Tennessee linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. is one of the biggest questions looming over the Volunteers defense headed into the 2018 season.

If he returns to the former version of himself, which fans saw in 2015 and 2016, he could prove to be a large part of the team’s success, but with the events of the past year, nobody is sure how he’ll turn out.

He missed all of last season after an injury in fall camp and then decided to transfer in May before changing his mind.

After another operation in the spring to clear out his knee, the beginning of fall camp has provided Jeremy Pruitt with his first true look at the linebacker.

“I think Darrin is a fast learner,” Pruitt told reporters Friday. “He didn’t participate much in the spring but he picks things up pretty fast. Today’s really the first day I saw him out there in practice. The guy has instincts. I’ve watched him play on old film. I mean you don’t play in this league as a true freshman unless you got something about you. He did; so, I think he’s got a chance to really help us.”

Kirkland Jr. didn’t just play as a freshman either, he was dominant to the tune of 66 tackles, three sacks and an interception, which put him on the 2015 All-SEC freshman team. If he can stay healthy and replicate those kinds of numbers, Kirkland Jr. could prove to be one of the best defensive players in the conference.