Who are we losing off this squad?

#103
#103
I’m not worried about losing Hyatt because of Squirrel White. I’m not worried about losing Tillman because of Bru. I’m not worried about losing Young because of Josephs and Baron. I’d hate to lose Omari Thomas, but Simmons could fill in nicely. We need him too. Elarbee will have his guys ready to play and so will Martinez despite the hate he gets on this board.

What I’m concerned about is linebackers. Hard to imagine a scenario in which we are good there.

And you don’t just replace a guy like Hooker without at least a minor setback. I’m confident in Milton/Jackson/Nico but Hooker is, in my opinion, the best quarterback we’ve ever had.
 
#104
#104
VFL-82-JP said:
He is a senior, but hasn't yet used his covid year. So he could, if he wanted, stay one more.

We'll just have to wait and see what he decides after the season.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...
He is most likely headed to the league. I’ve seen him projected as our highest draft pick in the first round in one or two places.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VFL-82-JP and walkenvol
#105
#105
volfan_28 said:
I’m not worried about losing Hyatt because of Squirrel White. I’m not worried about losing Tillman because of Bru. I’m not worried about losing Young because of Josephs and Baron. I’d hate to lose Omari Thomas, but Simmons could fill in nicely. We need him too. Elarbee will have his guys ready to play and so will Martinez despite the hate he gets on this board.

What I’m concerned about is linebackers. Hard to imagine a scenario in which we are good there.

And you don’t just replace a guy like Hooker without at least a minor setback. I’m confident in Milton/Jackson/Nico but Hooker is, in my opinion, the best quarterback we’ve ever had.
Click to expand...
Beasley has a COVID year if he wants to use it and Herring is more talented than either Banks or Mitchell. We’ll be fine there.
 
#111
#111
Volanooga2521 said:
QB-Hooker
WR-Tillman (could technically come back, but will go pro), maybe Hyatt if he goes pro
TE-Fant
OL-Carvin, Wright (could technically come back, but will go pro)
DL-Bumphus, Young-? (was JUCO during covid year, I don't think he gets extra year)
LB-Page, Banks (AP said won't be back, but is eligible)
DB-Flowers
Click to expand...
 
#114
#114
JFreak said:
Very concerned about LBs. Banks, Mitchell, Beasley, and Page are all Seniors. Yes some have COVID years but I don't think we can bank on any of them coming back. Also probably Byron Young and Roman Harrison at LEO. Screw it.. going to enjoy this season while it lasts.
Click to expand...
I
I wouldn’t be surprised if we land a couple highly rated LB’s from the portal.
 
#116
#116
Given our roster it is amazing how well we have done. Hooker is a massive loss but I trust this coaching staff with Milton who would be working in his 3rd year in the system. We have already proved we can win without Tillman. If Hyatt goes pro I’m still comfortable with WR room. Will miss Fant, and could use a portal replacement for him and continue to find even more ways to make that an attractive position in our offense. Wright and Corvin are solid and need more immediate help and depth on OL.…probably the biggest need on offense as we may lean more heavily on rushing next year if we have to simplify game plan for Milton. Running backs are fine.

Defensively Omari has another year remaining and hope he stays as he is rock solid. Everyone else on defensive line we can replace (even Young). Need more talent on DL but we have good rotation particularly on interior and recruits on edge are promising. Could use a DL difference maker from portal. At LB we have some super seniors who can return and frankly need to upgrade talent at LB as well. No one leaves that we can’t replace. Now obviously our defensive backs are a mess. Anyone who leaves we can replace and may needs years to upgrade this position group. Need multiple from transfer portal.

Have to replace both our kicker and punter too.
 
#118
#118
VFL-82-JP said:
One of the amazing things about college sports; the entire roster is going to turn over in the time it takes a kid to get a college degree.

Key players who have to move on after this season:
  • Hendon Hooker (QB)
  • Princeton Fant (TE)
  • Jerome Carvin (OL)
  • LaTrell Bumphus (DL)
  • Solon Page (LB)
  • Trevon Flowers (S)
  • Paxton Brooks (P/PK)
  • Chase McGrath (P/PK)
Key players who don't have to, but very well may leave for the draft:
  • Cedric Tillman (WR) -- (I think he still has his "covid eligibility" left, but may choose to go pro)
  • Jacob Warren (TE) -- (ditto)
  • Byron Young (DL) -- (ditto)
  • Jeremy Banks (LB) -- (ditto)
There could be others in that second group. Impossible to read the lads' minds. Those just seem a few of the most likely to feel heavy pressure to declare.

...

As you can see, it's actually not too bad. We get hit heavy in two position groups: tight end, and kickers. Plus losing our starting QB is always a significant transition (though the QB room looks very healthy). Other than that, we're okay. We are positioned to continue to succeed, from one end of the field to the other.

2023 should not be about rebuilding. Just reloading. As long as we get the QB transition right.

Go Vols!
Click to expand...
You forgot hyatt.
 
#119
#119
OrangeEtBlanc said:
Another benefit of NIL is that it lessens the financial pressure of these players to leave for the draft early. Sure, they might get drafted, but another season might improve their stock and big $$$ chances. Some players should go because they’ve proved all they can, but those on the fence now have a little more incentive to stay.
Click to expand...

Going forward I believe you are correct. It seems like the NIL money really just started for this Incoming class and current freshman.

Does anyone know what kind of money sophmores and Juniors actually receive/received? This likely plays a big factor
 
#120
#120
It's not worth another thread (although someone will start one eventually, if not already), but we have GOT to get better in the secondary. That has been our Achilles heel this year (and last), and we absolutely have to address it, whether that be the coach, players, or both.

Fix that, and '23 could be a(nother) special year.

Go Vols.
 
#122
#122
volfan_28 said:
I’m not worried about losing Hyatt because of Squirrel White. I’m not worried about losing Tillman because of Bru. I’m not worried about losing Young because of Josephs and Baron. I’d hate to lose Omari Thomas, but Simmons could fill in nicely. We need him too. Elarbee will have his guys ready to play and so will Martinez despite the hate he gets on this board.

What I’m concerned about is linebackers. Hard to imagine a scenario in which we are good there.

And you don’t just replace a guy like Hooker without at least a minor setback. I’m confident in Milton/Jackson/Nico but Hooker is, in my opinion, the best quarterback we’ve ever had.
Click to expand...
So stoked about the amount of PT Josephs has gotten this year. BY is going to be the first in a long line of prolific edge rushers.
 
#124
#124
volfan_28 said:
I’m not worried about losing Hyatt because of Squirrel White. I’m not worried about losing Tillman because of Bru. I’m not worried about losing Young because of Josephs and Baron. I’d hate to lose Omari Thomas, but Simmons could fill in nicely. We need him too. Elarbee will have his guys ready to play and so will Martinez despite the hate he gets on this board.

What I’m concerned about is linebackers. Hard to imagine a scenario in which we are good there.

And you don’t just replace a guy like Hooker without at least a minor setback. I’m confident in Milton/Jackson/Nico but Hooker is, in my opinion, the best quarterback we’ve ever had.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Linebacker recruiting has been underwhelming for a while now and I don't understand it because depth has been a huge need for us for the past couple years. I would think a highly rated kid would jump at the opportunity to come in and help immediately rather than go to Georgia or Bama. Maybe we can raid the transfer portal over the offseason.

I'm hopeful about Milton. We take a step back at QB for sure but not anywhere near the step back it would have been last year if Hendon had been hurt. Milton was just that bad with no touch on the ball. He's improved significantly in my opinion. I know it's been in mop up duty but his throws have been spot on for the most part and he's no longer trying to throw it to the next county on every play.
 
#125
#125
OrangeEtBlanc said:
Luckily for us, there will be a lot of transition going on for other teams, too. Bryce Young, Will Levis, Stetson Bennett, and Anthony Richardson may all be gone next year, too, leaving a QB competition for quite a few of our opponents.

I have full confidence in whoever wins the job between Milton, Jackson, and Iamaleava. Hopefully we see Milton & Jackson through most of our game tomorrow, too. Let Hooker throw a TD to take the school record for consecutive games with a TD pass, and let him sit.

The game tomorrow is actually a good one to start building for next year.
Click to expand...

If we were locked in the playoffs I’d agree. I think we see starters till half time depending on lead maybe a few drives into the 3rd. Milton takes over the rest. I think Jackson is still hurt. We need style points
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top