‘23 AL RB Khalifa Keith (Tennessee)

[cncchris33]

I've seen a burst from Wright the last few games that wasnt there last year, and even the beginning of the year. I'm impressed. His speed is finally showing up, and thats what's been missing imo.

Wasn't he fighting an injury last year?

 

[bigl3327]

Wasn't he fighting an injury last year?

He was a true freshman and didn't get to play his senior year because of Covid cancelation. He was battling injury entering fall camp this year, so he is just getting in a groove now.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

He's averaging 180 yards rushing a game.....

He averaged 155 last year....

Dude do you even know how to do simple math? Per maxpreps, Keith has 670 rushing yards in 6 games. How is that 180 yards per game??

 

[cncchris33]

He was a true freshman and didn't get to play his senior year because of Covid cancelation. He was battling injury entering fall camp this year, so he is just getting in a groove now.

That's what I thought.

 

[ACvol3]

I just don’t understand why there aren’t highly rated backs beating down the door trying to play for UT

 

[jakez4ut]

I just don’t understand why there aren’t highly rated backs beating down the door trying to play for UT

I think there's a narrative out there that this offense is gimmicky, finesse and not rb friendly.

I think that narrative has been taking some gut punches the past few weeks with the renewed physical presence our o line now has and the production from rb's.

I think the portal may provide a boost and we're going after some highly rated guys in the 24 class.

So we'll see

 

[MarcoVol]

I think there's a narrative out there that this offense is gimmicky, finesse and not rb friendly.

I think that narrative has been taking some gut punches the past few weeks with the renewed physical presence our o line now has and the production from rb's.

I think the portal may provide a boost and we're going after some highly rated guys in the 24 class.

So we'll see

I like the sound of that. ‘24 class might really be something special

 

[jakez4ut]

I like the sound of that. ‘24 class might really be something special

It's of to a great start and we should add Beasley I think on Friday. 2-3 other big time in state kids are now very interested in staying home as well.

I'm thinking this 23 class probably closes really strong... Maybe a couple flips? I'm very interested to see how we do pre-spring in the portal since we had 0 activity last year before the spring.

But yeah.. Finish this class around the top 10. Back it up in 24 with another... And we're off!

 

[rdk4121]

I just don’t understand why there aren’t highly rated backs beating down the door trying to play for UT

This is just an awful class for RB. I just think the staff is sold on many kids out there. To be fair, we should have everyone back next year, plus in theory Whitehead for extra depth, so we're not in dire straights, but taking someone would be nice. Maybe they go a young transfer portal guy.

 

[TitanicVolz]

Good God I'd swear zome of yall bicker like old married couples...

 

[m1al]

Good God I'd swear zome of yall bicker like old married couples...

Worse...

 

[NighthawkVol]

I think he's still looking to hit his stride. He runs so hard and he's got a good combo of strength and acceleration that the others don't have. He's not afraid to run for the tough yards, has a great coachable attitude and is very, very competitive. He's too hard on himself. IMO, that's his biggest obstacle. He has really high expectations and goals and has a hard time getting past his internal disappointment. I think he's started to turn that corner though. I'm like you, his best is yet to come and I believe everyone will be blown away when it shows up.

If he can get over the fumble issues, he'll play and be a star.

 

[ACvol3]

I think there's a narrative out there that this offense is gimmicky, finesse and not rb friendly.

I think that narrative has been taking some gut punches the past few weeks with the renewed physical presence our o line now has and the production from rb's.

I think the portal may provide a boost and we're going after some highly rated guys in the 24 class.

So we'll see

I mean, we had more rushing yards than bama lol

 

[jakez4ut]

I mean, we had more rushing yards than bama lol

Gut punch.

 

[volbeast33]

I think there's a narrative out there that this offense is gimmicky, finesse and not rb friendly.

I think that narrative has been taking some gut punches the past few weeks with the renewed physical presence our o line now has and the production from rb's.

I think the portal may provide a boost and we're going after some highly rated guys in the 24 class.

So we'll see

Yeah….. the narrative for running backs is the same for qb and wrs…. The theory that it doesn’t translate to the NFL…. We need some of these offensive guys to be successful at the next level.

 

[RiseToTheTop]

I think there's a narrative out there that this offense is gimmicky, finesse and not rb friendly.

I think that narrative has been taking some gut punches the past few weeks with the renewed physical presence our o line now has and the production from rb's.

I think the portal may provide a boost and we're going after some highly rated guys in the 24 class.

So we'll see

Yeh that narrative dies pretty quickly when you realize they have ran the ball like 90 times the last two games alone.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

I think there's a narrative out there that this offense is gimmicky, finesse and not rb friendly.

I think that narrative has been taking some gut punches the past few weeks with the renewed physical presence our o line now has and the production from rb's.

I think the portal may provide a boost and we're going after some highly rated guys in the 24 class.

So we'll see

This

 

[jakez4ut]

Yeah….. the narrative for running backs is the same for qb and wrs…. The theory that it doesn’t translate to the NFL…. We need some of these offensive guys to be successful at the next level.

Hooker, Tillman, Hyatt, wright, McCoy have all made themselves some money this year as i'd expect all of them to find their way to NFL rosters at some point in the near future.

Carvin, Mays, Spraggins maybe as well some day. I even wonder if Fant Could make a team as an udfa...

Long story short... They aren't all gonna be day 1 or 2 picks... But they're multiple guys that are capable of making rosters on this offense right now.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yeh that narrative dies pretty quickly when you realize they have ran the ball like 90 times the last two games alone.

Production sells. So yeah I'd expect bidness to pick up...

 

[volbeast33]

Hooker, Tillman, Hyatt, wright, McCoy have all made themselves some money this year as i'd expect all of them to find their way to NFL rosters at some point in the near future.

Carvin, Mays, Spraggins maybe as well some day. I even wonder if Fant Could make a team as an udfa...

Long story short... They aren't all gonna be day 1 or 2 picks... But they're multiple guys that are capable of making rosters on this offense right now.

I don’t think it affects the lineman much….. wrs don’t have a traditional route tree….QBs are mainly doing pre snap reads…. Not going through progressions…. Not throwing into tight windows…. Running backs are mainly running straight up the middle against a very spread out defense….

I do think our guys will get drafted bc production will be insane…. We need them to be successful so other teams can’t use these narratives against us… Gabriel Davis being successful is a big boost for Heup’s system…. We need some of these guys to do the same.

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

Good God I'd swear zome of yall bicker like old married couples...

Shut up no one asked you.

 

[buckfama]

Good God I'd swear zome of yall bicker like old married couples...

I don't allow myself to get sucked into that crap anymore. If someone disagrees with me, I just say "you're right" and go about my day. I come to this site for enjoyment, not to bicker with strangers.

 

[jakez4ut]

I don’t think it affects the lineman much….. wrs don’t have a traditional route tree….QBs are mainly doing pre snap reads…. Not going through progressions…. Not throwing into tight windows…. Running backs are mainly running straight up the middle against a very spread out defense….

I do think our guys will get drafted bc production will be insane…. We need them to be successful so other teams can’t use these narratives against us… Gabriel Davis being successful is a big boost for Heup’s system…. We need some of these guys to do the same.

from a pure physicality standpoint, we've seen this O line hold their own physically with some stud defensive personnel. so while it may not be a typical pro style offense, they are showing that they will bring that to the table. and that's why i said capable of making rosters, not day 1 or 2 picks.

as the overall baseline talent continues to improve, i'd imagine we'll see more higher round picks.

but at this point, we're not waiting around for 3 years to see who's successful in the NFL before selling that.....the goal is to get to the league. so how many guys get there? and it may be, should be really, more of a selling tool that this staff is/was/will continue to be able to put guys there, even if the base line talent to begin with is a bit iffy. like a cedric tillman or jalen hyatt for example.

long story short...there's only so much Tennessee can do in terms of the NFL. once the player gets there, ti's pretty much up to them. cause not every guy Bama or GA sends to the NFL makes it, many just go away and you never hear from the again, or their doing pod casts now.

 

[LowKey]

I mean, we had more rushing yards than bama lol

More points as well.

 

[miket4god]

I mean, we had more rushing yards than bama lol

With running backs less talented than Jahmyr Gibbs also.