Tennessee’s defense got a big boost during the second half of spring camp as linebackers Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Daniel Bituli have returned from rehab and have managed to give the team’s defense some much-needed reps.

Both player project to be starters on Jeremy Pruitt’s first Tennessee defense, if healthy come the fall. While their return to the field has been a long time coming, fellow UT linebacker Quart’e Sapp explained how his two teammates have helped push him off the field during his time in Knoxville.

Here is what Sapp had to say during his Tuesday media availability when asked about what the return of Kirkland and Bituli does for the team, in a video posted by Rocky Top Insider:

“Yeah, it’s amazing. Obviously, I went thru my bumps and pains, too, so I know where they are coming from — that journey,” Sapp said. “It’s very positive to have those two coming back. They push me competitively, they push me in the weight room, they push me mentally and in the film room so it’s great to have those two guys coming back.”

Kirkland missed the entire 2017 season following a fall camp injury and parts of the 2016 season due to numerous injuries. When healthy, he’s been arguably the program’s best linebacker. Bituli emerged last season as one of the team’s best defenders, although he did not earn as much playing time as many observers felt he deserved. Bituli was the one who made the game-winning tackle in the 2017 season opener against Georgia Tech.