London Vol
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When I was a child, we had a tortoise and it used to hibernate between November to May, well it’s time for all Vols fans to wake up from their own hibernations as the season is now only hours away. I thought I would hold my second pre-season award ceremony, now I know this is a risky thing to do,
This is a bitter sweet season for me, as I have found out recently that with the closure of ESPN Player and now TNT Sports in England (Disney) there is no College football in the UK available (apparently I need a US IP Address to access Peacock) It means I have to revert to 2009 and either listen to Bob Kesling live or try to avoid the score until some kind soul updates the full game on You Tube on Sunday. Appreciate what you have.
Anyway, here goes.
BEST PLAYER - OFFENSE: JOE MILTON III
2022 – Hendon Hooker
I will put my hand up here as I wish to admit that I have never done such a screeching “180” on a player like I have on Joe Milton. After the Ole Miss game in 2021 I never wanted him to take another snap in Orange and quite frankly the first two games in 2022 were hardly any better. But now I believe that he could (I didn’t say would) go to New York as a Heisman finalist and then be a top 10 pick in the 2024 Draft. He always had generational talent but the maturity, (thank you Hooker, Heupel etc) is where he has made giant strides. Go “postcode” Joe.
Honourable Mentions: Bru McCoy and Jaylen Wright
2022 – Cedric Tillman and Darnell Wright
My first pick here in Bru McCoy. Whilst the Heupel offense is renowned for the long pass, there are many “in the flat to a wide receiver” plays allowing the receiver to utilise their power of which McCoy has an abundance of. Aided with good blocks, the receiver can gain lots of YAC. Last season Tillman was often the recipient of these situations, well I think McCoy is the perfect person for this. Ok he does not have Hyatt’s speed, but he is far from slow at all, and his body strength is awesome. Be aware Cornerback, the truck is coming your way. The second choice was Wright who was our best running back last year in my opinion and from all accounts from training camp he has added good weight which will allow him to run between the tackles as well as break outside. So, expect a big year from him.
BEST PLAYER - DEFENSE: AARON BEASLEY
2022 – Byron Young
Here is another reclamation project who just seems to improve year on year. Well, with the arrival of Keenan Pili, Beasey can now move to his favoured Weak Side Linebacker which will allow him to do what he does best and that is rush the passer. Expect bawdy Box Score statistics in 2023.
Honourable Mentions: Omari Thomas and Keenan Pili
2022 - Omari Thomas and Jeremy Banks
It wont take much of an improvement for Thomas to become an Elite Defensive/Nose Tackle and I believe that he will this year with one final push from the D Line guru Rodney Garner. Here is another player I predict will go high in next year’s Draft. One of my favourite players was Daniel Bituli as he was an old-fashioned Middle Linebacker ala Brian Urlacher. Yes, I know this position has evolved into a more mobile tackler, but Pili will hopefully “turn back the clock” and show the benefit of having such a thumper. Pili brings another asset and that apparently is that he is of high character and with so much potential in Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and Jalen Smith he will be a great teacher. Its amazing how Linebacker has gone from one the weakest to one of the strongest units.
MOST IMPROVER - OFFENSE: JAVONTEZ SPRAGGINS
2022 – Jabari Small
Now that Danell Wright has gone to the NFL (the No 10 pick) its Spraggins turn to be the leader of the Offensive Line and he will not disappoint. Whilst I have a very high regard of Wrights talents, I did wonder if last season’s his improvement was in no small measure helped by Spraggins as together they shored up the right side of the O Line. Like Omari Thomas I think Spraggins will soar up the Draft boards.
Honourable Mentions: Squirrel White and Ollie Lane
2022 - Jalin Hyatt and Cooper Mays
Eash of the last six seasons, Heupel has had a top 10 Offense nationally so there are always plenty of opportunities for Wide Receivers to shine. ‘Squirrel’ also benefits from operating from the Slot and the last two players from there were Velus Jones and Jalin Hyatt and they didn’t do so bad did they. Even with McCoy, Ramel Keyton and Donte Thornton on the roster, ‘Squirrel’ will light up the stats line this season. Ollie Lane has been a back up for some years but now with his late 2022 improvement and the continuing injury issues that Coopper Mays suffers, Lane will have ample opportunity at Centre or Left Guard to finally shine.
MOST IMPROVER - DEFENSE: DENIEKO SLUGHTER
2022 – Tamarion McDonald
Slaughter like Lane has been lost in the depth chart for some while and almost by necessity found himself on the boundary as a Cornerback and with hardly any experience, produced quite a highlight reel of tight coverage and big hits. Now he has had the Spring and Fall camps to hone his skills I think he will surprise many by locking down one corner in a position that most fans feel is our weakest department.
Honourable Mentions: Bryson Eason and Wesley Wright
2022 - Trevon Flowers and Tyler Baron
I mentioned earlier I have a soft spot for a big bumping Middle Linebacker and I thought that Eason was him, however Garner knows a damn sight more than I do and he saw the potential to convert hm to Defensive Tackle and this is the season for us mere mortals to see what Garner saw. Tyler Baron is another who is about unleash his undoubted potential and it was only when I went back and watched the game tapes from last season I realised that he was actually pretty good already. One more step Baron please.
BEST NEWCOMER - OFFENSE: DONTE THORNTON
2022 – Bru McCoy
As I mentioned a Heupel Offense offers tons of opportunities to shine and Thornton certainly has the tools to do so as he is 6`5” and he also runs like the wind. If he takes off then he will be one of the biggest successes of the 2023 Transfer Portal and WR U will continue to justify its claim.
Honourable Mentions: Nico Iamaleava and McCallan Castles
2022 - Dylan Sampson and “Squirrel “White
If Milton has the season I think he will have, then Nico Iamaleava will mostly “ride the pine” in 2023 before being unleashed on the world of College Football next year. But there are three scenarios where Iamaleava could still get an opportunity this season i) an injury to Milton ii) Inconsistency rears its ugly head for Joe again iii) and more likely, if Tennessee can open up big leads then Nico will see plenty of playing time. Like Pili and Thornton, Castles is potentially a great pick up from the Transfer Portal. He is a “one and done” TE who has all the tools at 6`5” and 252 lbs to put up enough output on tape to get drafted next April. Expect Castles to be the recipient of the plays that were designed for Princeton Fant last season.
BEST NEWCOMER - DEFENSE: ARION CARTER
2022 – Christian Charles
Arion Carter, get used to this name because he IS the newcomer I am most excited about. Tennessee have recently been rotating four Linebackers and Carter has only Beasley, Pili and Elijah Herring in front of him so there are tons of playing time available for him to shine and this he will, trust me. Could this be the next Micah Parsons or Harold Perkins? It going to be fun finding out.
Honourable Mentions: James Pearce and Jordan Matthews
2022 - Tyre West and Kaleb Webb
James Pearce was a very late arrival in 2022 and this probably slowed him down during his rookie season, but I think 2023 is when we will see a classic Sophomore Surge. The Rushing department of the Defensive Line just gets more and more loaded every year but I still believe Pearce will make his mark this season. As mentioned, Cornerback has been our weakest department for a few years now and other than Slaughter, there is a great opportunity for somebody to claim the other Corner spot and both Rickey Gibson and Matthews are well capable of doing that and if one of them does, then 2023 just got even better.
I am awake now.
I look forward to reading your comments.
GO VOLS
This is a bitter sweet season for me, as I have found out recently that with the closure of ESPN Player and now TNT Sports in England (Disney) there is no College football in the UK available (apparently I need a US IP Address to access Peacock) It means I have to revert to 2009 and either listen to Bob Kesling live or try to avoid the score until some kind soul updates the full game on You Tube on Sunday. Appreciate what you have.
Anyway, here goes.
BEST PLAYER - OFFENSE: JOE MILTON III
2022 – Hendon Hooker
I will put my hand up here as I wish to admit that I have never done such a screeching “180” on a player like I have on Joe Milton. After the Ole Miss game in 2021 I never wanted him to take another snap in Orange and quite frankly the first two games in 2022 were hardly any better. But now I believe that he could (I didn’t say would) go to New York as a Heisman finalist and then be a top 10 pick in the 2024 Draft. He always had generational talent but the maturity, (thank you Hooker, Heupel etc) is where he has made giant strides. Go “postcode” Joe.
Honourable Mentions: Bru McCoy and Jaylen Wright
2022 – Cedric Tillman and Darnell Wright
My first pick here in Bru McCoy. Whilst the Heupel offense is renowned for the long pass, there are many “in the flat to a wide receiver” plays allowing the receiver to utilise their power of which McCoy has an abundance of. Aided with good blocks, the receiver can gain lots of YAC. Last season Tillman was often the recipient of these situations, well I think McCoy is the perfect person for this. Ok he does not have Hyatt’s speed, but he is far from slow at all, and his body strength is awesome. Be aware Cornerback, the truck is coming your way. The second choice was Wright who was our best running back last year in my opinion and from all accounts from training camp he has added good weight which will allow him to run between the tackles as well as break outside. So, expect a big year from him.
BEST PLAYER - DEFENSE: AARON BEASLEY
2022 – Byron Young
Here is another reclamation project who just seems to improve year on year. Well, with the arrival of Keenan Pili, Beasey can now move to his favoured Weak Side Linebacker which will allow him to do what he does best and that is rush the passer. Expect bawdy Box Score statistics in 2023.
Honourable Mentions: Omari Thomas and Keenan Pili
2022 - Omari Thomas and Jeremy Banks
It wont take much of an improvement for Thomas to become an Elite Defensive/Nose Tackle and I believe that he will this year with one final push from the D Line guru Rodney Garner. Here is another player I predict will go high in next year’s Draft. One of my favourite players was Daniel Bituli as he was an old-fashioned Middle Linebacker ala Brian Urlacher. Yes, I know this position has evolved into a more mobile tackler, but Pili will hopefully “turn back the clock” and show the benefit of having such a thumper. Pili brings another asset and that apparently is that he is of high character and with so much potential in Arion Carter, Jeremiah Telander and Jalen Smith he will be a great teacher. Its amazing how Linebacker has gone from one the weakest to one of the strongest units.
MOST IMPROVER - OFFENSE: JAVONTEZ SPRAGGINS
2022 – Jabari Small
Now that Danell Wright has gone to the NFL (the No 10 pick) its Spraggins turn to be the leader of the Offensive Line and he will not disappoint. Whilst I have a very high regard of Wrights talents, I did wonder if last season’s his improvement was in no small measure helped by Spraggins as together they shored up the right side of the O Line. Like Omari Thomas I think Spraggins will soar up the Draft boards.
Honourable Mentions: Squirrel White and Ollie Lane
2022 - Jalin Hyatt and Cooper Mays
Eash of the last six seasons, Heupel has had a top 10 Offense nationally so there are always plenty of opportunities for Wide Receivers to shine. ‘Squirrel’ also benefits from operating from the Slot and the last two players from there were Velus Jones and Jalin Hyatt and they didn’t do so bad did they. Even with McCoy, Ramel Keyton and Donte Thornton on the roster, ‘Squirrel’ will light up the stats line this season. Ollie Lane has been a back up for some years but now with his late 2022 improvement and the continuing injury issues that Coopper Mays suffers, Lane will have ample opportunity at Centre or Left Guard to finally shine.
MOST IMPROVER - DEFENSE: DENIEKO SLUGHTER
2022 – Tamarion McDonald
Slaughter like Lane has been lost in the depth chart for some while and almost by necessity found himself on the boundary as a Cornerback and with hardly any experience, produced quite a highlight reel of tight coverage and big hits. Now he has had the Spring and Fall camps to hone his skills I think he will surprise many by locking down one corner in a position that most fans feel is our weakest department.
Honourable Mentions: Bryson Eason and Wesley Wright
2022 - Trevon Flowers and Tyler Baron
I mentioned earlier I have a soft spot for a big bumping Middle Linebacker and I thought that Eason was him, however Garner knows a damn sight more than I do and he saw the potential to convert hm to Defensive Tackle and this is the season for us mere mortals to see what Garner saw. Tyler Baron is another who is about unleash his undoubted potential and it was only when I went back and watched the game tapes from last season I realised that he was actually pretty good already. One more step Baron please.
BEST NEWCOMER - OFFENSE: DONTE THORNTON
2022 – Bru McCoy
As I mentioned a Heupel Offense offers tons of opportunities to shine and Thornton certainly has the tools to do so as he is 6`5” and he also runs like the wind. If he takes off then he will be one of the biggest successes of the 2023 Transfer Portal and WR U will continue to justify its claim.
Honourable Mentions: Nico Iamaleava and McCallan Castles
2022 - Dylan Sampson and “Squirrel “White
If Milton has the season I think he will have, then Nico Iamaleava will mostly “ride the pine” in 2023 before being unleashed on the world of College Football next year. But there are three scenarios where Iamaleava could still get an opportunity this season i) an injury to Milton ii) Inconsistency rears its ugly head for Joe again iii) and more likely, if Tennessee can open up big leads then Nico will see plenty of playing time. Like Pili and Thornton, Castles is potentially a great pick up from the Transfer Portal. He is a “one and done” TE who has all the tools at 6`5” and 252 lbs to put up enough output on tape to get drafted next April. Expect Castles to be the recipient of the plays that were designed for Princeton Fant last season.
BEST NEWCOMER - DEFENSE: ARION CARTER
2022 – Christian Charles
Arion Carter, get used to this name because he IS the newcomer I am most excited about. Tennessee have recently been rotating four Linebackers and Carter has only Beasley, Pili and Elijah Herring in front of him so there are tons of playing time available for him to shine and this he will, trust me. Could this be the next Micah Parsons or Harold Perkins? It going to be fun finding out.
Honourable Mentions: James Pearce and Jordan Matthews
2022 - Tyre West and Kaleb Webb
James Pearce was a very late arrival in 2022 and this probably slowed him down during his rookie season, but I think 2023 is when we will see a classic Sophomore Surge. The Rushing department of the Defensive Line just gets more and more loaded every year but I still believe Pearce will make his mark this season. As mentioned, Cornerback has been our weakest department for a few years now and other than Slaughter, there is a great opportunity for somebody to claim the other Corner spot and both Rickey Gibson and Matthews are well capable of doing that and if one of them does, then 2023 just got even better.
I am awake now.
I look forward to reading your comments.
GO VOLS
