'14 FL LB Dillon Bates (UT Signee 2/5/14)

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#6,178
#6,178
Eager to see this kid next year. Instantly upgrades our special teams along with the Berry's, Bryant, Gaulden and TKjr.
 
#6,182
#6,182
TriCitiesVol said:
Who would you compare Bates too?

I'm thinking a similar mold between Sean Lee and a younger healthy Lofa Tatupu
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I think Sean Lee is a good comparison. Solid tackler, good instincts and cerebral. Not a super athlete, but will be super productive. Jmo
 
#6,187
#6,187
I think he can compare to a healthy Jon Beason (hasn't been healthy in years). Can play OLB or MLB in a 4-3, nice speed/coverage combo.
 
#6,188
#6,188
Top 10 players on Team Nitro on Day 1 of practice. Bates came in at #5.

5. LB DILLON BATES, PONTE VEDRA (FLA.)
Bates wasn't the biggest linebacker on the practice field but really made an impact in Sunday's practice. The offense was trying to run a lot of slants but Bates showed great anticipation by jumping the routes and coming up with a few interceptions. Bates always seemed to be in good position, played under control and was very disciplined.

-Rivals
 
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#6,189
#6,189
Can't wait for him to get here, he will compete for PT as soon as he steps on campus!
Him, Maggitt, AJ, Weathered, Mouhon, Bryant (hopefully), and Jakob Johnson!
Opposing offenses BEWARE

Then Dews, Cecil the Decil, and hopefully some others coming in next year
 
#6,190
#6,190
"I think Dillon Bates had a very strong day in practice, great instincts and really reads passing lanes well. He could be a big safety or an undersized linebacker who can play weakside, cover slots receivers and blitz. Vols getting a good one."

-Mike Farrell

Bates is 6'3 and 220-225 lbs
 
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#6,191
#6,191
"Bates is the only Tennessee commit here, Hurd is at Army and likely won't be showing up until late in the week if at all because of his injury. I think Bates is fast enough to be a strong safety in the SEC."

-Farrell
 
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#6,194
#6,194
TriCitiesVol said:
"I think Dillon Bates had a very strong day in practice, great instincts and really reads passing lanes well. He could be a big safety or an undersized linebacker who can play weakside, cover slots receivers and blitz. Vols getting a good one."

-Mike Farrell

Bates is 6'3 and 220-225 lbs
Click to expand...

FWIW, that wasn't Farrell responding to a question about Dillon Bates, it was the only analysis in his first post after the practice.

"Back from practice and will start sharing thoughts as they come to me.

I think Dillon Bates had a very strong day in practice, great instincts and really reads passing lanes well. He could be a big safety or an undersized linebacker who can play weakside, cover slots receivers and blitz. Vols getting a good one." - MF

It has to be a good sign that Bates was the first person that Farrell felt like pointing out.
 
#6,195
#6,195
TriCitiesVol said:
"Bates is the only Tennessee commit here, Hurd is at Army and likely won't be showing up until late in the week if at all because of his injury. I think Bates is fast enough to be a strong safety in the SEC."

-Farrell
Click to expand...

If Bates is SEC SS fast, he's going to be a beast. I'm not sure how 6'3" and 225 is a small OLB, particularly since he hasn't had a college weight program yet.
 
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#6,196
#6,196
Madkins8 said:
FWIW, that wasn't Farrell responding to a question about Dillon Bates, it was the only analysis in his first post after the practice.

"Back from practice and will start sharing thoughts as they come to me.

I think Dillon Bates had a very strong day in practice, great instincts and really reads passing lanes well. He could be a big safety or an undersized linebacker who can play weakside, cover slots receivers and blitz. Vols getting a good one." - MF

It has to be a good sign that Bates was the first person that Farrell felt like pointing out.
Click to expand...

True. I did notice that, I just didn't include it in my post for whatever reason. Derek Tyson of ESPN also gave Bates some praise. Must've had a really good day.
 
#6,197
#6,197
OddFuture said:
I think he can compare to a healthy Jon Beason (hasn't been healthy in years). Can play OLB or MLB in a 4-3, nice speed/coverage combo.
Click to expand...

JMO, I don't see the Beason comparison. When I think of Beason's game, I think of power, explosiveness, downhill, and run stopper.

A healthy Beason, to me, is Patrick Willis 2.0.

I just don't think Bates has anywhere near the hitting power of Jon Beason, and don't get me wrong, Bates can bring it.

2 different type of skillsets. JMO
 
#6,198
#6,198
TriCitiesVol said:
JMO, I don't see the Beason comparison. When I think of Beason's game, I think of power, explosiveness, downhill, and run stopper.

A healthy Beason, to me, is Patrick Willis 2.0.

I just don't think Bates has anywhere near the hitting power of Jon Beason, and don't get me wrong, Bates can bring it.

2 different type of skillsets. JMO
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I think you might be confusing him with his former teammate Thomas Davis. Davis is the slow slugger type of LB, while Beason (while in his prime and healthy) was a guy who can bring it like you said, but was probably top 3 in coverage as far as lbs go. He was a 2-3 int a year guy who also had good PD numbers at LB. if you compare his numbers to a guy like Willis you will see similar #s, but that is because if the scheme difference IMO. Sean Lee also has similar PD and Int #s as both.
 
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#6,199
#6,199
OddFuture said:
I think you might be confusing him with his former teammate Thomas Davis. Davis is the slow slugger type of LB, while Beason (while in his prime and healthy) was a guy who can bring it like you said, but was probably top 3 in coverage as far as lbs go. He was a 2-3 int a year guy who also had good PD numbers at LB. if you compare his numbers to a guy like Willis you will see similar #s, but that is because if the scheme difference IMO. Sean Lee also has similar PD and Int #s as both.
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Thomas Davis isn't a "slow slugger" - he was a college safety who ran a 4.6 40 at the combine, and keeps making plays like this at age 30 despite three ACL surgeries in the same knee: Thomas Davis Interception

Slow linebackers also don't rack up 17 tackles in one game against a quarterback like Tom Brady.
 
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