Do you expect Nico to play much this year?

#54
#54
The situation this year reminds me a lot of 1994 ...before some of y'all were born. We were excited @ a possible NC run with Jerry Colquitt who was poised for a huge 1st year as starter after waiting his turn. The hottest freshman in the nation was here. Can't remember his name. 🤔
People wondered the same then @ the freshman. Ended up playing most of the year and burning that RS. God forbid the same happens to Milton tho.
 
#57
#57
Virginia- Plays a lot
Austin Peay- Plays a lot
Florida- Last series
Texas SA- Plays a lot
South Carolina- Plays a lot
Texas A&M-Last series
Alabama- DNP
Kentucky-DNP
UCONN- Plays a lot
Missouri-Last series
Georgia-DNP
Vanderbilt- Plays a lot
6- Plays a lot
3- Last series
3-DNP
I think he will just be here 3 years anyway and if he gets hurt if he's over 4 games he can redshirt any year. You go ahead and use this year get him game ready and your incoming QB recruits know the wait is definitely 1 year less.
 
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#58
#58
TheDeeble said:
My friend and I disagree a little about when Nico might play. My buddy thinks Milton will be on a short leash and if he has a bad half in a crucial game, Heupel will put in Nico to possibly replace him as the full time starter. My thought is Milton is going to have to be injured or really stink it up 2-3 straight games before he gets pulled. (All this is assuming Nico is ready to go)

That said, I think Milton should have a great season. He has the physical talent, wrs, and offense to succeed. He looked great last year when he played. I'm hoping his 2 years with Heupel has improved his defensive recognition, decision making, and all the other intangibles that good coaching can fine tune. If so, he'll be a 1st round draft qb and Nico should just get mop up duty this year.
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Milton is the unquestioned leader of the team. Milton won't get pulled unless he stinks it up a few games in a row, which is about the same for any QB on a team with NY6 aspirations.
 
#59
#59
I hope we are ahead enough where he gets in a minimum of 4 games. I don't care if he burns his redshirt because I think the game reps to have him ready for being a starter next year is more important than a redshirt he probably won't use.
 
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#61
#61
VolMarine1371 said:
Nico isn’t redshirting this year. No matter if he redshirts or not, he is most likely going to NFL after 3 years. He will be the #2 QB this season and will get reps in every game possible. We also have Merklinger coming in and is considered an elite QB as well. Why would you want Merklinger and Nico both Freshmen athletically? Also I expect the Vols to be major players for George MacIntyre (#2 QB per 247) and Deuce Vaughn (#10 QB per 247). Also Nico brother Madden(#12 QB per 247) has also been offered by the Vols and in the 25 class. UT has plenty of options going forward at QB and have no need to Redshirt Nico.
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Yeah we have a shot at some good QB's coming and like you said why would you want two freshman athletically.
Then you also have the portal. If Joe goes out there this and lights it up. Not only will you have HS kids looking at TN but QB's from other CFB teams looking at TN seeing what CJH did for both Hooker and Milton stats.
 
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#62
#62
I really feel we try to get him some snaps when we go up big. I think Milton starts though unless he’s injured or just proves without doubt that he’s not the starter. I would really like to see Joe have a good year.
 
#64
#64
I hope Nico plays VERY little this year. It behooves all parties to make sure he plays in no more than four games to preserve a possible red shirt freshman year. I would hope that perhaps Gaston Moore or Navy Shuler get the nod in garbage time. I couldn't imagine a worse scenario than Nico tearing an achilles or an ACL in mop up duty while UT has a forty point lead. Of course, for this to happen would mean that Joe is doing a fantastic job. I expect the former to be the case.
 
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#66
#66
PickleRickBarnes said:
He isnt redshirting.... Absolutely no reason to....
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I can think of a couple. Our starter has a big year and it gives Nico an extra year of eligibility and time to put on more weight and gain experience and confidence. To me it wouldn't be a good thing if he sees a ton of action this year.
 
#67
#67
cherokeeeVOL said:
I can think of a couple. Our starter has a big year and it gives Nico an extra year of eligibility and time to put on more weight and gain experience and confidence. To me it wouldn't be a good thing if he sees a ton of action this year.
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Are you anticipating him being on campus four years…much less five? Bryce Young wasn’t going to start over Mac Jones (even tho it was theorized by fans), but what did Bama get out of him redshirting? He was gone in THREE and anybody remember Jones backup? He’s already gained weight since he enrolled. His caliber doesn’t benefit by sitting in a classroom and not getting some live action on the field. That helped Joe Milton immensely when his number came up. Developing timing with receivers and running the offense at it’s pace in a live game is something you can’t get in practice.
 
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#68
#68
No idea how long he'll be here. Maybe he's only here three years and moves on but that aside, IMO redshirting is a good thing. It allows players to grow and develop confidence and have more time in a high-level weight training and conditioning program. Why risk not using it and potentially having him get hurt before he's even starter? Or worse, destroy his confidence before he's ready.
 
#69
#69
An often cited Vols example is Jerry Colquitt. Arrived in Knoxville and as most did during the Majors era, redshirted. Over the next four seasons his CONFIDENCE was never at issue…specially when he got garbage minutes. Finally his time as a FIFTH year senior. Undisputed starter…his team! Drives down the field first series like a machine…and blows his knee out. You can’t manage fate…it happens or it doesn’t. CONFIDENCE with these modern day phenoms is nothing that needs DEVELOPING. In this particular offense you need live snaps or you’re starting from scratch WHENEVER you start. And hopefully that’s not in the middle of a season where you’re the next best option.
 
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#70
#70
butchna said:
Are you anticipating him being on campus four years…much less five? Bryce Young wasn’t going to start over Mac Jones (even tho it was theorized by fans), but what did Bama get out of him redshirting? He was gone in THREE and anybody remember Jones backup? He’s already gained weight since he enrolled. His caliber doesn’t benefit by sitting in a classroom and not getting some live action on the field. That helped Joe Milton immensely when his number came up. Developing timing with receivers and running the offense at it’s pace in a live game is something you can’t get in practice.
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Yeah red shirts may work for other positions but QB's if they're hot you can expect for them to go. NIL money ain't NFL money. If you can get in the top 10 and be the face of the team and also play well look at the contracts Hurts and others are getting.
When you got top talent you have to plan on 3 yrs with them if they're playing up to their talent level.
 
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#71
#71
cherokeeeVOL said:
He’ll play in the 4th quarter in 3 or 4 games and redshirt.
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I think this is Larry's point of view as well. And his info is way better than mine!!!
However, I will go with the contrarian point of view, Respectfully, he will not redshirt ... there is no reason for him to redshirt .... when by all accounts he will be the starting QB in 2024 ... (setting aside injury) ... the coaches want him to get as much time under the lights and on the field as is reasonably possible. We want him to physically see ... as many different defensive sets and strategies and be learning this year ... not next year.
There is NOTHING like on the field experience to prepare you! If we score as many points as last year and the defense is slightly better ... he will appear in 6 to 8 games (sans injury to Joe).
 
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#73
#73
Things don't always go as planned, even for extremely talented QBs. Case in point: Jalen Hurts. He started, then backed up, then transferred. He lost 2 games at Alabama. Things happen.

Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton likely never saw their "best case" college careers including TN when they enrolled at VT and MI. Things happen.

Things could happen great or not so great for Nico. If he can redshirt (and I hope he can and JoeIII is a strong Heisman candidate AND Josh Heupel is then recruiting the very highest QB talent in the country,) Nico can still go to the pros "on time" if he wishes.

Planning a redshirt year, even if he "breaks it" and plays beyond it, is just an insurance policy if things happen. And things do happen.
 
#74
#74
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
Things don't always go as planned, even for extremely talented QBs. Case in point: Jalen Hurts. He started, then backed up, then transferred. He lost 2 games at Alabama. Things happen.

Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton likely never saw their "best case" college careers including TN when they enrolled at VT and MI. Things happen.

Things could happen great or not so great for Nico. If he can redshirt (and I hope he can and JoeIII is a strong Heisman candidate AND Josh Heupel is then recruiting the very highest QB talent in the country,) Nico can still go to the pros "on time" if he wishes.

Planning a redshirt year, even if he "breaks it" and plays beyond it, is just an insurance policy if things happen. And things do happen.
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Hurts started as a true freshman and was never considered the slam dunk pro prospect Nico has garnered predictions. Different time frame also. He had a redshirt handy if he ever needed to utilize it. Since he started from the beginning, I don’t see the analogy as far as grooming Nico to be the starter next season.
 
#75
#75
This has been a fun discussion, but I’ll end my participation with this bullet point. Heupel and Halzle won’t put Nico on the field if he’s not READY…physically or mentally. So if we see him in more than four games, they disagree with one side of this argument…and vice versa.
 
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