Why is Tennessee bringing these guys to SEC Media Days?

John Adams
Knoxville
Tennessee's Kendall Vickers (39)during Tennessee Volunteers spring practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

Forty-two players will take part in SEC Football Media Days, which will begin Monday in Hoover, Ala. Of those 42 players, 16 are running backs, wide receivers or quarterbacks.

No surprise there. Those are the most high-profile positions.

What is surprising: Tennessee’s three representatives are defensive tackle Kendal Vickers, offensive guard Jashon Robertson and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. What a difference a year makes, huh?

Senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs and junior defensive end Derek Barnett were two of the Vols' representatives at the 2016 media get-together. Not only was Dobbs a proven quarterback, but his academic background as a future aeronautical engineer also was told and retold throughout the Southeast and beyond. Barnett was an All-American and one of the best pass rushers in the country.

UT’s new representatives are all seniors who will be counted on for leadership. So you could make a case for them attending media days.

But you also could make a case for someone else.

I would have picked Trevor Daniel, who is one of the best punters in the country. I also would have picked running back John Kelly.

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Not only is Kelly expected to be UT’s prime running back, but he’s also a motivating force for the entire team. And he can lead by example.

You saw that last fall whenever he got the football. He fought for every yard as though defenders were trying to steal his most prized possessions.

Who wouldn’t want to block for him? Who wouldn’t want to have someone like that for a teammate?

Jashon Robertson (75) and the rest of the Vols' offensive line could be the determining factor against Georgia Tech.

Robertson, Moseley and Vickers probably are good teammates, too. And they’re representative of a team that can’t match last season’s group in heralded players like Dobbs and Barnett.

Robertson is an All-SEC candidate after starting for three seasons. Vickers has been an underrated contributor in the defensive line. Moseley is the most surprising selection in that he’s not even a surefire starter and is playing what is considered a position of weakness.

More:Here's which players, coaches are coming to SEC Media Days

However, with all the questions surrounding this team, why not have a questionable starter at media days? He fits the theme.

In fact, this team’s success will hinge greatly on players either improving or successfully taking on an expanded role.

Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Brandon Reilly (87) hauls in a touchdown pass in front of Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12)  during the first half of the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.

Kelly is no longer the capable replacement for Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara. He’s The Man.

The past two seasons, linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. has been viewed as an up-and-coming star. A defense that was battered repeatedly last season needs Kirkland to hit stardom as soon as he hits the field this fall.

A healthier, improved Kirkland would be just one step in the right direction, though. There’s not one area of the Tennessee defense that would remind anyone of Alabama’s or provoke a UT fan to say, “No worries there.”

More:Vols inch into top 3 of recruiting rankings

Right now, this team has many more questions than answers. And one question sure to come up from media types Monday: “Why did Tennessee bring these guys?”

Those players can prove why in their final senior season.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.