Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXV

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#5,728
#5,728
"Little bit abbreviated today since Brent and Paul are in Atlanta at the Rivals Camp, but we've still got a lot of thoughts coming out of the Vols' work inside Neyland Stadium in front of a solid student turnout and tons of family and friends in town for family day, including Eric Berry and Ramon Foster, among other former players.

JOHN'S TAKES:

From concussions to illness, and some limiting of players for precautionary reasons, the Vols missed several key defensive contributors such as Justin Martin, Emmanuel Moseley, Darrell Taylor and Austin Smith, but that didn't stop both Quarte' Sapp and Rashaan Gaulden from having very impressive days.

As I mentioned before, Sapp recovered a fumble in a simulated overtime session while Gaulden was very active, especially in run support. He blitzed off the edge with great speed and also repeatedly made good reads on running plays. His aggressiveness is among his key attributes and should only improve his skills as he gets more reps in defending the pass.

Corey Vereen, whose class schedule has him limited to working only Saturdays in full effect, made several nice plays and proved, at times, problematic for the left side of the Vols' line. Drew Richmond had some solid pass sets and is improving in run blocking, but neither he nor Venzell Boulware had just sparkling days. Josh Dobbs got "tagged off" a few too many times, especially in a simulated late-game session where Dobbs was sacked when Boulware appeared to make the incorrect read and stepped inside, leaving a gaping hole.

John Kelly is clearly the No 3 back, but I think he could start for several teams. He's really impressive. Darrin Kirkland Jr. joked that Kelly hasn't stopped talking about hitting 22MPH on the GPS during Tuesday's long run.

Aaron Medley kicked it well in some mock pressure situations, and Tommy Townsend arguably had his best day punting.

Vincent Perry made several tough catches while Ethan Wolf and Jauan Jennings took turns shining in the passing game.

Kahlil McKenzie was, frankly, at times unblockable.


ROB'S TAKES:

With the Vols holding out a high number of players—especially on defense—today, it was a chance for multiple guys to step up and several took advantage.

Rashaan Gaulden is just a tackling machine at safety. He was everywhere today in scrimmage situations, making plays from sideline-to-sideline as well as coming up and getting in the mix at the line of scrimmage. Just a strong day for him.

Quarte Sapp also stood out at his outside backer spot. Sapp could stand to add some weight, but he’s a playmaker with a nose for the football. Much like Gaulden, he just shows up around the ball all the time and is a sure tackler when he gets there.

Khalil McKenzie was just a beast in the middle today. If he got moved backwards any at all, I missed it. He did a great job of clogging things up and just creating havoc in the trenches while freeing other guys up to make plays around him. Obviously conditioning will remain something to watch with him, but it looks like he’s developing at a pace the staff should be thrilled with.

Corey Vereen had a good day off the edge, showing up in the backfield on numerous occasions as a disruptive force.

Butch Jones seemed to give Bob Shoop a free hand today when it came to dialing up blitzes. The defense was sending guys fairly relentlessly at times, and it seemed to give the offensive front some problems.

Offensively, it wasn’t an awesome day for the passing game but very windy conditions inside Neyland Stadium were a factor in that.

On a positive note Preston Williams repeatedly showed the ability to create some separation and get open deep. He got behind his guy by several steps on at least three occasions but the throw was never in a spot where he could make a play on it today.

Vincent Perry also had a really nice day, working mostly in the slot. Perry came down with some tough, contested catches in the middle of the field and showed some burst and elusiveness after the catch.

John Kelly continues to make the most of his chances this spring. He picked up some tough yards between the tackles today and also had a couple of chances to show his speed on the perimeter. This offense is in a really good spot when a guy like Kelly is the third tailback.

AUSTIN'S TAKES:

Let's first start with John Kelly who continues to impress as Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara see limited reps this spring.
The Michigan native is taking full advantage and is putting several on notice to not panic if Hurd and Kamara both leave early for the NFL after this coming season. Kahlil McKenzie is also taking full advantage of the lack of depth on the defensive line. He's eating up the reps like he does opposing quarterbacks and running backs.
The competition at safety is one that will be hotly contested in the fall once all are healthy. I just love what Rashaan Gaulden is doing and Saturday was more evidence that if healthy he could be pound for pound their best contact defender. So where does Tennessee go from here? The next week is crucial for some of these players as they look to impress before the Orange and White game, which will be more of a carnival than a game."

- John Brice
 
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#5,729
#5,729
That report on Gaulden tho...

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Edit: And Kahlil and Sapp and Kelly.
 
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#5,731
#5,731
So which coaches quit or get fired when Tennessee beats them this year.

Last year it was Richt. I also think Spurrier got the hell out before we beat him again.

I say Stoops and Mason. Maybe Sumlin also.
 
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#5,733
#5,733
Saban managed those defenses, not Smart. He was simply his puppet. GA fans don't seem to realize that.

Muschump was a great recruiter also, how'd that work out.
 
#5,734
#5,734
Defense will give other offenses hell. We have a good offense and the defense is wrecking havoc up front. I can't wait to see them forcing QBs to make a decision to force a pass or to keep getting lit up.
 
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#5,740
#5,740
Vincent Perry sounds like he's gonna emerge as another weapon. We needed another young guy to step up.

Excited about Callaway there too.
 
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#5,743
#5,743
seaofORANGE22 said:
Vincent Perry sounds like he's gonna emerge as another weapon. We needed another young guy to step up.

Excited about Callaway there too.
Click to expand...

I expect Callaway and Williams to contribute this year. Callaway would compliment Williams very well. I'd like Smith to play the No.3 a lot more personally. I think he would eat there.
 
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#5,745
#5,745
The Breakerboy said:
I expect Callaway and Williams to contribute this year. Callaway would compliment Williams very well. I'd like Smith to play the No.3 a lot more personally. I think he would eat there.
Click to expand...

He indicated after practice recently that was where he was getting the most work.
 
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