Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

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#4,858
#4,858
Vols veteran linebackers finally healthy, ready to spearhead unit

For one, the veteran trio of Darrin Kirkland Jr., Quart’e Sapp and Daniel Bituli are finally off the training tables — maybe the first time collectively in their careers.

Bituli, who led Tennessee with 90 tackles in 2017, missed all of spring practice recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, while Kirkland Jr. is good to go after battling a litany of injuries the last two seasons. Sapp is also much bigger and stronger than he was when he seriously hurt his knee back in 2016.

“It’s the healthiest we’ve ever been,” Sapp said Sunday.
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"We're a little more comfortable [in the system] because, obviously, we've prepared and changed the defense and are putting finishing touches rather than it being all new,” Sapp said.

"There's definitely more confidence because we know what we're doing. There's more stuff that we're putting in, more detail, more tedious things that we're focusing on instead of just the overall picture of the defense.”

The inclusion of Kirkland Jr. back into the mix has boosted the unit, too. The 6-foot-1, 235-pound middle linebacker has a near photographic memory, and can diagnosis plays extremely quickly. Although Kirkland is still overcoming some of his physical ailments, head coach Jeremy Pruitt believes the former All-SEC freshman’s presence will be a legitimate asset this fall.

“He’s a fast learner,” Pruitt said.

“The guy’s got instincts. I mean, I watched him play back on the old film. You don’t play in this league as a true freshman unless you’ve got something about you, and he did. He’s got a chance to really help us.”

Tennessee still hasn’t ironed out exact roles for the three juniors, but they’ll all play. A lot.
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Much like Dont'a Hightower was for Alabama's defense in 2010-2011, Bituli is a versatile 'backer poised to be the nucleus of the front-seven.

With Bituli serving as the MIKE, he and Kirkland mainly played together in the base 3-4 scheme, while Bituli and Sapp were on the field in most nickel packages. In a few dime looks, Bituli then slid to the edge as a rush-end/BUCK linebacker.

“I like how multiple we are. The coaches are doing a good job moving me around,” Bituli said.

“I couldn’t ask for a better defense.”
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-- Simonton
 
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#4,863
#4,863
Darth_Shiveman said:
Having a dumb moment. Who is DM?
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#4,864
#4,864
Re: walk on receiver Richard Mize (listed 5'10" 170lbs)

Made Nigel, Alontae and one other DB look silly in cat-mouse drill. Also had a catch in team period against Trevon Flowers and talked a bit of trash afterwards. Like I said on podcast, no idea if he'll ever play, but guys like him and Harvin are good practice players who make their teammates better.
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-- Simonton
 
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#4,868
#4,868
Coach Mathews is probably going with how it was coming out of spring-- Buchanan and Osborne with Shamburger at nickel and Warrior and Abernathy at S. But IDT they'll keep Tae, Thompson and some of the other newcomers off the field long.
 
#4,873
#4,873
It'll be very bumpy at first but with Pruitt specializing DBs and a lot of young talent we will be fine in time. Still concerned if Tuttle or Johnson goes down how we will do on the DL.
 
#4,874
#4,874
LA Vol said:
And then Groundhog Daying hires and contracts twice more. Deer God.
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It was because FB wasn't a priority. Building buildings and raising money was the priority. Hopefully we've turned the corner with Fulmer as AD and Pruitt as the new HC. We'll have to wait and see what happens with the chancellor and presidents jobs to be sure.
 
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