'14 GA S Cortez McDowell (UT Signee 2/5/14)

#1,678
#1,678
RockyTop85 said:
Cortez had his head behind on almost every tackle I saw and they were almost all arm tackles. I didnt see a lot of skull rattling hits.

It looked like he had loose hips, was bigger, faster, and stronger than his competition, came up in support well, and got off blocks.

I saw very few passes defended on his film but a lot of the teams he was playing seemed to be running the Wing and his defense seemed to basically make him a mistake eraser rather than putting him in a position to play the ball. So maybe that's why.

TK on the other hand didnt look like the biggest, fastest, strongest kid on the field (but had plenty of each) but he made some solid plays on the ball and lit people up.

I like them both for different reasons but wouldn't be surprised to see McDowell get moved down to LB, although he could very well learn the S position. I think either he or JRM are going to be LBs eventually.
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My bet is that it's going to be JRM, in part, due to current needs and, in part, because he just seems like an OLB to me. Currently, the roster is light on talented, healthy LBs. After A.J. (who has been a rock), Maggit is coming of an ACL tear, King has seemingly never been healthy, Brewer hasn't played LB other than in practice, and so on and so forth. Whereas there are three Safeties who can play in Moore, Randolph, and McNeil. I think need will drive JRM to OLB this year and he won't move back. When McDowell hits campus, the large number of LBs will be in his class and the need to move up seems less pressing, at least on paper.
 
#1,679
#1,679
I think JRM would be a fine LB, and we're recruiting LBs quite well. I'd like to see McDowell be a big 205-210lb Taylor Mays kill you type of FS. JMO
 
#1,680
#1,680
I think we'll see JRM at nickel. Without Gordon, Toney is one of the few nickel guys we have left. JRM may move to LB after this season but our secondary is just as thin as our LBs.
 
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#1,681
#1,681
volinexile17 said:
I think we'll see JRM at nickel. Without Gordon, Toney is one of the few nickel guys we have left. JRM may move to LB after this season but our secondary is just as thin as our LBs.
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I agree I think we may see a lot of nickle packages with our depth issues at linebacker and especially since we will be stacked at safety next year. I think nickle is perfect for JRM.
 
#1,682
#1,682
volfrk86 said:
I agree I think we may see a lot of nickle packages with our depth issues at linebacker and especially since we will be stacked at safety next year. I think nickle is perfect for JRM.
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So given that many recruits are still growing, are we recruiting for CBs to move to S, Ss to move to LB, LBs to move to DE and DEs to slide over to DT and well, I guess then, the next logical step if a DT becomes utterly dominating is to wonder whether its time to switch to the 3-4. The graduation thing may save the program after all.:blink:
 
#1,685
#1,685
NMVol said:
So given that many recruits are still growing, are we recruiting for CBs to move to S, Ss to move to LB, LBs to move to DE and DEs to slide over to DT and well, I guess then, the next logical step if a DT becomes utterly dominating is to wonder whether its time to switch to the 3-4. The graduation thing may save the program after all.:blink:
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well you ALMOST had me there, but only thru the first move.
 
#1,687
#1,687
"Then came Cortez McDowell, who had in the spring given the Vol coaching staff strong indications of a commitment on several occasions. But, with space getting tighter, McDowell made the call and wanted to be a Vol before it was too late. But, that doesn't mean this one is over.

McDowell will still be hotly pursued by Auburn, Georgia and Florida State. It's interesting enough that Georgia felt good with McDowell coming out of his time at Dawg Night several weeks ago and that just shows you how hot Jones and his staff are, to be able to get him to commit just a week after being in Athens."

-VQ
 
#1,688
#1,688
I can't wait to see this kid on the field. I liked his interview on tsr sounded humble he's quickly becoming one of my favorites of this class. McNeil and him in the backfield can't wait .
 
#1,689
#1,689
Size-Strength-Speed
Tall, well-built DB with very good closing speed and overall range. Has close to ideal size at this stage and shows very good functional strength and explosive pop to his frame.

Instincts/Recognition
Smart, instinctive defender who reads the QB accurately and sees routes develop quickly. Very good anticipation skills and timing of his jump. Tracks the deep ball very well. Not caught out of position often.

Coverage Skills
Very good zone defender who excels at reading ball to man and driving on routes in front of him. Arrives with the ball with very good timing and closing quickness. Sharp angles closing the cushion and little wasted motion in transition. Limits RAC. Shows good burst off the hash getting on top of routes. Displays the ability to line up down over slots in man-to-man and limit separation. Length and strong hands to press and take away inside leverage. Projects as a better zone defender at the next level.


Run Support
Will get downhill and support the run with proper leverage and fits. Shows the ability to get off of blocks and set the edge as a force player. Very good form tackler who breaks down in space and runs through. Good run blitzer who can come from depth. At times he looks for the big hit instead of the firm wrap-up. Not a superior run defender given his size.

Bottom Line
McDowell has a lot of physical attributes you look for in a safety prospect and also some intangibles. He's well-rounded and versatile. Can play zone or man and produce effectively versus the run or pass. A defender who makes the most of his opportunities.

-ESPN Scouting Report
 
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#1,690
#1,690
Breakdown:*McDowell is a well-rounded young man. His work ethic in the classroom helps him on the field. As a defensive back, he has been known to lay the wood, but he also has some range in the secondary. He is a smart player, he is instinctive, and he can be a leader at UT. He has good length, he has quick feet, and is balanced. McDowell could play some free and strong safety in Knoxville, but Scout projects him more as a strong.

-scout
 
#1,691
#1,691
Wow, the only negative in that report was sometimes he goes for the kill shot instead of wrapping up and "weak on run support"z

I've been reading these all afternoon and his is the most positive. Really feel like he will be just fine in run support. McDeezy is a big boy, and he is going to lay the wood on some fools.
(Hurd's evaluation was a joke, knocking him in half of it.)
 
#1,692
#1,692
NapTownVol9 said:
Wow, the only negative in that report was sometimes he goes for the kill shot instead of wrapping up and "weak on run support"z

I've been reading these all afternoon and his is the most positive. Really feel like he will be just fine in run support. McDeezy is a big boy, and he is going to lay the wood on some fools.
(Hurd's evaluation was a joke, knocking him in half of it.)
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Helm's was too...completely contrary to every single report we've heard on him all summer.
 
#1,695
#1,695
"McDowell caught a touchdown and had six tackles in a 34-16 loss to Union Grove. He also had two pass deflections. Next up is Ola."

-VQ
 
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#1,697
#1,697
"McDowell caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in a 26-24 loss to Morrow. He also made five tackles with two pass breakups. Next up is Spalding."

-VQ
 
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