I thought we needed a thread devoted to discussion on the roles each of Tennessee's 2012 commits by position and how they fill a specific need on the team. This is not a discussion on recruiting rankings or who the next commit will be. Just solely how our commits fill a need on the team. I will edit when we gain/lose a commit.
Quarterback Nathan Peterman(EE) ‪Nathan Peterman - 2012 QB - Junior Highlights‬‏ - YouTube
Peterman will add solid depth and a bit of athleticism that has been absent from UT QBs as of late. At 6'2" 205 lbs, Peterman already has an adequate frame. He fills the need of adding a solid #3 option behind Bray and Worley and gives the staff the ability to go all out for an elite talent at the position in 2013.
Runningback/Fullback Imani Cross(EE) ‪Imani Cross‬‏ - YouTube
Cross brings an imposing/smashmouth presence to the UT backfield. He offers a great compliment to the homerun abilities of Neal and Lane. UT has been lacking a guy they can hand the ball to and really wear down a defense late in the game and Cross offers that. With excellent vision and adequate speed Cross has the ability to give defenses fits.
Alden Hill(EE) ‪Alden Hill Highlights‬‏ - YouTube
Hill will be a fullback in UT's offense and will play a very similar role to Channing Fugate. If you want to see the plans for Hill in the future watch the impact Fugate has on the offense this year. Already at 220 lbs. Hill also gives UT someone to hand the ball off to in short yardage or goal-to-go situations which Tennessee has faired poorly on in recent years.
Wide Receiver Drae Bowles Drae Bowles 2012 Football Recruiting Videos - ESPN
Bowles is an elite receiver who is one of the many talents bringing UT back to WR U. Bowles is protypical possesion receiver who can do it all from the wide receiver position. He will be a great compliment to Arnett, Dallas, Hunter, and Rogers. Bowles reminds me of Anquan Boldin and will see the field early at UT.
Keithon Redding ‪Keithon Redding 2010 Junior Highlights‬‏ - YouTube
Redding reminds me of Gerald Jones. About the same size, Redding won't run circles around anyone but can be the guy that finds openings on third downs and keeps the chains moving.
Jason Croom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOkCZamYMI
Croom is a big physical reciever who has the ability to become a real threat inside the redzone. He already has excellent size at 6'5" and 220+. Just throw it to the pylon and watch him out battle a 5'10" corner for it. Croom most likely start out at WR but also had the ability to add more weight to his frame and become a very solid pass cathcing TE. Just one step closer to WR U.
Defensive Tackle Damien Jacobs(EE) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayPwiPN_xHg
Jacobs is a very big get for Dooley and his staff. Just like Couch last class, Jacobs is gonna be counted on to immediately push for a starting spot. He is a very big piece of the puzzle to solving the depth issue along the D-line. Jacobs is quick for his size and has the ability to create chaos along the middle of the line and keep the O-line off our LBs.
Defensive End La'Troy Lewis ‪2012 Latroy Lewis - Archbishop Hoban - Jr yr -‬‏ - YouTube
Lewis is a great get for Dooley and will offer great depth to a position of dire need. Lewis is quick off the ball and has the ability to carry 270 lbs. on his frame and become a big DE that UT has so desperately lacked.
Linebacker Dalton Santos(EE) ‪Dalton Santos Junior Highlights‬‏ - YouTube
Arguably the biggest piece of the Tennessee rebuilding process is Santos. A massive head hunter who will compete for the starting MLB spot the moment he steps on campus. Santos has deceptive quickness along the line and can make any play across the line of scrimmage. Santos' most important quality is his need to knock the ball carrier into next week.
Justin King ‪Dunwoody Justin King 2010‬‏ - YouTube
King is a big linebacker who can run well and is very athletic. A candidate to play outside, King is quick and will provide instant depth to another position of need.
Khalid Henderson(EE) ‪Khalid Henderson (Recruiting Video)‬‏ - YouTube
Henderson is a big, athletic linebacker who will play outside for UT. It is obvious that Dooley wants to increase the size and speed of the LB core as each of the three LB commits are already over 6'1" 210. I see Henderson as a terror in the backfield with his size and athelticism.
Otha Peters Otha Peters 2012 Football Recruiting Videos - ESPN
Peters is the most polished and talented LB committed already and has the makings to be All-SEC. Peters will most likely play outside in UT's defense and be a force against opponent's running games. Peters will be the first to see the field of the three committed as he already shows the instincts needed in a great LB.
Defensive Backs Kenneth Crawley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv_3JUILtSQ
Crawley brings excellent size to the corner spot. You can tell from his film that he is extremely athletic and adjusts well to the ball once it is in the air. He is also not afraid to come up and support the run. With his size Crawley is a huge asset to our already stacked defensive backfield.
LaDarrell McNeil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br3xMDQo1To
McNeil is the definition of a head hunter. With his 6'2" frame McNeil can easily get up to 215 without losing much quickness at all. Not only is he an asset to pass coverage, but having a safety that is a sure tackler is huge for defending the run. With his ability he could easily play up towards the line of scrimmage and eliminate any type of edge rush. With Santos and McNeil, Lord have mercy on the opposing runningbacks and wide recievers.
Cody Blanc(EE) ‪Cody Blanc (Football Recruiting Video)‬‏ - YouTube
Blanc is a player who will do all the little things for UT that go unnoticed sometimes. He will be a terror on special teams from the time he steps on campus and will offer solid depth to the safety position. I can see Blanc playing at the nickel position as an extra body in known passing situations.
Kicker George Bullock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6y19T69RH0
Besides maybe QB or RB, the kicker can become the most instrumental player in a team's success. While it's not necessary to take one every year, a kicker is still worthy of a scholarship every few years and Bullock fits that role this class. The kicker usually scores the most points for a team during the year so having a sure kicking game is important (just ask the General). Bullock offers a strong leg and shows he has the ability of being accurate from deep. While this take isn't has sexy or exciting as a big time skill player, it's hard to argue the importance of a reliable leg to cap off drives.
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