LB Targets? Huge Need!

#26
#26
Austin Smith has done absolutely nothing since he's been at UT. I would not count him as a starter at all. Hope he proves me wrong.
 
#27
#27
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.
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Good update. Forgot about some of those. Continues to amaze me how little the old staff did not develop players, especially LB's (Jumper would not have even started for ETSU, much less UT).

More cowbell LBs....
 
#28
#28
savannahfan said:
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.
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One of the problems has been dline play.
 
#31
#31
Can't call a LB great or elite if he stays hurt all the time. Our LB's only have "potential" and have never shown it on the field in last several years except perhaps Maggitt and that one is debatable .

A great or elite LB is consistent - which we have not seen in a long time.
 
#34
#34
BigTXVolFan said:
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.
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LB is a very big need....but OL is the biggest imho.
 
#35
#35
In high school the best athletes go both ways. Coach Fulmer and staff were outstanding talent evaluators in this regard. They would take running back prospects, who were maybe third on the depth chart and turn into every down linebackers. CPF was very smart in developing players.
 
#37
#37
FBtime said:
You just said Kirkland was overrated. So you are putting that on him and not Thigpen.
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Kirkland has flashed good ability but has shown little to nothing to be considered a great or elite linebacker, including his inability to stay healthy. Part of the issue is him the other is a poor former head coach and linebackers coach, neither of which have any idea how to develop football players.
 
#38
#38
orangemadam said:
Can't call a LB great or elite if he stays hurt all the time. Our LB's only have "potential" and have never shown it on the field in last several years except perhaps Maggitt and that one is debatable .

A great or elite LB is consistent - which we have not seen in a long time.
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JRM wasn’t great? Lol k
 
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#39
#39
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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I would like to see Kongbo at either W or O LB.
 
#43
#43
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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Felt like he was the one we could least afford to lose on D his sophomore year. We went down hill without him. If he can stay healthy I think he will play on Sundays.
 
#44
#44
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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Come on. Kirkland can't stay healthy but when he has been... he's been noticeably better than anyone else UT has had since AJ's arrest.
 
#46
#46
KBVol said:
LB is a very big need....but OL is the biggest imho.
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Close but I don't see a 3-4 two deep at LB with existing personnel, do you? Even if everyone is healthy... I don't see it.

Jones recruiting was overrated and nowhere worse than LB. Do they have someone with the physical ability to play Jack?
 
#47
#47
#1ManningFan said:
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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kirkland is an above average linebacker its really not a debate. we do need depth however
 
#49
#49
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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We also have Saap, Page, Bates and Smith at LB.
 
#50
#50
Top Gun said:
In high school the best athletes go both ways. Coach Fulmer and staff were outstanding talent evaluators in this regard. They would take running back prospects, who were maybe third on the depth chart and turn into every down linebackers. CPF was very smart in developing players.
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