Last Year's Talent

[Vol8188]

Oregonvol asked what happened to all the 4 stars on our roster last year. Were they all busts or did the coaching staff not develop our talent. So here's a break down of last years 4 stars by position:

QB:
Josh Dobbs: came out and started multiple games a true freshman and held his own.

RB:
Lane: played the role of backup to an overachieving 3 star RB, still had a very decent season.

WR:

North: 4 star who played like a 5.

Pig: played like a 4 star should.
Croom: played decently for a redshirt freshman.

Bowles: I have a hard time calling a player a bust after his redshirt freshman year, but he may end in that category.

Paul Harris: couldn't crack the depth chart as a true freshman so he transferred.

TE: none

OL:

Tiny: 4 star player, started at LT as a sophmore and junior.

Jackson: started as a true freshman, and then redshirted last season. He should be one of our better linemen this season.

Stone: 4 year starter.

James: 4 year starter

Dline:

O'brien: last year was his redshirt freshman year, too early to tell.

Carr: transferred out after freshman year.

McCullers: two year starter.

Couch: played well as a junior, would have probably had a decent season if he had played.

Smith: played a lot, but probably a bust


LB:

AJ: 4 year starter, plays like a 5 star.

Maggitt: injured last season, but a dynamic player

Reeves-Maybin: made huge special teams plays as a true freshman, and has a chance to break the lineup this season.

DB:

Coleman: 4 year starter, but has a tendency to get burned.

McNeil: started as a sophmore, wasn't phenomenal.

 

[Vol8188]

Let me know if I missed anyone.

Unless I did, this means we only had 20 4 star players on last years roster. 0 consensus 5 star players. And the rest were 3 or below.

Of the 20 4 star players, 8 of them were under class men.

 

[Vol8188]

That's leaves us playing with 12 veteran 4 stars.

Of which 1 was suspended for the season (Couch), 1 was redshirted due to an injury (Maggitt), and 1 was redshirted for this season (Jackson).

That leaves 9 4 star players for our staff to work with last season. And some of you don't understand why we had a losing season.

 

[Gruuden]

That's leaves us playing with 12 veteran 4 stars.

Of which 1 was suspended for the season (Couch), 1 was redshirted due to an injury (Maggitt), and 1 was redshirted for this season (Jackson).

That leaves 9 4 star players for our staff to work with last season. And some of you don't understand why we had a losing season.

I agree with u. But some of these jackwagons on van think stars have nothing to do with anything. That's why the teams that are consistently in top 5 in recruiting are always winning.

 

[jkleno]

Nice post OP. I wouldn't say AJ played like a 5 star. Just saying.

 

[jkleno]

Oregonvol asked what happened to all the 4 stars on our roster last year. Were they all busts or did the coaching staff not develop our talent. So here's a break down of last years 4 stars by position:

QB:
Josh Dobbs: came out and started multiple games a true freshman and held his own.

RB:
Lane: played the role of backup to an overachieving 3 star RB, still had a very decent season.

WR:

North: 4 star who played like a 5.

Pig: played like a 4 star should.
Croom: played decently for a redshirt freshman.

Bowles: I have a hard time calling a player a bust after his redshirt freshman year, but he may end in that category.

Paul Harris: couldn't crack the depth chart as a true freshman so he transferred.

TE: none

OL:

Tiny: 4 star player, started at LT as a sophmore and junior.

Jackson: started as a true freshman, and then redshirted last season. He should be one of our better linemen this season.

Stone: 4 year starter.

James: 4 year starter

Dline:

O'brien: last year was his redshirt freshman year, too early to tell.

Carr: transferred out after freshman year.

McCullers: two year starter.

Couch: played well as a junior, would have probably had a decent season if he had played.

Smith: played a lot, but probably a bust


LB:

AJ: 4 year starter, plays like a 5 star.

Maggitt: injured last season, but a dynamic player

Reeves-Maybin: made huge special teams plays as a true freshman, and has a chance to break the lineup this season.

DB:

Coleman: 4 year starter, but has a tendency to get burned.

McNeil: started as a sophmore, wasn't phenomenal.

2013 Defense:
Ranked 11 in scoring defense which gave up 418 yards per game and 6.07 yards per play. I don't think anyone on that defense played like a 5 star.

 

[99bubble]

Nice job, but we should just wait until stj weighs in before declaring a talent deficiency!

 

[KBVol]

Nice job, but we should just wait until stj weighs in before declaring a talent deficiency!

Just wait for it Bubble...it's comin' ☺️

 

[KBVol]

2013 Defense:
Ranked 11 in scoring defense which gave up 418 yards per game and 6.07 yards per play. I don't think anyone on that defense played like a 5 star.

6 yds per play? Ugh.

 

[Aerie Vol]

2013 Defense:
Ranked 11 in scoring defense which gave up 418 yards per game and 6.07 yards per play. I don't think anyone on that defense played like a 5 star.

Repeat after me: "Toughest schedule in the history of NCAA football."

Period. 418 yds per is not all that bad considering trips to #1, #2, #9 and #19 (Swamp) and home visits by #6, #9 and #11.

No team in history, I repeat, HISTORY - you know, 125+ years of intercollegiate sports, ever played 6 of the top 15 teams in a single season. Five top ten teams? Fuggetaboutit!

Let's have perspective before complaining about defensive performance in the coach's first year.

AV

 

[Biopsyman]

Just look at the NFL draft and that will tell everyone a lot about our overall talent. When you have more UDFA than Draftees...

 

[jkleno]

Repeat after me: "Toughest schedule in the history of NCAA football."

Period. 418 yds per is not all that bad considering trips to #1, #2, #9 and #19 (Swamp) and home visits by #6, #9 and #11.

No team in history, I repeat, HISTORY - you know, 125+ years of intercollegiate sports, ever played 6 of the top 15 teams in a single season. Five top ten teams? Fuggetaboutit!

Let's have perspective before complaining about defensive performance in the coach's first year.

AV

If you think AJ played like a 5 star last year, then you are entitled to your opinion. From the games I saw last year, he did not perform like a 5 star, which is what the OP stated.

 

[Aerie Vol]

If you think AJ played like a 5 star last year, then you are entitled to your opinion. From the games I saw last year, he did not perform like a 5 star, which is what the OP stated.

No, didn't really mean to argue that with you. If AJ could cover downfield, or didn't have to be in on plays where he likely would have to, then he played like a 5*. But, I agree with you that I wouldn't rate his last season beyond 4 stars.

For a freshman, though? Cam may have earned 5 stars.

AV

 

[Chilmonty]

AJ only had 106 tackles this year, about the same or more than the entire Dline had!!!

Lord only knows how many of those tackles saved a possible TD???

You guys are correct though, we would be so much better if AJ didn't suck so bad? 2* player who should be cut! :blink:













hint: turn sarcasm detector to ON DA's


.

 

[jkleno]

No, didn't really mean to argue that with you. If AJ could cover downfield, or didn't have to be in on plays where he likely would have to, then he played like a 5*. But, I agree with you that I wouldn't rate his last season beyond 4 stars.

For a freshman, though? Cam may have earned 5 stars.

AV

He did play very, very well. Agreed.

 

[sjt18]

Nice job, but we should just wait until stj weighs in before declaring a talent deficiency!

Before I declare a talent deficiency? Explain.

I have argued the opposite. That UT had enough talent they should not have been run off the field like homecoming fodder, should not have been challenged by USA, and should not have lost to Vandy.

I never denied that there were holes in the roster and significant ones. I never denied that UT had some talented players who did not play to their potential for whatever reason (including coaching).

You take a shot at me... while showing that you are ignorant of my position. "Nice job". I'm sure you feel smug.

 

[sjt18]

Nice post OP. I wouldn't say AJ played like a 5 star. Just saying.

Lack of "stars" have a good bit to do with losing to Bama, Oregon, UGA, Auburn, etc. It doesn't explain the loss to Vandy, the non-competitive blowouts, or the USA game.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Lack of "stars" have a good bit to do with losing to Bama, Oregon, UGA, Auburn, etc. It doesn't explain the loss to Vandy, the non-competitive blowouts, or the USA game.

I think the loss to Vandy was almost 100% due to the coaches not trusting the 3rd (or maybe even 4th) string QB (who happened to be the only healthy QB on the roster) very much. We played VERY conservatively that game while leading almost the entire time. It backfired at the end though.

I put that on the coaches, but at the same time I can respect the logic that led them to make those decisions. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way.

 

[99gator]

i do not understand what people see in aj johnson.

when he gets his arms on a guy, he makes the tackle. i give him that. he is a sure tackler.

however, he is an average football player at best as some of his flaws aren't merely flaws but are a huge issue

 

[Vol8188]

2013 Defense:
Ranked 11 in scoring defense which gave up 418 yards per game and 6.07 yards per play. I don't think anyone on that defense played like a 5 star.

Is that the only fault you can find? If nothing else AJ played above the level of your average 4 star MLB.

 

[Vol8188]

I never denied that UT had some talented players who did not play to their potential for whatever reason (including coaching).

Of the mere 12 upper classmen we had as four stars, who did not live up to there potential?

 

[Vol8188]

i do not understand what people see in aj johnson.

when he gets his arms on a guy, he makes the tackle. i give him that. he is a sure tackler.

however, he is an average football player at best as some of his flaws aren't merely flaws but are a huge issue

He will go in the top two rounds. He has great instincts and is a tackling machine. He's exactly what you want in a true MLB.

 

[Volumnus 2011]

Before I declare a talent deficiency? Explain.

I have argued the opposite. That UT had enough talent they should not have been run off the field like homecoming fodder, should not have been challenged by USA, and should not have lost to Vandy.

I never denied that there were holes in the roster and significant ones. I never denied that UT had some talented players who did not play to their potential for whatever reason (including coaching).

You take a shot at me... while showing that you are ignorant of my position. "Nice job". I'm sure you feel smug.

Lol. You certainly shouldn't feel smug. You did not correctly comprehend what 99 said. He did, however, correctly state your position regarding the talent level of last year's team. You may want to read it again, or have someone reread it for you.:thumbsup:

 

[Cyclopskiller]

Slow>A.J Johnson

 

[Vol8188]

Lack of "stars" have a good bit to do with losing to Bama, Oregon, UGA, Auburn, etc. It doesn't explain the loss to Vandy, the non-competitive blowouts, or the USA game.

1. Our not so talented qb threw 3 interceptions against south Alabama. That's pretty simple to explain.

2. During the Vandy game we were without multiple wr's to include North. And we're playing with our 3rd or 4th string qb. If that doesn't explain the outcome to you, nothing will.