Can Ben Martin beat out Xavier Mitchell or Antonio Reynolds as the starting DE?

**oklavol** · 02-18-2007, 12:19 PM

No one is likely going to agree with me, but I would like to see Martin get an opportunity to start/play at DE. Rivals lists him as the #20 best player in the nation at any position. That to me is an impact player who needs to play. I hope Fulmer doesn't try to redshirt him.

I know UT is returning 2 starters at DE, Reynolds and Mitchell but the DL needs to get a lot better. I'm not sure returning players from an average DL is going to make a big improvement. New blood could be the way to go.

Rivals lists Martin as 6'5", 230lb and runs a 4.5. For comparison, on the depth chart Reynolds is 6'3", 260Lb, and Mitchell is 6'2, 252 lbs. Martin needs to gain about 20 lbs but he's faster then anyone UT has had on the DL in a long time.

Volsguy12 · 02-18-2007, 12:32 PM

I dont think so.

JAllen18 · 02-18-2007, 12:33 PM

I dont think he will start,but I think he will get a lot of playing time.

**Lexvol** · 02-18-2007, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oklavol

No one is likely going to agree with me, but I would like to see Martin get an opportunity to start/play at DE. Rivals lists him as the #20 best player in the nation at any position. That to me is an impact player who needs to play. I hope Fulmer doesn't try to redshirt him.

I know UT is returning 2 starters at DE, Reynolds and Mitchell but the DL needs to get a lot better. I'm not sure returning players from an average DL is going to make a big improvement. New blood could be the way to go.

Rivals lists Martin as 6'5", 230lb and runs a 4.5. For comparison, on the depth chart Reynolds is 6'3", 260Lb, and Mitchell is 6'2, 252 lbs. Martin needs to gain about 20 lbs but he's faster then anyone UT has had on the DL in a long time.

After watching him closely in the AA game, I don't know if he is ready. Maybe he will play in the latter part of the season.

govols182 · 02-18-2007, 01:02 PM

He will play, but he most likely won't take the starting end spot from either of them. Our DL will close to unstoppable next season. I have a good feeling about it. Our LB will also be close to unstoppable. This is of course if everyone stays healthy and keeps improving. Xavier and Reynolds could be All-SEC next season.

TennTradition · 02-18-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by govols182

He will play, but he most likely won't take the starting end spot from either of them. Our DL will close to unstoppable next season. I have a good feeling about it. Our LB will also be close to unstoppable. This is of course if everyone stays healthy and keeps improving. Xavier and Reynolds could be All-SEC next season.

for some reason i doubt this....

hope you're right, though

JOEY'S ALL VOL !!! · 02-18-2007, 01:15 PM

I think he will see alot of time in pass rushing situations which will be good, we need some speed off the edge, However physicaly he's not ready to be an every down player at this level yet, but I expect by 08 he will be a force to be dealt with. Rufus Williams also has some speed coming from the edge that may earn him some playing time in the same situations.

smokeyman15 · 02-18-2007, 01:28 PM

For the sake of those upperclassmen, I would hope not...

**hvwarrior58** · 02-18-2007, 01:31 PM

Nah, he will be a backup used primarily as a pass rusher. We only have 2 DEs that can really be counted on for pass rush and rush D and that is Reynolds and Mitchell. Brown is a hybrid DE/DT and Ayers/Martin will be pass rushers unless they prove otherwise.

justingroves · 02-18-2007, 01:33 PM

He's 230. He will get in on to rush the passer but he's not big enough yet to start and play alot of snaps.

**oklavol** · 02-18-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by govols182

He will play, but he most likely won't take the starting end spot from either of them. Our DL will close to unstoppable next season. I have a good feeling about it. Our LB will also be close to unstoppable. This is of course if everyone stays healthy and keeps improving. Xavier and Reynolds could be All-SEC next season.

This is hard for me to believe, though I hope your right.

UT was 72nd last season in rush defense.
For comparison, UT was 27th in pass defense.

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank....shdef&site=org

72nd last season is terrible. That was almost a 100 more yds per game then the no. 1 rush defense Michigan. Thats why I'm in favor of some new blood on the DL.

govols182 · 02-18-2007, 02:06 PM

Ayers will be a playmaker next season.

**hvwarrior58** · 02-18-2007, 02:28 PM

Well, our pass rush and rush defense had alot to do with the personnel. McBride is a good tweener, but he is still a tweener. McGlothlin isn't much of anything. We weren't able to play a ton of bodies either which isn't UT football.

smokeyman15 · 02-18-2007, 02:28 PM

Well put HV, totally agree....

lacrossepro70 · 02-18-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oklavol

Martin needs to gain about 20 lbs but he's faster then anyone UT has had on the DL in a long time.

20 lbs in just a couple months is very unlikely. Someone might take Reynold's spot because he has been flat, but I do not think it will be Martin. Martin might be a good
3rd down guy though.