Freshman Darrin Kirkland Jr. is now Tennessee’s first-team middle linebacker, according to the updated depth chart on the Vols’ official website.

Tennessee updated the depth chart on its game notes following the confirmation of senior All-SEC defensive end and outside linebacker Curt Maggitt’s hip injury, and Kirkland is now listed ahead of sophomore Colton Jumper — a walk-on from the Chattanooga area who started the Vols’ first two games.

A 6-foot-1, 224-pound freshman from Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind., Kirkland was the nation's No. 163 overall prospect and No. 5 inside linebacker prospect, according to the 2015 industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He initially committed to Michigan before decommitting from the Wolverines following a coaching change and then committing to and signing with the Vols.

As expected, freshman Austin Smith was listed in Maggitt’s old spot as the Vols’ first-team strongside linebacker, though it remains to be seen what Tennessee will do when it lines up in the 4-2-5 nickel defense — the defense they’ve run for a majority of snaps the past two seasons, as more and more opponents have started using no-huddle, hurry-up, spread-based offenses.

The Vols (1-1, 0-0 SEC) host NCAA Division I FCS program Western Carolina (1-1, 0-1 Southern Conference) on Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern in a game that will be broadcast by ESPNU.

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