5. Kivon Bennett, DT
It’s not every day a team can steal away a legacy player from Alabama, but that’s what Tennessee did when they secured Kivon Bennett’s signature. Kivon’s father, Cornelius, played for the Crimson Tide from 1983-86 and was a three-time All-American in college. He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005, and he was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft. Cornelius then went on to make five Pro Bowls and win AFC Defensive Player of the Year twice in his 14 years in the league.
To say Kivon has a huge legacy to live up to is an understatement.
I’m not predicting Kivon Bennett to follow in his father’s footsteps and be an All-American for the Vols, but with that kind of pedigree, it’s baffling Bennett was rated as just a three-star by most recruiting services. Bennett had offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Arkansas, Michigan, Miami, and others.
The Vols need help at defensive tackle this upcoming season. That alone should give him an opportunity to shine early, and throw in his immense upside, good measurables, and strong bloodlines, and Bennett could perform above his three-star rating quickly.
