'15 IN LB Darrin Kirkland Jr (UT Commit 12/15/14)

#2,351
#2,351
LittleVol said:
It's Kirklands to lose if he's healthy come summer camp Imo.

I think they are not satisfied with what they have at MLB.
They moved Bates there because he is a smart athletic big guy that can run and they just didn't like what they had (Bryant J Johnson, Bynum)

I think come Fall it'll be between Kirland and Bynum.
Bates should move back outside and compete with McDowell.
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I wouldn't write off Bryant. JJ and Bynum maybe, but Bryant and Bates will give DK a run for sure.
 
#2,358
#2,358
VOLinNC said:
I agree. He can lay the wood but I don't think he has the speed to compete with other guys we have.
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As a MLB how much speed do you really need. AJ was always exposed in coverage but as long as you can tackle at that position, like Bryant apparently can, you should be fine. Not say he will start or won't start but that's not the basis I would use to evaluate his starting spot on the team.
 
#2,359
#2,359
namasteVOLfans said:
As a MLB how much speed do you really need. AJ was always exposed in coverage but as long as you can tackle at that position, like Bryant apparently can, you should be fine. Not say he will start or won't start but that's not the basis I would use to evaluate his starting spot on the team.
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Ya Bryant is faster than AJ from what I've seen
 
#2,360
#2,360
I wouldn't just write off J Johnson either. Size and range aren't issues for that kid. He needs mental reps, but you can't teach that size and athleticism. My guess is that he contributes on the field before he leaves Rocky Top.
 
#2,361
#2,361
Atzar said:
I wouldn't just write off J Johnson either. Size and range aren't issues for that kid. He needs mental reps, but you can't teach that size and athleticism. My guess is that he contributes on the field before he leaves Rocky Top.
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Needs a redshirt, IMO. I see him starting again in a couple years but not before. Too many other experienced football players in front of him.
 
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#2,362
#2,362
namasteVOLfans said:
As a MLB how much speed do you really need. AJ was always exposed in coverage but as long as you can tackle at that position, like Bryant apparently can, you should be fine. Not say he will start or won't start but that's not the basis I would use to evaluate his starting spot on the team.
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I agree that Bryant is probably fast enough to play MLB but if he runs a 4.7 and you have another equally good tackler who runs 4.5 and is just more agile which would you start?
 
#2,365
#2,365
LittleVol said:
It's Kirklands to lose if he's healthy come summer camp Imo.

I think they are not satisfied with what they have at MLB.
They moved Bates there because he is a smart athletic big guy that can run and they just didn't like what they had (Bryant J Johnson, Bynum)

I think come Fall it'll be between Kirland and Bynum.
Bates should move back outside and compete with McDowell.
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I agree. In my opinion, our best outcome at LB would be Bynum, Kirkland or Bryant taking over the MLB spot (my guess is Bynum starts the year and one of the other two, probably Kirkland, will start game five or so on) and have JRM and Bates/McDowell on the outside in the 4-3 lineup. Yes, I know Maggitt also plays LB but I think he helps us most at DE and I hope the LB development is such that he can concentrate on that position. I think this scenario gets our best players on the field.

As an aside, I hope JRM sticks around for 2016 because that LB group could be pretty nasty (and probably will be even without JRM).
 
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#2,366
#2,366
Atzar said:
I wouldn't just write off J Johnson either. Size and range aren't issues for that kid. He needs mental reps, but you can't teach that size and athleticism. My guess is that he contributes on the field before he leaves Rocky Top.
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I think he'd be a great fit at SLB or Leo. He's got the size, strength, and speed. Line him up somewhere he can attack and not worry so much about reads.
 
#2,368
#2,368
Yeah, JJ is much better suited to play at DE, or a Hybrid type of role like Weatherd where he can use his strengths and get after the QB.
 
#2,370
#2,370
BleedingButch said:
How quickly people forget bates runs damn near 4.4 and has 40 inch vertical, he can hit as well..
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I don't think anyone had forgotten that. But playing down hill is not his strength nor have I heard any reports about his hitting ability. Tackling looked solid. But reports said he had trouble getting off lineman.

Before he was injured he seemed to show that 4.5 speed and good instincts to boot. But none of that necessarily makes him the best option at MLB.

Darrin Kirkland is a natural for that position,plus he runs a 4.6 himself.

It's going to get real interesting this fall.
 
#2,373
#2,373
Most of us are Bates fans...but at a more natural spot. He's an athletic coverage type linebacker better suited for the outside. Some of this may stem from our desire to see him sooner and more often...kinda like what we want from Cortez McDowell, but shoehorning him into a spot where regular run stopping is a must? Maybe in a dime set or occasionally in the nickel but patience people! He's still a freshman in eligibility.
 
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#2,375
#2,375
butchna said:
Most of us are Bates fans...but at a more natural spot. He's an athletic coverage type linebacker better suited for the outside. Some of this may stem from our desire to see him sooner and more often...kinda like what we want from Cortez McDowell, but shoehorning him into a spot where regular run stopping is a must? Maybe in a dime set or occasionally in the nickel but patience people! He's still a freshman in eligibility.
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This
 
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