'15 LA RB Kendall Bussey (Former UT commit)

[Skullbone]

I wonder if Shaq has any eligibility left?

 

[The Breakerboy]

Some posters act like injuries don't happen at times. We play in a very physical league. I personally don't want to depend on RDA4 as my No.1 during the season.

 

[jasonvol18]

Ideal method...and helps recruiting...the converse works at LSU tho.

Agreed. LSU will run RB's 5 deep into the game at anytime.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

Some posters act like injuries don't happen at times. We play in a very physical league. I personally don't want to depend on RDA4 as my No.1 during the season.

It's that way at most every school. If you think you're going to have 5* talent just sitting and waiting for years "in case" of injury it's just not going to happen. If injuries do happen and you get to that 4th or 5th guy, it's usually a kid who was not as highly sought after. It's just the way it is. IMO it makes no sense to over sign a position and then just lose them to transfer if injuries don't happen and they are not getting carries. Better IMO to focus those spots elsewhere and utilize your time coaching on kids who will stick around. RBs 4-6 on a roster IMO need to be considered serviceable guys. Not long term starters, but help in an emergency. IMO guys like Pickett and RDAIV fit that role. I'd think CBJ thinks so as well. He took them.

 

[roosterjbh]

It's that way at most every school. If you think you're going to have 5* talent just sitting and waiting for years "in case" of injury it's just not going to happen. If injuries do happen and you get to that 4th or 5th guy, it's usually a kid who was not as highly sought after. It's just the way it is. IMO it makes no sense to over sign a position and then just lose them to transfer if injuries don't happen and they are not getting carries. Better IMO to focus those spots elsewhere and utilize your time coaching on kids who will stick around. RBs 4-6 on a roster IMO need to be considered serviceable guys. Not long term starters, but help in an emergency. IMO guys like Pickett and RDAIV fit that role. I'd think CBJ thinks so as well. He took them.

I wouldn't say he "took" Pickett since he is a walk on. Also has it been confirmed that RDA is going to be on scholarship?

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

I wouldn't say he "took" Pickett since he is a walk on. Also has it been confirmed that RDA is going to be on scholarship?

Scholarship or not, they could not be playing ball at TN unless CBJ took them.

I'd bet RDAIV is on scholarship. Why walk on if you could get a scholarship elsewhere? Especially if it's just for a year.

 

[Crookruss]

Scholarship or not, they could not be playing ball at TN unless CBJ took them.

I'd bet RDAIV is on scholarship. Why walk on if you could get a scholarship elsewhere? Especially if it's just for a year.

Maybe for a chance to spend a year playing with your brother closer to home?

 

[DD4ME]

Hurd came in as what would be considered a known guy. He has delivered as expected. Now Kamara may even be considered better than Hurd coming in. I'd feel safe in calling that 2 known guys. Add to that I feel RB is one position where young guys can and do produce at a lot of schools all over the country even if they are not "known". I think the fans idea that it's common to have 4-6 RBs on the roster at any given time that are "proven" is just not usually the case in college football. By the time those 4th and 5th guys are "proven", is around the time the guys who were 1st, 2nd, and 3rd have graduated.

We agree on all points but adding 2 other guys aside from Kamara AND a scat back to me would not be over doing it. DY is gone next year and Pig the year after.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

Maybe for a chance to spend a year playing with your brother closer to home?

Unless he had been told his scholarship to Cinci was being taken away, I just don't see it. I know if it were me, I would not choose to pay my own way vs getting it for free. JMO

I've got some buddies on Rivals. I don't choose to pay for that when I can get it here for free.

 

[The Breakerboy]

I wouldn't say he "took" Pickett since he is a walk on. Also has it been confirmed that RDA is going to be on scholarship?

Teams like Oregon, Florida State, Bama, Georgia, Texas, even smaller big time schools have quality backs up and down their roster. Not Pickett level talent waiting in the wings. Coaches only had 3 RBs they would play. Hurd was the only actual good RB we had. Some people are blind as a bat......

 

[roosterjbh]

Scholarship or not, they could not be playing ball at TN unless CBJ took them.

I'd bet RDAIV is on scholarship. Why walk on if you could get a scholarship elsewhere? Especially if it's just for a year.

I understand that he has allowed him to join the team, but he was never recruited to be a contributor at the RB position. If the coaches feel like he is needed or has earned a role for PT, you would think he would be on scholarship by now.

RDA is kind of gimmicky to me, I think he will play a role on special teams but I doubt he sees 10 snaps in a game on offense. I really think we need three high caliber backs this class. All we had last Saturday was a beat up Marlin Lane.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

I understand that he has allowed him to join the team, but he was never recruited to be a contributor at the RB position. If the coaches feel like he is needed or has earned a role for PT, you would think he would be on scholarship by now.

RDA is kind of gimmicky to me, I think he will play a role on special teams but I doubt he sees 10 snaps in a game on offense. I really think we need three high caliber backs this class. All we had last Saturday was a beat up Marlin Lane.

Hurd
Kamara
Scott
Possibly Paulk
Reid or his replacement.

Situational possibilities/emergency.
RDAIV
Pickett
Perry/Bruce Situational possibilities/emergency.

You lose RDAIV and Pickett after 2015.
2 RBs for 2016

I just don't see an issue at all.

 

[walkenvol]

Unless he had been told his scholarship to Cinci was being taken away, I just don't see it. I know if it were me, I would not choose to pay my own way vs getting it for free. JMO

I've got some buddies on Rivals. I don't choose to pay for that when I can get it here for free.

With this logic, no one would ever attend Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc as all the students smart enough to attend those schools would be able to attend their state universities for free.

Maybe he wants to compete in the SEC? Maybe he believes his chances of getting a shot in the NFL would be greatly enhanced by an SEC season? Maybe his family has plenty of $ and its not an issue?

Free isn't always the best option.

 

[LSU-SIU]

Agreed. LSU will run RB's 5 deep into the game at anytime.

And a majority of the time they played without a QB this year. :jpshakehead: Jennings (eyeroll), sometimes all you can do is laugh.

Seriously, if running is a priority, you need 5+ guys (on the roster ideally) in the SEC when it comes to injury, suspensions, early draftees, etc. LSU only had 4 this year and I was worried of a repeat of 2009 when they basically got down to one guy, Ridley.

 

[butchna]

Teams like Oregon, Florida State, Bama, Georgia, Texas, even smaller big time schools have quality backs up and down their roster. Not Pickett level talent waiting in the wings. Coaches only had 3 RBs they would play. Hurd was the only actual good RB we had. Some people are blind as a bat......

Who's Oregon's fourth stringer? :huh:

 

[DD4ME]

And a majority of the time they played without a QB this year. :jpshakehead: Jennings (eyeroll), sometimes all you can do is laugh.

Seriously, if running is a priority, you need 5+ guys (on the roster ideally) in the SEC when it comes to injury, suspensions, early draftees, etc. LSU only had 4 this year and I was worried of a repeat of 2009 when they basically got down to one guy, Ridley.

I believe this is true even if smash mouth running is not your thing. One thing I am opening my mind too though is that Butch and Bajakian may want an emphasis on scat backs so we may see a similar approach to say LSU but with 2 of the 5 being more situational guys.

 

[The Breakerboy]

Who's Oregon's fourth stringer? :huh:

When is the last time you've seen a bad Oregon RB?

 

[butchna]

When is the last time you've seen a bad Oregon RB?

I'm sure when it happens, I'm not watching the game...they stay up too late! inch:

 

[ionaVOL]

Hurd
Kamara
Scott
Possibly Paulk
Reid or his replacement.

Situational possibilities/emergency.
RDAIV
Pickett
Perry/Bruce Situational possibilities/emergency.

You lose RDAIV and Pickett after 2015.
2 RBs for 2016

I just don't see an issue at all.

Leb you're great at organizing and making nice lists don't get me wrong, but you honestly have confidence in these options should Hurd and Kamara miss a game or two?! There is literally nothing in the bolded names that you can count on as anything close to a sure thing for any extended time.

Do you at least concede how some people can look at it the other way and say that we have nothing we can rely on for sure after Hurd (and technically Kamara who has never even played at this level)?

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

Leb you're great at organizing and making nice lists don't get me wrong, but you honestly have confidence in these options should Hurd and Kamara miss a game or two?! There is literally nothing in the bolded names that you can count on as anything close to a sure thing for any extended time.

Do you at least concede how some people can look at it the other way and say that we have nothing we can rely on for sure after Hurd (and technically Kamara who has never even played at this level)?

Anyone can say anything as everything here is opinion related. My opinion is that more often than not the bolded names are the type of names and *'s you see at other programs once you get passed that top 3-4.

UT would have 2 5*'s, a 4*, and 2 3*'s in the top 5 RBs. If Paulk returns you have another quality option as he was the #12 RB in the country. 85-90% of schools would trade their RB committee for UT's in a second.

IMO people try and point to a few schools who may have better talent and say "look here"(sometimes the ones they point out also have a 2* RB as their 3rd leading rusher). The thing is those schools are not 5-7, 6-6 schools and recruits are more likely to sit the bench when winning a title is in play. If I'm a recruit and my options are step in at UT and be #4-5 on the depth chart and maybe win 6 games or go to a FSU and be #5-6 on the depth chart and in play for a national title, it is what it is.

I see nothing wrong with UT's RB roster if they took Kamara and Reid/another this year.

 

[Vols B]

I think Ionavol hit the nail on the head. It is the #3 that most are worried about.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

I think Ionavol hit the nail on the head. It is the #3 that most are worried about.

Scott #9 RB, Paulk #12 RB(if reinstated), plus Reid #61 RB or whoever they bring in(Love #6 APB).

That's a lot of options for a #3. And IMO, pretty good ones.

 

[Face]

Scott #9 RB, Paulk #12 RB(if reinstated), plus Reid #61 RB or whoever they bring in(Love #6 APB).

That's a lot of options for a #3. And IMO, pretty good ones.

What I, and I believe others are concerned about, is the scenario of:

1 - Hurd
2 - AK
That's super solid. Here's where it gets shaky:
3 - Scott - Is he durable?
4 - Reid - Is he coming?
5 - What if Paulk isn't reinstated?
6,7 - Pickett and RDAIV are not SEC backs.


So what happens if Hurd or AK goes down with an ACL or something. Is your season derailed?

1 - Hurd OR AK
2 - Scott - Is he durable?
3 - Reid doesn't come.
4 - No Paulk
5, 6 - can't contribute.

Then, you have a solid 1 and a question mark for a 2... that's all. That's why we need one or two guys along with AK. If Reid stays, I think we still need one more. Then maybe only one next year. I favor Bussey this year because of his build and stature. If Reid stays, nab Love.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

What I, and I believe others are concerned about, is the scenario of:

1 - Hurd
2 - AK
That's super solid. Here's where it gets shaky:
3 - Scott - Is he durable?
4 - Reid - Is he coming?
5 - What if Paulk isn't reinstated?
6,7 - Pickett and RDAIV are not SEC backs.


So what happens if Hurd or AK goes down with an ACL or something. Is your season derailed?

1 - Hurd OR AK
2 - Scott - Is he durable?
3 - Reid doesn't come.
4 - No Paulk
5, 6 - can't contribute.

Then, you have a solid 1 and a question mark for a 2... that's all. That's why we need one or two guys along with AK. If Reid stays, I think we still need one more. Then maybe only one next year. I favor Bussey this year because of his build and stature. If Reid stays, nab Love.

I suppose I could dream up a scenario where while the RBs are going through drills at camp they are all attacked by a rabid raccoon as well and end up laid up for 6 months. I just don't look at it as "what if" so much. The depth I see is top loaded and very strong. The guys I would expect to be "serviceable" in the event of injury/emergency is reasonable IMO. A lot of other schools do not have top 20 caliber RBs up and down their roster. Would it be ideal? Sure. Just not realistic. Especially after the last 4-5 years of UT football.

 

[Face]

I suppose I could dream up a scenario where while the RBs are going through drills at camp they are all attacked by a rabid raccoon as well and end up laid up for 6 months. I just don't look at it as "what if" so much. The depth I see is top loaded and very strong. The guys I would expect to be "serviceable" in the event of injury/emergency is reasonable IMO. A lot of other schools do not have top 20 caliber RBs up and down their roster. Would it be ideal? Sure. Just not realistic. Especially after the last 4-5 years of UT football.

Like this year when Scott was out, Hurd had a concussion, and Lane wasn't 100% but had to carry the load. It's not a dream. We need 2 out of 3 of from Reid/Bussey/love. And that's why the staff still had 3-5 backs they're working on.