Recruiting forum official 2015 season discussion thread

[Ericvol2096]

Now that the signing class is in the books it is time for us to turn our collective heads and hearts to the 2015 season.

We will close a top 5 class on every recruiting ranking fluctuating from #2-5. That is the good news. The GREAT news is that we are adding that to a team that returns 18 starters where most of our competitors only return 10-15 and we have 35+ coming back from our two deep. The majority of the roster are still Freshman and Sophmores this fall but that will shift to an upperclassman dominance in 2016. IMO that youth will not keep team 119 from being able to fight for a trip to Atlanta in early December and our best season by far since 2007.

The reason for that is for the first time in YEARS our talented freshman won't be required to start by default. We finally have returning talent and experienced players and the only freshman who will play will be the ones who come in and earn it and not just start out of necessity.

SRs-14 (42% 4* or above)
WR - Pig Howard - 2012 - 4*
WR - Jonathon Johnson - 2013 - 3*
WR - Von Pearson - 2014 - 4*
TE - Alex Ellis - Walk On
C - Mack Crowder - 2011 - 3*
OG - Marcus Jackson - 2011 - 4*
OT - Kyler Kerbyson - 2011 - 3*
DT - Trevarris Saulsberry - 2011 - 3*
DT - Owen Williams - 2014 - 3*
DE/LB - Curt Maggitt - 2011 - 4*
D/LB - Chris Weathered - 2014 - 4*
S - Brian Randolph - 2011 - 3*
S - LaDarrell McNeil - 2012 - 4*
LS - Matt Giampana - Walk On

JRs-17 (35% 4* or above)
QB - Josh Dobbs - 2013 - 4*
WR - Marquez North - 2013 - 4*
WR - Jason Croom - 2012 - 4*
WR - Cody Blanc - 2012 - 2*
OT - Dontavious Blair - 2014 - 4*
OG - Dylan Weisman - 2013 - 3*
DT - Danny O'Brien - 2012 - 4*
DE - Corey Vereen - 2013 - 3*
DE - Latroy Lewis - 2012 - 3*
MLB - Kenny Bynum - 2012 - 3*
OLB - Justin King - 2012 - 3*
OLB - Jalen Reeves Maybin - 2013 - 4*
CB - Devaun Swafford - 2013 - 3*
CB - Malik Foreman - 2013 - 3*
CB - Cam Sutton - 2013 - 3*
S - Lemond Johnson - 2013 - 3*
K - George Bullock - 2012 - 2*

SO's-21 (48% 4* or above)
RB - Jalen Hurd - 2014 - 5*
RB - Alvin Kamara - 2015 - 5*
WR - Josh Malone - 2014 - 5*
WR - Josh Smith - 2013 - 3*
TE - AJ Branisiel - 2013 - 3*
TE - Ethan Wolf - 2014 - 3*
OG - Jashaun Robertson - 2014 - 3*
OT - Brett Kendrick - 2013 - 3*
OT - Austin Sanders - 2013 - 4*
C - Coleman Thomas - 2014 - 3*
DE - Dimaraya Mixon - 2014 - 3*
DE - Derek Barnett - 2014 - 4*
DT - Kendal Vickers - 2013 - 3*
OLB - Cortez McDowell - 2014 - 4*
OLB - Elliot Berry - 2014 - 3*
MLB - Jakob Johnson - 2014 - 3*
CB - Rashaan Gaulden - 2014 - 4*
CB - Emmanuel Moseley - 2014 - 3*
CB - Justin Martin - 2015 - 4*
S - Evan Berry - 2014 - 4*
S - Todd Kelly Jr - 2014 - 4*
K - Aaron Medley - 2014 - 3*

FR-32 (53% 4* or above)
QB – Jauan Jennings – 2015 – 4*
QB – Quentin Dormandy – 2015 – 4*
QB – Sheriron Jones – 2015 – 4*
RB – John Kelly – 2015 – 3*
RB – Joc Bruce – 2015 – 3*
WR - Preston Williams - 2015 - 4*
WR - Vincent Perry - 2015 - 3*
TE - Neiko Creamer - 2014 - 3*
TE - Kyle Oliver - 2015 - 3*
OG - Charles Mosley - 2014 - 3*
OG - Ray Raulerson - 2014 - 3*
OT - Jack Jones - 2015 - 4*
OT - Chance Hall - 2015 - 3*
OT - Venzell Boulware - 2015 - 4*
OT - Drew Richmond*** - 2015 - 5*
OG - Zach Stewart - 2015 - 4*
DT - Shy Tuttle - 2015 - 4*
DT- Kahlil McKenzie - 2015 - 5*
DT - Quay Picou - 2015 - 3*
DE - Darrell Taylor - 2015 - 4*
DE - Andrew Butcher - 2015 - 4*
DE - Kyle Phillips - 2015 - 5*
MLB - Gavin Bryant - 2014 - 3*
MLB - Darrin Kirkland Jr - 2015 - 4*
OLB - Dillon Bates - 2014 - 4*
OLB - Quart'e Sapp - 2015 - 4*
OLB - Austin Smith - 2015 - 3*
CB - Darrell Miller - 2015 - 3*
CB - Micah Abernathy - 2015 - 4*
S- Stephen Griffin - 2015 - 3*
P - Tommy Townsend - 2015 - 3*
LS - Riley Lovingwood - 2015 2*

Total Roster - 46% 4* or above

The competition factor and depth factor that Butch continues to put at the forefront of his program have SKYROCKETED in the past two years and this team has a great shot at winning 9 games this fall.

Oklahoma in Knoxville and the annual tilt with Florida in the Swamp loom large in the first four game of the season. Winning at least one of those and keeping the program in the top 15 discussion into October will be imperative. Win both and the Vols will be in the top 15.

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this season and keep this thread going all offseason. I will edit the roster as players leave or starters look more likely after the spring practice.

Go Vols! Can't wait to see Team 119 run through the T this FALL!

 

[GBO97]

I guarantee more than one freshman will start.

 

[RollerVol]

:number1: :fireworks:

Gonna be great! :bow2:

GO VOLS!

 

[VolBricks]

I love the enthusiasm but I would temper the top 15 for a while. Knock-on-wood, we could have one of those springs where people get injured and not every recruit works out. I am not a NegaVol, I am a realist. I love the Vols chances this year but I have not seen who the new OC is and I have not been sold that the rest of the coaching staff is good enough to make us compete even with the upgrade in talent.

 

[Sandvol]

We're going to be a handful next season.

 

[Ericvol2096]

I guarantee more than one freshman will start.

I am trying to pick who will be the starters day one of Fall Camp.

Who would be your candidates to start for the first game from this class?

Drew Richmond
Khalil McKenzie
Darrin Kirkland Jr and
Justin Martin

to me are the best shots.

You all?

 

[TNVolunteerGrad]

 

[jspvol76]

Except for injury, I don't think any true freshmen start. However, Martin might.

 

[djwes]

Any word on Jocquez Bruce & Vincent Perry?

Showing no LOI on Rivals,,

 

[Ericvol2096]

So what are the biggest position battles looking forward to the fall?

OT - Looks like Blair, Kenrick, Kerbyson and Richmond will all compete for the two starting tackle spots. It would be huge for the program if Richmond and Blair could be the best two options and allow Kerbyson to slide inside to G.

OG - Robertson, Jackson, Weisman and Kerbyson will all be battling for the two G spots. If Blair and Richmond do win the OT spots then this competition gets even more crazy with Kerby, Jackson and Robertson really getting after just one spot.

C - Crowder and Thomas will battle for this spot but unless Coleman makes a huge jump I think we saw how valuable Crowder is and he will get this one.

DT - Williams, Tuttle and McKenzie will fight for the spot next to Danny O. I think McKenzie definitely will be in the rotation day 1 but I think Williams gets the nod as the starter day one. I may be wrong, which I honestly hope I am!

MLB - Bynum, Johnson, DK JR and Bryant will all have a hand at this battle. I think if Johnson doesn't win the job he may shift to a pass rush DE specialist. This will be a great one.

OLB - Opposite JRM you'll have Weathered, Bates and McDowell competeing. Not sure how to quantify this fight with Maggitt moving around and the 4-3 /4-2 looks we are in.

CB - Moseley, Foreman, Gaulden and Martin will battle for the CB and NB spots opposite Sutton. That will be a freaking awesome battle.

S - McNeil and TK Jr. This one will likely be one of the fiercest out there.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Any word on Jocquez Bruce & Vincent Perry?

Showing no LOI on Rivals,,

Blue Shirting, can't sign and will show up in August and be on scholarship. UT can't comment on them till then.

They both COULD go to another school all the way up till the day they report to fall camp.

 

[utchuckster]

It would be great if none started- I think first game, Martin might be starter, hope not to see any others.

 

[FieldGeneral59]

I am trying to pick who will be the starters day one of Fall Camp.

Who would be your candidates to start for the first game from this class?

Drew Richmond
Khalil McKenzie
Darrin Kirkland Jr and
Justin Martin

to me are the best shots.

You all?

I doubt Richmond or Kirkland will start this year barring any injuries. Phillips could push for playing time.

 

[Aesius]

I am trying to pick who will be the starters day one of Fall Camp.

Who would be your candidates to start for the first game from this class?

Drew Richmond
Khalil McKenzie
Darrin Kirkland Jr and
Justin Martin

to me are the best shots.

You all?

Add Tommy Townsend and Alvin Kamara.

Kamara won't be at the top of the depth chart but he will split carries with Hurd.

 

[Glitch]

We gon be gud.

I really think there is going to be a large jump in production on both sides of the ball. We added a lots of missing pieces today. DT was upgraded. DE, CB, and LB were all enhanced. The OL will have some good competition and should improve markedly next year. Dobbs will continue to get better and more scary. RBs should gel over the spring and summer then be ready to pound the rock come fall. WRs will need to stay healthy but we have one of the best WR rosters in the country. Coaches need to coach and we will all be in for a fantastic football season.

 

[UT-Rex]

Great compilation. Winning close games OU and FL is doable.

 

[govols120]

I think we finish in the top 20, which likely entails going 9-4 (counting the bowl game). That would be a big step in the right direction. The OU game is critical for how the rest of the season goes.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

I think Martin will have the best chance to start out of the newcomers. KM will be in the DT rotation, and AK will get plenty of carries at RB, but neither will start day one. Would be surprised if DR starts at OT day one. Will be nice to have some depth for a change.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

Also, I think the UF game is critical to the first portion of the season. Our fans are dying for a win over UF, and with them getting a new coach, and Butch being in year 3, many will be counting on a win. I know it is at the Swamp, but a win in that game would go a long way to saying "were back" given its a conference and division match up and a traditional rival.

OK will be a big game also, but not the same given it is out of conference.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Also, I think the UF game is critical to the first portion of the season. Our fans are dying for a win over UF, and with them getting a new coach, and Butch being in year 3, many will be counting on a win. I know it is at the Swamp, but a win in that game would go a long way to saying "were back" given its a conference and division match up and a traditional rival.

OK will be a big game also, but not the same given it is out of conference.

with UF adding 21 commits looks like they'll only have around 75ish scholarship player on their squad and that is before this offseason when some guys could still peace out.

I agree. They have no QB, no OL, no WR's and lost a ton of talent on D.

I hope it is like 1995 Alabama and we go down to their turf and stomp a mud hole in them to end the streak.

Sometimes breaking a streak like that is easier to do on the road and in a blow out. Let's get that done VOLS!

 

[jobiwan]

Now that the signing class is in the books it is time for us to turn our collective heads and hearts to the 2015 season.

 

[Vols4us]

Blue Shirting, can't sign and will show up in August and be on scholarship. UT can't comment on them till then.

They both COULD go to another school all the way up till the day they report to fall camp.

In theory only for Bruce. In reality he is 100% Vol as is everybody around him. Book it.

 

[volfan4evr]

Kirkland is hurt and will mis spring practice, so I don't think he starts unless he balls out in the fall.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Thoughts on the schedule and how it breaks down. In the past few years I would have 3 or 4 game in the CERTAIN loss category...next year is the first year I really don't think we have one.

Certain Wins: BGSU, WKU, North Texas, Vandy
Likely Wins: @UK, USCe
Toss ups lean W: @UF
Toss ups: @Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Toss ups lean L: UGA
Likely Loss: @Bama
Certain Loss: None

Give me 9-3 or 8-4 and I'll be pumped. 10-2 or better and I'm buildin' statues, if I get 7-5 or worse and there'll be some 'splainin to do.

 

[SteensVol]

Sounds about right!

Missouri gone though I think they fall hard.