Tennessee defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri had high praise for Vols sophomore LBs Curt Maggitt and A.J. Johnson on Wednesday evening.
"I didn't realize this until I finally got the two of them out there together, but those two kids might be the finest young linebackers that I have ever coached," Sunseri told the team’s official website. "Their attitude, their work ethic, their toughness. I am really, really pleased with those two guys. They have shown great leadership as young kids.
"I think they have the potential to get drafted in the National Football League. Depending on their work ethic and everything, they will determine the round they go in, but they have the talent to do it."
Sunseri, an All-American LB at Pitt in 1981, is entering his first year as the defensive coordinator in Knoxvile, but he’s been around some top-flight LBs in recent years. He was the associate head coach and linebackers coach at Alabama from 2009 to 2011, where he coached Dont’a Hightower and Rolando McClain, both first-round NFL draft picks.
It might be a little early to put Johnson and Maggitt in that company, but they were impressive in their first season for the Vols. Johnson earned multiple freshman All-American honors after getting 80 tackles. Maggitt wasn’t far behind with 56 tackles in eight starts.
Sunseri will rely on Johnson, an ILB, and Maggitt, an OLB, to be cornerstones in his newly implemented 3-4 defense at Tennessee.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
