybody is talking about defensive linemen Phillips, Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle, who will not only be part of the rotation but could be potential stars.

Now that Gaulden is out, Abernathy and fellow freshman cornerback Darrell Miller should see the field, or at least one of them will. The other two linebackers besides Kirkland, Quart'e Sapp and Austin Smith, will play special teams roles at least.

On offense, Jack Jones is starting at guard right now, and Chance Hall and Drew Richmond could figure into the offensive line rotation as the year goes on. Running back John Kelly could get some carries, and Quinten Dormady has nailed down backup quarterback duties.

Coaches are talking about freshmen seemingly every other breath:

All in all, there don't appear to be a lot of misses for UT in last year's loaded class.

Dobbs' Accuracy Praised

Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

There are no questions about UT quarterback Joshua Dobbs' immense ability throwing and running the ball.

He has the arm talent, speed and intelligence to be an all-around weapon in the mold of Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott. 

But there had been concerns about his accuracy. If UT's vertical game struggles as it did a season ago and the Vols are incapable of stretching the field, the offense will suffer because of it. That's why this past week's comments from offensive coordinator Mike DeBord are big.

DeBord isn't one to sugarcoat things, but he continues to praise his junior signal-caller:

His improved accuracy isn't the only reason why Vols fans should be excited. After Jones talked about Dobbs taking a step forward as a "CEO quarterback" all spring and taking control of the offense, he said this week that Dobbs has taken control of the entire team:

All recruiting information obtained from 247Sports unless otherwise noted. All stats gathered from UTSports.com unless otherwise noted. 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.