'24 CA ATH Kingston Lopa (Oregon commit)

[HoleInTheRoof]

Kingston Lopa - Grant Union - LB
https://www.hudl.com/profile/15376354

 

[Ron Swanson]

He was here today and Vols in a good spot per AP

 

[Jackcrevol]

we thinking that a Lopa-Tennessee will be good marriage?

 

[StanfordVol]

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a safety that’s 6’5”.

 

[BelieveTheHeup93]

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a safety that’s 6’5”.

Jayron Kearse at Clemson a few years back, and it seems like there might’ve been 1-2 others over the past 10 years

 

[thunder5]

Kingston…just down the road from Knoxville…this is meant to be

 

[LittleVol]

Same alma mater as the great Donte Stallworth and Ontario Smith

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a safety that’s 6’5”.

Patrick Watkins at FSU was that size in the early 2000s. Got drafted by the Cowboys but never panned out in the NFL.

That said, we might be recruiting him as a receiver or TE because Matt Ray on the VQ 2 minute drill talked about him on offense and how Kingston was intrigued with how he could be used in this offense. (paraphrased)

Edit: Plays some receiver in high school

 

[Ericvol2096]

Sounds like we are recruiting him as a WR?

 

[CeJayVols]

Jayron Kearse at Clemson a few years back, and it seems like there might’ve been 1-2 others over the past 10 years

James Williams at the U is 6'5" as well and was highly recruited before signing with Miami

 

[StanfordVol]

Patrick Watkins at FSU was that size in the early 2000s. Got drafted by the Cowboys but never panned out in the NFL.

That said, we might be recruiting him as a receiver or TE because Matt Ray on the VQ 2 minute drill talked about him on offense and how Kingston was intrigued with how he could be used in this offense. (paraphrased)

Edit: Plays some receiver in high school

Gotcha. I was wondering if he would grow into a hybrid LB type position, but it sounds like he’s destined for offense.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Pod today makes it sound like we may really be in this one. Could either be a safety or receiver. Tall, lean with long arms. Donte Stallworth big in this one.

 

[bigl3327]

Pod today makes it sound like we may really be in this one. Could either be a safety or receiver. Tall, lean with long arms. Donte Stallworth big in this one.

This kid has some nasty in him. Very physical football player and could easily play at 210-215 eventually at either position. I think I like him better as a WR prospect though.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

6'5 safety just sounds silly

 

[Ron Swanson]

AP said he’s 6’3” 200lbs on VQ podcast today, could have misspoke not sure. Also said he can play Safety but likely a WR at Tennessee.

 

[jvols1999]

This kid has some nasty in him. Very physical football player and could easily play at 210-215 eventually at either position. I think I like him better as a WR prospect though.

(Very) respectfully disagree, and here's why: we're going to sign an incredible WR haul, IMO. Some 3-5 of Matthews/Harrell/Wingo/Wesco/Jefferson/Staley/Anderson/Young/other 4-stars. From my amateur viewpoint, Lopa isn't a *better* WR prospect than any of them. But what he IS is a 6'4-6'5 ~200 pound kid who can move well enough to play S/WR, plays aggressive AF, and has the frame to grow into a LB or Edge.

Ask yourself this: even IF Kirby had the type of offensive weapons Heupel has already and is recruiting in this cycle, where would he put a freak like Lopa? I think we know the answer, and IMO if we want to become truly elite we need to put kids like this on defense and let them wreak havoc.

 

[MarcoVol]

(Very) respectfully disagree, and here's why: we're going to sign an incredible WR haul, IMO. Some 3-5 of Matthews/Harrell/Wingo/Wesco/Jefferson/Staley/Anderson/Young/other 4-stars. From my amateur viewpoint, Lopa isn't a *better* WR prospect than any of them. But what he IS is a 6'4-6'5 ~200 pound kid who can move well enough to play S/WR, plays aggressive AF, and has the frame to grow into a LB or Edge.

Ask yourself this: even IF Kirby had the type of offensive weapons Heupel has already and is recruiting in this cycle, where would he put a freak like Lopa? I think we know the answer, and IMO if we want to become truly elite we need to put kids like this on defense and let them wreak havoc.

UT isn’t UGA. Heupel isn’t Kirby. We do what we want.

 

[VolInDayton]

I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a safety that’s 6’5”.

Sam Hubbard was 6'6" and played safety in Highschool. I dont think anyone that size is going to stay at safety.

 

[LittleVol]

(Very) respectfully disagree, and here's why: we're going to sign an incredible WR haul, IMO. Some 3-5 of Matthews/Harrell/Wingo/Wesco/Jefferson/Staley/Anderson/Young/other 4-stars. From my amateur viewpoint, Lopa isn't a *better* WR prospect than any of them. But what he IS is a 6'4-6'5 ~200 pound kid who can move well enough to play S/WR, plays aggressive AF, and has the frame to grow into a LB or Edge.

Ask yourself this: even IF Kirby had the type of offensive weapons Heupel has already and is recruiting in this cycle, where would he put a freak like Lopa? I think we know the answer, and IMO if we want to become truly elite we need to put kids like this on defense and let them wreak havoc.

Agree with a lot.of this
But I would also add the TE position

 

[LittleVol]

Cam Chancellor was 6'4.
Pat Watkins 6'5 as someone mentioned before.

 

[butchna]

Cam Chancellor was 6'4.
Pat Watkins 6'5 as someone mentioned before.

Kam

 

[jvols1999]

UT isn’t UGA. Heupel isn’t Kirby. We do what we want.

Weird reply but cool

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Surprised that we're talking about 6'4 safeties and Kyle Hamilton wasn't mentioned

 

[LittleVol]

Surprised that we're talking about 6'4 safeties and Kyle Hamilton wasn't mentioned

Whos that ?

 

[SmokeyDaBear]

I need to be schooled here folks…..what is the drawback to 6’5 safety? I mean if he has SEC speed and can hang with the WRs wouldn’t that just make him better.