Kirkland Jr. out

[Orange_Vol1321]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Freak View Post
Daniel Bituli was a 4-star and is a fantastic athlete. If Jumper is starting, it's because he's earned it, not because there are no other options.




Since you're still questioning and demanding, here are some thoughts as to the possibility DKjr wasn't ready for Oklahoma --

March 8 2015

"The Indianapolis-born linebacker tore a pectoral muscle in winter (2014-15 winter) workouts. ... But will they be hampered by missing time, and will it affect their roles on the 2015 Vols? The injuries could hurt them (dkjr) and the team."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2399845-tennessee-football-how-injuries-will-impact-vols-spring

And then later in the season (Nov 20), here's still more reports of his injury:

"Early in the year, UT's defense suffered drastically when Kirkland wasn't ready and walk-on Colton Jumper was forced into a starting role. When Kirkland finally took over against Western Carolina, he wasn't ready. But as he's grown, so has coordinator John Jancek's defense."

"So, playing slogging offenses with strong running games means UT needs a big effort from Kirkland."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...tar-darrin-kirkland-needs-to-keep-shining-now

Do you see any possible pattern, of Jumper being "forced" to play in 2015, and maybe 2016? Is DKjr healthy/available to play now?

Did DKjr play in the 2016 Vanderbilt game?

The fact mic has been dropped.

 

[Smokey1210]

When was the last time we didn't lose our best linebacker for the season due to either suspension or injury?

It's been a little while however this is the first time we have had 2 4 stars that have a minimum of 2 years in the program waiting for their opportunity. The bashing of Jumper is just plain ignorance. People are just not realizing that him being the starter says more about him than it does the lack of talent behind him. He is everything a coach is looking for from a heart stand point. It takes a lot of confidence to come to UT when you weren't given a scholarship offer and know the only way your gonna get on the field is to our work every other player at your position with higher recruiter rankings. If we were talking about a CB I'd expect pure athleticism to trump a walk on however the LB position has more to do with reading offenses and being a coach on the field. He is the QB of the defense. He will be out in some position where he has to cover the tight end however if he has the smarts and can recognize plays he should never be stuck covering a skill receiver. Put a freshman in there and he doesn't recognize they are gonna make him cover a slot in his zone and it doesn't matter if it is Kirkland in there he doesn't have the ability to cover the miss match the offense gave them. If we take a season ending injury this year reality is line backer was a way better position to take it at than DT or DE.

 

[Vfl2407]

Yea LWS is where I read it. Even if he could come back in 6 weeks that's still half the season. I would RS him. We need him more in 2018.

Silver Lining.
DKJ and Chance Hall come back as 2 new proven starters.

 

[MADISONGAVOL]

The idea that some of you are okay with the idea that in year 5, Colton Jumper may potentially still be playing major snaps, is astounding.

Thank you......precisely my point....im not hating on the kid either....i believe he has huge heart and gives all he has that's never been a question same as Nick reveiz but that still doesn't fix the problem at hand that all butches classes only signed one quality mlb contributor as of now....same as de.....sure we have two deep and one guy is true freshmen. So five years into it...im shaking my head......i think butch has done great job recruiting but de and lb have not been on par with rest of the positions whether it's quality depth or game changers being recruited at the positions

 

[jakez4ut]

it is what it is at this point. Jumper wasn't added to the roster with the idea/purpose being for him to be a starter.

we have recruited good MLB's, and not one over the last 4 years has been able to stay on the field, whether by off field issues or injury. Jumper's role was supposed to be depth.

and while i'm still also a little confused/disappointed that bituli isn't/can't play the position, it's also no secret we're still thin at the OLB positions. and bituli was discussed seriously all off season as being an OLB because of his athleticism. so it's not a huge shock to see him penciled in there. it's more of a shock to not see him as a starter, or at least as an OR at that spot.

but Austin Smith was a RS last year, and if he's back, and full go, he may be perfect there. we'll see. but there's a reason he's listed there instead of bituli....and the coaches have to know what that is, or they wouldn't have done it.

on the other side, i don't have issue with McDowell, and you have Sapp in that rotation.

and i don't care how athletic a guy is, coaches are always going to put the best decision maker in a spot that requires decision making and communication skills. so from that aspect, i don't have an issue with it.

the Jumper debate is fruitless. everyone widely agrees that he's more than capable of being a MLB from the head up. if he's gotten any better athletically, and surely/hopefully he has, then this may just not be as big a deal as we think. and at the same time, we also should recognize that the coaches have a lot of faith in him and many players view him as a leader....they'll follow him.

that doesn't mean he's going to set the world on fire or is going to be expected to be an all SEC type player. he's not. but he serves a purpose for the situation we now find ourselves in, and i think we better get used to it, because DK may not come back this season.

bigger concern now is....we really need to stay healthy at LB the rest of the way.

 

[BeecherVol]

No bueno.