Athlon's top players on the rise....

[gardners_51609]

SIAP...

College Football's Top 15 Wide Receivers on the Rise for 2014 | AthlonSports.com

Marquez North, Tennessee
Tennessee’s offensive line is starting over with the departure of all five starters from last year, but Butch Jones has accumulated some intriguing talent at receiver. North made an instant impact as a true freshman in 2013, catching 38 passes for 496 yards and one score. The North Carolina native was a key cog in Tennessee’s upset win over South Carolina by catching three passes for 102 yards (including a nifty one-handed grab), while 16 of his receptions came against Alabama, Missouri and Auburn – arguably the top three teams in the SEC in 2013. North needs more help from his quarterbacks this season, and it’s uncertain if the Volunteers will turn to Joshua Dobbs again or if redshirt freshman Riley Ferguson takes the No. 1 spot. But regardless of which quarterback starts under center, North is poised to take a step forward in his development in 2014.

10 College Football True Freshmen Likely to Make an Impact in 2014 | AthlonSports.com

Jalen Hurd, RB, Tennessee
Hurd is one of the top recruits in Butch Jones’ monster 36-man class. The Tennessee native is listed as a five-star prospect by 247Sports.

Ranking College Football's Rosters for 2014 | AthlonSports.com

Tennessee #13

College Football's Top 10 Running Backs on the Rise for 2014 | AthlonSports.com

Jalen Hurd, Tennessee
Hurd ranked as the No. 40 recruit in the 2014 signing class by the 247Sports Composite rankings. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, Hurd is a physical specimen at running back with an intriguing blend of speed and power. The Tennessee native will have a chance to earn playing time this spring with the departure of Rajion Neal.

College Football's Top 15 Impact JUCO Transfers for 2014 | AthlonSports.com

Dontavius Blair, OL, Tennessee
Blair is just one recruit in Tennessee’s whopping 35-man class, but the Alabama native is one of the most important signings for 2014. The Volunteers lose all five starters on the offensive line, including standout tackles Antonio Richardson and Ja’Wuan James. Blair ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the 247Sports Composite junior college ratings and comes to Knoxville after a two-year stint at Garden City Community College. Adjusting to life in the SEC is no easy assignment for a junior college lineman, but Blair played his high school ball in Anniston, Ala., so he’s no stranger to the expectations within the conference. At 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, Blair has the necessary size to start at one of the tackle spots for Tennessee in 2014.

Von Pearson, WR, Tennessee
The Volunteers had success in the junior college ranks with former receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, and Butch Jones hopes Pearson can provide the same type of impact. The Virginia native caught 93 passes at Feather River College in 2013.

Chris Weatherd, LB, Tennessee
Ranked as the No. 18 prospect in the 247Sports Composite. Weatherd is expected to help Tennessee’s pass rush next year.

Owen Williams, DL, Tennessee
Rebuilding both lines will be a priority for coach Butch Jones this offseason. Williams was the No. 113 prospect in the 247Sports Composite.

2014 Heisman Trophy Position-by-Position Spring Primer | AthlonSports.com

A.J. Johnson, LB, Tennessee (Sr.)
Used on offense two years ago and will need to go both ways to get into the mix.

Sorry I know it is a lot...I figured on a rainy Friday y'all might need some reading material.

 

[volfanhill]

Thanks good stuff!

 

[lamadog]

Athlon loves us! Thanks g 51609!

 

[Biopsyman]

North 70 catch season on the way

 

[Give_All_Vol]

Good stuff thanks for posting!

So how many recruits were in this class again lol? I see a different number every other article I read! This has two different numbers ha

 

[Volador]

So follow up Q to this is:

How many true Freshmen or new Juco's earn starting positions (out of 24 positions)??

 

[jacobyvoln27]

Six, 3 jucos and 3 freshman
Jucos Williams, Von Pearson & Blair
Freshman Malone, Hurd and either Helm or Wolf!
J.M.O. Go Big Orange!

 

[gardners_51609]

Pearson, Williams and Blair out of the JUCO kids, maybe Weatherd if Maggitt plays a lot of DE...

Helm, Wolfe, Todd Kelly and 1 of the freshman will lock up the corner spot opposite Cam Sutton.

Medley will have at least 1 of the specialist rolls in the fall....

About all of them in this class will be in the 2 deep from day 1...

 

[Give_All_Vol]

Pearson, Williams and Blair out of the JUCO kids, maybe Weatherd if Maggitt plays a lot of DE...

Helm, Wolfe, Todd Kelly and 1 of the freshman will lock up the corner spot opposite Cam Sutton.

Medley will have at least 1 of the specialist rolls in the fall....

About all of them in this class will be in the 2 deep from day 1...

Seems like Mosely is the top candidate at the other corner for now

 

[Serpent710]

Great post!:hi:

 

[GOATeric14berry]

Is E Mosley the next cam sutton

 

[k-town_king]

Thanks.


Its funny ambles is just now supposed to breakout. lol

 

[zidanefan]

Great links, thanks.

One thing that caught my eye... it's either Dobbs or Ferguson according to most people. Wonder if that will light a fire under Worley that he's being written off in the middle of spring ball.

 

[WishWeHadTee]

Rivals says 31, Scout 32, and now here I read 36. Somehow that don't seem right...

 

[Ez_Vol]

Is E Mosley the next cam sutton

Find out on the next episode of Dragonball Z.

 

[bornbleddinorange]

Is E Mosley the next cam sutton

We need him to be. Coleman is better suited for the nickel. He's been getting burnt for 3 years at corner.

 

[big harry]

AJ Johnson is our Heisman hopeful?

 

[JwolfeVFL]

Six, 3 jucos and 3 freshman
Jucos Williams, Von Pearson & Blair
Freshman Malone, Hurd and either Helm or Wolf!
J.M.O. Go Big Orange!

Close but ya missed one. 4 freshman will start. You forgot about Coleman Thomas and maybe even 5 or 6. E. Mosely is getting some first team reps and T. Kelly will be here soon. It will be tougher for Kelly with Randolph back there. He could possibly be looking at a red shirt. IMO He has the talent but won't arrive until summer.

 

[Shakinthefat]

I think the defensive backfield will be a strength this yr. Coach Willie is going to produce some outstanding pLayers.

 

[imavolfan]

Good read. Thanks for putting that together.

 

[triad280]

Close but ya missed one. 4 freshman will start. You forgot about Coleman Thomas and maybe even 5 or 6. E. Mosely is getting some first team reps and T. Kelly will be here soon. It will be tougher for Kelly with Randolph back there. He could possibly be looking at a red shirt. IMO He has the talent but won't arrive until summer.

1st mention of CT,and I agree... and don't forget about Rashaan Gaulden and Vic,especially in the return game...