Recruiting Forum Football Talk XVIII

[HoptownVol]

BTW, as far as final rankings go, I just checked Rivals and everybody but OSU has as many or more 3* commits as we do. And Bama has a 2* LB commit.
And I trust Butch will finish strong.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

All I want is a crimson rapture. Meaning when we beat Bama all the bandwagon turd fans in Nashville disappear in a puff of smoke.

Aren't you assuming an overly benevolent outcome for those poor misguided souls?

 

[Volosaurus rex]

In terms of recruiting TN, Ole Miss and Vandy are likely suffering the most from our resurgence. Both were able to pickup high 3*s and a few 4*s with ease and while OM will always get a few TN recruits due to location their unfettered recruiting run is at an end as far as this state goes and that's got to give Freeze heartburn (they've relied on Memphis heavily but also MidState).

Also, Bama had its pick of any TN 5* and was well known for pulling olinemen out of TN -- their best Center in ages was from here.

And of course, since we recruit nationally more than other schools, we're pulling croots from here and there but that's a more spread out impact.

Strangely enough, Auburn was also siphoning off some private school prospects, mostly kickers and punters. Hopefully, we will see no more elite instate boys going to USC or Notre Dame.

 

[Aesius]

BTW, as far as final rankings go, I just checked Rivals and everybody but OSU has as many or more 3* commits as we do. And Bama has a 2* LB commit.
And I trust Butch will finish strong.

I think we finish with something like four 3*s, twelve 4*s, and two 5*s (on Rivals).

Class average will be something like 3.85 or even 3.9.

Everyone left on the board is a 4* or higher at this point.

 

[UTMVol76]

I think we finish with something like four 3*s, twelve 4*s, and two 5*s.

I'll allow that.

 

[UTMVol76]

I think we finish with something like four 3*s, twelve 4*s, and two 5*s (on Rivals).

Class average will be something like 3.85 or even 3.9.

Everyone left on the board is a 4* or higher at this point.

...and that, LOL.

 

[ob79]

For all of you, Dr. P, tea, and coffee drinkers...try espresso. It's gooooood.

 

[Glitch]

Ran into John Kelly hosting a few prospects who had some sweet fades at University Commons. Kelly isn't nothing nice.

 

[HoptownVol]

ROTFF! lol:

 

[VolGee4]

In terms of recruiting TN, Ole Miss and Vandy are likely suffering the most from our resurgence. Both were able to pickup high 3*s and a few 4*s with ease and while OM will always get a few TN recruits due to location their unfettered recruiting run is at an end as far as this state goes and that's got to give Freeze heartburn (they've relied on Memphis heavily but also MidState).

Also, Bama had its pick of any TN 5* and was well known for pulling olinemen out of TN -- their best Center in ages was from here.

And of course, since we recruit nationally more than other schools, we're pulling croots from here and there but that's a more spread out impact.

Barrett Jones was a Bama legacy- he wasn't going anywhere else. Donta Hightower was a better example of Bama out recruiting us for instate players.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Just a random thought I had and was wondering what anybody who knows more than I do thought about it.

We've been hearing a lot of hype about how impressive Austin Smith has been so far. He seems to have the size and speed to find some way to make an impact somewhere for team 119. We've heard he'll get looks at Leo. However, it seems there will be quite the logjam at Leo this year with Maggit, Weatherd, Austin Smith, and maybe even Darrell Taylor.

The spot everybody is unsure about, though, is MLB. Most believe that Kirkland will be the guy eventually, but it might be difficult for him to come back 100% from his shoulder surgery last spring. Bates seems to be more comfortable on the outside and is also nursing a shoulder injury. Jakob Johnson also is coming off a shoulder injury and could possibly be moved to DE or Leo.

What I'm getting at is this: do you think there's any chance that Smith might get a few looks at MLB during fall camp? Does he have to physical tools to provide some depth there if we need it? Or will he be a Leo from day one, full steam ahead?

 

[UTMVol76]

Barrett Jones was a Bama legacy- he wasn't going anywhere else. Donta Hightower was a better example of Bama out recruiting us for instate players.

Not Bama, but Jalen Ramsey is the kind of Instate player we're not loosing if he had got full Butch.

 

[jave36]

What does this mean?

Haha I had no clue either

 

[vol2002]

Just a random thought I had and was wondering what anybody who knows more than I do thought about it.

We've been hearing a lot of hype about how impressive Austin Smith has been so far. He seems to have the size and speed to find some way to make an impact somewhere for team 119. We've heard he'll get looks at Leo. However, it seems there will be quite the logjam at Leo this year with Maggit, Weatherd, Austin Smith, and maybe even Darrell Taylor.

The spot everybody is unsure about, though, is MLB. Most believe that Kirkland will be the guy eventually, but it might be difficult for him to come back 100% from his shoulder surgery last spring. Bates seems to be more comfortable on the outside and is also nursing a shoulder injury. Jakob Johnson also is coming off a shoulder injury and could possibly be moved to DE or Leo.

What I'm getting at is this: do you think there's any chance that Smith might get a few looks at MLB during fall camp? Does he have to physical tools to provide some depth there if we need it? Or will he be a Leo from day one, full steam ahead?

No idea, but it's fun to think that we have so many talented players that we think we have a "log jam" at a critical position and it's not clear who's really going to play. Any one of those guys would have been our best player in the Dooley era.

 

[Atzar]

Just a random thought I had and was wondering what anybody who knows more than I do thought about it.

We've been hearing a lot of hype about how impressive Austin Smith has been so far. He seems to have the size and speed to find some way to make an impact somewhere for team 119. We've heard he'll get looks at Leo. However, it seems there will be quite the logjam at Leo this year with Maggit, Weatherd, Austin Smith, and maybe even Darrell Taylor.

The spot everybody is unsure about, though, is MLB. Most believe that Kirkland will be the guy eventually, but it might be difficult for him to come back 100% from his shoulder surgery last spring. Bates seems to be more comfortable on the outside and is also nursing a shoulder injury. Jakob Johnson also is coming off a shoulder injury and could possibly be moved to DE or Leo.

What I'm getting at is this: do you think there's any chance that Smith might get a few looks at MLB during fall camp? Does he have to physical tools to provide some depth there if we need it? Or will he be a Leo from day one, full steam ahead?

I don't know what Smith is looking like from a size/strength standpoint right now. My understanding was that he was going to need some time in the weight room to get big enough to play OLB in the SEC, so I'd be pretty surprised if he jumped in and contributed at MLB. If I had to guess, I'd expect him to be on the JRM, McDowell plan of showing out on special teams as a freshman before earning a real spot in the defense in his second year. I do think he's a future difference maker for us though, wherever that may be.

I think between Bynum, Jumper, Kirkland and Bryant, we'll make do at MLB this year. I'm hoping it's mostly Kirkland and Bryant by the end of the season, because they're clearly the most physically talented of the group. You'd love to have an established starter in a perfect world, but the fact that we play a lot of 4-2-5 alignments will help us mask the hole until somebody takes control. We'll be alright.

 

[volatil]

Barrett Jones was a Bama legacy- he wasn't going anywhere else. Donta Hightower was a better example of Bama out recruiting us for instate players.

Hightower and his entire family were huge Bama fans long before he had a possibility of going there

 

[31VFL]

Hightower and his entire family were huge Bama fans long before he had a possibility of going there

Yep. I roomed with one of his best friends in college. He said the moment Bama offered it was over.

 

[ChiTownVol]

What does this mean?

Lol, my bad! It means he's a mean looking guy who looks like he could do some damage. And the guys had fade haircuts.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Not Bama, but Jalen Ramsey is the kind of Instate player we're not loosing if he had got full Butch.

I agree. I haven't gotten to linemen yet, but Jalen, VH3, and Cam are the best looking defensive prospects for next year's draft I've looked into so far.

 

[Outofmyvolcanmind]

Ran into John Kelly hosting a few prospects who had some sweet fades at University Commons. Kelly isn't nothing nice.

?

 

[delfonic]

Lol, my bad! It means he's a mean looking guy who looks like he could do some damage. And the guys had fade haircuts.

I dunno. He looks like a pretty good kid me.

I mean, he wears glasses...

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Getting excited thinking about the glutton of weapons at our disposal on offense. I think I'll make a list!

Top 10 Weapons on Offense for Dobbs

1. Marquez North - raise ya thumbs up. He's big and mad. Last year he missed lots of opportunities. But he's still the man in that unit and on this team.
2. Jalen Hurd - will be our workhorse. Reliable and punishing. Star in the making.
3. Pig Howard - 3rd down machine. Explosive and has become a fantastic route runner.
4. Alvin Kamara - just a gut feeling here. He will come up huge for us at some point this season. Electric.
5. Von Pearson - the jet. We'll see if he makes it in. We're better when he's around.
6. Ethan Wolf - should have a more SEC ready body this season. I really feel like he doesn't get enough love around here. He could be a beast and is our clear cut TE1.
7. Josh Malone - another gut feeling. Outstanding athlete. Very well may be the key to finding that deep ball connection we've been looking for. That's got to be his role. He knows it and I think he delivers a handful of crucial plays that end up changing how defenses play us. Leading Tennessee to Next Level Status.
8. Josh Smith - just a good receiver. I expect him to resume hurdling over helpless cornerbacks as soon as games begin.
9. Preston Williams - will he be healthy? If he is, can he carve out a role on this team as a freshman? Lot of talent ahead of him on the depth chart. He could be a game changer if he is just too good to leave on the sidelines.
10. Jason Croom - this is probably too low for him. He has steadily gotten better and has now had some success. He's a veteran presence for this team on and off the field. Not to mention he is huge and really difficult to defend in the red zone. Really great player to have in Dobbs arsenal.

If our offensive line comes together and finds their inner nastiness (and why shouldn't they with the great coaches and talent on this team pushing them everyday?) we are going to kick many butts.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Defensive players I can count on. They have earned my trust.

Cam Sutton CB
Derek Barnett DE
JRM LB
Curt Maggitt DE/LB
Brian Randolph S
Danny O'Brien DT
Owen Williams DT
Corey Vereen DE
LaDarrell McNeil S
Todd Kelly Jr. S
Chris Weatherd LB/DE

Returning players who I expect to take that leap this season

LaTroy Lewis DE
Rashaan Gaulden DB
Evan Berry S
Malik Foreman CB
Emmanuel Moseley CB
Cortez McDowell LB
Dillon Bates LB
Kendal Vickers DT
Gavin Bryant LB
Demarya Mixon DL

Newcomers I expect to get the most opportunities

Justin Martin CB
Kahlil DT
Shy Tuttle DT
Kirkland LB
Austin Smith LB
Sapp LB
Kyle Phillips DE
Darrell Taylor DE

Talented Question Marks

Elliot Berry LB
Jakob Johnson LB/DE
Saulsberry DT
Colton Jumper LB
Kenny Bynum LB
Devaun Swafford DB

 

[rekinhavoc]

Aren't you assuming an overly benevolent outcome for those poor misguided souls?

No they are going to a place where the Natty Lite is always flat. The trailer will never be level. Someone keeps knocking the mailbox down so the mailman won't deliver their government check. Their satellite dish only picks up re-runs of Tennessee whoopin that ...

 

[Glitch]

No they are going to a place where the Natty Lite is always flat. The trailer will never be level. Someone keeps knocking the mailbox down so the mailman won't deliver their government check. Their satellite dish only picks up re-runs of Tennessee whoopin that ...