Linebackers: 2020 outlook

#29
#29
Billy Ratliff said:
Compare each one’s first half of the season to the second. Bennett was clearly coming on and showing something we haven’t seen from him previously.

If Banks were to be back for the spring I’d predict this for the O/W starters:
Crouch and Bennett outside
Banks and Henry T inside

In the fall I think we see Crouch and Banks battling to start inside....and Crouch also battling Harrison to start outside. I think Bennett and Henry T are the most obvious projected starters.

With true Fr you can never tell what they will/can do. Those Whitehaven kids have played a lot of high level FB and are already bulky dudes. They could easily figure into the mix, just as Joseph could, but not something “predictable” based on what we have on campus.

Also Jordan Allen will be back outside and it’s not crazy to think the light may come on for him. Same thing for JJ inside in his 3rd year in the system. Our LB room and front 7 overall just got a lot better yesterday.
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I think we see fewer and fewer freshman starting for the next several years - not saying they won't have big impacts, but as you stated, true FR are unpredictable. If one does crack the starting lineup then he will be a star.
 
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#30
#30
It's going to be a lot of fun the next few years as we have solid bangers that will fill a hole and tattoo anybody who tries to get through it. To'to'o's text book hit of Kentucky's Rodriguez on 3rd down of the goal line stand will make team mates and even old guys like me nowadays run through walls. We have a bunch of that caliber players on board, gonna be a lot of fun to watch, can't wait! The future's so bright gotta get new stunna shades!!!
 
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#33
#33
Vol865 said:
I mostly agree except Gooden at NT, Theo at FS, McCullough at SS, and Shamburger at Star probably.
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yeah how cold I forget about Shambuger?? That dude was a tackling machine this year.
 
#34
#34
Roustabout said:
This is just ridiculous. Bennett and Johnson both took steps and will again this year. They will be in their third year in the program.
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4th year. And D Johnson was an EE.
Many times Bituli was the rusher opposite of Taylor because Johnson could never really create pressure.
Bennett shined at times and I did mention that...
He was improving as the season went on.

But neither of them are Morven Joseph. Florida doesn't just go after any regular pass-rusher. This can play inside and out or put his hand in the ground on 3rd and long...
 
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#36
#36
Mccage said:
So you look at stats? I generally look to see if they get their ass whupped and I didn’t see much of that.
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Stats are a part of it. That JLB position is a playmaking position. The rush is supposed to primarily come from there without blitzing. They have to control the gap inside and outside the TE make a move and get to the QB
I saw them both give up the edge many times, but i saw them hold their ground when being ran it downhill.

They're good players, but I just think we have better as of yesterday. They'll both still play.
 
#37
#37
buckfama said:
You guys seem to be forgetting Elijah Simmons in the NT rotation. The kid is crazy athletic. I feel if it weren't for his lack of conditioning this year, he would have played more.

Don't sleep on him. He's gonna be a beast.
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I'm not sleeping on him, but if you look at who I put at NT on the 3 deep...is he going to beat those guys out? Omari Thomas is VERY good.
The two of them will be a nice tandem. Or Garland and Simmons at NT come 2021.

But we have have like 5 Seniors who are all good and experienced.
 
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#38
#38
alaVOL said:
No matter what we hope for, Bituli will be missed for a while, hopefully before mid season we'll be running smoothly.
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I think Crouch and To'oto'o gained so much valuable experience this year. They'll know that defense inside and out by the fall.
replacing Bituli and Taylor is no small task, but these guys will do it.
Alontae Taylor will kind of need to step as the guy in the secondary making calls maybe??
Tank McCullough's development this spring is huge. We have Flowers, Jackson, but Lawrence is such a playmaker.
Flowers development has been slowed by injuries. I'm not sure what to expect of him.
 
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#40
#40
LittleVol said:
I'm not sleeping on him, but if you look at who I put at NT on the 3 deep...is he going to beat those guys out? Omari Thomas is VERY good.
The two of them will be a nice tandem. Or Garland and Simmons at NT come 2021.

But we have have like 5 Seniors who are all good and experienced.
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It's nice being able to duscuss having positive depth issues on the d line for a change.
 
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#41
#41
Tennesseefan2019 said:
I think the starters on Tennessee's defense against Charlotte on September 5th 2020 will be

LDE Darel Middleton
DT Greg Emerson
RDE Aubrey Solomon
JACK Deondre Johnson
SAM Kivon Bennett
MLB Quarvaris Crouch
WLB Henry To'o To'o
LCB Alontae Taylor
SS Tyus Fields
FS Jalen McCollough
RCB Bryce Thompson
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that would be an impressive group , but what is equally as impressive is the guys right behind them. Studs ... big guys that can RUN
What makes a D elite ? A 2nd Team of studs that are nearly interchangeable the first
 
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#44
#44
Pruitt and his staff are doing a phenomenal job recruiting given the circumstances they were handed upon arrival. Recruiting will become easier each year. Landing Harrison Bailey this year was huge. A top level QB is a difference maker in a program, and we haven't had a truly elite passer in this program in a very long time.
 
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#48
#48
Roustabout said:
Uh, because they are currently back ups. What’s their production per minutes played? Bituli amd Taylor likely got 85-90% of the snaps, as starters do.
Did Taylor and Bituli our up the numbers they did when they were younger? No. You obviously don’t understand how this game works.
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Johnson and Bennett rotated on the opposite side of Taylor. Bituli primarily was ILB and rushed from the JLB spot on special downs. Neither are backups to those two.
Did you watch a game this year??

How are you going to come on here saying that I don't know what I'm talking about, and you don't even know what damn positions they play???
 
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#49
#49
LittleVol said:
I'm not sleeping on him, but if you look at who I put at NT on the 3 deep...is he going to beat those guys out? Omari Thomas is VERY good.
The two of them will be a nice tandem. Or Garland and Simmons at NT come 2021.

But we have have like 5 Seniors who are all good and experienced.
Click to expand...
I think Thomas will play 4 or 5 tech a lot, if not exclusively.
 
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#50
#50
buckfama said:
You guys seem to be forgetting Elijah Simmons in the NT rotation. The kid is crazy athletic. I feel if it weren't for his lack of conditioning this year, he would have played more.

Don't sleep on him. He's gonna be a beast.
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Simmons and Gooden will be contributing. If they keep everybody on campus and healthy this will be one of the best D lines in the country. Sick talent and depth. LB experience and depth is a concern.
Of the LB signees, are any EEs?

I think the biggest factor to see is whether a JJP comes around. This staff continues to think he will. Or, how about Jordan Allen? He missed the whole year with an injury. He may be a MR or transfer candidate at this point.
 
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