Are we “set” on the OL?

#51
#51
With a scheme change, proper coaching, and a non-voluntary S&C program, a lot of our OL can be serviceable. I’d be happy with just an average OL for a change. Our OL the past couple years has been underwhelming.
 
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#52
#52
Vol8188 said:
I don't think we have 7-10 average guys right now on the o line. Without Hall, Jones, and Boulware we only have 3 I feel good about. Richmond, Smith, Tatum
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I like the potential in other guys too like R.Johnson, J.Carvin and J.Johnson. Also excited about R.Locklear. He also had offers from Penn St, Fla St, Mich St and VA Tech. The potential to have a good OLine is there with the Coach's we have. They just have to live up to their star rating. Richmond, Smith, R.Johnson, J.Carvin, J.Johnson, R.Locklear and M.Tatum were all either 4* or *5 guys on atleast one of the recruiting services. We have some highly rated guys it's a matter of them staying healthy and getting the right coaching. I was looking over their offer lists and all were also offered by teams that run more traditional offense's instead of the spread. Maybe the players we have are better suited to block in a more pro style type offense. Then throw in we won't have Hall( Injuries), J.Jones( Injuries) and Boulevard( Transfer) who also were all *4 on atleast 1 site. If those 3 could have stayed healthy and not left we would be in really good shape. I don't think we are in bad of shape as some say. Our depth could be an issue if we have injuries like last year. Hopefully a different blocking scheme helps with that. We have 7 *4 and *5 guys on the line all had other big time offers so atleast the talent potential is there. Hopefully we can add a grad transfer or another JUCO guy to this class and 1 more HS player also.
 
#54
#54
it's gunna take a couple classes. Is what it is. the goal is to have some kind of a foundation to work with this year, and then start building depth next year. We need immediate contributors now, depth later.
 
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#55
#55
Catbone said:
We don't have the talent, not even close.
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We have some talent on the OLine. Depth, bad coaching and injuries were bigger problems. 7 of our guys were *4 or *5 recruits..R.Locklear, M.Tatum, T.Smith, J.Carvin, J.Johnson, R.Johnson and Drew Richmond. Only Brooks( who was a *4 TE till his injury), Niehaus, Calbert, Ollie Lane and Anonutti were *3 by everyone. So 7 of the 12 OLine guys were 4 or 5 star recruits. And all of the 4* and 5* players had other big name offers from more traditional offense's that are known for strong OLine play. Even a few or our *3 guys had a few other big offers Calbert( Florida,S. Carol),Anonutti( LSU, Miss St, VA.Tech) and Lane ( GA, Miss St, Wisc, VA Tech). Nobody can tell me the talent isn't there because those numbers say differently. We just need more guys to add to it and good coaching. The offensive scheme change could benefit them also. I would be more concerned about the scheme change if our players weren't also heavily pursued by pro style offense's who are known for good and physical OLine play. We just need more depth.
 
#57
#57
Richmond,Johnson,locklear,smith,tatum isnt a bad starting 5 weve had alot worse. gonna need some guys like carvin and johnson to provide depth immediately though
 
#58
#58
UTVOLS1614 said:
Richmond,Johnson,locklear,smith,tatum isnt a bad starting 5 weve had alot worse. gonna need some guys like carvin and johnson to provide depth immediately though
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That’s a bad starting 5....only Smith is at the SEC level we need.
 
#61
#61
Vol8188 said:
Tatum and Richmond are SEC level.
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Definitel!.Locklear and R. Johnson could be as well. Both are *4 Freshman and a RS FR so it's way too soon to say they aren't SEC level. Then add Carvin and J.Johnson who are also *4 and have the potential to be SEC level Olineman. Truth is we have no idea how they will look with good coaching and a scheme change. They could be busts or could be having their names called on Draft Day. There isn't one person on here or the coaching staff that knows that answer one way or the other. I'm in the minority but I'm holding out hope and putting trust in the Coach's before making assumptions on any player. Our last staff could have taken the sidelines in Tuscaloosa with Saban's players this year and lost atleast 3 or more games.
 
#63
#63
jackcrevol said:
We arent set at any position.
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id say were pretty set at wr with Johnson callaway and JJ. also safety is not to shabby with warrior Tk and abernathy. your selling these guys short. also ILB with Bituli and DK is pretty set to. No complaints at RB either chandler is a good one
 
#68
#68
Tatum will finally be at least heavy enough to be a tackle (tweeted about “300lbs here i come”). I hope Pruitt finds the right spot for Richmond. Moving him from his natural RT position that he played in HS was a mistake. I think I’d feel pretty comfortable with:

Smith
R. Johnson
Locklear
Carvin
Richmond

That being said, i really hope Pruitt can flip Valentin and get Wonnum on board this weekend. That’s be huge.

Locklear, R. Johnson, Calbert and Niehaus all have upside. But that’s all it is at this point. Wouldn’t be fair to JG to put him behind a shoddy line again this season. Just gotta trust JP and Friend at this point.

EDIT: also love the idea of having a starting line that features 4 players that’re all 4-5 star talent from the state of Tennessee
 
#69
#69
swchandler1988 said:
Tatum will finally be at least heavy enough to be a tackle (tweeted about “300lbs here i come”). I hope Pruitt finds the right spot for Richmond. Moving him from his natural RT position that he played in HS was a mistake. I think I’d feel pretty comfortable with:

Smith
R. Johnson
Locklear
Carvin
Richmond

That being said, i really hope Pruitt can flip Valentin and get Wonnum on board this weekend. That’s be huge.

Locklear, R. Johnson, Calbert and Niehaus all have upside. But that’s all it is at this point. Wouldn’t be fair to JG to put him behind a shoddy line again this season. Just gotta trust JP and Friend at this point.

EDIT: also love the idea of having a starting line that features 4 players that’re all 4-5 star talent from the state of Tennessee
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I think Jahmir Johnson locks down one of the guard spots
 
#70
#70
MyBloodRunnethOrange said:
I think Jahmir Johnson locks down one of the guard spots
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Hopefully! I mean who knows. Carvin could be a road grader similar to what Trey was able to do, and that’d give us some more flexibility in the guard spots. They’re going to have to get BIG and creative in 2018. Hopefully they can reel in big fish Wanya Morris, Darnell Wright and Lampley in 2019.
 
#71
#71
swchandler1988 said:
Hopefully! I mean who knows. Carvin could be a road grader similar to what Trey was able to do, and that’d give us some more flexibility in the guard spots. They’re going to have to get BIG and creative in 2018. Hopefully they can reel in big fish Wanya Morris, Darnell Wright and Lampley in 2019.
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LT Trey Smith
LG J Johnson
C ???
RG. R Johnson
RT Richmond

Tatum is 3rd tackle

Neihlus is done i thought
 
#72
#72
Please don’t count on Carvin coming in and starting. Not many freshmen like Smith out there. If we’re counting on freshmen coming in and starting on thi line every year we’re in trouble.
 
#73
#73
Tatum is all about weight room.
Jones staff didn't do a great job with him. One, burned his RS. Two, S&C and nutrition.
At his height he should be 315 no problem. He's 285.

The problem is the JuCO guy is also light. Ideally, you'd like Richmond, Tatum and the new guy to shire up tackle so you. Can keep Smith inside.

I think Johnson and Locklear will be good ones.
 
#74
#74
LittleVol said:
LT Trey Smith
LG J Johnson
C ???
RG. R Johnson
RT Richmond

Tatum is 3rd tackle

Neihlus is done i thought
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Tatum is too good not to start given our lack of talent. If he doesn't win a tackle spot, he will be at guard
 
#75
#75
LittleVol said:
LT Trey Smith
LG J Johnson
C ???
RG. R Johnson
RT Richmond

Tatum is 3rd tackle

Neihlus is done i thought
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I would think Locklear would get a shot at center, no? Only reason i think Niehaus isn’t done (only comparing Hall and Niehaus right now) is that Niehaus is retweeting UT stuff daily, things Niedermeyer has said, etc. Hall barely has anything at all related to UT football. I know that isn’t much to go on but what else is there since no “insiders” know anything about these two.

EDIT: not retweeting daily, but at least several things in the past week. Also, you meant Tatum is the third tackle as in third in line behind Richmond and Smith correct? Once more off season of weights and eating, and he’s finally a halfway decent tackle in the SEC. not faulting the guy, but them SEC DEs are big kids.
 
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