Top-10 players spring update: Tennessee Volunteers

12:11 PM ET

Over the next two weeks, we’re unveiling the 10 best players on every SEC roster this spring.

Our lists are sure to change as junior college and freshmen signees arrive on campus, but this is our best assessment for the moment.

Tennessee is next on our list:

1. Cameron Sutton, CB, Sr.: The All-SEC cornerback had the opportunity to head to the NFL early and possibly be a first-round draft pick. However, he decided to stay and improve his draft stock this year. Sutton likes new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop’s aggressive style, which should help him improve on his six career interceptions. Sutton will enter 2016 as one of the SEC’s top cover corners.

2. Derek Barnett, DE, Jr.: Barnett missed spring while recovering from a shoulder injury, but he should be fine for the fall. Sorry, SEC quarterbacks. In two seasons, Barnett has 20 sacks, 33 tackles for loss and 141 total tackles. Barnett had a sluggish start to the 2015 season, but picked things up mightily in the second half, which has him eager to get back and show he’s an All-American talent.

3. Jalen Hurd, RB, Jr.: He’s the best SEC running back you aren’t talking about. Hurd has 2,187 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in only two seasons in Knoxville. Hurd hit the 1,200-yard mark last year and is one of the SEC’s most powerful runners. He had an excellent spring and will compete with the likes of Leonard Fournette for the title of the SEC’s top running back this fall.

4. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Sr.: Another Vol who missed most of the spring because of an injury, Reeves-Maybin also decided to turn down the NFL for another shot with Tennessee. Reeves-Maybin is sneaky good because he can play …

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