LB Targets? Huge Need!

#1
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BigTXVolFan

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#1
This will be a burned up but I wanted to see whom the masses expect us to heavily target/have realistic shot to land at LB before official NSD after Early Signing has now ended.

LB is obviously our BIGGEST need, but I don't hear much for names or impact expectations.
 
#3
#3
Most people will go over to 24/7 to figure out who is left in the top 300 or so. And maybe they do a pretty good job at evaluating HS kids most of the time.

But I have found they miss on JUCO players. Kind of like they send their best guys to grade the prep kids and they send the new guys or the jokers to evaluate JUCO, or just watch video. Hopefully Pruitt has evaluations on them, and he is able to get in on the best of them. For however many spots he has to fill in February, I think the majority will be LBs and taller CBs, and the rest will probably be best players available.

It isn't going to be easy.
 
#4
#4
TNnative said:
Most people will go over to 24/7 to figure out who is left in the top 300 or so. And maybe they do a pretty good job at evaluating HS kids most of the time.

But I have found they miss on JUCO players. Kind of like they send their best guys to grade the prep kids and they send the new guys or the jokers to evaluate JUCO, or just watch video. Hopefully Pruitt has evaluations on them, and he is able to get in on the best of them. For however many spots he has to fill in February, I think the majority will be LBs and taller CBs, and the rest will probably be best players available.

It isn't going to be easy.
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About have to have a Juco LB.. Depending on a true freshman LB in the SEC is pretty scary
 
#5
#5
Kirkland/Bituli at MLB is a solid combo if they both stay healthy.

I expect us to land JJ Peterson as well, I’ll go 50/50 on Quay Walker too at this point.

As for OLB, the JUCO we grabbed yesterday could fill one of those spots, and Darrell Taylor is a great fit at the other.
 
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#6
#6
Vols410 said:
Kirkland/Bituli at MLB is a solid combo if they both stay healthy.

I except us to land JJ Peterson as well, I’ll go 50/50 on Quay Walker too at this point.

As for OLB, the JUCO we grabbed yesterday could fill one of those spots, and Darrell Taylor is a great fit at the other.
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Kirkland is overrated. Bituli is very good but thats about it. Unless we get some solid production out of Ignont and maybe Reed, we need great LBs.
 
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#7
#7
Vols410 said:
Kirkland/Bituli at MLB is a solid combo if they both stay healthy.

I except us to land JJ Peterson as well, I’ll go 50/50 on Quay Walker too at this point.

As for OLB, the JUCO we grabbed yesterday could fill one of those spots, and Darrell Taylor is a great fit at the other.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm thinking Jared Allen is a OLB in the 3-4 all day long.
 
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#9
#9
BigOrangeTrain said:
Kirkland is overrated. Bituli is very good but thats about it. Unless we get some solid production out of Ignont and maybe Reed, we need great LBs.
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Based on what? He had an excellent first season, got hurt 2nd game of soph year and missed 6 weeks and came back less than 100%. Wasn't healthy until bowl game, where looked really good. Then hurt preseason and missed this season.

Now if you want to say he is injury-plagged it would be hard to argue.
 
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#10
#10
Crazy Ivan said:
Based on what? He had an excellent first season, got hurt 2nd game of soph year and missed 6 weeks and came back less than 100%. Wasn't healthy until bowl game, where looked really good. Then hurt preseason and missed this season.

Now if you want to say he is injury-plagged it would be hard to argue.
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He was a beast as a freshman, I thought. The Kentucky game, in particular.
 
#11
#11
BigOrangeTrain said:
Kirkland is overrated. Bituli is very good but thats about it. Unless we get some solid production out of Ignont and maybe Reed, we need great LBs.
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Didn’t say Kirkland was elite, just saying that if the two of them are both healthy, ILB won’t be a huge struggle for us. I’d rather focus on corner and the DL.
 
#13
#13
LB is a need, but we do have some LBs on our roster that have a lot of potential. Some guys who could potentially move inside are Austin Smith and Ja’Quain Blakely. Smith will probably stay outside, if he can stay healthy, but Blakely could easily play MLB, especially on 1st and 2nd down. 240-250 MLbs will probably be the norm for us in a few years. Blakely is a guy who people have forgot about, but he has very good speed for a guy his size. If he comes into the year at 245-250, I bet he gets a look at MLB.

Moreover, Taylor should be a lot of fun to watch in a 3-4 as a stand up edge rusher. Dude is a freak athlete. The Jack LB spot should be Taylor’s to lose.
 
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#14
#14
Crazy Ivan said:
Based on what? He had an excellent first season, got hurt 2nd game of soph year and missed 6 weeks and came back less than 100%. Wasn't healthy until bowl game, where looked really good. Then hurt preseason and missed this season.

Now if you want to say he is injury-plagged it would be hard to argue.
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Kirkland can ball and he best be doing it. I don't see this coach cutting any slack when it comes to being game ready. Mentaly and physicaly.
 
#20
#20
BOT is right. Kirkland is so so. Along with the rest of them. None of our LB's are Alpha Dogs. We need one badly. Hopefully Pruitt can make one out the ones we have or bring in one that will carry the torch.
 
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#21
#21
no doubt we could use a couple...JUCO, possibly...hoping we can stay healthier and with some coaching we can see some we already have shine like Ignont, Sapp, Bates, Kirkland...definitely would like to see these boys surprise the heck out of me...guess, we'll see, and

GO VOLS!
 
#22
#22
Vols410 said:
Kirkland/Bituli at MLB is a solid combo if they both stay healthy.

I except us to land JJ Peterson as well, I’ll go 50/50 on Quay Walker too at this point.

As for OLB, the JUCO we grabbed yesterday could fill one of those spots, and Darrell Taylor is a great fit at the other.
Click to expand...

Austin Smith will 100% be competing for that OLB spot opposite Taylor. If the JUCO works out, we may have some nice options off the edge.
 
#23
#23
keckjm said:
LB is a need, but we do have some LBs on our roster that have a lot of potential. Some guys who could potentially move inside are Austin Smith and Ja’Quain Blakely. Smith will probably stay outside, if he can stay healthy, but Blakely could easily play MLB, especially on 1st and 2nd down. 240-250 MLbs will probably be the norm for us in a few years. Blakely is a guy who people have forgot about, but he has very good speed for a guy his size. If he comes into the year at 245-250, I bet he gets a look at MLB.

Moreover, Taylor should be a lot of fun to watch in a 3-4 as a stand up edge rusher. Dude is a freak athlete. The Jack LB spot should be Taylor’s to lose.
Click to expand...

This potential that is on squad may be why there has not been an aggressive push for line back recruits. The new staff along with Fulmer's ability to understand the position, my be saying go get linemen. Just hope that's the reason for few lb recruits.
 
#24
#24
Need OL and CB with LB as 3rd priority.They have one good....maybe great one ....signed with OLB Jordan Allen in the fold.Then you have J J Peterson and Quay Walker on the horizon....believe we get both.And believe we have some guys on the squad who will be good OLB's in the 3/4 defense with good coaching up.

CB and OL are much more of priority imo.
 
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