Recruiting Forum Football Talk IX

[Jackcrevol]

Do you think you could win The Masters if you got to start on the green and everyone else played normal?

No way this is a serious question.

I would literally still be +175

 

[TheRain]

Josh may be inexperienced but he understands the physiology of the game. I think he's going to be very successful. Vitello certainly thinks so.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

Scottie thinks he got the wrong end of the draw. Thinks greens were softer Friday afternoon than what he faced Thursday afternoon.

Suck it up, he lost the tournament at 13 and 15. Rory played those 2 holes at 7 under and Scottie was 1 over. Players have been lucky or unlucky in draws forever, couldn’t believe he brought that up. Then again it may be because I can’t stand him!

Why can you not stand him?

 

[screenthis]

Why can you not stand him?

It was a wild tournament. After Saturday, it seemed like Rory was going to lose it with someone stepping up. They never fully did step up and Rory made some nice puts on Sunday. Happy for him. One player I noted that fell of the face of the earth was Lowry. He was in contention and then shot an 80 on Sunday. And Rose? It seemed like the pressure got to him after taking the lead on Sunday. I root for Rory but wouldn't have minded seeing the 45yo Rose finally getting one.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

What do we think this is?

Carey didn't hardly do anything for us this season until tournament time. He was a ghost during conference play. I don't know if he held back all season and then "auditioned" during the tournament or he's just that inconsistent of a basketball player. I won't miss his >50% free throw shooting or missed point blank shots. We didn't get that "Vandy big man" that dominated us 2 seasons ago, like I thought we were getting. Brown is better.


I'd me more interested if this tweet was from Amari Evans

*Quoted from basketball forum.



Carey didn't have the type season that has me on the edge of my seat to see what he's going to do at 7 PM.

 

[Orangeburst]

 

[Orange.]

Got a hot team in Ole Miss coming to town.

Winners of 5 straight, 8-7 in SEC, just snuck back into rankings

I hate those Landshark Rebel Black Bear bishes.

My BaseVols initiation was our Friday road game there in ’22 when slimy attention-ho Kiffen insinuated himself into the limelight to throw the (dis)honorary first pitch.

We beat the absolute f out of them, three days running. And I have seen almost all of our SEC and postseason BaseVols games, and very many of our non-conference games, since. I’ve even been to two games in person. Still learning more all the time about the game, as you know.

 

[PlanetVolunteer]

Bracketology

www.collegesportsmadness.com

This was from 4/2 and they had us in the tournament.

So now it looks like we are all up in there after the weekend

and to which I say...why have ppl been freaking out as much when we've been projected in this whole time? It's just like basketball where our fans are bringing a football perspective on a sport where success is measured differently. We've not been dominant this year, but like...no one is dominant every year and we are still going to the tournament where ANYTHING can happen.

 

[Orange.]

and to which I say...why have ppl been freaking out as much when we've been projected in this whole time? It's just like basketball where our fans are bringing a football perspective on a sport where success is measured differently. We've not been dominant this year, but like...no one is dominant every year and we are still going to the tournament where ANYTHING can happen.

A lot of folks have a fret and panic addiction. As new as I am to the game, I know much better. All you have to do is listen to people who know what they’re talking about. And even I know from experience in the game threads that a bunch of chicken-littles were saying the same stuff in ’23. And when Burns transferred in the off-season leading into ’24, people with exploded heads, fiery tempers, and prophetic mouths were wailing and declaring that 2024 was hopeless. “We were done,” you see.

 

[Rizzo924]

Scottie thinks he got the wrong end of the draw. Thinks greens were softer Friday afternoon than what he faced Thursday afternoon.

Suck it up, he lost the tournament at 13 and 15. Rory played those 2 holes at 7 under and Scottie was 1 over. Players have been lucky or unlucky in draws forever, couldn’t believe he brought that up. Then again it may be because I can’t stand him!

I dunno... I feel like Rory getting to fly his private jet up to Augusta & play multiple times in the month leading up to the tournament is an unfair advantage, but then again, it may be because I can't stand him!

 

[Enki_Amenra]

*Quoted from basketball forum.



Carey didn't have the type season that has me on the edge of my seat to see what he's going to do at 7 PM.

Seems like a 2pm announcement would be more appropriate.

 

[VolGee4]

I dunno... I feel like Rory getting to fly his private jet up to Augusta & play multiple times in the month leading up to the tournament is an unfair advantage, but then again, it may be because I can't stand him!

Guys do that all of the time. Tiger and Phil did it a bunch. Nothing stopping anyone else.

 

[Brillovol]

For what it's worth...

 

[MarcoVol]

 

[Brillovol]

Kimmy got another one. Only 23 more to go...

 

[Brillovol]

Well-deserved.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

Seems like a 2pm announcement would be more appropriate.

A guy in the bb forum said Carey's announcing the 3 schools he wants to visit.

TIFWIW

 

[Orange.]

 

[TN-POSSUM]

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

It’s game on (at QB) with Faizon Brandon & George MacIntyre​

Everyone knew the quarterback battle would be decided in early to mid-August. So, that’s not surprising at all. As head coach Josh Heupel told me Saturday, both have had moments of good and bad, but he’s pleased with how they bounced back from the bad. Overall, the passing game was marginal at best this spring.

The question now is how do both George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon attack the the offseason? Who is running throwing sessions? Who is trying to take the reigns of things? How does Brandon’s mentality change with the idea that he can definitely win the job? You wonder if he truly felt that way when he arrived at Tennessee back in January.

For MacIntyre, it was a better close to to spring over the last week or so. How does he build off of it heading into summer? How does MacIntyre mentally manage/handle the competition this summer?

One thing that is different from previous quarterback battles is how much the coaches are involved with their players in the summer with on the field walk-thru’s. So, how does Heupel and Joey Halzle manage it this summer?

There are plenty of questions, but there is one current answer — it’s game on.

Will WR3 please stand up?​

I wouldn’t say Radarius Jackson had a bad spring, but he was more inconsistent than most expected. He made spectacular catches. He also had too many drops. Jackson didn’t cement himself as the third receiver behind Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, but neither did Travis Smith.

TK Keys is talented, but he’s a freshman and he wasn’t 100 percent in spring.

I’m still buying stock in Jackson given what he showed a year ago and his skillset. However, Jackson didn’t slam the door on the job this spring which will make for an interesting competition in August as the Vols look to replace the production of Chris Brazzell from a year ago.

Anthony Poindexter seems comfortable with four safeties​

One of the most interesting things with coaching changes is who benefits from them the most. Tennessee’s safety play overall last year wasn’t good enough. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles‘ system is a scheme that highlights the safety play and the safety play this spring has to be one of the biggest storylines.

The safety MVP for me is Edrees Farooq. Farooq is very comfortable with safeties coach Anthony Poindexter and he seems comfortable with the scheme. Farooq was solid a season ago for the most part playing a bunch of snaps, but had plenty of growth to do. This spring, he has played faster and has made a bunch of plays.

We all expected TJ Metcalf to be a factor at safety as he is a player Poindexter sought out of the portal. And of course, Poindexter brought DeJuan Lane with him from Penn State, who you expect to be a factor.

The out of the blue name at safety this spring has been Dylan Lewis. The sophomore seemed to be without a position a season ago. But he’s found it at safety this spring with Poindexter, who made it clear from day one that everyone had a clean slate.
The sophomore Lewis took full advantage of that blank canvas this spring.

The linebacker puzzle is interesting​

Amare Campbell seems to be the mainstay at linebacker for Knowles. He’s the engineer who makes all the calls and lines everyone up. Assuming he’s a starter, the rest of the puzzle is really interesting.

Arion Carter at 240 pounds didn’t practice this spring as he recovers from foot surgery. Edwin Spillman played a ton last year and was courted hard by Jim Knowles at Ohio State when he was coming out of high school.

Jeremiah Telander is a veteran. Jaedon Harmon is a talent. Jadon Perlotte showed everyone his talent last year. Jordan Burns is trying to find a role.

Then the two freshmen Brayden Rouse and TJ White certainly didn’t say ‘redshirt us’ with their play this spring.

William Inge has a good problem and Knowles has an interesting puzzle to build. How much does he play two linebackers, or even three linebackers? Could he play four in a pass-rush edge situation? Knowles’ most talent on the defense is at linebacker, but how does he make best use of that talent?

The offensive line’s interior pass pro must improve​

Tennessee seems fine on the edge with David Sanders at left tackle and either Ory Williams or Jesse Perry at right tackle. The question is, where is the pass protection in the middle?

The offense gave up too many interior pressures this spring. Now, Wendall Moe wasn’t a participant and Jim Knowles was challenging the protection calls every day with his defensive scheme.

Tennessee has to tighten up its pass protection overall with a young quarterback, but they really have to clean things up in the interior based on what we heard all spring.

Defensive line will be salty, but can they get to the quarterback?​

I don’t know that the Vol defensive line is going to be great, but I think they are going to be salty.

I expect they will play the run better than a year ago. I think the defensive line, more than any group, will benefit from the offseason strength program. I think Isaiah Campbell will take a step. I think Xavier Gilliam is a good player. Daevin Hobbs should be off the scooter and working out this summer. JJ Finch has the ability to help as a freshman. I expect Mariyon Dye and Tyree Weathersby will play the run better.

The question is, how effective can they be getting to the quarterback or does Knowles have to blitz frequently to get home?
When you look at this defense, there will be talk about who plays cornerback and who is the backup STAR, but for me there are five names who have to thrive this summer. They all live on the edge.
Jordan Norman
Kedric Golston
Hezekiah Harris
Christian Gass
Zach Groves
Chaz Coleman
There is obviously a lot of talk about Coleman. In talking to people over the last few days, the personal things he is dealing with is very real. This is not a money thing. This is not a Boo Carter deal. Will Coleman work through the issues and move forward? Time will tell, but Coleman is talented and Tennessee needs as many bodies and options as possible off the edge to get to the quarterback.

I like Tennessee’s tailbacks, led by DeSean Bishop​

Everyone knows what Desean Bishop can do. Get him enough work in fall camp to make sure he’s not rusty and secure with the football, but don’t take any unnecessary risks no matter how much work he wants.

I really like Javin Gordon. He can and will help this football team and I’m not basing that off one run in Saturday’s spring scrimmage. Gordon has played at a high level. He started five games on a playoff team. He’s played against good competition. All of that makes me like his makeup.

I think Gordon’s arrival is the best thing for Daune Morris. Morris is mentally in a better place than he was back in the fall. He’s learning to be a running back and not just rely on his speed. But he also needs to be pushed. Morris has always been the best player on his team until last year and having him fight for carries behind Bishop is good for Morris and Gordon
.
It will be interesting see what De’Rail Sims’ rotation looks like this year. They clearly leaned on Bishop more down the stretch last year after starting the season rotating three backs on the first three series.
How does Sims choose to manage his talented room?

Someone will surprise​

It’s a tale old as time with someone coming out of the blue to help this team. We have seen it basically every year since Heupel has been here.

A season ago it was Colton Hood who went from being a guy they thought would be a two-year player in the program to a first round draft pick. You had Jesse Perry on offense. In previous years, it’s been Jalin Hyatt or even Cedric Tillman in Heupel’s first year. It’s Theo Jackson. I can go on and on.

Someone is going to surprise. Saturday, I thought Kayin Lee looked good. Lee should help this team, but he’s been pretty quiet all spring. In front of a crowd, I thought he played well.

Up front in the offensive line, maybe Nic Moore surprises and pushes Sam Pendleton at center. Moore has all the tools and continues to develop.

Maybe it’s a freshman LEO/edge rusher. I don’t know who it will be, but there will be a couple of guys at least that feel like they come out of nowhere in August.

There’s a lot to like about the freshman class​

Tennessee’s signing class was the highest ranked of the Heupel era. Much of that centered around the signing to TK Keys and Faizon Brandon. Brandon obviously created buzz this spring and could very much factor this fall, and so could Keys when fully healthy.
But there’s more to like about this class then just those two. I think both freshman linebackers looked the part all spring in White and Rouse.

Joel Wyatt is staying at safety. Gabe Osenda won’t help this season, but he is a good looking player who can be a foundation piece on the offensive line. Those young defensive linemen are good looking prospects and some will get opportunities this fall.
I like the way Luca Wolf looks at tight end for the future.

Overall, it’s a good looking class. The challenge, as it is every year, will be to keep them.

Closing thought(s)​

I have written about it enough I know, but I think it’s worth mentioning again. This was a highly competitive spring. And it started with the competition between Knowles and Halzle everyday. It’s what both sides of the ball wanted, just play ball in as many scrimmage situations as possible. … I don’t know how good this defense will be but they will be better. Maybe it’s because Knowles worked for David Cutcliffe, but it reminds me a little of Cutcliffe’s return to Tennessee in 2006. I’m not saying Knowles will have the same impact, but there is a different vibe in the complex with Knows and his staff … I said it last year and I will say it again, Josh Turbyville’s value to this team doesn’t get enough credit. Turbyville is the kickoff man. He can kick field goals in any situation you want and he can be your backup punter. He’s rarely discussed but he’s important … Another valuable get was Trent Thomas at tight end. Because of him, Tennessee can continue to use the two tight end sets that has become a big part of the offense the last two years … And Qua Moss is a good football player. He will be a huge asset at nickel … One of the big offseason keys is staying healthy. This program has had a lot of muscle pulls and things in the summer the last few years. One of the challenges for the coaches is to give players rest and let the strength coach work. With the coaches having the ability to do installs, it’s easy to run guys into the ground, which coupled with the needed strength training, can lead to injuries.

-Hubbs

 

[Orange.]

We’ll see. RS frosh [at Bama]. Keelon Russell.

Confirmed.

He "took the Bama QB job at their spring game," according to reports. But I thought it was pretty clear a year ago. I thought he would get the nod even over whatshisname they had last year if the latter stayed another year.

 

[knoxvol52]

We’ll see. RS frosh. Keelon Russell.

Russell is the reason Alabama pushed Ty out the door..

 

[Orange.]

Russell is the reason Alabama pushed Ty out the door..

Knowles will have a good plan.

 

[TheRain]

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

PS, I hope you all know that our offense is probably going to be the worst under Heupel, not being a nega-just realistic. Drops and pass pro were an issue yesterday, qbs held on to the ball too long and couldnt hit on a deep pass, granted our dbs were blanketing the wrs. Like there was no separation at all, like we literally only had 4 pass plays of 10+ yards

I hope you know you are likely wrong.