'13 TN RB Devaun Swafford (UT Committ - GS - 12/29/12)

#51
#51
Probably special teams to start out but probably won't see significant playing time until he is a junior or a senior. He probably will redshirt too but in time he will be a stud on the defensive side of the ball.
 
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#52
#52
Spartacavolus said:
That's pretty much what I was saying. Some guys are just football players. Some don't feel comfortable in a 3 point stance and running a track sprint. I think we have had some sub 4.5 dbs playing for us the past few years, and we see what they have looked like. I thought that shuttle looked good, which is why I brought that up.
And thanks for the well wishes. Actually pulled all 3 out of football. This concussion thing has me on hold. We may go back to it, but will see. I am just doing basketball now with my little one who just turned 6. My 13 and 9 started Brazilian jiujitsu last year and are only doing that right now. Its been a blast. If you are bored, go to youtube. "Jakeyfight Naga Nashville" is my little one in his first tourney against a kid in a blue Mohawk. "Efight Naga Memphis" is my 9 yr old. He was causing us a little trouble until bjj, and he has done a complete turnaround.
I know you didn't ask for all that info, but good to hear from you old friend.
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I agree. Some kids also have lots of training in sprinting/coming out of the blocks, etc., run hella 40s, but can't play a lick of ball. Not saying that is or isn't the case here.

As for your kids, martial arts are GREAT for mental and physical dicipline. My father was a martial arts legend in East Cleveland Oh and really blew up when we moved to Tampa. He took numerous kids from the ghetto in East Cleveland and gave them a sense of direction and hope through martial arts. So I'm a HUGE advocate. I'll check out the videos.
 
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#53
#53
Call me crazy but I like this kid's tape way more than Foreman's. The shiftyness and agility are fairly good.
 
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#55
#55
Swafford:
Physique- a little taller than Malik. Certainly a legit 5'11. He has a pretty good built in the lower body, potential to hold a lot of weight there. He does have wider shoulders. I think with his height and shoulder build he could play at 200 or even 210 if he could get there.

Ability- does he have SEC speed? Too close to call. He can run but it not a straight burner like Malik. What makes him elite is his vision, balance, strength, and quick feet. I could see him being successful at slot WR with his skill set, getting open because he runs good routes... Very smooth player. Could also play safety if he grows into his shoulders and gains a step.

Intangibles- Nickname is D-Bo. He is hard nosed football player. Loves to hit and hates to lose. Also a quiet player that has a passion to play. He, like Malik, is not a question mark in the classroom or off the field.
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-From a poster on VQ who says he coached at DB this past season.
 
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#56
#56
Is there a way a grey shirt will not count against the 25 for either 13 or 14??


If not why ever take a marginal talent???
 
#57
#57
"Man, I love it. We really didn't hear too much from the last staff but this staff, as soon as we heard they wanted in-state recruits, our eyes got big," Swafford said. "Tennessee's our dream school and we've wanted to play together since we were little."

"They offered me a grayshirt and said that there could be an opportunity where they have an open scholarship come August, and if not then I'll enroll in January 2014 and be on full scholarship from there," said Swafford, who emphasized to his prep coaches and during the interview his gratitude and intent to make the most of this opportunity. "I'm going to go in August and if I do good, I'm going to start when everybody else starts and if I do well in practice, then I can have a really good opportunity."

"I do footwork drills, defensive back drills and just do something every day so I can feel like I gain something every day," Swafford said.
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-VQ
 
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#58
#58
You can question his ability but its really refreshing to hear this from a recruit. He'll have a chip on his shoulder and bust his rear to compete and earn his way. Plus from the sound of things he bleeds orange.
 
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#59
#59
Can somebody explain to me wha grey shirting is?

Walk on the team for the first year and then pick up a scholly in year two?
 
#60
#60
V4L said:
Can somebody explain to me wha grey shirting is?

Walk on the team for the first year and then pick up a scholly in year two?
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I think but not sure,but he has to wait and see if a recruit decommits and that opens up a scholly for him. Like I said not sure on that. Im telling Volnation now that you will like these two young men when they step on the field cause they work hard and wants to wear the ORANGE and WHITE.
 
#61
#61
V4L said:
Can somebody explain to me wha grey shirting is?

Walk on the team for the first year and then pick up a scholly in year two?
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IIRC it's what Tino Thomas did in 2011. Then went on scholarship in January 2012. So the scholarship counts against year 2 & not year 1.
 
#62
#62
I just like the fact that we offered the guy, yeah he is a 2* and will take work but look at his comments. This was a dream come true for him and Malik. Just getting these Tennessee guys who understand what Tennessee football was and the history behind it and know that it can be built back up is really promising. I think other guys in the state of Tennessee will see this and start believing in playing for this program again.
 
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#63
#63
I believe that your grey shirt year you are in charge of paying for school for that year am I right?
 
#64
#64
volfrk86 said:
I believe that your grey shirt year you are in charge of paying for school for that year am I right?
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From what I understand about grey shirting is that it is essentially redshirting without a scholarship. You participate with the team but can not suit up on gameday and have to pay tuition and what not for your freshman year.
 
#65
#65
AllVol11717 said:
From what I understand about grey shirting is that it is essentially redshirting without a scholarship. You participate with the team but can not suit up on gameday and have to pay tuition and what not for your freshman year.
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K that is the way I understood it too. I just hope he can get a scholarship in august and not have to wait until next January.
 
#67
#67
Orange&White said:
I just like the fact that we offered the guy, yeah he is a 2* and will take work but look at his comments. This was a dream come true for him and Malik. Just getting these Tennessee guys who understand what Tennessee football was and the history behind it and know that it can be built back up is really promising. I think other guys in the state of Tennessee will see this and start believing in playing for this program again.
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I mean I see what your saying, but this isn't F***ing Disney Land!!!! we dont need to waste this scholarship with the players we are in on for 14!!
 
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#69
#69
Billy Antrim said:
IIRC it's what Tino Thomas did in 2011. Then went on scholarship in January 2012. So the scholarship counts against year 2 & not year 1.
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I don't see any advantage to grey shirting a kid unless the staff is willing to not honor the ship the following year if the kid doesn't pan out like they hope or higher thought of recruits aren't jumping on board.
 
#70
#70
volfrk86 said:
I believe that your grey shirt year you are in charge of paying for school for that year am I right?
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Close, but not quite. Athletes can choose to enroll part-time and pay their own way if they wish, but more commonly they just stay home and enroll later when their education is covered by scholarship.

Coming into school, every athlete has five years to play four seasons. If a freshman redshirts, that still counts as a year. A greyshirt, though, doesn't start the five-year clock because the player isn't enrolled full-time in school yet (hence why a greyshirt athlete will only enroll part-time, if at all). Greyshirt athletes technically aren't members of the team until they officially enroll full-time, and therefore can't practice with the team.

In effect, a greyshirt is just a "year off." Greyshirt athletes count toward the recruiting limit of the next class, rather than the current one.
 
#72
#72
allvoll21forlife said:
I mean I see what your saying, but this isn't F***ing Disney Land!!!! we dont need to waste this scholarship with the players we are in on for 14!!
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I remember Montorie Hughes being a 2*. Dude was a flat out beast on the field. His issues were off the field. Don't get me wrong, I don't want a roster of 2 star kids. But there are a lot of kids who can play at this level who are under rated. There's usually 1-2 East Tennessee kids every single year who aren't highly rated that could play big boy ball. Travel to different venues throughout East Tenn on Friday nights and you will be surprised. They don't come a dime a dozen here like Ga, Fl, Ohio, etc. but they are out there, just gotta look a little harder for them. I'm betting this kid will turn out to be a good solid football player by the time he leaves here. Perhaps not an all-American, but he'll be a good player. And if not....f..k it! I don't hear people griping about the Marlon Lanes and Mo Couches of the world severely underachieving. Let's give this dude a chance and see how it plays out.
 
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#74
#74
BruinVol said:
I don't see any advantage to grey shirting a kid unless the staff is willing to not honor the ship the following year if the kid doesn't pan out like they hope or higher thought of recruits aren't jumping on board.
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If i had to guess...The advantage here is there are fewer graduating seniors and immediate needs have to be filled with potential first year contributors in this class. Next year we'll have more room for a guy like Swafford. IMO.
 
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