Top 10...

[MikeHamiltonFan]

I predicted top 15.

I honestly think that the staff could be barely in the top 10 in February. That is absolutely remarkable for what will at best be a 6-6 season with a minor bowl win taking us to 7.

Commits Position Ht/Wt Rivals Rivals250 Pos. Rank Hometown Notes
Alan Posey OL 6-6 305 3 star #48 OT Athens, GA
Mack Crowder C 6-4 270 3 star #14 C Bristol, TN Early Enrollee
Tom Smith RB 5-10 205 3 star #27 RB Apopka, FL
Justin Coleman CB 5-11 175 4 star #26CB Brunswick, GA Early Enrollee
Brendan Downs TE 6-6 224 3 star #28 TE Bristol, TN Early Enrollee
Brian Randolph S 6-0 180 3 star #46 DB Marietta, GA
Justin Worley QB 6-4 196 3 star #30 QB Rock Hill, SC
Allan Carson DT 6-0 315 2 star Oxford, AL Early Enrollee
Christian Harris LB 6-2 230 3 star Woodstock, GA
Trevarris Saulsberry DE 6-4 275 3 star #54 DT Gainesville, FL
Kyler Kerbyson OT 6-5 290 3 star #39 OT TN
Pat Martin S 5-11 196 4 star 244 #16 S SC
A.J. Johnson LB 6-3 226 4 star 141 #8 ILB GA
Eddrick Loften CB 4 star If he gets in he will commit
Tino Thomas CB 6-0 190 3 star #72 ATH TN
Devrin Young RB 5-7 156 3 star TN
Jordan Williams DE 6-4 240 3 star #44 DE FL
DeAnthony Arnett Wr 6-0 167 4 star # 60 #6 WR
Maurice Couch DT 6-2 295 4 Star JUCO 3 years to play 3
Vincent Dallas WR 6-0 180 3 star #49 ATH GA


Crowder, Loften and Couch will start. D Young and T Smith will see action at KR/PR. Arnett will log major minutes as a freshman (probably about like D Rogers this year).

How with these players could we finish within the top 10?

What if our finish is

Jay Rome
Mike Bellamy
Gabe Wright
Jeoffrey Pagan
and a 5 star secret?

That means in our incoming class we would have 4-5 starters and 7-8 guys logging serious minutes.

With Bray at QB, 1 freshman on the OL, 3 sophomores and 1 junior

a freshman and 3 sophomores as the WR core.

Holes plugged at DT in a wonderful way...

TN could finish 2nd or 3rd in the east next year.

Does anyone else realize how dramatic that is?

Do we all recognize that by playing to plug needs (not to keep promises made like Kiffin did) we are going to be able to attract even more studs in 2012?

The difference in expectations between 15 and 9 are pretty significant. I hope I am not disappointed, but I also know I am part of a tiny tiny portion of the fan base that obsessively checks recruiting sites and stories and messages. For most of the fan base, NSD will be shockingly good news and will help with off season ticket sales, donations, jerseys etc (Hunter was always going to be a good TN jersey for sales in East TN).

A month ago, I never would have thought I would be this optimistic.

Go Vols!!!

[abb4]

Stopped reading after "Crowder will start". James Stone is solidifying a spot at Center.

[you]

So, you're saying Crowder will beat out Stone for the C position?

[MikeHamiltonFan]

Abb you are wrong. The staff is happy about Crowder coming in and being the center. He will be the center. Stone will be able to back him up but will start at another position.

[DaddyChad]

Originally Posted by you

So, you're saying Crowder will beat out Stone for the C position?

I doubt that happens unless Stone is injured. I could see one of these freshman Olinemen getting in at OG though.

[abb4]

I will bet you anything you want that this is not true. Crowder will not start next season unless there are significant injuries on the line.

[OrangeSummit]

good info, just remember Fulmer had the #1 class in 2005. it's good to be happy, just tampered happiness. we will see in 3 or 4 years how good this class is.

[sdowell]

no way crowder starts. stone is set for 3 more years. crowder redshirts, and starts his junior and senior years after stone is gone.

[DaddyChad]

Imagine the speed of Bellamy and the Mamba on the field at the same time.

[therickbol]

Originally Posted by MikeHamiltonFan

Abb you are wrong. The staff is happy about Crowder coming in and being the center. He will be the center. Stone will be able to back him up but will start at another position.

Stone will start at Center. Staff loves his potential at that position. Crowder will provide much needed depth at the spot and will take over after Stone graduates.

[SteelerVol]

Originally Posted by therickbol

Stone will start at Center. Staff loves his potential at that position. Crowder will provide much needed depth at the spot and will take over after Stone graduates.

Mack Truck is an EE and already enrolled and as result will get on the S&C program early but will almost definitely redshirt. My guess is that he starts as a RS Frosh. Center is not Stone's future position IMVHO and being left handed doesn't help him.

[SteelerVol]

Originally Posted by therickbol

Stone will start at Center. Staff loves his potential at that position. Crowder will provide much needed depth at the spot and will take over after Stone graduates.

Crowder will start at C while Stone is still on the roster.
Stone can't match his on field IQ or his athleticism and after a yr won't match his strength. Mark it down.
Mack is genetically engineered for C.

[bud0323]

What about Tiny Richardson did you forget him.

[TNfaninMS]

Isn't Worley an EE? I thought I read the somewhere.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[utvolpj]

Originally Posted by SteelerVol

Crowder will start at C while Stone is still on the roster.
Stone can't match his on field IQ or his athleticism and after a yr won't match his strength. Mark it down.
Mack is genetically engineered for C.

I have a hard time believing he will come in and beat out a 2yr starter. Maybe it will happen but could also be a little bias in the statement