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

#478
#478
31VFL said:
Callahan CB'd him to us tonight. He said he didn't think he would shut it down this weekend though.
Click to expand...

Let me restate that I don't think he leaves Kville without committing this weekend. I do think we may have to sweat the official announcement till Jan but if he starts canceling visits following the trip to Kville you can pencil him in as a silent. JMO.
 
#480
#480
Kirkland came into his senior year as one of the state’s most prominent players, but he never stopped working and was arguably the state’s most improved player as well. He finished the year with 105 tackles in just seven games, playing in one of the top conferences in the country. He added three interceptions and lived around the football.

“He was able to flip a switch, that I haven’t seen around many high school players,” Lawrence Central head coach Jed Richman said. “The speed he played with, he was moving faster than opposing offenses, he knew what they were going to do before they did, and often times he’d overrun plays because he was there before they were there.

“He was at an absolutely different level on Friday nights as far as speed, intensity, tempo, the way he hit. He really hit through guys.”
Darrin Kirkland Jr. Is A U.S. Army All-American

A good looking linebacker prospect with the size and strength to dish out punishment, Kirkland dominates in between the tackles with excellent linebacker instincts and reaction. He fills gaps strong and fast with purpose, powering through blockers and finishing at the ball with explosiveness. Overall, Kirkland is an explosive player who consistently sets up shop in the backfield.
US Army All American Bowl | Player Roster
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#481
#481
utvols88 said:
Colon popcorn colon.
Click to expand...

bush_doing_it_wrong_1.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#483
#483
On Swain's show this morning, he made a PSA for everyone to stop giving Cherry a hard time on twitter. He said that Cherry flipping was a "mutual" agreement between him and UT, and heavily suggested that there would be someone better that will fill his spot. I can only assume he's talking about Kirkland.
 
Last edited:
#484
#484
Chuckie said:
On Swain's show this morning, he made a PSA for everyone to stop giving Cherry a hard time on twitter. He said that Cherry flipping was a "mutual" agreement between him and UT, and heavily suggested that there would be someone better that will fill his spot. I can only assume he's talking about Kirkland.
Click to expand...

Just like it was mutual with Mouhon last year. People on this board getting butt hurt, but don't know the whole story. The kids are probably upset enough about not being able to go to your first choice of school and being told to look elsewhere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#491
#491
He has a lot of big time visits scheduled after ours, that's the only thing that makes me skeptical.
 
#494
#494
bignewt said:
He has a lot of big time visits scheduled after ours, that's the only thing that makes me skeptical.
Click to expand...

Texas and USC is it after us. Texas getting Cherry will affect that one I think, leaving only USC. LA is a long ways off from Indy.
 
#496
#496
Texas probably wants him ove Cecil too. USC is always a strong visit. Just hope he loves it here and pulls the trigger!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#498
#498
If he's forward thinking enough to be making reference to our future D line outlook then I like our odds. I don't see this staff getting caught with their pants down on such a critical position. It may happen through no fault of their own and could happen here but I think we'd have seen other backup plans if so. I think for this position it also helps that although we'll see Jakob for the next couple of games there isn't tons of footage on whomever they'd be competing with for a spot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#499
#499
Kirkland is an extremely disciplined and talented football player who would be a great fit in John Jancek’s system as a middle linebacker. He is very patient in his assessment of each play and reacts very quickly once he recognizes what his responsibility is. He has excellent reaction time and has very little wasted motion in his form when he goes to make a play. He is solid in pass coverage over the middle, picking up running backs and tight ends with relative ease in his film, but would certainly need to expand his coverage abilities at the next level. He has good speed for his size, but his real strength is his ability to shed blockers, get to the ball carrier and get them to the ground with solid tackling form and technique. With Tennessee looking to replace a lot of production with the graduation of A.J. Johnson, Kirkland is a player that would have the opportunity to see the field as a freshman.
Click to expand...

Darrin Kirkland Jr. | Rocky Top Insider
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#500
#500
DD4ME said:
If he's forward thinking enough to be making reference to our future D line outlook then I like our odds. I don't see this staff getting caught with their pants down on such a critical position. It may happen through no fault of their own and could happen here but I think we'd have seen other backup plans if so. I think for this position it also helps that although we'll see Jakob for the next couple of games there isn't tons of footage on whomever they'd be competing with for a spot.
Click to expand...

I don't think it is as critical as people think. Getting Kirkland is a must because he probably will be the best prospect on the field at LB as soon as gets on campus. It's about getting the best talent regardless... that's why we can part with a Cecil Cherry. Because make no make mistake Cherry will be very good for Texas

but we are not hurting at LB

Maybin can make a damn good MLB in this defense... So can Dillon Bates. Then there is Gavin Bryant who is a true MLB. Lets not forget Jacob Johnson who we will see this Saturday..

With Bates and Maybin they are upper tier athletes at that Mike position (if they were there) making our defense that much more deadly with type of size and skill on our d-line

Then at the OLB you have Weatherd, Mcdowell, Austin Smith, Elliot Berry. All 4 of those guys are very athletic and fast. Also watch out for Ladarrel Mcniel moving here next season possibly to get TK on the field full time with Randolph

Now you add a Kirkland who at 6'2" 235 lbs runs a 4.5 and hits like a ...well, like a linebacker lol. He just adds competition to an already athletic group making them better.

So It is critical, but not because we don't have talent or depth. Its critical because he is a monster that will help us win at a high level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement





Back
Top