Recruiting Forum: Football Talk XII

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#9,151
#9,151
ljeller said:
It was the same way up here...I was getting some killer pics until I got nervous and came inside lol.
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And just like that, its over. I swear I had 4 different car alarms go off. No hail luckily, but lots of sirens now, and this is just in Oak Ridge. I can't imagine what it might be like in Knoxville.
 
#9,152
#9,152
ljeller said:
Some crazy storms up here in NE TN...any of you guys up this way stay safe. Tornado warnings, hail, the whole 9 yards.
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I'm just outside of Knoxville and we're getting crazy thunder and lightning. Tornado watch too. Lights going on and off but so far I haven't seen rain or hail. Hope it passes us by soon and definitely agree - everyone safe out there (you to ljeller). Y'all know how the weather turns here and tornadoes turn just as quickly.
 
#9,160
#9,160
UTProf said:
I'm just outside of Knoxville and we're getting crazy thunder and lightning. Tornado watch too. Lights going on and off but so far I haven't seen rain or hail. Hope it passes us by soon and definitely agree - everyone safe out there (you to ljeller). Y'all know how the weather turns here and tornadoes turn just as quickly.
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Thank you...we are good for now. Some more storms headed this way though. All you knuckleheads stay safe tonight...please.
 
#9,162
#9,162
Recruiting Update: Linebackers

07/27/2014

The SEC is a hard hitting, physical conference. The guys delivering quite a few of those nasty hits play at the linebacker, and Tennessee would like to grab even more aggressive tacklers to play for linebacker coach Tommy Thigpen. Butch Jones already has a commitment from Florida native Cecil Cherry, who plays middle linebacker & has been compared to former NFL player Ray Lewis. Tennessee also has received a commitment from outside linebacker Austin Smith who is from Buford, GA and has the appropriate build to play in the SEC as he is a sure tackler but can also drop back in coverage very fluently. Here is a look at the linebacker prospects who are currently being pursued by Tennessee:

Outside Linebacker

Ricky DeBerry
6' 2" 240 pounds
Richmond, VA
St. Christopher School

The highly talented linebacker out of Virginia has maintained a good relationship with the Vols' coaching staff throughout his recruitment and would be a big piece in the 2015 Tennessee class. DeBerry could play outside linebacker or defensive end in college and will make a big impact at either position. Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Virginia, Clemson, and Tennessee seem to be the main contenders for DeBerry's services at the next level. It is worth noting that DeBerry has a good relationship with Vol target Torrance Gibson who makes his decision in October and the two really seem fond of the idea to play their college football together. DeBerry has unofficially visited Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Penn State, and Miami (FL) this summer. DeBerry visited Knoxville twice in June as he made it to campus on the 7th and 21st. In August, DeBerry will narrow it down to about eight schools, so a decision in February on National Signing Day is possible.

Quarte Sapp
6' 1" 200 pounds
Alpharetta, GA
Milton High School

This rangy linebacker prospect out of Georgia has been wanted by the Vols for quite some time as Butch Jones and his staff offered Sapp last July. Current Tennessee running back Treyvon Paulk, who is a freshman, was Sapp's teammate last year as they both played for Milton High School. It is thought that Tennessee is the leader for Sapp with Miami (FL) and North Carolina trailing behind the Vols. Sapp has stated that he would like to commit before football season started, so a decision could come very soon.

Middle Linebacker

Tevon Coney
6' 1" 222 pounds
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Palm Beach Gardens High School

The state of Florida produces talented football players year after year, and Butch Jones is venturing into the Sunshine State to try and pull Tevon Coney to Knoxville. The linebacker posted 172 tackles his junior year and was also MVP of the Nike camp in Miami, which earned him an invite to Oregon to attend the prestigious Nike camp, The Opening. Coney has visited Tennessee and Auburn so far this summer while also attending a camp at Notre Dame. Those three schools along with instate schools Florida & Miami (FL) seem to be the most likely destinations for Coney. It appears that Coney will take his official visits and then make his college choice closer to National Signing Day in February.

Roquan Smith
6' 1" 205 pounds
Montezuma, GA
Macon County High School

Vol head coach Butch Jones would like to see this speedy linebacker take his talents north to Knoxville as the Vol head man and his coaching staff have pursued Smith very hard. Smith unofficially visited Florida this summer and has camped at Southern California as well. The Vols seem to be trailing behind division rivals Florida and Georgia, but Vols' linebacker coach and ace recruiter, Tommy Thigpen, could definitely pull Smith. He will announce his college decision on August 1st.
Click to expand...
-Austin Knapp
 
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#9,165
#9,165
Random defensive thoughts:

- Other than AJ Johnson, we have a grand total of 5 tackles returning this year. JRM recorded 3 and Bynum recorded 2. That's ridiculous. Youth at the LB position is going to be very apparent this year, although more athleticism will be on display as well. I think a lot of people overlook Neiko Creamer, but once he gets settled in he will provide solid depth this year. Gavin Bryant came in a little out of shape but will eventually be an All-SEC type player imo. Bates will play a ton this year and is a future All-SEC player as well. JRM, imo, will shine here before too long. The kid is a great athlete, and ad apparent as it was last year on special teams, has a motor that wont quit. Really aggressive football player and he will start. Bynum will provide depth and help with ST. Maggitt will play LB some, but I think he plays DE 85% of the time, unless we have injuries. Weatherd will get a lot of playing time for the sole purpose that he can get to the QB, a dynamic we've lacked for a while now. I doubt we see him much, if any in coverage. He still has to learn how to play LB. I definitely think we will be a much more aggressive group of LB's this year, but will have to rely on a lot of inexperience.

-Corey Vereen looks promising as a pass rusher. Jordan Williams moves to DT. How will that work? Saulsberry showed some promise but got injured. Maggitt could be a great natural pass rusher, but is new at DE. Jakob Johnson looks the part but doesn't have a ton of experience, and the same can be said for Hendrix, Barnett, Mixon, and Sawyers. Henderson will be a pass rusher eventually, but still needs to add weight. Robertson moves to the OL. Jaylen Miller, Kendall Vickers, LaTroy Lewis are all unproven products. Owen Williams is strong as an ox, hopefully he can be a good player. Danny O'Brien has shown some flashes but is still inconsistent. He could be a nice player as well. Again, the big theme here is there is little experience on the DL returning so there will absolutely be growing pains. I do think the scheme, seeing how our DL is more athletic this year, will be much more aggressive. I think there will be a lot of unique formations and movement on the DL.

-The secondary, again, will be inconsistent. We are much more athletic with the newcomers. Sutton is a future All-SEC player. Lockdown city. Randolph is also a great player and a leader, but he has to stay healthy. McNeil is to slow to be at safety, and he should have been converted to an OLB last year. TKJr and McDowell will battle Swafford for the safety spot opposite Randolph. TKJR has such great instincts, McDowell is a big time athlete, and Swafford showed some good things last year. It should be great competition. I don't see Lemond Johnson doing a lot this year other than special teams. Same for Orta. The opposite corner spot is wide open. Gaulden, Berry, and Moseley are the 3 candidates most likely to win the job. Moseley needs to continue to add weight. Berry has great speed, and Gaulden is a natural playmaker. The nickel is wide open as well. Coleman will probably win the job, but Payne, Gaulden, Kelly, or McDowell could have something to say. Riyahd Jones gives special teams help. Again, a very young but athletic group.

Overall, our defense is much more athletic, but with all the inexperienced players, we may have some "What the he!! is going on" moments. I think it will be an even more exciting group this year, and some plays being made.
 
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#9,166
#9,166
Wickman said:
Random defensive thoughts:

- Other than AJ Johnson, we have a grand total of 5 tackles returning this year. JRM recorded 3 and Bynum recorded 2. That's ridiculous. Youth at the LB position is going to be very apparent this year, although more athleticism will be on display as well. I think a lot of people overlook Neiko Creamer, but once he gets settled in he will provide solid depth this year. Gavin Bryant came in a little out of shape but will eventually be an All-SEC type player imo. Bates will play a ton this year and is a future All-SEC player as well. JRM, imo, will shine here before too long. The kid is a great athlete, and ad apparent as it was last year on special teams, has a motor that wont quit. Really aggressive football player and he will start. Bynum will provide depth and help with ST. Maggitt will play LB some, but I think he plays DE 85% of the time, unless we have injuries. Weatherd will get a lot of playing time for the sole purpose that he can get to the QB, a dynamic we've lacked for a while now. I doubt we see him much, if any in coverage. He still has to learn how to play LB. I definitely think we will be a much more aggressive group of LB's this year, but will have to rely on a lot of inexperience.

-Corey Vereen looks promising as a pass rusher. Jordan Williams moves to DT. How will that work? Saulsberry showed some promise but got injured. Maggitt could be a great natural pass rusher, but is new at DE. Jakob Johnson looks the part but doesn't have a ton of experience, and the same can be said for Hendrix, Barnett, Mixon, and Sawyers. Henderson will be a pass rusher eventually, but still needs to add weight. Robertson moves to the OL. Jaylen Miller, Kendall Vickers, LaTroy Lewis are all unproven products. Owen Williams is strong as an ox, hopefully he can be a good player. Danny O'Brien has shown some flashes but is still inconsistent. He could be a nice player as well. Again, the big theme here is there is little experience on the DL returning so there will absolutely be growing pains. I do think the scheme, seeing how our DL is more athletic this year, will be much more aggressive. I think there will be a lot of unique formations and movement on the DL.

-The secondary, again, will be inconsistent. We are much more athletic with the newcomers. Sutton is a future All-SEC player. Lockdown city. Randolph is also a great player and a leader, but he has to stay healthy. McNeil is to slow to be at safety, and he should have been converted to an OLB last year. TKJr and McDowell will battle Swafford for the safety spot opposite Randolph. TKJR has such great instincts, McDowell is a big time athlete, and Swafford showed some good things last year. It should be great competition. I don't see Lemond Johnson doing a lot this year other than special teams. Same for Orta. The opposite corner spot is wide open. Gaulden, Berry, and Moseley are the 3 candidates most likely to win the job. Moseley needs to continue to add weight. Berry has great speed, and Gaulden is a natural playmaker. The nickel is wide open as well. Coleman will probably win the job, but Payne, Gaulden, Kelly, or McDowell could have something to say. Riyahd Jones gives special teams help. Again, a very young but athletic group.

Overall, our defense is much more athletic, but with all the inexperienced players, we may have some "What the he!! is going on" moments. I think it will be an even more exciting group this year, and some plays being made.
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Like this little write up. Nice thoughts!
 
#9,170
#9,170
Malik Foreman is also in the mix at that other corner spot.

This is going to be the year that we build our depth. Young guys thrown in the fire. We'll make plenty of mistakes. But we'll reap the benefits of it 2 and 3 years down the road. We will most likely be a well oiled machine by then.

:) go vols
 
#9,171
#9,171
Waited out the worst of the storm last night and headed home with an absolutely incredible lightning show. The most lightning I've ever seen.
 
#9,173
#9,173
TriCitiesVol said:
@rivalsmike: The initial 2016 #Rivals100 five stars will be released in a couple of hours.
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Anyone know when rivals will update 2015 rankings? I was thinking we get one in August and the final one is in December.
 
#9,175
#9,175
ESPN has redone their 2015 rankings.

Notables

Gibson - 12
Settle - 15
Tuttle - 31
Williams - 33
McKenzie - 37
Richmond - 65
Butcher - 68
Abernathy - 92
J. Jones - 110
DeBerry - 118
Phillips - 162
Jefferson - 170
Jennings - 184
Sapp - 193
Love - 208
Walker - 222
Ordaway - 259

Not unlikely that we have 11 top 300 players by October
 
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