Recruiting Forum: Football Talk XI

[LebanonVolunteer]

According to VQ, Ryan Jenkins has gotten healthy and has started turning some heads with his play. Brian Randolph is out of his protective gear and moving around very well.

The 3 players that are leading the offseason workouts and becoming gym rats are A.J, Maggitt, and Vereen. Their work ethic is starting to rub off on everybody else.

-per VQ

Sounds good. Looking forward to seeing Jenkins make an impact over the middle while the big guys on the outside are running off the DB's.

 

[volssam]

You gotta hope Vereen has a successful football career, both here in college and also beyond. He puts in the work!

 

[volssam]

We got a bball commitment : Hoops McGhee

 

[Brillovol]

We got a bball commitment : Hoops McGhee

Boom!

 

[jman9865]

Avoid USCe. It's a dump and the fans are classless. Went there for the UGA game when UGA got stomped. I came away disgusted with that entire experience.

I couldn't disagree more. We went and had a great time. We met lots of people, all of which were, at worst, courteous, and at best, hospitable. The only downside was accommodation. Got the hotel six months out and was 10-15 miles away in a bad area. It was the only area hotels were available for a reasonable price. That probably has more to do with my notorious hotel cheapness. But I refuse to spend 250+ to sleep off some booze for a few hours. Spent 90 and witnessed an arrest.

 

[Dust10]

According to VQ, Ryan Jenkins has gotten healthy and has started turning some heads with his play. Brian Randolph is out of his protective gear and moving around very well.

The 3 players that are leading the offseason workouts and becoming gym rats are A.J, Maggitt, and Vereen. Their work ethic is starting to rub off on everybody else.

-per VQ

I need about 50 more likes for this post.

 

[Brillovol]

All this talk gets me thinking of a position-by-position breakdown of 2013 Vols vs. 2014 Vols.

QB: We go into 2014 with the same 4 players and sitting in the same spot as last year: no clear #1. We do have plenty more experience with one more year in the system and better surrounding weapons. It's not saying much, but...
Advantage: 2014

RB: We lose a senior leader and a workhorse back in Neal, but bring in a very talented recruiting class. Anchoring the position with Lane and the rest of the supporting cast makes this one of the most intriguing positions for the upcoming season.
Advantage: 2014

WR: Did we lose anybody? Do we care? This is arguably the deepest and most talented position on the team. Adding in Pearson, Malone, and spring talk about Croom has WRU talk going wild.
Advantage: 2014

TE: Seeing how this position was an afterthought last year and adding in not one but two talented freshmen EE's, what more is there to discuss?
Advantage: 2014

OL: Here's where it gets interesting on offense. Lose all 5 starters, chemistry, experience, and depth from last year's team. Replace them with 5 talented players, but what else do we have after the first 6? We'd better hope no one gets hurt (thanks Derek).
Advantage: 2013

DL: Just like the OL, we lost all the starters off the line. Some argue that this line will be better. Fact is, did they beat out the seniors on the depth chart last year? Anyone? The only hope I have for this position is the talented recruiting class and moving 2Maggitt2Quit as a rush end. The problem is that most aren't on campus yet. 2015 is the year for the DL.
Advantage: Tie

LB: AJ coming back is huge. Add in JRM and Maggitt in a part-time role with the incoming freshmen, and we're sitting pretty. We'd better hope we don't have to use those freshmen in an expanded role, however, so health is a concern.
Advantage: 2014

DB: We finally will have a complete SEC backfield this fall for the first time since JJ and EB14 were meeting people over the middle. Young and some inexperience, but not terrible. Inexperience of the freshmen at this position doesn't worry me so bad.
Advantage: 2014

ST: We lose PalardyLikeARockStar, but still have frat-boy Brodus and Darr around, for what that's worth. Replacing do-it-all Palardy, who finally lived up to his potential while overcoming injuries and a jerk of a coach, will be a large task. The silver lining of this position is the additional team speed from this recruiting class.
Advantage: 2013

 

[govols09]

I know I've said this 10 times already but Maggitt will be a beast at DE for us. Him and Vereen will get pressure on the QB we haven't seen in a while

 

[volinexile17]

2014 GA RB Nick Chubb on CBJ:

Which college coach was the hardest to turn down? “Probably Coach (Butch) Jones from Tennessee. He just really believed in me. We had a good relationship. He was always calling me and talking, not even about football. He would ask me about my day. He was really into me, you know. Being that close to him, it was pretty hard telling him I wasn’t going to Tennessee. He was like ‘I’m sorry you’re not coming, but I’ll still be keeping up with you.’”

Recruiting Rewind: UGA signee lacked drama for a 5-star but … | College recruiting blog

 

[The Breakerboy]

Alright gentlemen, simple topic. Of all the LB's we signed in '14, which will have the most illustrious career at UT? Jakob Johnson will not be included due to his recent move to DE:

Chris Weatherd
Dillon Bates
Gavin Bryant
Elliott Berry
Neiko Creamer

Who do y'all have?

You all know who my guy is. Bryant but Bates will ball out and if he makes more big plays from OLB I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Alright gentlemen, simple topic. Of all the LB's we signed in '14, which will have the most illustrious career at UT? Jakob Johnson will not be included due to his recent move to DE:

Chris Weatherd
Dillon Bates
Gavin Bryant
Elliott Berry
Neiko Creamer

Who do y'all have?

I think they all have a chance to be great Volunteers but my pick for best career would have to be Dillon Bates. I think Bates is going to give JRM all he can handle this summer and fall camp, it wouldn't surprise me if Bates plays a bunch this fall at OLB.

 

[Nashvegas31]

Love the news on Jenkins! I love his game in the slot.

 

[sigchig]

All this talk gets me thinking of a position-by-position breakdown of 2013 Vols vs. 2014 Vols.

QB: We go into 2014 with the same 4 players and sitting in the same spot as last year: no clear #1. We do have plenty more experience with one more year in the system and better surrounding weapons. It's not saying much, but...
Advantage: 2014

RB: We lose a senior leader and a workhorse back in Neal, but bring in a very talented recruiting class. Anchoring the position with Lane and the rest of the supporting cast makes this one of the most intriguing positions for the upcoming season.
Advantage: 2014

WR: Did we lose anybody? Do we care? This is arguably the deepest and most talented position on the team. Adding in Pearson, Malone, and spring talk about Croom has WRU talk going wild.
Advantage: 2014

TE: Seeing how this position was an afterthought last year and adding in not one but two talented freshmen EE's, what more is there to discuss?
Advantage: 2014

OL: Here's where it gets interesting on offense. Lose all 5 starters, chemistry, experience, and depth from last year's team. Replace them with 5 talented players, but what else do we have after the first 6? We'd better hope no one gets hurt (thanks Derek).
Advantage: 2013

DL: Just like the OL, we lost all the starters off the line. Some argue that this line will be better. Fact is, did they beat out the seniors on the depth chart last year? Anyone? The only hope I have for this position is the talented recruiting class and moving 2Maggitt2Quit as a rush end. The problem is that most aren't on campus yet. 2015 is the year for the DL.
Advantage: Tie

LB: AJ coming back is huge. Add in JRM and Maggitt in a part-time role with the incoming freshmen, and we're sitting pretty. We'd better hope we don't have to use those freshmen in an expanded role, however, so health is a concern.
Advantage: 2014

DB: We finally will have a complete SEC backfield this fall for the first time since JJ and EB14 were meeting people over the middle. Young and some inexperience, but not terrible. Inexperience of the freshmen at this position doesn't worry me so bad.
Advantage: 2014

ST: We lose PalardyLikeARockStar, but still have frat-boy Brodus and Darr around, for what that's worth. Replacing do-it-all Palardy, who finally lived up to his potential while overcoming injuries and a jerk of a coach, will be a large task. The silver lining of this position is the additional team speed from this recruiting class.
Advantage: 2013

Don't forget we have Aaron Medley coming in to kick, he is supposedly pretty darn good. :good!:

 

[volatil]

Don't forget we have Aaron Medley coming in to kick, he is supposedly pretty darn good. :good!:

He's beyond good.

Kicks through the uprights on every kick off.

There is a video of him kicking a 60+ yard FG (I think 65 but not certain).

This kid will be a star.

 

[flowd82]

Alright gentlemen, simple topic. Of all the LB's we signed in '14, which will have the most illustrious career at UT? Jakob Johnson will not be included due to his recent move to DE:

Chris Weatherd
Dillon Bates
Gavin Bryant
Elliott Berry
Neiko Creamer

Who do y'all have?

Gavin Bryant.

 

[Nashvegas31]

He's beyond good.

Kicks through the uprights on every kick off.

There is a video of him kicking a 60+ yard FG (I think 65 but not certain).

This kid will be a star.

Is the kickoffs college range? It seems that this is said alot in HS then we get them on campus and they barely kick into end zone. Palardy was that way and his senior year he finally starting doing kickoffs much better.

Imjust curious and not questioning you or anything. I want to believe.

 

[sigchig]

He's beyond good.

Kicks through the uprights on every kick off.

There is a video of him kicking a 60+ yard FG (I think 65 but not certain).

This kid will be a star.

Yeah I've seen those videos! I just don't want to over-sensationalize my excitement so the negavols won't come in and say he's never kicked in front of 102,455 though or give me crap for believing he will be great here. I do think he will be a great kicker here, but.....

 

[Brillovol]

He's beyond good.

Kicks through the uprights on every kick off.

There is a video of him kicking a 60+ yard FG (I think 65 but not certain).

This kid will be a star.

I sure hope so. That's the only position that gives me real concern. On one hand, we could have a Jeff Hall. On the other hand, we could have a Dooley-fied Palardy.

 

[volatil]

Is the kickoffs college range? It seems that this is said alot in HS then we get them on campus and they barely kick into end zone. Palardy was that way and his senior year he finally starting doing kickoffs much better.

Imjust curious and not questioning you or anything. I want to believe.

5 yard difference from High School to College.

Palardy worked with Wilhoit last year, huge improvement.

Medley has been working with Wilhoit for a couple years now.

 

[TriCitiesVol]

@Ben_Fred: #Vols staff hopes to have same luck w/ Kevin Punter that it did w/ McGhee. Punter says he'll be in Knox around 3 pm today to start his visit

 

[volatil]

The biggest transition for kickers in college is kicking off the ground. Medley has been doing that for 2 years now.

 

[Brillovol]

The biggest transition for kickers in college is kicking off the ground. Medley has been doing that for 2 years now.

That's what I wanted to hear. :salute:

 

[jman9865]

5 yard difference from High School to College.

Palardy worked with Wilhoit last year, huge improvement.

Medley has been working with Wilhoit for a couple years now.

Yeah, I think I remember reading that wilhoit offered to work with Palardy the whole time Dooley was here and the perfect-haired wonder refused it.

Edited cause I grammar good

 

[volatil]

Yeah, I think I remember reading that wilhoit offered to work with Palardy the whole time Dooley was here and the perfect-haired wonder refused it.

Edited cause I grammar good

Wilhoit doesn't speak too highly of him (Dooley).

You should hear him Talk about Kiffin....

 

[NashVOL93]

This guy?

Freshman running back Jeryl Brazil dismissed from LSU football team | NOLA.com

He has talent but has he cleaned up his act?

Supposedly so, yeah. TSR had him on a little while ago and they talked about it.