'18 RB Madre London (Grad Transfer Committed to UT)

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#154
As a recruit: A power back from Florida powerhouse program St. Thomas Aquinas, London committed to Michigan State over Nebraska and Wisconsin after visiting all three programs in the fall of 2013.

As a Spartan: After redshirting as a freshman in 2014, London quickly made name for himself in East Lansing, rushing for 500 yards and three touchdowns in 2015. But he was slowed by injuries and fell behind other backs on the depth chart, appearing in just seven games in 2016 and playing mostly as a reserve in 12 games in 2017. For his career, London has 924 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. He announced his intention to transfer to Tennessee earlier this month and has one year of eligibility remaining.

Farrell’s take: A Rivals250 prospect out of high school, I loved his running style as a big back and thought he was a great fit for what Michigan State likes to do with its backs. Despite the injuries, I really like this fit for the Vols, as well, because he will keep his legs churning and he will get some tough yardage and help wear down defenses. I thought he was under-ranked out of high school, but he hasn’t proven that yet. Maybe this will be the year.
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- Mike Farrell
 
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#157
#157
“(tennessee’s coaches) were all honest,” london said. “they already knew what they wanted to do, as far as how they wanted to carry the running game, how they want to (go) into the season and stuff like that. … they’ve got a different mindset now — more power running — and i can be another impact player in the run game.

“we’re on the rise. There’s a lot of hype around tennessee football, so i already know how it’s going to get, as far as the fans and stuff like that. So we’ve just got to give them what they want.” “any fifth-year player, a grad student, any school’s not going to really waste any time if they don’t feel like you can be an immediate impact, so they let that be known right then and there,” london said. “they told my brother that, told my mom that and everybody else. That was real good. The opportunity, it’s there.

“when i get to tennessee, as far as the weight room and stuff like that, i already know i’ll shape out real well, (get) back to where i was, and get to a good, comfortable weight where i can feel like i can move and do what i’ve got to do,” london said. “you can lose speed, but you’re not going to lose your strength, so i’m always going to be strong no matter what size i am. But i don’t want to be too undersized. “i’m a bigger back, so my expectation is to be 215, 220 (pounds) and just have my speed, because speed kills.”

“there are always going to be doubts because everybody’s going to judge you based on your previous season,” london said. “that’s what we want. We don’t want people to think otherwise or anything like that. Just know we’ve got a group of guys that are ready to win and give it their all. “that’s what coach pruitt’s been stressing to them about, and everybody’s got the same mindset, and that’s to win, win the sec and just do what we have to do. … they’re changing things around, and they’re just going to do what they’ve got to do.”
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#160
#160
Anyone coming from a successful program and staff like Mich. St, and saying the positive things like he is saying about UT.......something good is going on with the staff and mindset. Glad to hear it!
 
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#161
#161
Am I the only guy who thinks 215-220 isnt a really “big back”? Kamara was 215 here and everybody thought he was a change of pace scatback. I know that both Chandler and Jordan in the 195-200 range are considered “smallish” I guess....but after seeing the behemoths that Alabama has had the last few years (Henry at 245, Scarborough at 235, Harris pushing 230) at running back, I’m thinking London at 215-220 isn’t a big bruiser powerback a la the guys in Tuscaloosa have had. I’m actually thinking that Banks after a summer and/or season in the S&C program will more closely fit the bill for what Pruitt wants
 
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#162
#162
KBVol said:
Am I the only guy who thinks 215-220 isnt a really “big back”? Kamara was 215 here and everybody thought he was a change of pace scatback. I know that both Chandler and Jordan in the 195-200 range are considered “smallish” I guess....but after seeing the behemoths that Alabama has had the last few years (Henry at 245, Scarborough at 235, Harris pushing 230) at running back, I’m thinking London at 215-220 isn’t a big bruiser powerback a la the guys in Tuscaloosa have had. I’m actually thinking that Banks after a summer and/or season in the S&C program will more closely fit the bill for what Pruitt wants
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I think 220 to 230 is the sweet spot. It's rare that a back gets up close to 240 and is still explosive enough in today's game. I never understood the Kamara being small thing. Even now in new Orleans the call him the small back and Ingram the big back. But they are the exact same size. I think sometimes the running style affects the perception of their size.
 
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#164
#164
Sleegro said:
I think 220 to 230 is the sweet spot. It's rare that a back gets up close to 240 and is still explosive enough in today's game. I never understood the Kamara being small thing. Even now in new Orleans the call him the small back and Ingram the big back. But they are the exact same size. I think sometimes the running style affects the perception of their size.
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Kamara is Charlie Garner 2.0, imo. So many similarities, especially the balance and the ability to catch the ball. Kamara seems to have more of the "It" factor than Garner. But both were great duel-threat RBs. Although, Garner never had quite the season, Kamara had as a rookie, he was very productive for a good 7 or so seasons. Hopefully, Kamara can stay healthy and continue to put up similar (better) numbers as Garner did for his whole career.

Btw, Jamal Lewis is the greatest RB from UT in NFL history and should already be in the Hall of Fame. Terrell Davis is in the HoF and is behind Jamal in all career numbers but TDs and 2 Super Boel wins to one. Jamal even has the better 2,000 yard season. I just don't understand why Jamal hasn't been voted into the NFL HoF. Maybe I'm just biased.

Sorry, didn't mean to hi-jack London's thread. I think London will contribute this year, but I still think Chandler is going to break out and dominate most of the carries for the Vols.
 
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#165
#165
KBVol said:
Am I the only guy who thinks 215-220 isnt a really “big back”? Kamara was 215 here and everybody thought he was a change of pace scatback. I know that both Chandler and Jordan in the 195-200 range are considered “smallish” I guess....but after seeing the behemoths that Alabama has had the last few years (Henry at 245, Scarborough at 235, Harris pushing 230) at running back, I’m thinking London at 215-220 isn’t a big bruiser powerback a la the guys in Tuscaloosa have had. I’m actually thinking that Banks after a summer and/or season in the S&C program will more closely fit the bill for what Pruitt wants
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It greatly depends on how they carry it. Kamara is 215 with a super small waist. Really developed lower body. Deceptively powerful runner. True complete back.

London is taller and is a 1 cut slasher that has good physicality.

I think Banks is the future. And we'll see that this year. Regarldes of London, Chandler or Jordan.
 
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#166
#166
KBVol said:
Am I the only guy who thinks 215-220 isnt a really “big back”? Kamara was 215 here and everybody thought he was a change of pace scatback. I know that both Chandler and Jordan in the 195-200 range are considered “smallish” I guess....but after seeing the behemoths that Alabama has had the last few years (Henry at 245, Scarborough at 235, Harris pushing 230) at running back, I’m thinking London at 215-220 isn’t a big bruiser powerback a la the guys in Tuscaloosa have had. I’m actually thinking that Banks after a summer and/or season in the S&C program will more closely fit the bill for what Pruitt wants
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215-220 lbs of muscle is a lot different than an average 215-220 flab.
 
#171
#171
The Dog said:
Btw, Jamal Lewis is the greatest RB from UT in NFL history and should already be in the Hall of Fame. Terrell Davis is in the HoF and is behind Jamal in all career numbers but TDs and 2 Super Boel wins to one. Jamal even has the better 2,000 yard season. I just don't understand why Jamal hasn't been voted into the NFL HoF. Maybe I'm just biased.
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JAIL maybe? Lewis' off the field issues don't help him garner career rewards.
 
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#172
#172
Sleegro said:
I think 220 to 230 is the sweet spot. It's rare that a back gets up close to 240 and is still explosive enough in today's game. I never understood the Kamara being small thing. Even now in new Orleans the call him the small back and Ingram the big back. But they are the exact same size. I think sometimes the running style affects the perception of their size.
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Agreed
 
#174
#174
walkenvol said:
JAIL maybe? Lewis' off the field issues don't help him garner career rewards.
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Maybe, but Paul Horning is in and was indicted on gambling charges and of course OJ. I know OJ's stuff happened after he was already in the Hall, but .... Many other athletes are in the Hall while not model citizens, but Jamal did have to do prison time in the off-season and was reinstated and played at least 6 more seasons in the NFL. If it wasn't a problem for him to play multiple seasons after his time in prison why should it now affect his chances for the Hall ? But, it probably does. Hopefully, they will eventually reward him for his accomplishments on the field.
 
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