Need to focus on LB & CB in portal going forward

#51
#51
LWSVOL said:
yes.. from Kwauze's UT bio

Fourth-year Vol linebacker who also plays an important role on special teams coverage … Switched from defensive back to linebacker during the 2020 season ... Teammates with brother, Kurott, who is a defensive lineman … Played in 18 career games and has three seasons of eligibility remaining ... Earned a scholarship following the 2020 season after beginning his career as a walk-on.
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We have the exact same count. Although, I had 87 because I was counting Matthew Salansky as a scholarship player. If you say he isn't, I'll defer to you.
 
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#53
#53
My guess for current priority in the portal going forward is:

1) CB
2) TE
3) WR or best available

This is based on the current roster. Obviously, if we see a departure at QB or RB in the Spring, then that position jumps up in priority.

TE may be hard to land with Warren and Castles being in the mix, but if they can maybe identify someone who is younger who doesn't mind sitting a year for depth, then start in 2024, that would be an ideal target. With Davis being a true freshman, it's hard to go into the season just depending on Warren and Castles.
 
#54
#54
cwbytruckers said:
Talkin Vawls saying another wave is coming after spring practice of guys hitting the portal. What do you all think?
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Yes but it will be guys who have been passed on the depth chart, not guys who are going to eventually be 1st round picks. There's always a few rare exceptions and we should try to identify those guys but the priority should be signing and developing HS athletes. Color me crazy but IMO it's okay to have a rebuilding year where a lot of underclassmen play for the sake of their development in preparation of a championship run in a couple years.
 
#55
#55
volfan_28 said:
Yes but it will be guys who have been passed on the depth chart, not guys who are going to eventually be 1st round picks. There's always a few rare exceptions and we should try to identify those guys but the priority should be signing and developing HS athletes. Color me crazy but IMO it's okay to have a rebuilding year where a lot of underclassmen play for the sake of their development in preparation of a championship run in a couple years.
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I agree anyone leaving will see the writing on the wall for playing time. Hopefully we see three or four more guys that can come in and contribute next season.
 
#58
#58
OH-Vol said:
Warren
Castles
Browder
Davis

as well as a Top TE commit for 2024 class. Additionally we only used two the entire 2022 Season. No way we need 5 TEs
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I think Browder is a preferred walkon, not on scholarship. We only used 2 this year because only 2 were ready to play. I expect we will try and find another one, if possible. Tough position to recruit for often and one of the most difficult positions to play.

Warren coming back was great but he only has 1 more year. Castles only has 1 more year of eligibility too and he even admits he has a lot of work to do with his blocking. Those 2 being seniors may scare off anyone else who wants playing time but worth a look. Davis looks like a nice prospect but missed his entire senior year with torn labrum. Overall this is a pretty thin group in my opinion not just for 2023 but also heading into 2024.

Will see. CB remains top priority for sure.
 
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#59
#59
It’s apparent the staff isn’t just gonna take a DB just to take one. They are obviously being very selective. I don’t personally like it but Heupel has earned my trust. Hopefully it works out.
 
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#60
#60
Walkman said:
E. Moseley, Sutton, Taylor, Demetrius Morley to name a few
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Bryce Thompson, Inky Johnson, and DeRon Jenkins also come to mind. Jonathan Heffney too, I think?

It’s not that uncommon. And since Matthews and Gibson arrived early for bowl practices, they have an advantage those guys didn’t.
 
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#61
#61
Vol8188 said:
Sure but those can be one year scholarships is my understanding.
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that's true for everyone, I believe.

it is still stated on his UT BIO. I would think they would remove it if he no longer was on scholarship. Since he was put on scholarship, Tennessee has not been at 85 so there has been no reason to remove him. IMO
 
#64
#64
LWSVOL said:
that's true for everyone, I believe.

it is still stated on his UT BIO. I would think they would remove it if he no longer was on scholarship. Since he was put on scholarship, Tennessee has not been at 85 so there has been no reason to remove him. IMO
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So we agree they can simply remove him if needed?
 
#68
#68
LWSVOL said:
if they wanted to. They could remove a scholarship from anyone if they wanted to... that is basically what they did with Mitchell..
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I don’t think that’s true. At least not by the letter of the law.
 
#69
#69
LWSVOL said:
Jason Parker
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I was only mentioning CBs, but yes, he was a good DB as a freshman. I put a ? after Heffney because I could not remember if he played CB his freshman year. Thought he started there, then moved to safety. Do you recall?
 
#70
#70
VolBricks said:
are we not getting any "Love" at CB because of Martinez? I cannot decide if we are lacking talent or coaching at CB or maybe both.
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Martinez is one of the best recruiters o. Staff
 
#71
#71
sjt18 said:
I don't claim to know what they've focused on.

However, their pattern seems to be that they don't just take a player because they "need" one at a position. They seem to be doggedly determined to only bring in the right guys... and otherwise they make do with what they have. Seems like a long term vs short term approach.
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Would that be preferring a Culture fit over a future Cancer outbreak?
 
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#74
#74
Hopefully we can find some defensive backs with speed who will look over their shoulder for the ball. Or our secondary coach can do a better job of teaching it?
 
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