'14 TN DB Rashaan Gaulden (UT Signee 2/5/14)

[Ron Swanson]

Buck just chimed in over on VQ...

Gaulden is not a corner. He is a Safety and would be a perfect Nickel. I think he will start at one of them.

 

[Dust10]

Based on tackling ability, I'll say he is a safety.

 

[005]

In our ideal defense, is the nickel more of a cover guy or run support tackler?

 

[85SugarVol]

In our ideal defense, is the nickel more of a cover guy or run support tackler?

yes

 

[volssam]

And some think Mosely is also better at safety. If true and it works out that way, that would only leave Payne as corner in this class. Not optimal when we are thin already. Hopefully he and Moseley develop at CB. Its good they are both EE

 

[Madkins8]

And some think Mosely is also better at safety. If true and it works out that way, that would only leave Payne as corner in this class. Not optimal when we are thin already. Hopefully he and Moseley develop at CB. Its good they are both EE

Moseley is not a safety. However, if he ended up at safety, that would leave Payne and Berry.

 

[therickbol]

They just say Moseley looks better at safety right now because it is easier to get by on instincts and poor technique does not hurt you as much at safety. All his physical attributes point to CB. He just needs to devote his full time to learning the position, which he will do at UT.

 

[OddFuture]

I agree with Hubbs. I've thought for a long time now that Gaulden is day 1 starter at NB and would be a better fit at S than CB. Buck Fitzgerald has said from the beginning of recruiting Gaulden that he's a Safety in college. I know many on here like him at CB so let the debate!

I was one of the first who liked him at CB, but he has said multiple times UT wants him at free, so it's pretty much set IMO. There might be an odd man out of TK/RG/Tez, but also Tez could easily move to LB IMO. We have tons of LBs too though lol.

I have no debate to let, unfortunately. Rashaan, D'Andre, and TK will compete for nickel IMO.

 

[AV_12]

Payne outside

 

[005]

pain

 

[OddFuture]

Payne outside

Ehhhh. Idk. Not saying short cbs don't work, because a lot do. I just think the game has evolved to the point where shorter DBs play a lot of nickel. Look in the NFL. A lot of nickels are <5'10" while the outside cbs are >5'10". It's not a set rule though most definitely.

Unfortunately. I think JCole starts next year. Hopefully he has improved a lot. I would love to see a guy like Payne come in and take his spot and force Coleman inside, I just don't see it. If Justin was a sophomore or junior now, I doubt he'd be starting his senior year though if that makes sense.

 

[Vol865]

Why would I compare a big fast DB like Gaulden to Greer? Jason Allen is the closest one but he may be a better athlete than Allen too(saying a lot there too). I never liked Jammer a lot personally. I liked the old OSU CBs like Chris Gamble and Nate Clements. Or a small CB playing like Antoine Winfield. I'm a fan of my whole defense hitting you in the mouth.

I wasn't comparing Greer and Gaulden. You said you pretty much need a guy whos basically a safety playing corner. If you can find someone who is that big and can cover, great. But it is not necessary to have a great defense.

Jammer was really good in his prime. Held his own against a lot of top WRs.

I'm a fan of my defense not getting lit up for 400 yards because I don't have a legit lockdown corner.

I want the guy like Adoree out there who's gonna make u pay for the smallest mistakes.

Run support is a good thing, but if you cant cover it doesnt matter(Not saying Gaulden cant).

 

[NapTownVol9]

Ehhhh. Idk. Not saying short cbs don't work, because a lot do. I just think the game has evolved to the point where shorter DBs play a lot of nickel. Look in the NFL. A lot of nickels are <5'10" while the outside cbs are >5'10". It's not a set rule though most definitely.

Unfortunately. I think JCole starts next year. Hopefully he has improved a lot. I would love to see a guy like Payne come in and take his spot and force Coleman inside, I just don't see it. If Justin was a sophomore or junior now, I doubt he'd be starting his senior year though if that makes sense.

Tim Jennings has been balls out the last two years. Several InT TDs. He was good with my Colts but better now. And he is tiny, I got his, Freeney's, and Addai's autograph at this training camp they did. Wish I would have got Peyton's but he was surrounded and led to like special needs people. Robert Mathis ended right before me and I was disappointed. (He should be defensive MVP this year)

But back to Jennings, I'm like 5'6" and he was barely taller than me, 5'8" if lucky.
Best part was I was wearing my Colts shirt and UT shorts(to get Peyton's eye lol) and he signs my ticket and I says to Tim, why don't you sign these shorts, and he hilariously is like " ahh shoot mane you know I can't do that, not the Vols" and starts laughing. I said it's all good man your Dawg days are over and I'm pulling for you in the Blue. And he just laughs.
I know cool story

 

[Nashvegas31]

After watching gaulden this season and in last nights game. His full potential is def at Saftey. He is an eraser out there as last line of defense.

 

[volssam]

Moseley is not a safety. However, if he ended up at safety, that would leave Payne and Berry.

Ahhhh forgot about berry being a CB prospect. Excellent. We need speed

 

[Blake25p]

BB won't be happy about this lol

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Ahhhh forgot about berry being a CB prospect. Excellent. We need speed

Just another reason we really need Foreman to develop.

 

[ERvolsfan]

Moseley is not a safety. However, if he ended up at safety, that would leave Payne and Berry.

Ev berry has made it pretty clear he's playing WR, and I think he could be a really good slot guy. I do agree that he could be a good CB, but I'll give him the benefit of doubt til we officially hear his position.

I believe Moseley will end up at Corner after CWM gets his hands on him. Plus until Adoree signs elsewhere we still have a chance.

 

[Madkins8]

Ev berry has made it pretty clear he's playing WR, and I think he could be a really good slot guy. I do agree that he could be a good CB, but I'll give him the benefit of doubt til we officially hear his position.

I believe Moseley will end up at Corner after CWM gets his hands on him. Plus until Adoree signs elsewhere we still have a chance.

Evan Berry will play CB from day 1. The staff has never considered him an offensive prospect. I am quite sure of that.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Just spoke to Gaulden

He raved about the visit; said it was great seeing the Vol family gel together and that weekends like that are what nailed down his decision. Really complimentary of the presence of all the coaches' wives contributing to the Vols' family atmosphere. Said that his player hosts were Josh Malone and Jakob Johnson and that both gave him really good advice about being ready when he arrives in Knoxville.

He and Vic Wharton will have a joint signing day ceremony at Independence High School, and Rashaan said that he expected to see Butch again this week, midweek.

Targeting some weight gain right now and said he and Vic have been going hard in the weight room. Wants to "be able to provide some licks" on RBs like Todd Gurley, Derrick Henry, etc., when he's a Vol in the fall.

-John Brice

 

[Ron Swanson]

More from Brice...

He is the most fearless player at the safety spot I've seen coming in since E.B. Guy could be a factor at wide receiver, but he loves playing defense. And now he's adding muscle mass but running track as well to get stronger without losing speed and agilities. I'd argue him as a top-3 player in-state and a five-star candidate had he played all four years in high school. Paul and I have raved about his game since seeing him as a fearless but scrawny sophomore working out with IFM/Playmakers Academy at Pearl-Cohn three years ago.

 

[005]

I am in like with rashaan gaulden

 

[SCowlsVOL]

More from Brice...

That's what I like to read!

 

[engineerVOL]

I totally vouch for that. Guys, Gaulden is an amazing football player. Could play WR or DB and be all sec.

 

[85SugarVol]

More from Brice...

He is the most fearless player at the safety spot I've seen coming in since E.B. Guy could be a factor at wide receiver, but he loves playing defense. And now he's adding muscle mass but running track as well to get stronger without losing speed and agilities. I'd argue him as a top-3 player in-state and a five-star candidate had he played all four years in high school. Paul and I have raved about his game since seeing him as a fearless but scrawny sophomore working out with IFM/Playmakers Academy at Pearl-Cohn three years ago.