Recruiting Forum: Football Talk XIV

[Atzar]

i know its just a guess for now but who will replace AJ Johnson at mike next year?

behind him on the depth chart is Colton Jumper. looks like he only played in utah state game and hasn't since. doesnt mean he wont play or isnt any good but seems like he wouldve played in chatt as well.... any 2015 guys that will get there? will JRM switch to mike? some sites have jakob johnson listed as well but UT says hes a DL.

sorry for my ignorance or if this has already been discussed. mike linebacker could be a real hole in the D next year if we dont have someone decent in there.

Based on what I've read, I expect it to come down to Curt Maggitt and Jakob Johnson (who has practiced at MLB for most of the season). Ideally Johnson would take the reins, but if he isn't ready then Maggitt has the size, range, and knowledge of the defense to perform well there. Gavin Bryant is a dark horse, but the latest word I heard is that he still has a long way to go in the weight room before he gets on the field for us.

Personally I don't expect JRM to take that spot. He's an OLB all the way. He may make the calls for the defense though, especially if the coaches try to ease some of the responsibility on Johnson should he earn the MLB spot.

I doubt Jumper will be a factor for playing time going forward, and Cherry will likely be a special teams guy if they don't just try to redshirt him entirely.

 

[butchna]

I've heard that Gavin Bryant is really starting to come on strong in practice lately. I think moving JRM to mike would be a waste of his speed imo.

Agreed

 

[JP_UT_O&W]

I've heard that Gavin Bryant is really starting to come on strong in practice lately. I think moving JRM to mike would be a waste of his speed imo.

I was just wondering if he was going to make a jump into the rotation with the extra time from the bye. Glad to hear he is coming along. He's definitely a head-buster and would somewhat soften the blow of AJ leaving. That's just another reason we need to win out and get the extra practices :loco:

 

[volsohard99]

GFW said Jakob has been working as AJ's backup and has really started to come on as he learns to read the game better.

In my view, he has all the physical tools to be good at Mike.

awesome!! good to hear. saw an article in august that said he was working at outside LB.

 

[volsohard99]

I've heard that Gavin Bryant is really starting to come on strong in practice lately. I think moving JRM to mike would be a waste of his speed imo.

JRM has that ability to read plays like a mike needs to be able to do but yeah he's doing an awesome job at will.

anyone think maggitt will switch?

 

[volsohard99]

I was just wondering if he was going to make a jump into the rotation with the extra time from the bye. Glad to hear he is coming along. He's definitely a head-buster and would somewhat soften the blow of AJ leaving. That's just another reason we need to win out and get the extra practices :loco:

unless they expect him to have to start next year i'd think that'd be a waste of a redshirt if they put him on the field now.

 

[ionaVOL]

JRM has that ability to read plays like a mike needs to be able to do but yeah he's doing an awesome job at will.

anyone think maggitt will switch?

I wonder if the progression and development of Dillon Bates has anything to do with the coaches decision about the Mike LB'er next year. Could he progress to a similar point that JRM has this year which would allow them to make that move?

 

[therickbol]

i know its just a guess for now but who will replace AJ Johnson at mike next year?

behind him on the depth chart is Colton Jumper. looks like he only played in utah state game and hasn't since. doesnt mean he wont play or isnt any good but seems like he wouldve played in chatt as well.... any 2015 guys that will get there? will JRM switch to mike? some sites have jakob johnson listed as well but UT says hes a DL.

sorry for my ignorance or if this has already been discussed. mike linebacker could be a real hole in the D next year if we dont have someone decent in there.

Jakob Johnson did move to DE at practice for like a minute. But they quickly moved back to MLB. He is currently and has been practicing at MLB for almost the entire season.

 

[volsohard99]

someone said they may have JRM help call plays which makes sense. its sort of sad to imagine next year without AJ calling plays. hes been through a lot at UT and has been a bright spot, although I wont say he's perfect. other people i think could do it would be Maggitt or JRM. seems like Maggitt is out there checking AJ now anyway.

 

[volssam]

.edit. Didn't work. So stupid.

 

[tn4elvis]

GFW said Jakob has been working as AJ's backup and has really started to come on as he learns to read the game better.

In my view, he has all the physical tools to be good at Mike.

He possess the 2 main things you need.The ability to run and hit.

 

[Catbone]

Get yalls asses to Duval County. Jacksonville is always poppin.

Duuuuuuuval! Hope it is in Jax. Only 30 minutes away for me

 

[WriterVol]

i know its just a guess for now but who will replace AJ Johnson at mike next year?

behind him on the depth chart is Colton Jumper. looks like he only played in utah state game and hasn't since. doesnt mean he wont play or isnt any good but seems like he wouldve played in chatt as well.... any 2015 guys that will get there? will JRM switch to mike? some sites have jakob johnson listed as well but UT says hes a DL.

sorry for my ignorance or if this has already been discussed. mike linebacker could be a real hole in the D next year if we dont have someone decent in there.

“Devaun Swafford has had some really good reps in there,” Jancek said. “Evan Berry – Man, he’s showed us a couple of things. I think Jakob Johnson has done some good things at the Mike linebacker. With Cortez McDowell, you know we threw some things at him the other day and I was really happy with the way he responded. Dewayne Hendrix is getting some good work in there and is making progress. Those are the guys who, like I said, are one play away from playing.”

From: #VolReport: Bajakian On Dobbs’ Improvements - VolNation

 

[eazyTD]

JRM has that ability to read plays like a mike needs to be able to do but yeah he's doing an awesome job at will.

anyone think maggitt will switch?

There's no doubt in my mind that JRM could be an effective mike but his talent won't reach its potential there imo. He's a such a ball hawking playmaker at OLB.

I was all for Maggitt moving to MLB at the beginning of the season but not now. He's lost some weight and has become that monster pass rushing we all thought he would be in 2012.

Hopefully, one out of Bryant, Jakob and Cherry step up and lock down the spot in fall practice next season.

 

[volinexile17]

Most of the time we play nickel with AJ and JRM as the only LBers. I expect the coaches to put the two best LBers on the field next year regardless of position and I think that'll be Bates and JRM.

Against a big, run heavy team I think we'll see JJ or Bryant get PT as a third backer.

 

[Aesius]

Got a question for the RF. How many of you guys care a lot for UT sports other than Football? I'll be honest, but the only UT sport I care a lot about is football. I mean, I'll watch other Ut sports from time to time when football isn't on. If they win, great. If they lose, I really don't care.

P.S. I do really like soccer, so I'll follow the lady vols team when I get the chance.

I'm obsessed with football, of course, but I'm also a pretty big hoops fan. I usually start the season with tempered expectations, but I get pretty into it by January/February. It's a nice diversion before spring football starts.

I follow baseball to some degree, and would like to see that team do well, but it's hard to get into those games one way or another.

 

[eazyTD]

Most of the time we play nickel with AJ and JRM as the only LBers. I expect the coaches to put the two best LBers on the field next year regardless of position and I think that'll be Bates and JRM.

Against a big, run heavy team I think we'll see JJ or Bryant get PT as a third backer.

I think you're right.

Barnett
McKenzie
O'Brien
Maggitt

Bates
JRM

Sutton
Randolph
Kelly
Martin
Gaulden

Would be nasty.

 

[volinexile17]

I thought Randolph was done?

 

[PassedOutAwake]

I thought Randolph was done?

Randolph is only a JR

 

[eazyTD]

I thought Randolph was done?

He'll be a RS Senior next year

 

[PassedOutAwake]

I think you're right.

Barnett
McKenzie
O'Brien
Maggitt

Bates
JRM

Sutton
Randolph
Kelly
Martin
Gaulden

Would be nasty.

I could see O.Williams taking OBrien's spot

 

[VolsDoc81TX]

I've always got pics of Shelly Smith and Holly Rowe

Maybe you should step back and think about that for a minute...may need therapy...not trying to judge, but that is just a little outside...how to explain those pictures to Mrs. Volatil

 

[butchna]

Maybe you should step back and think about that for a minute...may need therapy...not trying to judge, but that is just a little outside...how to explain those pictures to Mrs. Volatil

Everybody's spank dungeon...I mean man cave should be honored and sacred.

 

[orangeB]

Jameis Winston is accused of shaving points in Louisville game by bookie who took bet. I'm glad we didn't keep kiffin

 

[smokeyhuntsgators]

I could see O.Williams taking OBrien's spot

I've been pleasantly surprised by O.Williams. He has that extra burst of spead and a motor and a half on him. Knew he was gonna be a good player but he has exceeded expectations.

O'Brien has improved a lot this year. That being said, with McKenzie and Tuttle coming in and as deep as we're gonna be, it may be hard for him to keep his spot. Good problem to have though(especially since we had no depth at the DT positions).