5 Tennessee Vols football sophomores to watch in 2017

Mike Strange

Knoxville

Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) shows his anger as he is ejected from the game for targeting during the first half of the game against Texas A&M on Saturday, October 8, 2016. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL)

The best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores. You've heard every coach say it. As Tennessee begins preparations for the 2017 football season, here are five players the Vols' can't afford to have suffer a sophomore slump:

Tyler Byrd: As a freshman, Byrd offered promising glimpses that suggest a star in the making at receiver. He caught 15 passes. He averaged 7.9 yards (a team-best) on eight rushing attempts from the receiver spot. He averaged 26.3 yards on 10 kickoff returns, including one for 67 yards. This could be the guy that makes up for the departures of Alvin Kamara and Josh Malone. And some fans still want him to go try cornerback. He's that good of an athlete.

Tennessee's Tyler Byrd (10) during Tennessee Volunteers spring practice at Anderson Training Facility in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

Drew Richmond: Ready or not, Richmond started his first college game at offensive tackle. Well, maybe he wasn't quite ready for it, but not many true freshmen are. A five-star recruit, Richmond, predictably, was playing better late in the year and should be a fixture for the next few seasons. An offseason in Rock Gullickson's weight room will pay dividends as Richmond heads to Round Two.

Tennessee offensive lineman Drew Richmond (51) walks across the field while stretching during a University of Tennessee football practice at UT on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016.

Nigel Warrior: With experienced players ahead of him at safety, 2016 was a year for the legacy freshman to get his feet wet on special teams. Warrior did a bit more, recording two seven-tackle games in November. The usual suspects are still around at safety but Warrior will almost certainly get more reps this fall. Judging from spring practice, his comfort level with assignments has surged, which will allow his talent to get him on the field.

More:5 Vols juniors to watch in 2017

Daniel Bituli: What's not to like about the future of a 6-foot-3, 235-pound middle linebacker with Bituli's tools? Like Warrior, Bituli wasn't asked to do too much as a freshman. He appeared in nine games, no starts. But also like Warrior, his progress was noticeable in spring practice. UT's scheme plays only two linebackers much of the time. Will Bituli have to wait behind Darrin Kirkland Jr., or will his talent force the coaches to get him on the field?

Tennessee's Daniel Bituli (35) does a drill during the final day of Vols spring practice on Thursday, April 20, 2017, before the Orange and White Game on Saturday.

More:5 Vols seniors to watch in 2017

Darrell Taylor: After two years (one a redshirt) on campus, Taylor is anxious to make some noise at defensive end. If he does, it will be welcome because the top three defensive ends from 2016 are gone. Although Taylor hasn't done much yet, the coaches had favorable things to say about him in the spring, when he got more reps than he had before. The Vols need the 6-foot-4 Virginian be a factor in the rotation.

Tennessee defensive lineman Darrell Taylor during practice on Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Next: Fast Start: Five freshmen to watch in 2017.