'18 GA DE Azeez Ojulari

#376
#376
Bassmaster_Vol said:
That's a good point Glitch. Just going to be hard not having Barnett and not seeing anybody that we're recruiting that are dominant DE's. I mean, Kongbo has the year we all think he can, he's gone. What if Phillips breaks out? He could be gone to. Without those two guys next year our de roster doesn't look great. We have to hope Johnson ends up being a good player and that Gerald comes in ready to play immediately. Who knows with a Juco player though? Maybe Emerson remains at DE. I hope he does.
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DB went in the first round and fixin to destroy it his rookie year. If both Kongbo and Phillips have good enough seasons to warrant them going to the league then you won't need to worry about DE recruiting next year.
 
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#377
#377
LaagerVol said:
I don't know but the kid wants to be a DE and my bet is that he works hard to stay there. I DO know that he looks much better on the field at a lighter weight.

If he stays at DE what do you think about our DE recruiting for this year? Seems like you're borrowing trouble by assuming he moves to DT.
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I think we have one elite DE committed in Emerson, and a Juco player who I think can be very good, but hard to tell since he's a Juco player. We all thought Kongbo would come in and dominate last year and it just didn't happen. Maybe it will this year. But it is still concerning that we haven't landed a dominant high school DE since Phillips in 2015 unless Emerson stays there. I think we're putting a lot of hope in Johnson who, since arguments were being made about offer lists with Gerald, didn't have an impressive offer list out of high school and was ranked very low. So our DE's in two years could be Emerson and Johnson. Meanwhile GA and Bama have Ray, Davis, Herring, Beal and Ojulari.
 
#378
#378
Ron Swanson said:
You're acting like he was some scrub with only offers from JMU, UTC and South Dakota state. He might not have been a 5 star with a who's who offer sheet but having offers from Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina, Miss State, Cal, NCSU and others isn't bad. Some pretty damn good coaches wanted him on their DL.
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I'm not saying Johnson won't be good. In fact, I'm very impressed with the weight he's put on already. All I'm saying is that im not sure about him. Maybe he ends up being great. Hope so
 
#379
#379
Glitch said:
DB went in the first round and fixin to destroy it his rookie year. If both Kongbo and Phillips have good enough seasons to warrant them going to the league then you won't need to worry about DE recruiting next year.
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I hope so. That's what I thought would happen this year with Barnett doing so well. That's actually where this argument began. I'm concerned about DE recruiting because I thought it would be much better with the success Barnett has had. But two of our top targets, Davis and Ojulari are headed elsewhere
 
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#380
#380
Dorian Gerald's offer list and Greg Emerson's ranking.

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#381
#381
Bassmaster_Vol said:
I think we have one elite DE committed in Emerson, and a Juco player who I think can be very good, but hard to tell since he's a Juco player. We all thought Kongbo would come in and dominate last year and it just didn't happen. Maybe it will this year. But it is still concerning that we haven't landed a dominant high school DE since Phillips in 2015 unless Emerson stays there. I think we're putting a lot of hope in Johnson who, since arguments were being made about offer lists with Gerald, didn't have an impressive offer list out of high school and was ranked very low. So our DE's in two years could be Emerson and Johnson. Meanwhile GA and Bama have Ray, Davis, Herring, Beal and Ojulari.
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I don't think we ever truly know how dominant a player is going to be until they have played a few seasons. True that the high 4star and 5 star guys have a greater likelihood of being successful.

I'm not overly impressed with last years DE class unless Butler were to somehow stay at end, then I really like it. But if Johnson is good, Emerson stays at DE, Gerald is good and we get another guy this year, which we will, that doesn't look like the sky is falling to me.
 
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#382
#382
BigZiti09 said:
Dorian Gerald's offer list and Greg Emerson's ranking.

Submitted for your viewing pleasure.
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Again, nobody is arguing that these guys aren't good. Emerson is elite. Question is whether he ends up at DT. Gerald has a great offer list. So did Blair. Juco's are a complete unknown. I hope he's great, and personally think he will be good. But the fact remains that we have not landed a big time high school DE since Phillips in 2015 and we aren't in on any this year. None of the top WDE targets are coming here. We have to hope that a new name emerges at that position otherwise we'll be taking a low ranked project player at the second most important position on the field. All I have said is that I am surprised that we aren't landing high ranked players at this position when Barnett has done so well for us.
 
#383
#383
LaagerVol said:
I don't think we ever truly know how dominant a player is going to be until they have played a few seasons. True that the high 4star and 5 star guys have a greater likelihood of being successful.

I'm not overly impressed with last years DE class unless Butler were to somehow stay at end, then I really like it. But if Johnson is good, Emerson stays at DE, Gerald is good and we get another guy this year, which we will, that doesn't look like the sky is falling to me.
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I agree completely. I have not said that the sky is falling. My first post about this was simply asking why it seems we're struggling with this position after how good Barnett has been and there has been great overreaction to that question. But as you said, last year's DE class was not impressive, especially with Butler moving inside, this year's class has a special talent in Emerson, who most believe move inside, and Juco player that may or may not be elite. Not sure. But we need to add another WDE. Who will it be? At this moment, it isn't going to be any of the top targets. Hopefully a new name emerges
 
#384
#384
Bassmaster_Vol said:
Again, nobody is arguing that these guys aren't good. Emerson is elite. Question is whether he ends up at DT. Gerald has a great offer list. So did Blair. Juco's are a complete unknown. I hope he's great, and personally think he will be good. But the fact remains that we have not landed a big time high school DE since Phillips in 2015 and we aren't in on any this year. None of the top WDE targets are coming here. We have to hope that a new name emerges at that position otherwise we'll be taking a low ranked project player at the second most important position on the field. All I have said is that I am surprised that we aren't landing high ranked players at this position when Barnett has done so well for us.
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What is your definition of low ranked project player? If we land a guy that is a low 4 star on two sites and a high 3 star on the other two, is that a "project"?? While we are on the subject of stars, your entire argument is based on stars from recruiting services and the possibility that our elite DE moves to DT.

Borrowing trouble
 
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#386
#386
LaagerVol said:
What is your definition of low ranked project player? If we land a guy that is a low 4 star on two sites and a high 3 star on the other two, is that a "project"?? While we are on the subject of stars, your entire argument is based on stars from recruiting services and the possibility that our elite DE moves to DT.

Borrowing trouble
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I'm not making an argument. My only question has been why does it seem that we are struggling landing big time DEs when Barnett has been so dominant? You would think that we could get Davis, Ojulari, or one of these top guys.
 
#388
#388
Bassmaster_Vol said:
I agree completely. I have not said that the sky is falling. My first post about this was simply asking why it seems we're struggling with this position after how good Barnett has been and there has been great overreaction to that question. But as you said, last year's DE class was not impressive, especially with Butler moving inside, this year's class has a special talent in Emerson, who most believe move inside, and Juco player that may or may not be elite. Not sure. But we need to add another WDE. Who will it be? At this moment, it isn't going to be any of the top targets. Hopefully a new name emerges
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Who are "most" of the people who believe he moves inside? You and Simonton? I don't think it matters what people outside the coaching staff thinks. The perfect example of that has already been mentioned several times in Barnett. "Most" though he was a lock to move inside. Most were wrong.

Last year wasn't great for the position, on paper. This year, if Emerson stays at DE and we land another good WDE besides Gerald, which is very likely, then that would certainly be a great class.
 
#389
#389
Bassmaster_Vol said:
I agree completely. I have not said that the sky is falling. My first post about this was simply asking why it seems we're struggling with this position after how good Barnett has been and there has been great overreaction to that question. But as you said, last year's DE class was not impressive, especially with Butler moving inside, this year's class has a special talent in Emerson, who most believe move inside, and Juco player that may or may not be elite. Not sure. But we need to add another WDE. Who will it be? At this moment, it isn't going to be any of the top targets. Hopefully a new name emerges
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Every prospect may or may not be elite. The fact is those that get paid millions to recruit and develop players believe he can be elite. Places with as much depth as FSU and Bama believe the kid is worth a spot.

I do believe we need a quicker WDE added to this class. Azeez probably isn't going to happened but we'll have other options. One in particular looks promising. 👀
 
#390
#390
Bassmaster_Vol said:
I'm not making an argument. My only question has been why does it seem that we are struggling landing big time DEs when Barnett has been so dominant? You would think that we could get Davis, Ojulari, or one of these top guys.
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I don't think we are "struggling" as much as you think. We have landed some big time DEs. We are landing one or two this year. We mist likely add another really good player at the position this year too.

Davis- hard to beat bama, esp when mama wants them.
Ojulari- hard to beat the instate school when they have a good recruiter.

Only so many out there that are consensus top guys. We have two committed.
 
#391
#391
Bassmaster_Vol said:
I'm not making an argument. My only question has been why does it seem that we are struggling landing big time DEs when Barnett has been so dominant? You would think that we could get Davis, Ojulari, or one of these top guys.
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Y'all forced me to do this...
unicorn.gif
 
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#392
#392
DaddyChad said:
Every prospect may or may not be elite. The fact is those that get paid millions to recruit and develop players believe he can be elite. Places with as much depth as FSU and Bama believe the kid is worth a spot.

I do believe we need a quicker WDE added to this class. Azeez probably isn't going to happened but we'll have other options. One in particular looks promising. 👀
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Which one?
 
#394
#394
LaagerVol said:
Who are "most" of the people who believe he moves inside? You and Simonton? I don't think it matters what people outside the coaching staff thinks. The perfect example of that has already been mentioned several times in Barnett. "Most" though he was a lock to move inside. Most were wrong.

Last year wasn't great for the position, on paper. This year, if Emerson stays at DE and we land another good WDE besides Gerald, which is very likely, then that would certainly be a great class.
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He's listed as a DT on 247, analysts at the opening said he would eventually move inside, Volquest guys think DT, basically everyone that I've heard talk about him has said DT. I have no clue what the coaches think but I hope he remains at DE. If we land good WDE then yes, it's a great class. But if we have to settle, then it's an okay class. And if that happens then Emerson moves inside, it's a subpar class at best. I just don't understand why we can't land a big time high school WDE when the best DE in the country has played in Knoxville the last 3 years. Hopefully a new name emerges. Simonton said our best bet is Caleb Johnson and Jibunor. But Jibunor may not even play DE at he next level so those two names aren't going to make this an elite DE class imo
 
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#395
#395
daddychad said:
every prospect may or may not be elite. The fact is those that get paid millions to recruit and develop players believe he can be elite. Places with as much depth as fsu and bama believe the kid is worth a spot.

I do believe we need a quicker wde added to this class. Azeez probably isn't going to happened but we'll have other options. One in particular looks promising. 👀
Click to expand...

👀
 
#396
#396
Bassmaster_Vol said:
He's listed as a DT on 247, analysts at the opening said he would eventually move inside, Volquest guys think DT, basically everyone that I've heard talk about him has said DT. I have no clue what the coaches think but I hope he remains at DE. If we land good WDE then yes, it's a great class. But if we have to settle, then it's an okay class. And if that happens then Emerson moves inside, it's a subpar class at best. I just don't understand why we can't land a big time high school WDE when the best DE in the country has played in Knoxville the last 3 years. Hopefully a new name emerges. Simonton said our best bet is Caleb Johnson and Jibunor. But Jibunor may not even play DE at he next level so those two names aren't going to make this an elite DE class imo
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Stop stargazing, bro. Caleb Johnson has offers from Tennessee, Auburn, UGA, UF, LSU and Miami. Would be a great addition to UT's DL room, not a meh we suck project.
 
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#397
#397
Bassmaster_Vol said:
He's listed as a DT on 247, analysts at the opening said he would eventually move inside, Volquest guys think DT, basically everyone that I've heard talk about him has said DT. I have no clue what the coaches think but I hope he remains at DE. If we land good WDE then yes, it's a great class. But if we have to settle, then it's an okay class. And if that happens then Emerson moves inside, it's a subpar class at best. I just don't understand why we can't land a big time high school WDE when the best DE in the country has played in Knoxville the last 3 years. Hopefully a new name emerges. Simonton said our best bet is Caleb Johnson and Jibunor. But Jibunor may not even play DE at he next level so those two names aren't going to make this an elite DE class imo
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Maybe they see him as a DT based off his weight and performance from last year? Again, didn't all the same people say the same things about Barnett? How many big time high school DEs are there? How do you determine who is big time?
 
#400
#400
LaagerVol said:
Maybe they see him as a DT based off his weight and performance from last year? Again, didn't all the same people say the same things about Barnett? How many big time high school DEs are there? How do you determine who is big time?
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Imo, big time guys are those that we are fighting off top schools to sign. Not a guy that yeah, GA has offered, but he was their back up plan in case Ojulari went elsewhere. Emerson, Lawless, Litaker and others are big time guys because we had to beat out the Bama's and Clemsons of the world to land them. That's what Davis and Ojulari are. Just because a guy has a Bama offer, doesn't mean it's a committable offer as everyone knows. That's not to say that some of these guys can't be big time players also. Carvin and Horn for instance seem to be Bama's back up plans. I'd love to add them to the class, but I don't think any of us put Carvin on the same level as Mays. To me, DE is so important that we need to land the top guys at that position if we want to be an elite football team. Let's face it, without Barnett last year we lose to Florida and Ga.
 
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