Todd Kelly Jr. has the pedigree to be a star in Knoxville. The son of a former Tennessee All-American linebacker for whom he shares his namesake, Kelly grew up minutes from minutes from the UT campus and led the Webb School in Knoxville to a Division II-A State Championship in 2013.

To no one’s surprise, the four-star prospect chose the Vols early in his recruitment and was one of the first “big gets” in Butch Jones’ 2014 recruiting class. But with veteran safeties Brian Randolph and LaDarrell McNeil in the fold, Kelly’s playing time was sporadic during his first season.

The Knoxville native made just three starts and appeared in all 13 games for Tennessee. However, the freshman made the most of his limited opportunities by recording 33 tackles and three interceptions, the most by a Vols true freshman since Eric Berry (5) in 2007.

Kelly has the potential to be the best Tennessee safety since Berry, which is high praise for the young player. The comparisons will be drawn between the two second-generation Vols playing the same position, but the rising sophomore has the natural ability and instincts to become an all-time great.

Again, playing behind two seniors doesn’t bode well for Kelly’s starting time. However, the safety is too talented not to see the field and should see an increase in his role next season.

If anything, Jones has more loyalty to the first metaphoric “brick” of his top-5 recruiting class, rather than naming a starter based on seniority. Either way, the coach will make a decision based on who is the best option at either safety position.

Should Kelly prove to be the standout this offseason, he will emerge as a starter. There is little doubt that the rising sophomore is the most talented safety on the Vols roster, but must prove he has the gained experience necessary to beat out one of two talented seniors for more playing time.