'16 GA LB Ja'Quain Blakely (UT commit 8/1/15)

#380
#380
OGbabyaviVol said:
It's going down...confirmed that Shoop is on campus.
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Right. Last step before it becomes a "done deal". Still not a done deal yet (although it likely will be soon).

In the past, we've had guys come in for this exact meeting and decide it wasn't going to work out
 
#381
#381
Go Fight Win said:
Right. Last step before it becomes a "done deal". Still not a done deal yet (although it likely will be soon).

In the past, we've had guys come in for this exact meeting and decide it wasn't going to work out
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Those tours also included Dooley yelling at children for the color of the trash cans not being the right shade of green so.... yeah
 
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#383
#383
Butch's MO from Debord to Shoop is the first person he seriously vets and interviews is the guy. I see no way this falls apart personally. Jancek would've never left otherwise. JMO though.
 
#384
#384
Go Fight Win said:
Right. Last step before it becomes a "done deal". Still not a done deal yet (although it likely will be soon).

In the past, we've had guys come in for this exact meeting and decide it wasn't going to work out
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[gasps]

You shut your mouth!
 
#385
#385
Go Fight Win said:
Right. Last step before it becomes a "done deal". Still not a done deal yet (although it likely will be soon).

In the past, we've had guys come in for this exact meeting and decide it wasn't going to work out
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tee-martin.jpg
 
#388
#388
The Vols appear to have a firm hold on linebacker Ja’Quain Blakely from Colquitt County High School (Moultrie, Ga.). That wasn’t exactly the case late last month. Despite being committed to the Vols since August, the three-star linebacker said he was considering an official visit to Florida after the Gators came on strong.

Now, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound prospect said that visit isn’t likely.

“Nah, I haven’t even thought about it,” Blakely told SEC Country. “I’m probably not going to do it.”
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secc
 
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#389
#389
 
#390
#390
After watching a few of those, my opinion of Blakely remains largely the same.

Athletic, makes plays from sideline to sideline. Good passrusher at the HS level because he's simply too quick for this level of OL - he shoots gaps before the offense can react, and frequently he can just run around the OT/TE. Still not a hitter. Having said that, it's clear that he has gotten stronger since his last run of tapes, and that increased strength shows in his ability to defeat blocks. In his junior film, Blakely was usually too quick to catch for opposing OL, but if they did get on him then they could control him. In the tapes I just watched, he was able to escape several blocks to involve himself in the play at the ball.

He'll be a guy who doesn't play on defense in his first year or two - still needs to gain strength to be an SEC LB. However, he does fit the athletic profile of a guy who Butch loves to use in his kick coverage units. If he takes to that role naturally, I could see him earning snaps as a freshman on special teams.
 
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#392
#392
Thinking redshirt...one year ST/backup MLB...and possible replacement if Kirkland declares.
 
#393
#393
butchna said:
Thinking redshirt...one year ST/backup MLB...and possible replacement if Kirkland declares.
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I think he red-shirts for sure. I don't know if Kirkland will be 3 year guy. I think he plays 4. Blakely will still have 2 full years as starter as well as spot duty and special teams for 2 years.

Good player who should make our team better.

He's good enough to be a 4 year starter but we have a good one already.
 
#394
#394
LittleVol said:
I think he red-shirts for sure. I don't know if Kirkland will be 3 year guy. I think he plays 4. Blakely will still have 2 full years as starter as well as spot duty and special teams for 2 years.

Good player who should make our team better.

He's good enough to be a 4 year starter but we have a good one already.
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That's why I put in the "if Kirkland declares" caveat. It's way too early to speculate (but that's recruiting :hmm:) Was a safe bet that JRM would be here all four years also...might never know how close that situation was without Shoop coming onboard. Kirkland is special and barring injury will have a choice to make by then. You prepare as if Kirkland balls out 3 years and hope for the fourth. If you wait until you need a replacement...it's too late. This kid has the potential to make that a little less worrisome.
 
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#395
#395
Just spoke with Tennessee linebacker commitment Ja'Quain Blakely of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Ga., following his official visit with the Vols this weekend. He said he really enjoyed his stay in Knoxville — in fact, he said he didn't even want to leave — and he's really looking forward to signing with the Vols on Wednesday.

Blakely said he spent plenty of time with Tennessee sophomore tight end Jakob Johnson, who was his player host, and the Vols' coaches throughout the visit. Blakely said he met new UT defensive coordinator Bob Shoop for the first time this weekend, and Shoop made a good first impression on him.
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Callahan
 
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