'24 GA DL Jeremias Heard (Tennessee commit)

[sjt18]

Taking a project at OL is a lot different than WR, especially OF. I’ll let you decide which position is easier to learn/play.

Hint: it’s not WR

Anyways, not saying you’re wrong about taking them. Just think we are in a spot where we shouldn’t have to take one. GFW even said this in the Okoye thread. We’re in on a ton of OL and DL.

Rankings do NOT prove that an OL isn't a project. UT is about to put Wright in the NFL. That's great. But there was a time when he looked like an absolute bust. Really it appears he wasn't... he was just a big, athletic, talented kid that took a while to develop. So though there are a few guys who may get good rankings that are ready to step in and play well as FR... there aren't many. The vast majority need development. You could argue that Morris who came in as a 5* at the same time STILL hasn't been developed even with a lot of starting experience. He is pretty down the board on the draft projection I saw.

I can't tell you what the staff saw in Heard. I don't know if he was a take because they know someone else they've pursued isn't coming. I can tell you that they saw something that led them to take an early commit from him.

 

[sjt18]

FWIW, two of the supposed top 5 QB draft prospects this year are PURE "projects". Both have physical talent and have proven absolutely nothing to warrant the attention they've gotten.

Every time someone "levels up" someone is taking a chance that the potential they show at a lower level will translate into something really good with development.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

This is called a projection. He has measurables and athletic traits that very few have. Potential is not realized, of course he could not turn into anything near a HOF type player. How many guys became great NFL players that were basketball players that barely played organized football?

Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, Martellus Bennett, Julius Peppers just to name a few. Hell i could start naming lots of guys that are NFL players that didn't play much football in HS either like Jean Pierre Paul, Lawrence Okoye, Efe Obada, Clay Matthews, Ike Taylor, Khalil Mack, David Onyemata etc..

As i said before guys with Jeremias's frame and physical traits are very very rare. There are a lot more 6'3-6'5 guys than 6'8-6'9 guys on this planet. Then add the type of athleticism and quickness Heard has.... If he puts the effort in, and with Elarbee's obvious coaching talent, yes i think the sky is the limit for this kid.

And yes this kid is a project, but he is a project at a position group where we have a lot of bodies already, our TE room is barren. You don't go for boom or bust guys in the 24' class when you have no depth and you have guys already committed like Echols, and are in the top 2 for guys like Reddell, Odom, Leblanc, Hipp etc. When you have depth, then a project player is exactly what you want. He will be fine with sitting for awhile in the transfer portal era compared to other guys, and with the right coaching and development, in a couple years he is ready and puts to use his athletic traits to good use and gets closer to fulfilling his immense potential.

Also, the thing for me is the 36' inch arm length. That is just freakish, and a huge advantage. It is a whose who list of NFL stars that all have over 34' inch arm length. There is a very strong correlation showing guys with 34' + arm length achieving a lot success in the NFL for many positions, particularly the OL and DL's.

So saying a guy with great measureables and nothing about his game is going to be an all time great is an accurate projection? Then every single player in every SEC class is going to be an all time great

 

[chandler bing]

So saying a guy with great measureables and nothing about his game is going to be an all time great is an accurate projection? Then every single player in every SEC class is going to be an all time great

I really don't understand what you are saying.

1. How many guys in any SEC or any D1 class have guys with the measurables that Heard has? Please do tell. Please find me the number of guys that are a legit 6'8, with 36 inch long arms, a 35 inch vertical that can move like this guy does? Yeah i'll be waiting for your answer to this one.

2. Projection is exactly what the word means. I am projecting him based off a set of criteria that i think he could end up being. That criteria being frame, arm length, strong hands, knee bend, lateral foot speed, explosive movements. His vertical, his reach, his coordination, his explosiveness at his size is just uncommon even at the highest points of the NFL. He is at the top of every testing category that the NFL looks at and this kid is 17 years old. Imagine what a proper strength and conditioning program, combined with Elarbee's coaching can do with a kid that ALREADY is winning an all NFL combine team for his measurables.

3. Again this is a projection, but seeing his basketball highlights, stats and things being said about him from his basketball and football coaches also gives some good indication into his mental side. They all rave about his toughness, his work ethic, his drive, and his funny personality on top of his freakish athletic gifts. So yes hearing and seeing these things from the people who have coached him is another strong check mark in the criteria boxes.

4. Yesterday you literally posted that 90% of OL are projects. If that is your belief, than what the hell are you arguing with me about? Heard who is an obvious project, falls into this 90% category of all OL, this guy's athletic traits are off the charts and put him at the top 1% of this 90% group. Wouldn't you surmise that he has a much better chance to make it since he has some major advantages over this 90% of guys he would be competing with? Receiving good coaching, being tough and having a good work ethic are also important intangible qualities for success in football, and i believe he has those as well.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

I really don't understand what you are saying.

1. How many guys in any SEC or any D1 class have guys with the measurables that Heard has? Please do tell. Please find me the number of guys that are a legit 6'8, with 36 inch long arms, a 35 inch vertical that can move like this guy does? Yeah i'll be waiting for your answer to this one.

2. Projection is exactly what the word means. I am projecting him based off a set of criteria that i think he could end up being. That criteria being frame, arm length, strong hands, knee bend, lateral foot speed, explosive movements. His vertical, his reach, his coordination, his explosiveness at his size is just uncommon even at the highest points of the NFL. He is at the top of every testing category that the NFL looks at and this kid is 17 years old. Imagine what a proper strength and conditioning program, combined with Elarbee's coaching can do with a kid that ALREADY is winning an all NFL combine team for his measurables.

3. Again this is a projection, but seeing his basketball highlights, stats and things being said about him from his basketball and football coaches also gives some good indication into his mental side. They all rave about his toughness, his work ethic, his drive, and his funny personality on top of his freakish athletic gifts. So yes hearing and seeing these things from the people who have coached him is another strong check mark in the criteria boxes.

4. Yesterday you literally posted that 90% of OL are projects. If that is your belief, than what the hell are you arguing with me about? Heard who is an obvious project, falls into this 90% category of all OL, this guy's athletic traits are off the charts and put him at the top 1% of this 90% group. Wouldn't you surmise that he has a much better chance to make it since he has some major advantages over this 90% of guys he would be competing with? Receiving good coaching, being tough and having a good work ethic are also important intangible qualities for success in football, and i believe he has those as well.

How do you know his hands are strong, his knee bends that well, his foot speed is great, he is explosive, etc... He has no film/highlights out for football

 

[walkenvol]

Rankings do NOT prove that an OL isn't a project. UT is about to put Wright in the NFL. That's great. But there was a time when he looked like an absolute bust. Really it appears he wasn't... he was just a big, athletic, talented kid that took a while to develop. So though there are a few guys who may get good rankings that are ready to step in and play well as FR... there aren't many. The vast majority need development. You could argue that Morris who came in as a 5* at the same time STILL hasn't been developed even with a lot of starting experience. He is pretty down the board on the draft projection I saw.

I can't tell you what the staff saw in Heard. I don't know if he was a take because they know someone else they've pursued isn't coming. I can tell you that they saw something that led them to take an early commit from him.

I remember the fat boy Wanya looking like a bust initially, don’t remember Wright looking so bad?

 

[allvolrecruiting]

I remember the fat boy Wanya looking like a bust initially, don’t remember Wright looking so bad?

Huh. Wanya was nowhere near overweight and looked promising his freshman year lol

 

[Big151Orange]

How do you know his hands are strong, his knee bends that well, his foot speed is great, he is explosive, etc... He has no film/highlights out for football

The coaching staff has seen him in person and obviously think enough of him to take his commitment. Don’t know why you’re being so argumentative. If the coaches are willing to take his commitment now, 8 months before signing day, they see something in him the like and believe he has a chance to help this team. Not even a 5 star with four years of HS football film can guarantee anything more. If they were getting in on him late and have missed on others, I would be more concerned. That is not the scenario here.

 

[butchna]

So saying a guy with great measureables and nothing about his game is going to be an all time great is an accurate projection? Then every single player in every SEC class is going to be an all time great

There’s a moderately happy medium between one extreme that you’re exaggerating and your own.

 

[Vol423]

Huh. Wanya was nowhere near overweight and looked promising his freshman year lol

Wanya looked better than Wright as a freshman.

 

[chandler bing]

How do you know his hands are strong, his knee bends that well, his foot speed is great, he is explosive, etc... He has no film/highlights out for football

His coaches and Matt Ray and Austin have talked about his huge strong hands and arm length. You can see his ability to dig in and bend his knees along with his explosiveness if you watch his basketball videos on HUDL. Are you literally trying to push a narrative that says you can't project and look the athleticism in one sport to another and that they have very little cross over skills? I was very good HS player in soccer, basketball and baseball. Most of the same traits that helped me in excel in one of these sports helped me in the others.

Heard clearly shows explosiveness in his jumping and vertical. Why does the NFL test verticals at the combine again? It is clear from watching his basketball tape that he is quick and he can shuffle his feet and guard much smaller guys easily. In one game i watched him hedge out and guard the PG on the pick and roles several times and his ability to stay with the small quick guard out on the perimeter was impressive to say the least. He is able to guard tiny quick guards and keep them in front of him at a high level that were like 6'0 and 160 lbsish, imagine how much easier it will be for Heard to try to stay in front of a 6 4' 250+ lb guy trying to run around him where Heard is allowed to be able touch and grab his opponent unlike in basketball? Please tell me you can see how things like this translate from one sport to another. If you can't, well i don't see a point to continuing this discussion.

 

[MoB_MoVols]

Tennessee currently sits with three commitments for 2024 on the offensive line if you work off the theory that Jeremias Heard is going to eventually end up there. There will likely be a lot of turnover on the offensive line after this season which means they need help across the board. Interior guys like Ronan O’Connell and William Satterwhite are two names Tennessee has interest in but the Vols will be battling Clemson on both. Elarbee was in Texas last week to see Max Anderson who can play tackle and guard so his flexibility is a plus. Tennessee will also swing big with California lineman Brandon Baker and fellow tackle Ethan Calloway.

-VQ

 

[LittleVol]

"Tennessee currently sits with three commitments for 2024 on....

-the offensive line if you work off the theory that Jeremias Heard is going to eventually end up there.

There will likely be a lot of turnover on the offensive line after this season which means they need help across the board. Interior guys like Ronan O’Connell and William Satterwhite are two names Tennessee has interest in but the Vols will be battling Clemson on both. Elarbee was in Texas last week to see Max Anderson who can play tackle and guard so his flexibility is a plus. Tennessee will also swing big with California lineman Brandon Baker and fellow tackle Ethan Calloway."
-VQ

@bigl3327 i wonder if they're recruiting him for DL but keeping it open to othet possibilities.

 

[Lars]

Heard has played what, one season of football? His athleticism, measurables, and attitude made him a take for our coaches. I doubt them not. BOOM!

 

[LittleVol]

Heard has played what, one season of football? His athleticism, measurables, and attitude made him a take for our coaches. I doubt them not. BOOM!

I don't think anyone argues that they can't judge pure talent. Or develop it.

That doesn't mean he's a good take, either.
Coaches get things wrong all the time.

Not sure why people always have to make something of "doubting the professionals".

I have great confidence in them! And if they got something wrong, then what? Do they lose credibility??

Point being; coach worship is stupid.

 

[bigl3327]

"Tennessee currently sits with three commitments for 2024 on....

-the offensive line if you work off the theory that Jeremias Heard is going to eventually end up there.

There will likely be a lot of turnover on the offensive line after this season which means they need help across the board. Interior guys like Ronan O’Connell and William Satterwhite are two names Tennessee has interest in but the Vols will be battling Clemson on both. Elarbee was in Texas last week to see Max Anderson who can play tackle and guard so his flexibility is a plus. Tennessee will also swing big with California lineman Brandon Baker and fellow tackle Ethan Calloway."
-VQ

@bigl3327 i wonder if they're recruiting him for DL but keeping it open to othet possibilities.

He is this years Trevor Duncan. He's being recruited by the staff to play DL, but many outside the program think that he projects better on the OL. The big difference with Heard is that he is new to playing football and has zero experience as an offensive lineman. They used him at TE last season on offense.

 

[Lars]

I don't think anyone argues that they can't judge pure talent. Or develop it.

That doesn't mean he's a good take, either.
Coaches get things wrong all the time.

Not sure why people always have to make something of "doubting the professionals".

I have great confidence in them! And if they got something wrong, then what? Do they lose credibility??

Point being; coach worship is stupid.

Having a high level of confidence in our coaches does not suggest that they are infallible, nor does it imply worship. To answer your question, if they got it wrong, then they keep coaching and play the guys they believe give the team the best chances of winning. Why did you even ask that question? Hey man, if you got some kind of phobia going about coach worship, it is not my problem.

 

[AllThingsTN]

The coaching staff has seen him in person and obviously think enough of him to take his commitment. Don’t know why you’re being so argumentative. If the coaches are willing to take his commitment now, 8 months before signing day, they see something in him the like and believe he has a chance to help this team. Not even a 5 star with four years of HS football film can guarantee anything more. If they were getting in on him late and have missed on others, I would be more concerned. That is not the scenario here.

He thinks he knows everything bc he goes to some HS games.

 

[LittleVol]

Having a high level of confidence in our coaches does not suggest that they are infallible, nor does it imply worship. To answer your question, if they got it wrong, then they keep coaching and play the guys they believe give the team the best chances of winning. Why did you even ask that question? Hey man, if you got some kind of phobia going about coach worship, it is not my problem.

And your denial isn't my problem.

There's enough of you damn coach worshipers running around here.

We always have them. Even had them with Butch and Pruitt.
It's annoying...

 

[LittleVol]

He is this years Trevor Duncan. He's being recruited by the staff to play DL, but many outside the program think that he projects better on the OL. The big difference with Heard is that he is new to playing football and has zero experience as an offensive lineman. They used him at TE last season on offense.

He is here yet??
Trevor Duncan?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

And your denial isn't my problem.

There's enough of you damn coach worshipers running around here.

We always have them. Even had them with Butch and Pruitt.
It's annoying...

And you wonder why so many on here think you are a complete joke

 

[butchna]

And your denial isn't my problem.

There's enough of you damn coach worshipers running around here.

We always have them. Even had them with Butch and Pruitt.
It's annoying...

I like you man, but few on this board are as proficient at stirring up the furnace and claiming victimization when it blows up on you, as yourself. Despite the evident risk of being accused of abandoning Jehovah for Heupel, I’ll assert that confidence in this staff’s evaluations and development isn’t “coach worship”. Til it doesn’t work over a vetted period of time, I’m rolling with it. Commence projecting.

 

[bigl3327]

He is here yet??
Trevor Duncan?

Summer enrollee. Moves in later this month, but this same discussion was had about him last year. Is he a SDE? Is he a DT? Is he an OT? He was recruited to play defense and will start his college career there, but many were saying his future is on the OL. There was also the same talk of his NFL potential as an OT.

 

[LittleVol]

I like you man, but few on this board are as proficient at stirring up the furnace and claiming victimization when it blows up on you, as yourself. Despite the evident risk of being accused of abandoning Jehovah for Heupel, I’ll assert that confidence in this staff’s evaluations and development isn’t “coach worship”. Til it doesn’t work over a vetted period of time, I’m rolling with it. Commence projecting.

Victim? Haha.
What are you talking about?

This kid is a project. Nothing wrong for good developers -like our coaches are- to take some from time to time. But to "doubt them not " as he put it? That's just coach worship.


And nothing blows up in my face if that was my intention to begin with

 

[Orange_Crush]

Taking a project at OL is a lot different than WR, especially OT. I’ll let you decide which position is easier to learn/play.

Hint: it’s not WR

Anyways, not saying you’re wrong about taking them. Just think we are in a spot where we shouldn’t have to take one. GFW even said this in the Okoye thread. We’re in on a ton of OL and DL.

If we were in a "place" that needed first year contribution on OL/DL, then I'd be worried. Every school in the country is taking "projects" on both lines. OT is probably the last place you want to be leaning on early playing time (besides QB).