With this Great class coming in...

#26
#26
Freshman starting is a tall order. Can be done as we have seen with north but it takes a lot of talent and work. I do see many in the new class getting in the rotation quickly. I think the area will we see the greatest impact is in specific offensive and defensive packages called for particular people. That way the new guys can learn great execution on their limited number of packages and produce.
 
#28
#28
PEPPERJAX said:
I am guessing Weatherd is also a candidate to start along side JRM and Maggitt.
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Tough call imo since none of them looks like a MLB. Aren't all 3 more in the OLB mold?

IMO, it is going to be hard to keep Croom out of the rotation for his size, hands, and speed. Hope Croom has a speedy recover though.
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I like Croom... and his mom so I hope you are right.

Moreover, I hope those guys like Harris, J Smith, Bowles, et al pull it together so the new guys don't just run right by them. If the new guys play it needs to be because they beat someone out who wouldn't have just been filling a slot on the depth chart.

The freshman I would be most surprised to NOT see is Kelly. His video is the most impressive I've seen this year or for several years from anyone UT has recruited to include great players they didn't get.
 
#29
#29
I would caution everyone about super high expectations out of the gate. The jump from high school to D1 is huge. The jump from high school to the SEC has got to be just ridiculous. Some of the early enrollees and the Jucos will have the best chance, but don't expect freshman to perform like world beaters out of the gate. Pace of play, Size and physicality will require a serious adjustment.

That being said, I would think all positions are open all of the time. If AJ comes back I don't see anyone starting in front of him. Cam, Tiny (if he returns), Pig and North should be safe. I would even go so far as to say the returning offensive lineman will start early but could lose their spot as the year progresses if some of the newbies catch on quickly. I think the most open spots will be on the defensive line and maybe even running back if Hurd learns quickly in the spring. JMO.
 
#31
#31
Boca Vol said:
These are still FR. I would say the upperclassmen would have an advantage if Butch can coach like many fans think he can.
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why? is it because they are older? If butch is as good as we say then the most talented should start
 
#32
#32
rickyb712 said:
why? is it because they are older? If butch is as good as we say then the most talented should start
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Experience and development are bigger things than you might expect. Physically most guys will take the biggest jump in their lives in their first year of a college level S&C program. Everything is more complex from a mental standpoint. And experience whether from working on a scout team or in a game is a big factor. And don't forget, some of the returning guys were recruits we were once excited about. They didn't stop having potential just because we forgot about them. Many if not most good CFB players take a year or two of development before being ready to play at a high level.

IIRC, Bama expected to RS everyone in their '12 or '13 class... both of those classes were ranked #1 by Rivals. That's where you want to get. You want those great athletes and high level HS players coming in and being built into guys ready to play before asking them to play big roles.
 
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#34
#34
Mizzou's success this year was largely because of experience and development within their program. Guys didn't just "emerge". They have been in their program for 3 or 4 years. Those things make up for a disadvantage in raw athleticism very often.
 
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#35
#35
I think the biggest uptick is to see these players grow because they are being pushed by the coaches <Or being coached to get better> and players computation. Something I think has been lacking in the past. Simple Coaching
 
#36
#36
fade route said:
I wouldn't say Downs is safe.
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Downs is pretty safe at least as a blocking TE unless one of the newcomers is very advanced physically. They are still looking for him or someone else to become a receiver from that position though.
 
#37
#37
Every position will be open obviously. But that being said, I think some are immediately thinking that Hurd will start. I personally believe that Lane will start. Hurd may be pretty elite talent wise, but he's an 18 year old kid. Marlin Lane is now a man and he's far more solid at the RB position for us next year, IMO.
 
#38
#38
ItsAllVols said:
I think the biggest uptick is to see these players grow because they are being pushed by the coaches <Or being coached to get better> and players computation. Something I think has been lacking in the past. Simple Coaching
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I hate to spoil the love and good will in this thread... but that remains to be seen. What we saw from the '13 team did not support that optimism. This looks like a truly great class of great student athletes with character. That is pretty unique in my time watching the Vols... a long time. However the coaching will need to be much better than we saw this year.
 
#39
#39
VolFan4Life87 said:
Every position will be open obviously. But that being said, I think some are immediately thinking that Hurd will start. I personally believe that Lane will start. Hurd may be pretty elite talent wise, but he's an 18 year old kid. Marlin Lane is now a man and he's far more solid at the RB position for us next year, IMO.
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In a hushed whisper... I'm still not sure Hurd ends up at RB.
 
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#40
#40
sjt18 said:
Mizzou's success this year was largely because of experience and development within their program. Guys didn't just "emerge". They have been in their program for 3 or 4 years. Those things make up for a disadvantage in raw athleticism very often.
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I would like to add that players who have played under the same system and been under the same coaches for 3-4 years not only have experience but become leaders on the field. I remember people saying Al Wilson was like a coach on the field and that was a result of him being in the same system for 4 years.

I still do not know what to expect next year but I have to think that although we have some key positions to fill on defense that they will be better due to the experience they got this year and hope to see some leaders emerge from the group.
 
#41
#41
jtipto10 said:
I'm betting Lane will start too, but some people on this site will freak if Hurd isn't starting day one
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if you remember even Jamal Lewis didnt start till georgia game. ( had to learn blocking schemes, etc)

even super stars have to learn, you cant just put them in on obvious runnning downs for the defense to stack the box.

BUT !!!! early enrollment is allowing some to get a early jump on things so this helps
 
#42
#42
sjt18 said:
I hate to spoil the love and good will in this thread... but that remains to be seen. What we saw from the '13 team did not support that optimism. This looks like a truly great class of great student athletes with character. That is pretty unique in my time watching the Vols... a long time. However the coaching will need to be much better than we saw this year.
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I agree with this statement. There were some highs and lows in terms of coaching. With only 1 season of "data" to go on with these coaches, my personal decision on their competency is still up in the air. One could argue the coaches couldn't do some of the things they wanted to because they didn't have the confidence in the players to execute certain things. You could also argue they made some boneheaded calls.

We'll know next year and without a doubt by 2015 if these guys know their stuff or not.
 
#43
#43
So how bad is the meltdown gonna be if butch pulls this stubborn redshirt stuff with these guys.
 
#44
#44
Chilmonty said:
Is there a returning player who is safe at his position??

Seriously, Randolph, AJ (if he returns), Maggitt, Sutton, who else???

On offense, even North and Pig will have guys nipping at their heels? Lane? Croom?

The competition at almost every position, will get INTENSE pretty quickly, and thats a very good thing!

I think "lack of quality depth" will soon be a thing of the past! :rock::rock:


.
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there is a lot of development that has to occur before the quality of the depth improves..
 
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#45
#45
BruiserVol said:
So how bad is the meltdown gonna be if butch pulls this stubborn redshirt stuff with these guys.
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^I seriously hope that we have that LUXURY!!!

Too many Fresh played this year cause they were the best or ONLY option!

Getting a "Free Year" to learn and development, is a good thing! JMO

Saban will probably redshirt half of there No.1 class this year, because they can!



.
 
#47
#47
sjt18 said:
In a hushed whisper... I'm still not sure Hurd ends up at RB.
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z'ok... THE COACHES WILL BE SURE...FOR YOU [/QUOTE]
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
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#50
#50
AJ, Tiny, (if they stay), Sutton, and North are a safe bet. I agree that Lane will probably start early in the season, but that may change later. Pig is likely as well, but not as safe a bet.
 
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