'18 AL OLB Matthew Flint (Former UT commit 8/2/17)

#76
#76
Hope this means we're not out with Jibunor. Either way, it's depth. We need players at LB, period.
 
#77
#77
sjt18 said:
I care about wins. If this guy can help UT win championships then I don't care what his recruit rating is.

HOWEVER, it is disingenuous to celebrate classes and players that "rank" high then dismiss rankings when someone like this commits.

I don't know how you are... but there are posters here that are inconsistent this way. Either ratings matter when you don't get highly rated players or they don't matter when you do.
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While it is possible for players to be undervalued and overvalued, in this scenario it's all about fit. And flint is a perfect fit in this defense
 
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#79
#79
VolunteerVandiver said:
Perhaps the coaches simply like Flint more than Jones. I know I do.
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I do as well. The only upside to Cam Jones was if he would have been able to solidfy Carvin. If we can get Carvin without using a scholarship on Jones and get a better LBer, it's a win win. It's worth noting Auburn did offer this guy.
 
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#80
#80
sjt18 said:
I care about wins. If this guy can help UT win championships then I don't care what his recruit rating is.

HOWEVER, it is disingenuous to celebrate classes and players that "rank" high then dismiss rankings when someone like this commits.

I don't know how you are... but there are posters here that are inconsistent this way. Either ratings matter when you don't get highly rated players or they don't matter when you do.
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Some three star recruits seem to be overlooked. Their film and stats look way too good to actually be a 3 star. Matthew Butler and Jacques Jones come to mind. I do think recruiting services miss a good bit. Tim Jordan may prove to be another example. However, that being said, it has been proven that stars matter. Teams that win recruit at a high level. Bama, Clemson, OSU, FSU etc. If we want to be able to really compete with Bama, or FSU and OSU if we make the playoffs, we have to recruit at a high level. I don't know if Flint is a great player or not, so this has nothing to do with him, but our class that was landing 4 stars earlier is now landing a lot of 3 stars. Hopefully the coaches actually believe these guys are better and aren't missing on higher rated players theyd rather have.

That being said tho, several of our 3 star players are 4 stars on a least one service so in that case, who knows who is right? What we do know is that we don't get the OSU bump like teague did so we won't see Flint jump 100 spots tomorrow
 
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#81
#81
sanddune50 said:
I do as well. The only upside to Cam Jones was if he would have been able to solidfy Carvin. If we can get Carvin without using a scholarship on Jones and get a better LBer, it's a win win. It's worth noting Auburn did offer this guy.
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We have got to get a big time WDE in this class. That's my biggest concern
 
#82
#82
Another Early Morning Breakfast BOOMAGE! GBO!

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#85
#85
So, do we believe by this commitment that Carvin may be gone and there won't be anymore commitments from the Memphis area in this class?
 
#89
#89
"Flint is an athletic linebacker. He's played wide receiver. He can really run. He's a legit 6-foot-2, around 210 pounds. He's a linebacker at the next level that ultimately I think can always stay on the field. In today's world of spread offenses and four and five wideouts, there's a lot of different personnel groups, but I think he's a guy that ideally can settle into a (hybrid) linebacker role — can stay on the field working inside or outside. The thing he does a lot in high school is blitz. He's really good off the edge. He closes on the ball. He shows a little bit of that initial burst, good short space quickness where you like to see a guy get up the field fast.

"He uses his size and athleticism to beat some offensive tackles off the edge. I think some areas he has to improve on, especially at linebacker, is getting better at playing through traffic. Shedding blocks, taking the right angles to the football. That will all come in time as he settles into his position at Tennessee. He's kind of freed up at the high school level. Obviously, depending on what spot they want to use him as, he'll need to improve some on pass coverage. I saw him at the Rivals camp this spring and he struggled some, which is expected because he doesn't do it a whole lot with his high school team. I think ultimately, he has a great body, a great frame. He's athletic and can really move well. Tennessee can use him in different ways."
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— Chad Simmons, Rivals
 
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#90
#90
Go Fight Win said:
While it is possible for players to be undervalued and overvalued, in this scenario it's all about fit. And flint is a perfect fit in this defense
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Since I value your opinion, I'm glad to see this.
However, I do believe that a consensus Top 10 finish would be HUGE for our program, perception and buzz wise.
I hope we finish strongly with a lot of 4 stars and maybe one more 5. Go Vols! Beat Tech!
 
#91
#91
HOW DOES FLINT FIT IN WITH THE VOLS?

Flint picked up a Tennessee offer in April after running a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the Atlanta Opening. The 6-foot-1.5, 213-pound Madison County standout averaged 7.0 tackles a game in 2016, with five sacks and three forced fumbles. He also caught nine touchdowns as a receiver. He's a playmaker at various spots.

Flint compares well to a guy like Quart'e Sapp or Solon Page III on Tennessee's roster. Not the biggest linebackers, but athletic guys who can really run and blitz.

"I like his versatility," Simmons said.

"I think he has some real upside there. He can run. He's a guy who can also fill out that frame, get a lot stronger and tackle with more power and thump. In the end, his best football is definitely ahead of him."
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Also reports that this is likely the only LB and that we will look to add another DL, OL (carvin) and "a couple more wideouts and corners."

Flint is an EE
 
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#94
#94
This young man just literally made the best decision of his life. Now go tell your friends to come make dreams come true in Knoxville mr. Flint!
 
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#95
#95
Vfl2407 said:
Since I value your opinion, I'm glad to see this.
However, I do believe that a consensus Top 10 finish would be HUGE for our program, perception and buzz wise.
I hope we finish strongly with a lot of 4 stars and maybe one more 5. Go Vols! Beat Tech!
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I think we end up 5-7 with a few unknown to us fans highly ranked guys coming in during the season. Also believe a few guys will get big bumps like Antonutti, Harris, Warren, and one of those FL CB's
 
#99
#99
His speed is great. Strength, size, and ability to take the proper angles will come with S&C and coaching.
 
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