'18 DT TN D'Andre Litaker

#1,228
#1,228
BigOrangeTrain said:
We wont be winning if we rely on instate talent either
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BOT, if we took the top 20 players in Tennessee this year and add our 2 QB commits and 2 RBs commits and one more player, I guarantee UT would still be top 10. Next years class may be even better. UT is almost at the point where they can compete with anybody in the country with 80% of their recruits being from Tennessee. I never thought I would see that day, but it's here this year and next year, for sure.
 
#1,229
#1,229
The Dog said:
BOT, if we took the top 20 players in Tennessee this year and add our 2 QB commits and 2 RBs commits and one more player, I guarantee UT would still be top 10. Next years class may be even better. UT is almost at the point where they can compete with anybody in the country with 80% of their recruits being from Tennessee. I never thought I would see that day, but it's here this year and next year, for sure.
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Yep
 
#1,230
#1,230
kamoshika said:
Murfreesboro DNJ: Riverdale (4-0) may have another hurdle to climb, as senior defensive lineman and University of Tennessee commit D’Andre Litaker was injured making a tackle on Spring Hill running back Dontae Smith. Litaker was carried off the field and carted away, but returned to the sidelines with his right knee heavily bandaged. It was the same knee that knocked Litaker out last season.
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May have already been known, but per his uncle whom is heavily involved in his life, it was not the same knee. And UT has recommend which doctor he uses for surgery. He has TN's support.
 
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#1,235
#1,235
The Dog said:
BOT, if we took the top 20 players in Tennessee this year and add our 2 QB commits and 2 RBs commits and one more player, I guarantee UT would still be top 10. Next years class may be even better. UT is almost at the point where they can compete with anybody in the country with 80% of their recruits being from Tennessee. I never thought I would see that day, but it's here this year and next year, for sure.
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I know the instate talent is getting better. But its still not at an elite level yet. Hopefully that chnges in the coming years.
 
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#1,236
#1,236
Discussion of dropping this kid is crazy.

IMHO ideal progression for the program has 20 FR redshirting every year, especially all the big uglies. RS FR & SO play special teams. JR & SR are the starters along with the occasional young WR/RB studs that lose their stripe and show out early.

Rinse and repeat.

This young man getting hurt simply puts him on the path he should be on: S&C like crazy for two years, building his body for the rigors of SEC DL play.
 
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#1,240
#1,240
Some teams will cut bait with a player when a knee injury like this happens in a prospect’s senior season. Some definitely wouldn’t hesitate to move on after it’s the second torn ACL since the beginning of his junior season.

Don’t expect Tennessee to pull something like that with Litaker. There’s too much is at stake because of his relationship with other recruits.

Litaker plays in the middle of the defensive line and his connection with the other in-state commits is a strong one. Fellow defensive line commits Greg Emerson and Brant Lawless all wanted to play at Tennessee together.
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Tennessee coach Butch Jones is too smart and understands recruiting too well to know that wavering in his commitment toward Litaker could have a lot of negative repercussions. The Vols have nine players committed from the Volunteer State and keeping all nine will go a long way to ensuring a top-10 recruiting class on Rocky Top.

Also, not to mention, Litaker is no slouch of a prospect. When healthy, Litaker is quite good at controlling the interior of the offensive line.

Litaker rates as a 4-star prospect and ranks as the No. 21 defensive tackle in the class and eighth-best player from Tennessee, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

Litaker will be in a Tennessee uniform, though maybe not next season. There is always a chance he could redshirt his freshman season to continue his rehab.
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- SEC Country
 
#1,243
#1,243
The fact that he scheduled a visit to UL before the injury and then had such a bad injury in most cases would be grounds for dropping a guy, but in this case, him being a mid-stater, an NPA guy, you just cannot risk it. It would kill them PR wise as others have pointed out and hurt them going forward with any of those kids. Also, I think he's a big-time prospect on top of that. He's MUCH better than his 3* rating on 247 and I think proved that early in the season.

de1conley - Maybe you've already addressed it earlier in the thread but was Litaker seriously considering a flip to Louisville before the injury?
 
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#1,245
#1,245
BruinVol said:
NCAA should have a waiver in place for a guy like this not counting toward the 25 if he never becomes able to play. Then it would be easier to take him.
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I think that this is a great idea. That means, of course, there is no way in hell that the NCAA will adopt it.
 
#1,250
#1,250
Wait, this kid was testing the waters, setting up visits, and feared to flip, and suddenly UT has to honor his scholly.
 
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