Could Bryson Eason be our next Henry To'oto'o??

[PulaskiVolFan]

I agree with To’o being the best freshman. Leaps and bounds better than DKjr as a freshman. There’s a glaring difference in the physical aspects. Getting off block, tackling, staying healthy, etc.

Pruitt trusted this kid since day one with his defense and I think that says a lot considering his track record as a coordinator.

I think To'o is a spitting image of Donte' Hightower when he was a freshman at Alabama. Big Hank has All-American written all over him I believe and that bodes well for our defense as an All-American MLB almost guarantees success on that side of the ball.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I think Bituli was clearly a better player this year as a SR as compared to To'ot'o'o was as a FR. I expect that To'oto'o will only get better the next couple of years with experience and S&C program and probably be the best LB we've had since Mayo before it's over.

Bituli was better simply because he was playing beside big Hank I feel. Bituli was a really good player, To'o looks like he can be elite.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

I may be considerably older than you. To'o to'o played as freshman because of our thin ranks. He wouldn't have started as a freshman on any of our 80s, 90s or early 2000s squads. I believe he had a really good season, but he's got to keep improving to get into the ranks of best ever LBs at UT

Should be very easy to name all the true FR LBs that we have had that were better then.

 

[csheaton]

Honestly AJ Johnson was just as good as Henry T as a freshman, AJ just played on a really bad team with a horrible defense around him.

freshman stats
Johnson- 80 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR
Henry T- 64 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 FR

Fairly similar numbers. Henry T played with a better defense and next to Bituli so that helps. But both were great looking players as freshman...and I hope Eason can have a similar impact next year.

 

[LittleVol]

Honestly AJ Johnson was just as good as Henry T as a freshman, AJ just played on a really bad team with a horrible defense around him.

freshman stats
Johnson- 80 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR
Henry T- 64 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 FR

Fairly similar numbers. Henry T played with a better defense and next to Bituli so that helps. But both were great looking players as freshman.

Henry T was getting the defense lined up from game 1...

Stats aren't everything. AJ was a huge liability in coverage and many times was beaten to the corner in the run game.
He had so many tackles because he and that defense couldn't get anybody off the field. And many times he drag tackled someone instead of stopping their progress. Many offensive drives would continue because of that

But he was never hurt and was highly productive. Played with a lot of e energy.

AJ was one of the MLB we've ever had still.
Got better and better every year.

 

[csheaton]

Henry T was getting the defense lined up from game 1...

Stats aren't everything. AJ was a huge liability in coverage and many times was beaten to the corner in the run game.
He had so many tackles because he and that defense couldn't get anybody off the field. And many times he drag tackled someone instead of stopping their progress. Many offensive drives would continue because of that

But he was never hurt and was highly productive. Played with a lot of e energy.

AJ was one of the MLB we've ever had still.
Got better and better every year.

I mean stats mean quite a bit to me. AJ wasn’t horrible in pass coverage, our secondary just did absolutly nothing to help him out and our DE’s sucked for the most part not sealing the edge. Johnson couldn’t do everything himself, and Henry T had a lot better help around him this year.

There is a reason Johnson is a first team ILB for the Denver Broncos nowadays, even after all of the off the field adversity he dealt with. Bottom line, both Henry T and Johnson are great looking players with tons of potential. And I see both as starting NFL LB’s. So It’s pretty much a wash

And Henry T was getting the defense lined up from game 1 because we were missing Bituli to injury. Once Bituli was back he took over those duties again.

 

[FirstAndGoal]

Pruitt is building what will become the baddest defense in the SEC. Book it.

 

[tennesseeduke]

OK. LOL

He’s like 14 yrs old so stop arguing with him!

 

[chattavol420]

I may be considerably older than you. To'o to'o played as freshman because of our thin ranks. He wouldn't have started as a freshman on any of our 80s, 90s or early 2000s squads. I believe he had a really good season, but he's got to keep improving to get into the ranks of best ever LBs at UT

Kids these days come in ready to play due to the development of strength and conditioning facilities they have access to as early as middle school. However, you still might be right (with regard to depth) just because back with there was consistency and few transfers...they older guys might earned their opportunities and he coaching staff would t have allowed a freshman to challenge for a spot

 

[tennesseeduke]

That's a very general statement, sir. Painted with a very wide brush.

Henry To'oto'o as a true freshman really held that defense together until Bituli was healthy.

That freshman was California Defensive POY at a De La Salle High School.
The most recognized high school football program in America.

He started ALL 12 GAMES as a true freshman. Didn't lose anytime. And Forced out a former 4 star LB who was basically a starter himself and was a Jr ( Ignot)
He's 6'3 240 lbs and runs 4.6 with great instincts and is smart and physical.

Al Wilson 96-98
Is the ONLY one il give you that would start over him
Mayo didn't come on till his RS So year because he struggled with the system.
Henry T was breaking down Pruitts defense in the film room before he even signed...

K Simon and Jerrod Mayo by their Junior years were All American types. But your talking about over a period of maybe 25 years that perhaps the best Freshman LB we've had wouldn't start on any of those teams???

Little vol I’m sorry but `You’re writing in this one in many aspects is incorrect. 1st because Bituili did not play in the 1st 2 games we lost both. 100% sure we win both had DB been playing. 2nd HT is really good and has great potential. NotEasy for a true freshman to come in to a major program and start at LB but just shows where we were depth wise. I really like him also but UT has in its history LBs stacked on top of each other. Let’s let HT play 3-4 yrs before we go crowning him.

 

[LittleVol]

Little vol I’m sorry but `You’re writing in this one in many aspects. 1st because Bituili did not play in the 1st 2 games we lost both. 100% sure we win both had DB been playing. 2nd HT is really good and has great potential. NotEasy for a true freshman to come in to a major program and start at LB but just shows where we were depth wise. I really like him also but UT has in its history LBs stacked on top of each other. Let’s let HT play 3-4 yrs before we go crowning him.

We lost those games because the offense kept putting us in bad spots, and no BT or DB...and QB

I've said the whole tome I'm grading him as a true freshman.
Not best career LB.
He absolutely is the best freshman LB we've ever had. 3 more years to get better or worse.

 

[Golf freak]

No doubt about it,Eason is big for his size

 

[VOLINVONORE]

is he really 270lb?

He looks it. When he get in good condition, I expect he will be a starter.

 

[rickyb712]

no because his name is bryson

 

[Coddlecreek1]

Jackie Walker was a beast from North Knoxville. Good to see the coaches get back to recruiting elite linebackers. Oh by the way Andy Spiva wasn’t no punk .
these past two years of recruiting have been underrated. Dooley and Jones had no idea of what it takes to win in America’s greatest Conference. GoVols, great to be able to have this discussion

 

[rikberry31]

I agree with To’o being the best freshman. Leaps and bounds better than DKjr as a freshman. There’s a glaring difference in the physical aspects. Getting off block, tackling, staying healthy, etc.

Pruitt trusted this kid since day one with his defense and I think that says a lot considering his track record as a coordinator.

Many on here are puzzled by the terrible start and the turn around this season, blame it solely on qb play. In my mind the biggest factor was HTT learning the game and the return of DB. HTT was very inconsistent early on, he made tremendous strides by mid season. In a year or so, I believe Tennessee’s defense will be feared, been a long time since I felt like that.

 

[VolsnRavens]

D is in good hands. Pruitt knows what type player he wants on D. Like how he gets guys like Crouch playing all LB positions. Probably same for Eason and other signees at LB/DE. Our depth on D is really good at most all positions, except maybe DE. OL in good shape. If we get two deep high level performance from our Offense skill positions, we're back in the mix for SEC East.

One of the most important aspects of life.......

 

[swampfoxfan]

That's a very general statement, sir. Painted with a very wide brush.

Henry To'oto'o as a true freshman really held that defense together until Bituli was healthy.

That freshman was California Defensive POY at a De La Salle High School.
The most recognized high school football program in America.

He started ALL 12 GAMES as a true freshman. Didn't lose anytime. And Forced out a former 4 star LB who was basically a starter himself and was a Jr ( Ignot)
He's 6'3 240 lbs and runs 4.6 with great instincts and is smart and physical.

Al Wilson 96-98
Is the ONLY one il give you that would start over him
Mayo didn't come on till his RS So year because he struggled with the system.
Henry T was breaking down Pruitts defense in the film room before he even signed...

K Simon and Jerrod Mayo by their Junior years were All American types. But your talking about over a period of maybe 25 years that perhaps the best Freshman LB we've had wouldn't start on any of those teams???

Sorry to disagree, but I very well remember the alignments with Toototoo calling the defense before Butilis return
Way to many great linebackers have worn the orange to declare HT the best

 

[rikberry31]

We lost those games because the offense kept putting us in bad spots, and no BT or DB...and QB

I've said the whole tome I'm grading him as a true freshman.
Not best career LB.
He absolutely is the best freshman LB we've ever had. 3 more years to get better or worse.

The defense was not good early in the season. This was due to players, HTT included, not knowing the defense, being in the wrong position, making bad reads, etc. This is going to be the case with inexperience.
Pruitt said himself during preseason, something to the effect “We can’t even get lined up right.” But no one was listening then, so it came as a shock.

 

[whodeycin85]

The defense was not good early in the season. This was due to players, HTT included, not knowing the defense, being in the wrong position, making bad reads, etc. This is going to be the case with inexperience.
Pruitt said himself during preseason, something to the effect “We can’t even get lined up right.” But no one was listening then, so it came as a shock.

Please tell me how its the defense faults that when Ga St. Went up 28-23. And our offense went dormant with a fumble,int, and 4 and out..oh and held the ball less then 3 minutes during that period....because couldn't sustain drives they couldnt rest....same happened at BYU when we threw then INT when we were up 13-3. BYU scores. Then the next 2 drive a total of 8 plays. Then we get a FG. Then 10 plays ...we couldnt keep our offense on the field
Check the play by play

 

[swampfoxfan]

Please tell me how its the defense faults that when Ga St. Went up 28-23. And our offense went dormant with a fumble,int, and 4 and out..oh and held the ball less then 3 minutes during that period....because couldn't sustain drives they couldnt rest....same happened at BYU when we threw then INT when we were up 13-3. BYU scores. Then the next 2 drive a total of 8 plays. Then we get a FG. Then 10 plays ...we couldnt keep our offense on the field
Check the play by play

It was the teams fault including coaching, blame doesn't rest one any one player or unit

 

[swampfoxfan]

To answer the original question, I am excited about this years group of DE and LB signees, Eason may become one of the better defenders to wear orange, lets all hope

 

[rikberry31]

Please tell me how its the defense faults that when Ga St. Went up 28-23. And our offense went dormant with a fumble,int, and 4 and out..oh and held the ball less then 3 minutes during that period....because couldn't sustain drives they couldnt rest....same happened at BYU when we threw then INT when we were up 13-3. BYU scores. Then the next 2 drive a total of 8 plays. Then we get a FG. Then 10 plays ...we couldnt keep our offense on the field
Check the play by play

I’m not saying the offense wasn’t a factor. Against GA St offensively it looked like a spring game. O-line was substituting in waves. The coaching staff was trying figure out wha they had as far as o-line.
In most OC cupcake games this is fine because the defense smothers the opponent ( See Chattanooga game). But the defense had real issues the first month and therefore GA St and BYU. 3-4 tds should have been more than enough in those game if the defense was decent in my opinion, but that just me.

 

[tennesseeduke]

We lost those games because the offense kept putting us in bad spots, and no BT or DB...and QB

I've said the whole tome I'm grading him as a true freshman.
Not best career LB.
He absolutely is the best freshman LB we've ever had. 3 more years to get better or worse.

Ga St doesn't score 20 if Bituili is playing.

 

[tennesseeduke]

We lost those games because the offense kept putting us in bad spots, and no BT or DB...and QB

I've said the whole tome I'm grading him as a true freshman.
Not best career LB.
He absolutely is the best freshman LB we've ever had. 3 more years to get better or worse.

Also if you remember before DB returned in game 3, the defense in those 1st games was rarely lined up when the offense would snap the ball. Ga St QB in particular took huge advantage of this on us. You middle LB is the QB of the defense and HTT was not ready for that role at this level. He will get there!