'14 TN DB Todd Kelly Jr. (UT Signee 2/5/14)

#2,528
#2,528
Darth_Shiveman said:
I don't think he'll unseat him, but he may have to replace him. Randolph is draft eligible and if he keeps up the good work this season he could be gone next year.
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To be honest, I only see Tiny leaving after this season. It would surprise me if anybody else leave who isn't projected to be a 1st or 2nd rounder.
 
#2,531
#2,531
walkenvol said:
Quit dreaming - no way, he dosen't have the raw speed to be a high NFL draft pick. He's a solid safety but not elite.
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Even if he doesn't have the measurable a to be a high draft pick, he could still jet after this season.

Say that his ceiling is to be a 3rd-4th round pick and he tears it up this season (which is looking like a possibility...he's our best defender IMO). His stock would only stand to decrease if he came back for another year. Add in that he's already had an ACL injury and his best option very well could be to take the money while he can. He'll have two years of eligibility left after this season. Each season he stays is money out of his pocket.

I'm not necessarily saying that I think this WILL happen. I'm just saying that I wouldn't be surprised if that does happen.
 
#2,532
#2,532
Darth - your logic is not unreasonable, but rarely does a red shirt sophmore leave (unless there are grade / discipline problems [think Bray]) hoping to be a middle round draft pick.

It may happen just as you predict, but I will be fall out of my seat surprised. These guys now appear to be having fun playing a game they love. Why walk away from that unless you're a sure high round NFL pick.
 
#2,534
#2,534
walkenvol said:
Quit dreaming - no way, he dosen't have the raw speed to be a high NFL draft pick. He's a solid safety but not elite.
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I think you're underrating Randolph's athletic ability. He is no Sean Taylor by any means but he's still a good athlete. But even more importantly he understands the game very well, makes good reads, and knows how to get himself in the correct position. He will play on Sundays without a doubt IMO.
 
#2,535
#2,535
walkenvol said:
Darth - your logic is not unreasonable, but rarely does a red shirt sophmore leave (unless there are grade / discipline problems [think Bray]) hoping to be a middle round draft pick.

It may happen just as you predict, but I will be fall out of my seat surprised. These guys now appear to be having fun playing a game they love. Why walk away from that unless you're a sure high round NFL pick.
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You have to keep in mind that Randolph can be looked at as a junior to some extent because if not for an injury, he would have been a 2 year starter going into this season.

And the reason I could see him going out, even if he only projects as a 3rd-4th round pick is economically based. If he's in a position where he knows the highest he'll be drafted is the 3rd round regardless of whether he comes back for junior or senior season, he'd have more to gain leaving early.

If he stays one or two more seasons that would be 1-2 years less of a chance he'd have to earn himself a big paycheck.

With the new rookie pay scale, the real money is now being given to guys on their 2nd contract anyway. If he leaves after this season, he could be earning that second contract by the time he's 25 as opposed to 27. Those two years could be the difference between millions of dollars of contract money.
 
#2,536
#2,536
VolFreakJosh said:
I can see him starting on safety next year for us. Looks like he could play in the SEC already.
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Never going to happen bro. If he was Eric Berry, yes. He's a stud but he's not going to come in and unseat Randolph or McNeil. They are solid and will have another entire season under their belts and be more polished...against SEC powerhouses, not high school boys. He'll get snaps because he's good, but starting, not so much.
 
#2,537
#2,537
volmsbd said:
Never going to happen bro. If he was Eric Berry, yes. He's a stud but he's not going to come in and unseat Randolph or McNeil. They are solid and will have another entire season under their belts and be more polished...against SEC powerhouses, not high school boys. He'll get snaps because he's good, but starting, not so much.
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We will have to see about that. As the coaches have said their is no depth chart and the best man will win the starting slot. Not saying he will start but just saying will have to let the practices play out. Will be a good competition for sure
 
#2,538
#2,538
BurninOrange said:
We will have to see about that. As the coaches have said their is no depth chart and the best man will win the starting slot. Not saying he will start but just saying will have to let the practices play out. Will be a good competition for sure
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It won't be a competition. McNeil and Randolph are both good players that will have a ton of experience as juniors that will be penciled in as starters Day 1. Kelly and McDowell will most likely both be in the two-deep, but will never seriously challenge for the starting spot in 2014 barring injury. There were 5 5* safeties in 2013. None of them unseated a returning starter.
 
#2,539
#2,539
BurninOrange said:
We will have to see about that. As the coaches have said their is no depth chart and the best man will win the starting slot. Not saying he will start but just saying will have to let the practices play out. Will be a good competition for sure
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While I'm sure the best man will win the job, I think they had this mentality especially because they were coming in with a whole new team and had no previous experience with any of the players. I don't think this will be as prominent next season.
 
#2,540
#2,540
Madkins8 said:
It won't be a competition. McNeil and Randolph are both good players that will have a ton of experience as juniors that will be penciled in as starters Day 1. Kelly and McDowell will most likely both be in the two-deep, but will never seriously challenge for the starting spot in 2014 barring injury. There were 5 5* safeties in 2013. None of them unseated a returning starter.
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While I do tend to agree with what you are saying I still think he will have a chance to earn a starting slot JMO though
 
#2,542
#2,542
For those that know how DBs work, how would Todd fair as the nickle back? Does he have the coverage skills? Or is that a ridiculous idea?
 
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#2,543
#2,543
wU-Tang Vol said:
For those that know how DBs with, how would Todd fair as the nickle back? Does he have the coverage skills? Or is that a ridiculous idea?
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I'm no Nick Saban :) but I think it could definitely work. He's 6'1 and around 195-200 lbs. He's not stiff either... very fluid. I think he would thrive in that position for his 1st year. Good point
 
#2,544
#2,544
wU-Tang Vol said:
For those that know how DBs work, how would Todd fair as the nickle back? Does he have the coverage skills? Or is that a ridiculous idea?
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It really depends on his speed IMO. Covering slot WRs in man could pose a tough test for a "safety". His game film makes him look fast and fluid enough, but I think we won't really know until he's on campus. Even if he's not a nickel he could be a dime back, definitely in cover 3 situations. JMO
 
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#2,545
#2,545
OddFuture said:
It really depends on his speed IMO. Covering slot WRs in man could pose a tough test for a "safety". His game film makes him look fast and fluid enough, but I think we won't really know until he's on campus. Even if he's not a nickel he could be a dime back, definitely in cover 3 situations. JMO
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This...he will definitely find his way onto the field early and often in either nickel or dime
IMO.
 
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