Offensive line(OT's & the o-line)

#1
CNeagleVolFan

CNeagleVolFan

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#1
Guys I'm starting this thread to get your all's opinions on how good Butch is doing recruiting OT's. You look at last year's recruiting class, and we got really highly rated guys at OT. Chance Hall should've been highly rated, and he showed that.Then we also have Drew Richmond that will be a good OT as well. I think the OT's Butch is getting this year are guys that will need weight, but he's getting guys like this because they'll be patient because they know they need to develop a bit more. I love Butch's Offensive line recruiting, and I feel like the days of having a gaurd playing tackle will be days of the past. Even though I love Kerbyson he was a true OG. I just think Butch is doing a good job of stacking offensive line recruits for the years to come that way we'll never be in the mess like Dooley put us in ever again. What say you Recruiting forum?
 
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#2
#2
Yeah. That's the part where you load up on 4 and 5 stars, like Bama, and you won't be in any messes...at any position...:)
PS. We're still not NCAA Championship stacked like Bama but we're closing in. :rock:

GO VOLS!
 
#3
#3
Good points, OP. Butch walked in and had to make lemonade out of lemons. It took awhile along with adding top talent in the last couple of seasons. KK will be playing next year in the NFL. He won SEC O-lineman of the week twice along with Thomas once. Let's not act like they are not quality football players that are out of position. KK was a good OG. But then he went to work and became a really good LT in college. That ability to play multiple positions well indicates a lot of talent in addition to strong work ethic. He was a 3* coming in and will be leaving as a future pro - most likely an OG or a RT in the NFL due to his height, not his performance and ability. That scenario can be true for every guy starting or in the mix this past season on the O-line. Do not forget Jack Jones. Yes, he played OG this season. He also has the size and mobility to play OT.

So forget the stars on their recruiting ranking. The same coaches that made KK into what he is will be developing the recruits. The current group of commitments will be excellent in Butch's system. The are tall, very mobile, long arms, and punish opponents (finish their blocks). They probably will be able to RS and get bigger and stronger. Good to go at OT for elite level performance as a team IMO. Only Johnson looks like he could get some playing time early as a G (if necessary or desired) to prepare him for OT.
 
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#4
#4
I think Johnson, Niehaus, and Tatum all have nice potential. Johnson is probably closest to being ready to play, but all three of them need to RS and gain weight. If just 2 of them end up being good OTs for us, it's a good haul. Tatum in particular seems to have a high upside. I think it's a solid group.
 
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#5
#5
There werent many that expected chance hall to contribute, esp coming off achilles surgery. I think butch has a good eye for talent and am hopeful some of these 3 stars blossum like others have in his system.
 
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#8
#8
So for the OL class for 2016 is shaping up nicely. When we add Dickerson, it will be great. That's 4 talented players who can be developed into starters. The depth along the line is looking great. Finally!!!
 
#9
#9
RollerVol said:
Yeah. That's the part where you load up on 4 and 5 stars, like Bama, and you won't be in any messes...at any position...:)
PS. We're still not NCAA Championship stacked like Bama but we're closing in. :rock:

GO VOLS!
Click to expand...

Alabama's right side of the offensive line had their lunch eaten all night from D.J. Reader and Kevin Dodd. Dodd in particular had something like 5 TFLs. Sometimes all the size and athleticism you could want in a prospect can't compensate for bad technique.
 
#10
#10
When Butch first got here, he found Dooley's recruiting efforts would force him to recruit true freshmen who would need to start or play significant minutes immediately.

Now that the numbers for this position group is deeper, the possibility that future OL recruits can take a redshirt year to add muscle, add weight, build stamina, learn technique and scheme, and become acclimated to college life.

And if one of our starters has a nagging injury, we now have the option of plugging in his back-up, so he can heal. Had Tiny Richardson had that option, he might now be one the the premier tackles in the NFL.

So, I am confident Butch & Co. is doing well building a strong offensive line. And we might not win a championship with them, but we certainly won't win one without them.
 
#13
#13
We can red shirt every OL recruit this year and let them add weigh and get stronger for the 17 season, we won't have to depend on a true freshmen next year for the first time in 6 or 7 seasons, these recruits don't have the praise as the last 2 classes but with a year in the weight room they can get ready for the rugged SEC, and when they are called in to battle they will be ready.
 
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#15
#15
terrypedigo said:
We can red shirt every OL recruit this year and let them add weigh and get stronger for the 17 season, we won't have to depend on a true freshmen next year for the first time in 6 or 7 seasons, these recruits don't have the praise as the last 2 classes but with a year in the weight room they can get ready for the rugged SEC, and when they are called in to battle they will be ready.
Click to expand...

With the injuries we had this year, we saw how it can limit your options. We need to build depth before we start redshirting much IMO. I would want 3 deep good players at each position each of which have reps in every game so that all stay fresh. After the 3rd level, redshirts should be available but only if no one gets injured.

Also when you redshirt a very talented guy, you only get him to play for you for 2 years before he goes pro.
 
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