A healthy Larenz Bryant on track to start vs. UMass

Will Muschamp spent much of his Tuesday press conference answering questions about the starting quarterback spot, but he did guarantee another will be on the field the first play.

Linebacker Larenz Bryant has been sidelined most of the season with a hamstring injury, but Muschamp said he’ll start at strongside linebacker Saturday against UMass. Him stepping into the lineup is linked to Jonathan Walton likely being sidelined by a knee injury.

“He gives us another good athlete and a guy with some length on the edge to set the edge of the defense,” Muschamp said of Bryant. “We really missed him on special teams in our first six games. Excited to get Larenz back out there.”

Bryant has one career start, against Kentucky last season. He’s played in 34 games, mostly on special teams. He has 11 career tackles.

Muschamp said losing Walton hurts because of how he shores up the unit against the run.

“It hurt us the last ballgame, taking him out of the run game,” Muschamp said. “John’s a thumper.

“T.J. Holloman’s played all positions for us. Bryson Allen-Williams can play both inside ’backer spots. T.J. Brunson, Sherrod Pittman can play both the inside ’backer spots.”

This story was originally published October 18, 2016 at 2:47 PM with the headline "A healthy Larenz Bryant on track to start vs. UMass."