London Vol
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Firstly, I hope everybody is safe and well, according to my research Tennessee has not been too badly hit with Covid-19 unlike England, if so, let’s hope it keeps that way.
From all accounts it would seem there is a good chance that the 2020 season may well take place, hooray!! So, I thought I would list my Offense for the season. I know there will be some good surprises and some disappointments but anyway here goes.
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Jarrett Guarantano – My thoughts on Guarantano has been like being on a ride on a rollercoster, but let me explain my reasoning. His strengths are that he has a bullet arm for the 20+ yard completion. Having re-run the matches from 2019 I saw this many times. He is also brave as a lion and is prepared to take the late hit to get off the throw. His weaknesses are that he takes too long to go through his reads and he has poor touch for the dump off, screen and lateral passes. Now I believe we have an exceptional Offensive Line this year and unlike all the other years that Guarantano has been under centre, this time he will have plenty of time and protection for the 20+ yard opportunities to be there so, at last it will play to his advantage.
Back-up: Harrison Bailey – Hopefully we will have multiple years enjoying this guy but missing Spring practice is a hugh handicap for him to get the starting gig this season especially at the start.
Squad Brian Maurer and JD Shrout – I don’t want Maurer to play this year but actually want him to get his life back together, good luck young man! JD will probably need to transfer but I rate him and we will look back sometime and realise that he had talent.
RUNNING BACK
Starter: Eric Gray – Take in to account the Offensive Line this season and watching the Vanderbilt and Indiana games Eric just may have a monster year. Yes, he is elusive and surprisingly tough but the really cherry on the cake is that at last we have a running back who can take it to the house. Get used to big runs this season.
Back Ups: Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan – Whilst Chandler has by no means been a failure, he may have missed the boat due to Gray getting most of the opportunities and he may need an injury to give him the opportunity to make him draftable next year. As for Jordan, the story is the same as Chandler, a very solid player but does not have the same high ceiling so his chances will be reduced.
Squad: Tee Hodge and Len`eth Whitehead – Hodge will maybe get a few 3rd and 1 snaps and I think Whitehead will redshirt and then appear as a Linebacker
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters: Josh Palmer, Ramel Keyton, D’Angelo Gibbs and Jalin Hyatt – Palmer is poised for a breakout season, two years ago his ypc was in the 20s, He has good hands and terrific athletic ability (just look at the touchdown catch at Kentucky, pure Sunday afternoon standard). Keytons time has arrived to show that the potential shown is for real. I will trust the reports last season about Gibbs as having great hands, runs good routes and is as smooth as silk. I think either Hyatt or Wideman will crack the starting line-up and I have chosen Hyatt for this season, he has extra speed that can take the "top off" the defence and he has a chance to have a role like Tyreek Hill.
Back Ups: Malachi Wideman, Brandon Johnson – As mentioned I think Wideman will leave his mark on Volnation before he graduates, he has the range of Juan Jennings but with more speed. Brandon Johnson is in the Tim Jordan mould in the fact that he is very reliable but with a lower ceiling.
Squad: Jimmy Calloway, Jimmy Holiday – It’s hard to leave Calloway so low in the depth chart but it shows just how good our recruiting was last season, his day will come. Holiday will start behind the others purely because he wants a chance to be quarterback first but apparently his speed is exceptional.
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Austin Pope – Pope is renowned for his blocking skills more than his catching ability, in fact he gains the starting gig on the grounds that the rest of this group have been quite underwhelming.
Back Ups: Jordan Allen and Dee Beckwith – I am intrigued by Allens potential at Tight End and I hope Beckwith will transfer here and with his ability he may well come through and become the second tight End.
Squad: Jackson Lowe, Sean Brown, Jacob Warren and Princeton Fant,- so chaps who wants “it” the most?
OFFENSIVE LINE
Left Tackle: Wanya Morris – I expect a second year surge, he has so much ability and has now taken his freshman lumps so its time for Tennessee to reap the rewards.
Left Guard: Trey Smith – Having mentioned earlier that I have re-watched the matches from last season it stood out how dominant Trey was last season and that was without practicing. This season will see him rise to at top 15 draft pick and in Tennessee by coming back for his senior year, it will elevate him from the status of “great” to “folklore”
Centre: Brandon Kennedy – Very lucky that we have another season with this “rock”. All you need to know about him is Trey Smith looks up to him !!
Right Guard: Cade Mays – A great great pick up for us and it will mean the Offensive Line will be balanced with Trey on the other side (no double teams). I guess his fathers issues will get him clearance for 2020. Finally I`m so pleased Cade “came home” because in later life he will come to appreciate the importance of that decision.
Right Tackle: Darnell Wright - I expect a second year surge, he has so much ability and has now taken his freshman lumps so its time for Tennessee to reap the rewards. Yes Wright and Morris will always be linked together.
Back Ups: K`Rojhn Calbert and Jeremy Carvin, Cooper Mays – The first two players would be starters and good starters at most Power 5 teams. They will still get many snaps. Mays is also going to be a good “un”
Squad: Riley Lockear, Jackson Lampley, Chris Akporoghene,, Jahmir Johnson, Ollie Lane – Now you see what a 3 deep depth chart looks like, quite frankly this could have been the starting line-up for Butch Jones.
As I write this I am starting to get the start of the season buzz. Please feel free to discuss/agree/disagree with me as always
GO VOLS
From all accounts it would seem there is a good chance that the 2020 season may well take place, hooray!! So, I thought I would list my Offense for the season. I know there will be some good surprises and some disappointments but anyway here goes.
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Jarrett Guarantano – My thoughts on Guarantano has been like being on a ride on a rollercoster, but let me explain my reasoning. His strengths are that he has a bullet arm for the 20+ yard completion. Having re-run the matches from 2019 I saw this many times. He is also brave as a lion and is prepared to take the late hit to get off the throw. His weaknesses are that he takes too long to go through his reads and he has poor touch for the dump off, screen and lateral passes. Now I believe we have an exceptional Offensive Line this year and unlike all the other years that Guarantano has been under centre, this time he will have plenty of time and protection for the 20+ yard opportunities to be there so, at last it will play to his advantage.
Back-up: Harrison Bailey – Hopefully we will have multiple years enjoying this guy but missing Spring practice is a hugh handicap for him to get the starting gig this season especially at the start.
Squad Brian Maurer and JD Shrout – I don’t want Maurer to play this year but actually want him to get his life back together, good luck young man! JD will probably need to transfer but I rate him and we will look back sometime and realise that he had talent.
RUNNING BACK
Starter: Eric Gray – Take in to account the Offensive Line this season and watching the Vanderbilt and Indiana games Eric just may have a monster year. Yes, he is elusive and surprisingly tough but the really cherry on the cake is that at last we have a running back who can take it to the house. Get used to big runs this season.
Back Ups: Ty Chandler and Tim Jordan – Whilst Chandler has by no means been a failure, he may have missed the boat due to Gray getting most of the opportunities and he may need an injury to give him the opportunity to make him draftable next year. As for Jordan, the story is the same as Chandler, a very solid player but does not have the same high ceiling so his chances will be reduced.
Squad: Tee Hodge and Len`eth Whitehead – Hodge will maybe get a few 3rd and 1 snaps and I think Whitehead will redshirt and then appear as a Linebacker
WIDE RECEIVERS
Starters: Josh Palmer, Ramel Keyton, D’Angelo Gibbs and Jalin Hyatt – Palmer is poised for a breakout season, two years ago his ypc was in the 20s, He has good hands and terrific athletic ability (just look at the touchdown catch at Kentucky, pure Sunday afternoon standard). Keytons time has arrived to show that the potential shown is for real. I will trust the reports last season about Gibbs as having great hands, runs good routes and is as smooth as silk. I think either Hyatt or Wideman will crack the starting line-up and I have chosen Hyatt for this season, he has extra speed that can take the "top off" the defence and he has a chance to have a role like Tyreek Hill.
Back Ups: Malachi Wideman, Brandon Johnson – As mentioned I think Wideman will leave his mark on Volnation before he graduates, he has the range of Juan Jennings but with more speed. Brandon Johnson is in the Tim Jordan mould in the fact that he is very reliable but with a lower ceiling.
Squad: Jimmy Calloway, Jimmy Holiday – It’s hard to leave Calloway so low in the depth chart but it shows just how good our recruiting was last season, his day will come. Holiday will start behind the others purely because he wants a chance to be quarterback first but apparently his speed is exceptional.
TIGHT ENDS
Starter: Austin Pope – Pope is renowned for his blocking skills more than his catching ability, in fact he gains the starting gig on the grounds that the rest of this group have been quite underwhelming.
Back Ups: Jordan Allen and Dee Beckwith – I am intrigued by Allens potential at Tight End and I hope Beckwith will transfer here and with his ability he may well come through and become the second tight End.
Squad: Jackson Lowe, Sean Brown, Jacob Warren and Princeton Fant,- so chaps who wants “it” the most?
OFFENSIVE LINE
Left Tackle: Wanya Morris – I expect a second year surge, he has so much ability and has now taken his freshman lumps so its time for Tennessee to reap the rewards.
Left Guard: Trey Smith – Having mentioned earlier that I have re-watched the matches from last season it stood out how dominant Trey was last season and that was without practicing. This season will see him rise to at top 15 draft pick and in Tennessee by coming back for his senior year, it will elevate him from the status of “great” to “folklore”
Centre: Brandon Kennedy – Very lucky that we have another season with this “rock”. All you need to know about him is Trey Smith looks up to him !!
Right Guard: Cade Mays – A great great pick up for us and it will mean the Offensive Line will be balanced with Trey on the other side (no double teams). I guess his fathers issues will get him clearance for 2020. Finally I`m so pleased Cade “came home” because in later life he will come to appreciate the importance of that decision.
Right Tackle: Darnell Wright - I expect a second year surge, he has so much ability and has now taken his freshman lumps so its time for Tennessee to reap the rewards. Yes Wright and Morris will always be linked together.
Back Ups: K`Rojhn Calbert and Jeremy Carvin, Cooper Mays – The first two players would be starters and good starters at most Power 5 teams. They will still get many snaps. Mays is also going to be a good “un”
Squad: Riley Lockear, Jackson Lampley, Chris Akporoghene,, Jahmir Johnson, Ollie Lane – Now you see what a 3 deep depth chart looks like, quite frankly this could have been the starting line-up for Butch Jones.
As I write this I am starting to get the start of the season buzz. Please feel free to discuss/agree/disagree with me as always
GO VOLS
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