Two of Jeremy Pruitt’s most coveted signees in his short time as Tennessee’s coach share some attributes. Both Jeremy Banks and Quavaris Crouch were elite high school players that could have gone to any number of schools and both picked Tennessee once Pruitt took over the program.

Both high-profile prospects played running back in high school and have now both have practiced on defense on Rocky Top. While the two may share many things, one thing they will not share to start spring practice this season at Tennessee is the same side of the ball.

Pruitt made that clear during his first media availability of the spring on Thursday, noting that Crouch has begun his Volunteer career at inside linebacker while Banks has shifted back to running back — at least for the time being.

Here is what Pruitt had to say regarding Crouch’s position after the true freshman and early enrollee from North Carolina made his practice debut in a Tennessee uniform.

“First of all, we have a lack of depth there with Darrin Kirkland Jr. not going through the spring. JJ Peterson is a little banged up, he should be back probably next week. So, we have a depth issue there,” Pruitt noted. “It’s also from a standpoint of having a better understanding of the defense, it’s easier to learn it from inside out instead of outside in. I think he’s a guy that can play all four positions, so we started him there.”

Banks, on the other hand, started spring football on offense after practicing on both sides of the ball. The sophomore possesses the bruising style of running back that the team may not possess if he shifts to defense, unless Crouch shifts over to the offense to run the ball during his freshman season, and that’s where the vast majority of his college experience has been, thus far.

“Jeremy is going to start off at running back. If you look at our running back with Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan and Carlin Fils-aime, even Eric Gray, they’re all probably between the 195 and 205 range. We need a big back, that’s why we moved Princeton Fant there,” Pruitt continued.

“We’re gonna keep Jeremy on offense, we have to have a 225-plus pound guy in there, at least one guy. We’re going to keep them over there and see how they work for the first six to eight days, let coach Chaney and David Johnson get a good look at them and then make a decision from there. They both can play multiple positions and they’re learning the offense conceptually, so I think they’re both doing a good job as far as offseason conditioning, I don’t know about today’s practice.”