How long until Pruitt builds an elite-D?

#28
#28
TrueVolsGBOInsider said:
Yeah I’m waiting on that recruiting class that blows me away in terms of d line guys cause we haven’t seen it yet. I think we can get em, but we need to do it this year or next in terms of high level d lineman.
Click to expand...

The DL guys we sign in 2020 will have to be starters in 2021 because we will have so many senior linemen next year. JUCO only helps a little. We need help on the recruiting trail right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VolunteerHillbilly, Offset Eye, MemphisVol77 and 1 other person
#32
#32
Possibly this year it could be considered Elite.

Had the defense last year received more help from the offense, they would have been statistically better.

The defense is much deeper this year. If the offense really gets rolling, then this defense can be very good.
 
#33
#33
MemphisVol77 said:
How Much Talent Will Pruitt Need for a Top-10 Defense?

This has been one of the better off-season reads I've seen putting our rebuild on the Defensive side of the ball into perspective.
It looks at Pruitt's DC career taking each school's preceding classes recruiting rankings and breaks down their starting lineups player rankings.





2013 FSU #2Defense
7-5*
3-4*
1-3*
Everyone of the DL was a 5*


2014 GEORGIA #10Defense
2-5*
5-4*
3-3*
1-Unrated

2015 GEORGIA #2Defense
2-5*
4-4*
3-3*
1-2*
1-Unrated



So our 2019 Defense should have
1-5* (Solomon if eligible)
7/8 - 4*
2/3 - 3*

They had Gooden listed.....

There is a ton more info on the article besides what I listed. A few other keynotes from the article

Optimism
Pruitt doesn't need all top tier 5* and high 4*'s to build an elite defense like he had at Alabama. He has shown he can field elite defenses with mid tier 4*'s and lower 3*'s that he hand picks.

Pump the Brakes
His 2nd year 2015 at Georgia only 3 players in his starting line-up were players he recruited in 2014.
At UT he will be having to start 5-7 players he recruited in just his 2nd year(I think the article projected 7) which is a telling testament to Butch's lack of development.


My take -
Given the status of our DL don't get mad at 6 wins, be happy if we win 7, and jump for joy if we win 8. Our defense will probably still be improved over last year but we're not gonna be elite starting JUCO's on the DL.

If our offense actually shows marked improvement we could actually be a 7-8 win 2019 team with momentum and a realistic shot at the East next year.

My Dream - Pruitt has a meteoric year 2 HC improvement, defense is barely out of top 15, and we win 9......
Click to expand...
I'm really can't stand when people say Tennessee can't recruit at the level Bama does. They have before and will in the future again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Remy
#34
#34
LittleVol said:
Possibly this year it could be considered Elite.

Had the defense last year received more help from the offense, they would have been statistically better.

The defense is much deeper this year. If the offense really gets rolling, then this defense can be very good.
Click to expand...
Are you worried about the D-line as some are? I know depth still isn't up to the likes of UGA and Bama but they've got some potential at the two deep to be pretty good. What do you think ?
 
#35
#35
LittleVol said:
Possibly this year it could be considered Elite.

Had the defense last year received more help from the offense, they would have been statistically better.

The defense is much deeper this year. If the offense really gets rolling, then this defense can be very good.
Click to expand...

How on earth is the DL deep
 
  • Like
Reactions: Titan05
#36
#36
KeyVol14 said:
Are you worried about the D-line as some are? I know depth still isn't up to the likes of UGA and Bama but they've got some potential at the two deep to be pretty good. What do you think ?
Click to expand...

Worried no, But with the uncertainty of Solomon, it would hurt pretty bad if there were another injury.

You don't need difference makers at 3-4 DT spots. But if you do have them, your defense becomes a real force!

The core of the defense is at LB. And you have to LOVE what we have there. The secondary is young but experienced and talented. The DL are new, but large and rangy. Strength levels should be good there too.

I like the potential of this defense.
 
#38
#38
When all our players understand the defense. I'd guess some time this year or next. Depth isn't as much of a concern to me. Pruitt cross-trains all his DB's and LB's, so he'll have his best 11 defensive players on the field whenever possible. That's not something all teams do, so one of their best 11 athletes might be the 2nd string at his position. Also means your 2nd tier guys are ready to step in at multiple positions. I think when the players can read the offense and understand some of the wrinkles that Pruitt wants to put in, they'll approach that top 10 position.
 
#41
#41
Brave Volunteer said:
He wont go. Clemson will match whatever Bama offers, and he's a god at Clemson. He's not going to want to follow Saban.
Click to expand...

I tend to thinks so too, but it won't stop Bama from laying an obscene amount of $$$ out there trying to woo him. If I were Dabo, I wouldn't leave Clemson either. It's a helluva lot nicer there too.
 
#45
#45
VolFanNC09 said:
I am betting by next year we are top 15 and year 4 top 10 on D. We really need though to recruit DL better.

I am betting this year with the DBs and LBs the passing D will be solid and we are in the top 30 in total D
Click to expand...

Imagine if Pruitt had been the coach in 2015 when we landed, what i thought at the time, was going to be our best DL haul of alltime. Id give anything to see Tuttle, Mckenzie, Picou, Phillips, Butcher and Darrell Taylor be developed from day 1 by Rocker, Pruitt and Fitzgerald. That should have been a program building class that set the foundation for years to come, instead it was basically busts, injuries and transfers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gandalf and MemphisVol77
#46
#46
cobbwebb0710 said:
Honest question, do you really think they can make the jump to elite? I am big on Taylor and Thompson and hope you’re right! I think they will be much improved from last season but imo we’re a year away from possibly being called elite in the back end. With that said, everyone is freaking out about the D-line but I really think these two corners could mask some of the deficiencies and make the D-line play stronger.
GBO!!
Click to expand...
yes, I honestly believe Tennessee will have the best secondary in the nation this season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PulaskiVolFan and cobbwebb0710
#47
#47
I think our defense will be solid this year and statistically better than last years team. I know the DL is an unknown right now but let's be honest, it's not like we are replacing top tier D-linemen. It's nothing to suggest for now that this group cant at least match the DL from last year. Given that the LBs and secondary should be vastly improved and more talented I think this defense will surprised alot of ppl. And if the offense improves as well that only helps the defense. I swear we had to lead the country in 3 & outs last year.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Big Al Orange and MemphisVol77
#48
#48
Vol737 said:
He better get in line behind Dabo. Bama will throw insane money at Dabo if Saban retires.
Click to expand...
Dabo isn't going anywhere...Clemson will pay him whatever he wants and he has built that program on his own...He would be crazy to leave all that.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement



Back
Top