Vols LB Darrin Kirkland Discusses Decision to Stay on Rocky Top

It has been a crazy year for Vols linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Junior.
He missed all of last season with a knee injury, and he was still limited by that injury during spring drills under UT’s new coaching staff.

Then in May, Kirkland said he was leaving Tennessee as a grad transfer. Kirkland changed his mind a few days later, and now he’s back working out with the team in fall camp. Kirkland met with the media Thursday for the first time since announcing he was not leaving Rocky Top after all. Said Kirkland:”The past is the past. I’m really comfortable with this University. I love this University. The best fans in the universe. I’ve graduated from here. But I’m looking forward to moving forward with Coach Pruitt, this defense, this team, and I’m excited to be here.”
Said head coach Jeremy Pruitt:”You know Darrin. First of all he’s a smart guy. He has a really good understanding of the defense. That says a lot about him because he didn’t take hardly any reps in the spring. I think the guy is instinctive. I think he shows some toughness. He has got quickness. Every day that he is out there, I see him improving and gaining confidence.”