Linebackers: 2020 outlook

#103
#103
vegasvolfan said:
I just don’t see why anyone would think we are going to Norman early next year and beating a playoff team. Could it happen? Sure. To expect it is to set yourself up for disappointment in my opinion, because nothing really points to that. Of course, I hope you are right.
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Im with u. If we upset OU i cant see us turning around and losing to Fla. In my opinion we have a better shot at them then OU
 
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#105
#105
Considering how thin we were at ILB from game 5 on, this will be great news.

I think in addition to the guys listed above, Bennett and Peterson will have a ton of playing time. They both have great potential to take the next step forward in improvement. Not sure about D. Johnson but he has shown some flashes.
 
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#108
#108
LittleVol said:
LittleVol's Projected starters:
(projected weight included)

JLB- Morven Joseph 6'3 230 lbs Fr.
WLB- Quvarius Crouch 6'2 252 lbs So.
MLB- Henry To'oto'o 6'3" 243 lbs So.
SLB- Roman Harrison 6'2 242 lbs So.

Outlook:
We're losing Daniel Bituli (258 tkls 4 sks 2TD's) and Darrell Taylor (112 tkls 18 sks 5 FF). These two really spearheaded the late defensive surge during the 2019 season.
Both are on NFL draft boards and take their leadership with them as they graduate on. A lot of programs would be hurting with this loss in talent but not the Vols.

DeAndre Johnson (12 tkls, 2.5 sks), and Kivon Bennett (24 tkls 2 sks) in 2019; will be two 4 year guys that can provide leadership on the field and in the locker room. Yet, the real talent is in the younger classes. Expect that talent
to rise to the top in 2020. To'oto'o was a Freshman All-American and started every game for the Vols in 2019. He will assume leadership of what I expect to be the best defense the Vols have fielded in 10 years.
Flanking him will be Crouch who can play every linebacker position (and even RB) at WLB. He will still line up outside on occasions and allow guys like JJ Peterson and Martavius French to play inside and provide the much needed size and depth missing from the rotation.
His preferred position is OLB, but right now he is the best "Inside" LB on the team next to Henry To'oto'o.
Bryson Eason at 6'2 270 can move for a big man and hits like a truck! He is a combo backer that will perhaps put his hand on the ground one day. Tyler Baron was a huge get right out of Knoxville, TN.
at 6'4 265 he is another jumbo player than can have an impact as a pass-rusher.
Harrison- The former 5A Georgia Defensive player of the year- dealt with injuries had a bit of learning curve
his true freshman season, but he already has a reputation of being one of the meanest, nastiest, most aggressive players on the team- strongest too. I expect him to earn the SLB spot through the fall and make this defense that much better.
Joseph is only a true freshman, but the 4 * Lakeland, FL native is a premier talent as a pass rusher and is simply to talented and smart to stay off the field.
Aaron Beasley, Solon Page, will look to continue their contributions on Special Teams.

Summary:
This group is maybe the best "looking' or most physically imposing group of Linebackers we've had in a long time. They're young, but experienced and extremely talented.
They will be one of the most exciting position groups in all the conference in 2020
* Guys like Len'Neth Whitehead and Jeremy Banks could also factor into the development later on depending on coaching decisions.

Please feel free to post your projections or just your opinion on this grossly talented group of linebackers we have.
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LittleVol said:
LittleVol's Projected starters:
(projected weight included)

JLB- Morven Joseph 6'3 230 lbs Fr.
WLB- Quvarius Crouch 6'2 252 lbs So.
MLB- Henry To'oto'o 6'3" 243 lbs So.
SLB- Roman Harrison 6'2 242 lbs So.

Outlook:
We're losing Daniel Bituli (258 tkls 4 sks 2TD's) and Darrell Taylor (112 tkls 18 sks 5 FF). These two really spearheaded the late defensive surge during the 2019 season.
Both are on NFL draft boards and take their leadership with them as they graduate on. A lot of programs would be hurting with this loss in talent but not the Vols.

DeAndre Johnson (12 tkls, 2.5 sks), and Kivon Bennett (24 tkls 2 sks) in 2019; will be two 4 year guys that can provide leadership on the field and in the locker room. Yet, the real talent is in the younger classes. Expect that talent
to rise to the top in 2020. To'oto'o was a Freshman All-American and started every game for the Vols in 2019. He will assume leadership of what I expect to be the best defense the Vols have fielded in 10 years.
Flanking him will be Crouch who can play every linebacker position (and even RB) at WLB. He will still line up outside on occasions and allow guys like JJ Peterson and Martavius French to play inside and provide the much needed size and depth missing from the rotation.
His preferred position is OLB, but right now he is the best "Inside" LB on the team next to Henry To'oto'o.
Bryson Eason at 6'2 270 can move for a big man and hits like a truck! He is a combo backer that will perhaps put his hand on the ground one day. Tyler Baron was a huge get right out of Knoxville, TN.
at 6'4 265 he is another jumbo player than can have an impact as a pass-rusher.
Harrison- The former 5A Georgia Defensive player of the year- dealt with injuries had a bit of learning curve
his true freshman season, but he already has a reputation of being one of the meanest, nastiest, most aggressive players on the team- strongest too. I expect him to earn the SLB spot through the fall and make this defense that much better.
Joseph is only a true freshman, but the 4 * Lakeland, FL native is a premier talent as a pass rusher and is simply to talented and smart to stay off the field.
Aaron Beasley, Solon Page, will look to continue their contributions on Special Teams.

Summary:
This group is maybe the best "looking' or most physically imposing group of Linebackers we've had in a long time. They're young, but experienced and extremely talented.
They will be one of the most exciting position groups in all the conference in 2020
* Guys like Len'Neth Whitehead and Jeremy Banks could also factor into the development later on depending on coaching decisions.

Please feel free to post your projections or just your opinion on this grossly talented group of linebackers we have.
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Great post. I believe experience is where we are going to be hurting: i.e., Reactions to screens, reverses, and plays outside their keys, and ability to smell a rat.
 
#109
#109
LittleVol said:
Theo Jackson would play before Fields. Flowers before Jackson. Lawrence will be the best one period imo.

DE D Middleton 6'7 315 Sr, Butler 6'4 290 Sr, J Blakely 6'2" 290 Sr
NT G Emerson 6'4 310 RSo, K Garland 6'4 305 RSSo, O Thomas 6'5 300 Fr
DE A Solomon 6'5 300 JR E. Gooden 6'3 300 RSSr, L Bumphis 6'3 285 Sr WOW D-line!!

CB B Thompson 5'11 195 Jr, W Burrell 6'0" 188 So
CB A Taylor 6'0 190 Jr, K George 6'0 200 SR
SS J McCullogh 6'0 205 So, D Slaughter 5'11" 195 FR
FS K Lawrence 6'1" 200 FR, T Jackson 6'1" 200 SR
NB T Flowers 5'11 190 RSJr, K Lawrence
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any combination of the above is awesome

Savion Williams might contribute as some point on DL as well
 
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#110
#110
njvols said:
Can you imagine how "off the hook" we'll be when this D shuts down Oklahoma early next year! This may be the most fun off season we've had in years...certainly helped if we win the bowl game.
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Yes. I really think this bowl game is very important and will set the tone for 2020. I’m more concerned about the O doing well. The D will be fine.
 
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#111
#111
LittleVol said:
Theo Jackson would play before Fields. Flowers before Jackson. Lawrence will be the best one period imo.

DE D Middleton 6'7 315 Sr, Butler 6'4 290 Sr, J Blakely 6'2" 290 Sr
NT G Emerson 6'4 310 RSo, K Garland 6'4 305 RSSo, O Thomas 6'5 300 Fr
DE A Solomon 6'5 300 JR E. Gooden 6'3 300 RSSr, L Bumphis 6'3 285 Sr WOW D-line!!

CB B Thompson 5'11 195 Jr, W Burrell 6'0" 188 So
CB A Taylor 6'0 190 Jr, K George 6'0 200 SR
SS J McCullogh 6'0 205 So, D Slaughter 5'11" 195 FR
FS K Lawrence 6'1" 200 FR, T Jackson 6'1" 200 SR
NB T Flowers 5'11 190 RSJr, K Lawrence
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Sham or buchannon will be nickel. Huge safety competion between the rest
 
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#112
#112
RockyTop140 said:
How long have you been watching Tennessee football? Lol
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Since 95. To say we can beat OU on the road and lose to fla at home is the dumbest thing I've read on VN. If we can beat OU on the road we could definitely beat Fla at home. Using history to predict the future isnt really smart becuase every year its a different team. The outcome of past games has not affect on the future games. If we are going to use that thought process we might as well forfeit the fla game from here on out.
 
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#113
#113
901 Orange said:
Since 95. To say we can beat OU on the road and lose to fla at home is the dumbest thing I've read on VN. If we can beat OU on the road we could definitely beat Fla at home. Using history to predict the future isnt really smart becuase every year its a different team. The outcome of past games has not affect on the future games. If we are going to use that thought process we might as well forfeit the fla game from here on out.
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How in the world is beating Oklahoma and then losing to Florida the dumbest thing you’ve ever heard? It’s completely possible. Every year it’s a different team, but we’ve gotten the same result over the years.
 
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#114
#114
901 Orange said:
Since 95. To say we can beat OU on the road and lose to fla at home is the dumbest thing I've read on VN. If we can beat OU on the road we could definitely beat Fla at home. Using history to predict the future isnt really smart becuase every year its a different team. The outcome of past games has not affect on the future games. If we are going to use that thought process we might as well forfeit the fla game from here on out.
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I'll put Florida as a loss until I see Tennessee beat them on a regular basis:rolleyes: Tennessee seems to be jinxed against Florida:eek:
 
#115
#115
LittleVol said:
Theo Jackson would play before Fields. Flowers before Jackson. Lawrence will be the best one period imo.

DE D Middleton 6'7 315 Sr, Butler 6'4 290 Sr, J Blakely 6'2" 290 Sr
NT G Emerson 6'4 310 RSo, K Garland 6'4 305 RSSo, O Thomas 6'5 300 Fr
DE A Solomon 6'5 300 JR E. Gooden 6'3 300 RSSr, L Bumphis 6'3 285 Sr WOW D-line!!

CB B Thompson 5'11 195 Jr, W Burrell 6'0" 188 So
CB A Taylor 6'0 190 Jr, K George 6'0 200 SR
SS J McCullogh 6'0 205 So, D Slaughter 5'11" 195 FR
FS K Lawrence 6'1" 200 FR, T Jackson 6'1" 200 SR
NB T Flowers 5'11 190 RSJr, K Lawrence
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You don't see Simmons in the 3 deep at NT? I do. Good problem to have. DL depth looks like a huge +. We can run a 4-3 whenever we want and put quality players at every position. Amazing how the depth had improve in just one year.
 
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#116
#116
VOLSONLY said:
Agree about Bituli, To to o has got some big shoes to fill. Was thinking about him today, he was absent for the first few games, (not naming them) and his absence was felt. He was a game changer, no doubt about that!!!
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Bituli was a stud. But, with the experience HT and Crouch got this year, I don't think we'll miss a beat at LB. The D should be formidable next year.
 
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#117
#117
Tennesseefan2019 said:
Charlotte W
@Oklahoma W
Furman W
Florida L
Missouri W
@South Carolina W
Alabama L
@Arkansas W
Kentucky W
@Georgia L
Troy W
@Vanderbilt W

Tennessee 9-3 and 5-3 in the SEC
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UT better be in a place where it upsets someone better than them. Everyone else in the East has. That’s the same conference record as this year. Status quo.
 
#118
#118
Roustabout said:
UT better be in a place where it upsets someone better than them. Everyone else in the East has. That’s the same conference record as this year. Status quo.
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Two more wins however and probably a final regular season rating after the Vanderbilt game of somewhere around #15
 
#119
#119
LAVol1 said:
Bituli was a stud. But, with the experience HT and Crouch got this year, I don't think we'll miss a beat at LB. The D should be formidable next year.
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Yea man I think so too HT playing along side of Bituli will fair well for us. I hope they can develop the vision that Bituli had. HE COULD READ AN OFFENSE!!! A BEAST
 
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#121
#121
Roustabout said:
UT better be in a place where it upsets someone better than them. Everyone else in the East has. That’s the same conference record as this year. Status quo.
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9-3 is not the same as 7-5. Just completely disregard the overall record why don't you...

9-3 hasn't been status quo in over 10 years.
 
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#123
#123
LAVol1 said:
You don't see Simmons in the 3 deep at NT? I do. Good problem to have. DL depth looks like a huge +. We can run a 4-3 whenever we want and put quality players at every position. Amazing how the depth had improve in just one year.
Click to expand...

I see Simmons in the regular rotation in 2021. He'll be in on goaline and shirts 3rd downs too this year. Garland did very well at NT along with Gooden. Now Garland may play DE next year after we lose our 5 seniors

Indeed a great problem to have.
 
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