Tom Smith commits to the Vols

#252
#252
Fijivol72 said:
play in the SEC. This is going to be a long three years.
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Does anyone know what Chris Johnson's rating coming out of high school was? That would be a two* recruit. He just ended up with 2k plus in the NFL last year. Stars aren't everything...

Welcome Mr. Smith to the Big Orange Nation!! Go Vols!!
 
#253
#253
There is a chance he won't, but there is a very good chance he will. Only time will tell, but bashing the guy before he even really starts is not a fair assessment.

champyvol said:
what if he don't show it on the field. we are not suppose to be very good this year and that is something i agree with most about. i'll be the first to admit i'm not a patient person, but a decade has passed and there hasn't been 1 SEC championship for us. nor does it look like one is coming anytime soon. hell i would like to see us win one again before i croke.
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#256
#256
OaklandTnVol said:
There is a chance he won't, but there is a very good chance he will. Only time will tell, but bashing the guy before he even really starts is not a fair assessment.


Posted via VolNation Mobile
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not really bashing him. just hoping the man overachieves
 
#257
#257
Jhop said:
ESPN Eval on Tom Smith from Apopka, FL RB. NO AL offer FWIW.

Smith should see his recruiting stock rise during the spring evaluation period; aside from lacking great top-end speed, he is a complete back and physically ready to make the jump to the college level. Has very good size and a frame to continue filling out to the 215-pound range. A strong, downhill runner who hits the hole with good quickness and authority. What really impresses us is his shoulder lean and ability to run behind his pads for a taller back. Lower running base allows him see the cutback lanes quicker through traffic and displays more than adequate footwork and redirection skill to hit. Squares up quickly out of cuts to help power through arm tackles. Generates good downhill power and is very difficult to wrap up cleanly when he runs behind his pads. Determined runner who keeps his stronger legs and lower-body driving for extra yards; he is a finisher who can move the pile and eventually wear down a defense. Seems to consistently fall forward and gain an extra yard or two. Balance, strength and ability to break first contact as a runner are his best assets. However, he is a bit stiff through the hips and lacks great suddenness and pick and dart ability coveted in a true zone runner at the next level. Gears down and gathers some when cutting. We did not see great lateral quickness or burst to the outside to become a perimeter threat versus faster pursuing college defenders. Projects best in downhill schemes but would still lack to see a bit more initial explosiveness. Our main concern may be his adequate top-end speed and difficulty trying to separate in the second level; appears to be a short-stepper without a second gear and great acceleration. That said, Smith is well-rounded and does a lot of things good not great. Will need to polish blocking skills but he is a potential three-phase back at the next level with his ability to move the chains on the ground and as a pass catcher in the screen game.
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Not another "stiff hips" recruit!
 
#258
#258
Just watched the video this young man, what offense are they running? I saw a lot of direct snaps, some spread and some triple option elements but not sure how you would label that offense. Regardless he looked impressive in whatever offense they are running. Welcome to UT young fella!
 
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#259
#259
Has the sky fallen yet? Have chickens come home to roost? Is this DD's first rodeo? Look guys, I know how you all loved Kiffin, Gruden, Muschamp, et al, but they ain't here and they will never be here. DD is pushing forward and rightfully ignoring the background noise coming from this forum from people who don't know what the **** they are talking about.

Kiffin left UT, Hamilton and Dooley a huge mess to clean up and I for one believe DD is doing a good job given the hand he is dealt. I just hope the players, the ones who have really been screwed, have a more positive attitude than some of the little yelpers on this board. If not, we really will be in for humiliation this year. Somehow I believe they will rise to the occasion and at least give us some good football this year. We have some holes to fill, but we also have some talented players to build around. I like our future chances.
 
#264
#264
CountVolcula said:
Facts have no place in this thread
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Obviously.

"I committed to Tennessee on Tuesday," Smith said. "I went up there last weekend and talked with the new coaches. I really like this coaching staff and I love the plan they have in place under coach (Lane) Kiffin. They have a great staff and I like the academics there. Tennessee is also a place where I have always wanted to be at. I feel good there on campus. It just feels right to me."
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#265
#265
You've heard Ainge and Bray compared to Peyton because they're tall and lanky...not too mention the fact that Ainge had to play early and Bray will too. Worley is another tall, lanky kid as well. Ya know, it could be because Peyton is THE standard for QBs @ UT. Common sense, anyone?

Ron Dayne was 5'9 in cleats and tipped the scales at ATLEAST 240. Have you been hangin' with codyg?

Comparitive fail.

4.5 40 for a HS RB is average. So this kid has average speed.
 
#268
#268
CountVolcula said:
"Tennessee is also a place where I have always wanted to be at. I feel good there on campus. It just feels right to me"
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What does that have to do with your ignorance? You calling me out because you wrongly believed Smith committed to Fulmer does nothing but eliminate any credibility you had left.
 
#269
#269
volwarrior33 said:
What does that have to do with your ignorance? You calling me out because you wrongly believed Smith committed to Fulmer does nothing but eliminate any credibility you had left.
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Wow!!

I believe I said that Boy Blunder had nothing to do with whether or not Jacques came to Tennessee. He was coming anyway.

I hold no resentment towards a fellow Vol fan

By the way, I could give two s***s about mine or anyone elses e-cred. Dont mean a hill of beans in the real world
 
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#270
#270
CountVolcula said:
Wow!!

I believe I said that Boy Blunder had nothing to do with whether or not Jacques came to Tennessee. He was coming anyway.

I hold no resentment towards a fellow Vol fan

By the way, I could give two s***s about mine or anyone elses e-cred. Dont mean a hill of beans in the real world
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Fair enough. But someone has to get credit for his recruitment and I chose to give that credit to the Head Coach at the time of his commitment.
 
#271
#271
volwarrior33 said:
What does that have to do with your ignorance? You calling me out because you wrongly believed Smith committed to Fulmer does nothing but eliminate any credibility you had left.
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Oh, no he didn't just call you out. You go get him. Don't you let him punk you on this site now.

:popcorn:
 
#272
#272
Volfan8282 said:
Are you comparing this kid to Ron Dayne?
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IIRC, Wisconson who offered Smith has put more RB's in the draft than UF and a number of other schools that get the blue chips. They found PJ Hill as a 2*.

You can't really tell from youtube highlights what kind of competition a kid is playing against but two things stand out in the video earlier in the thread. He's very difficult to tackle... and if he isn't fast then his competition in central FL is slow, super slow, and still.
 
#273
#273
[Smith] recently put up 18 reps of 185 pounds on the bench press at the Feb. 14 Jacksonville Under Armour Combine, and also ran a 4.62 laser-timed 40-yard dash.
OrlandoSentinel.com

Tom Smith (Apopka, Fla./Apopka) had a good workout and may have been one of the better looking backs physically. He is built like a prototypical load-back and showed matching downhill burst and straight-lined speed. Smith caught the ball well out of the backfield, was solid on blitz pickup and should see his recruiting stock improve through this spring evaluation period.
Jeff Driskel, Tony Steward shine at Florida NFTC - ESPN

“He’s a kid who can carry the ball 25-30 times a game,” Apopka recruiting coordinator Brandon Siefker said. “He belongs in the Big 12 in the 90s. He’s a kid who could pound the ball at you all day.”
FAU offers running Apopka back Tom Smith

Named 1st-team All-Central Florida last year:
All-Central Florida football team Trevor Siemian De'Ante Saunders - Varsity Orlando

No. 14 prospect in Central Florida per this list:
Sentinel's 2011 Central Florida Super60 - OrlandoSentinel.com

No. 93 prospect in Florida on this list:
Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 - OrlandoSentinel.com

Florida's No. 74 prospect on this one:
High School Sports Blog
 
#274
#274
jrobison said:
4.5 40 for a HS RB is average. So this kid has average speed.
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Depends on how they were timed. Hand timed, 4.5 is very average. Laser timed, he's fast.

Either way he seemed to run away from a lot of guys with the pads on.
 
#275
#275
Wasn't Jerry Rice considered a slow runner out of pads but in pads you couldn't catch him?
 
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