'15 JUCO RB Alvin Kamara (UT commit 6/21/14)

[TNHopeful505]

Right now, yes. But this fall Kamara will be playing at a JUCO and Scott will be at UT. Who knows how they will develop over the fall and what the competition would be like in a year.

That's a problem I'm willing to have.

Scott, Hurd, Paulk, Kamara...I see no problem there.

I'm going to assume that it plays out this way IF Kamara comes here:

This year:
Lane - SR
Devrin Young - SR
Hurd - FR
Paulk- Redshirt (True FR)
Scott - Redshirt (True FR)

Next year:
Hurd - SO
Paulk - RS FR
Scott - RS FR
Kamara - SO (Will have 3 years to play 3)
Reid - FR (Will Redshirt)

I mean...that's 5 very talented backs. And you could use them all in very different ways. I could see Hurd, Scott, and Kamara really being a three headed monster. Paulk I think is a liability right now. I think he could be a Lendale White type back on 3rd and 4th down situations, but coming back from an injury is always hard. I hope for the best for him at Rocky Top, but it'll all depend on his recovery.

I think our depth is very unproven, and that's the appeal to people. We have a lot of "star power" but nobody who has yet to really prove themselves.

The key will be not Hurd....but Scott. If Scott works his way onto the field and doesn't redshirt, and if Hurd and Scott are promising going into their sophomore year, then I don't think AK comes here. But if Hurd looks good, and Scott redshirts, or doesn't produce much, then I think AK is a good shot.

JMO.

 

[TNHopeful505]

And then, you also have to factor in Pickett. He would be here next year too. How he does this year would be a factor as well. In fact, it may be a even bigger factor. Last year, we had two main rushers, and then Tom Smith and Alden Hill got some carries, as well as Summerhill. Summerhill will be gone after this year, and I don't expect him to get many carries this year.

So if the top 3 backs are Lane, Hurd, and Pickett, then I think Scott redshirts, and our chances with AK are better.

If the top 3 backs are Lane, Hurd, and Scott, then I don't think we get AK.

Also...JMO

 

[rekinhavoc]

That's a problem I'm willing to have.

Scott, Hurd, Paulk, Kamara...I see no problem there.

I'm going to assume that it plays out this way IF Kamara comes here:

This year:
Lane - SR
Devrin Young - SR
Hurd - FR
Paulk- Redshirt (True FR)
Scott - Redshirt (True FR)

Next year:
Hurd - SO
Paulk - RS FR
Scott - RS FR
Kamara - SO (Will have 3 years to play 3)
Reid - FR (Will Redshirt)

I mean...that's 5 very talented backs. And you could use them all in very different ways. I could see Hurd, Scott, and Kamara really being a three headed monster. Paulk I think is a liability right now. I think he could be a Lendale White type back on 3rd and 4th down situations, but coming back from an injury is always hard. I hope for the best for him at Rocky Top, but it'll all depend on his recovery.

I think our depth is very unproven, and that's the appeal to people. We have a lot of "star power" but nobody who has yet to really prove themselves.

The key will be not Hurd....but Scott. If Scott works his way onto the field and doesn't redshirt, and if Hurd and Scott are promising going into their sophomore year, then I don't think AK comes here. But if Hurd looks good, and Scott redshirts, or doesn't produce much, then I think AK is a good shot.

JMO.

This sounds like....oh what's the word I'm looking for?
Depth it definitely sounds like depth.:dance2:

 

[eazyTD]

That's a problem I'm willing to have.

Scott, Hurd, Paulk, Kamara...I see no problem there.

I'm going to assume that it plays out this way IF Kamara comes here:

This year:
Lane - SR
Devrin Young - SR
Hurd - FR
Paulk- Redshirt (True FR)
Scott - Redshirt (True FR)

Next year:
Hurd - SO
Paulk - RS FR
Scott - RS FR
Kamara - SO (Will have 3 years to play 3)
Reid - FR (Will Redshirt)

I mean...that's 5 very talented backs. And you could use them all in very different ways. I could see Hurd, Scott, and Kamara really being a three headed monster. Paulk I think is a liability right now. I think he could be a Lendale White type back on 3rd and 4th down situations, but coming back from an injury is always hard. I hope for the best for him at Rocky Top, but it'll all depend on his recovery.

I think our depth is very unproven, and that's the appeal to people. We have a lot of "star power" but nobody who has yet to really prove themselves.

The key will be not Hurd....but Scott. If Scott works his way onto the field and doesn't redshirt, and if Hurd and Scott are promising going into their sophomore year, then I don't think AK comes here. But if Hurd looks good, and Scott redshirts, or doesn't produce much, then I think AK is a good shot.

JMO.

Good post. Only thing I disagree with is Scott redshirting. I think he will be in the rotation early and getting carries this year. JMO

 

[walkenvol]

And then, you also have to factor in Pickett. He would be here next year too. How he does this year would be a factor as well. In fact, it may be a even bigger factor. Last year, we had two main rushers, and then Tom Smith and Alden Hill got some carries, as well as Summerhill. Summerhill will be gone after this year, and I don't expect him to get many carries this year.

So if the top 3 backs are Lane, Hurd, and Pickett, then I think Scott redshirts, and our chances with AK are better.

If the top 3 backs are Lane, Hurd, and Scott, then I don't think we get AK.

Also...JMO

Where is the Pickett love coming from? Transfer who didn't accomplish much at his first school. I hope he balls out, but it will be a very pleasant surprise if he does. Best of luck to him and you never know who will excell until they get in the games, but I'm not seeing anything that would create expectations.

 

[jspvol76]

Where is the Pickett love coming from? Transfer who didn't accomplish much at his first school. I hope he balls out, but it will be a very pleasant surprise if he does. Best of luck to him and you never know who will excell until they get in the games, but I'm not seeing anything that would create expectations.

It is coming from his performance in practice since he arrived. Had he been eligible last year, he would have gotten some carries. However, this year he will have to fight a little more to get carries with the new guys on campus and Young moving back to RB. I see him being the 3-4th option right now.

 

[JRVFL]

It is coming from his performance in practice since he arrived. Had he been eligible last year, he would have gotten some carries. However, this year he will have to fight a little more to get carries with the new guys on campus and Young moving back to RB. I see him being the 3-4th option right now.

Simply recruited over like Alden Hill. Lane, Hurd, Young, Scott will all play ahead of him this year if I were to bet at this point.

 

[jspvol76]

Simply recruited over like Alden Hill. Lane, Hurd, Young, Scott will all play ahead of him this year if I were to bet at this point.

This is where a possible redshirt year for Scott may come in play. Pickett is familiar with the system now, knows the plays, knows his assignments, etc. Scott will be better in the long run, however, atm Pickett might be a better option while Scott and Paulk develop and learn the playbook. This is not a bad thing, it's called depth.

 

[JRVFL]

This is where a possible redshirt year for Scott may come in play. Pickett is familiar with the system now, knows the plays, knows his assignments, etc. Scott will be better in the long run, however, atm Pickett might be a better option while Scott and Paulk develop and learn the playbook. This is not a bad thing, it's called depth.

Yeah, I dunno. I think with Paulk likely redshirting - and Lane and Young moving on after this year - they will want to get Scott some PT so he can really hit the ground running next year. Especially if he's as good as we anticipate, his talent will force them to put him on the field. We'll likely have RB's dinged up throughout the course of the season, as well.

 

[TNHopeful505]

Where is the Pickett love coming from? Transfer who didn't accomplish much at his first school. I hope he balls out, but it will be a very pleasant surprise if he does. Best of luck to him and you never know who will excell until they get in the games, but I'm not seeing anything that would create expectations.

I'm not showing any love to Pickett. Just saying that I don't know how he'll factor into everything.

I don't see Lane, Hurd, Pickett, AND Scott getting carries.

Which is why I think that if Pickett keeps Scott off the field as the #3 back, then we have a shot at Scott redshirting. I think with 3 backs coming in the same class, and Paulk most likely redshirting, only three backs will get carries, and if possible, you try to keep a freshman off the field, unless you just can't.

It's all just my opinion.

 

[big harry]

Isn't Pickett a possibility in the slot, ala trick plays/bubble screens? I see him getting in for 10 or so snaps that way.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

He wouldn't have much of a shot at immediate playing time here either.

Totally disagree on that. TN is far from being in "great" shape at RB like those other 2 schools are. Obviously I'm a huge fan of Hurd and Scott, but you need more than two capable RB's and injuries have been a concern for both in the last year and half. Kamara would absolutely get a ton of PT and carries from Day #1.

 

[RockyTop411]

Totally disagree on that. TN is far from being in "great" shape at RB like those other 2 schools are. Obviously I'm a huge fan of Hurd and Scott, but you need more than two capable RB's and injuries have been a concern for both in the last year and half. Kamara would absolutely get a ton of PT and carries from Day #1.

+1

Seems like I always agree with you, Montrell.

Kamara would be a homerun and add another weapon to this offense.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

+1

Seems like I always agree with you, Montrell.

Kamara would be a homerun and add another weapon to this offense.

No doubt about it. I think his skill set fits in perfectly with this style of offense.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

No doubt about it. I think his skill set fits in perfectly with this style of offense.

JMO, but I think he knows it does too.

 

[jave36]

No doubt about it. I think his skill set fits in perfectly with this style of offense.

I think he's skilled enough to fit in any offense. He and chubb would battle for carries IMO, assuming Marshal goes. If Marshall stays, I like our chances.

 

[AV_12]

That's a problem I'm willing to have.

Scott, Hurd, Paulk, Kamara...I see no problem there.

I'm going to assume that it plays out this way IF Kamara comes here:

This year:
Lane - SR
Devrin Young - SR
Hurd - FR
Paulk- Redshirt (True FR)
Scott - Redshirt (True FR)

Next year:
Hurd - SO
Paulk - RS FR
Scott - RS FR
Kamara - SO (Will have 3 years to play 3)
Reid - FR (Will Redshirt)

I mean...that's 5 very talented backs. And you could use them all in very different ways. I could see Hurd, Scott, and Kamara really being a three headed monster. Paulk I think is a liability right now. I think he could be a Lendale White type back on 3rd and 4th down situations, but coming back from an injury is always hard. I hope for the best for him at Rocky Top, but it'll all depend on his recovery.

I think our depth is very unproven, and that's the appeal to people. We have a lot of "star power" but nobody who has yet to really prove themselves.

The key will be not Hurd....but Scott. If Scott works his way onto the field and doesn't redshirt, and if Hurd and Scott are promising going into their sophomore year, then I don't think AK comes here. But if Hurd looks good, and Scott redshirts, or doesn't produce much, then I think AK is a good shot.

JMO.

You generally have to play 4-5 backs in a season.. Paulk may very well redshirt, but there is no chance that he and Scott both RS

 

[jave36]

You generally have to play 4-5 backs in a season.. Paulk may very well redshirt, but there is no chance that he and Scott both RS

4-5? Maybe in garbage time if they aren't redshirt candodates, but that seems a little high if you're just talking about meaningful snaps.

 

[Vol8188]

4-5? Maybe in garbage time if they aren't redshirt candodates, but that seems a little high if you're just talking about meaningful snaps.

Agreed. 3 backs is enough with a guy like Summerhill or that Juco transfer taking mop up duty.

At least 1, probably Paulk due to his injury, will redshirt. If not both.

 

[AV_12]

Last year they stayed pretty healthy, but 2 years ago we ran all over Miss St, but had to play Q Watson and that was a fail.. You play 3 at minimum usually, and sometimes 4 over the course of a season. We don't want Summerhill or Pickett ever as our third best option . Scott will play. Devrin isn't a true RB... I actually thought he showed some flashes out of the slot last year.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

I think he's skilled enough to fit in any offense. He and chubb would battle for carries IMO, assuming Marshal goes. If Marshall stays, I like our chances.

I don't think Marshall will leave early. There is no way that he will be 100% mentally with that blown out knee this year. He may make me eat my words, but only one RB has come back 100% in all facets of the game the next year, and that is definitely the rare exception.

 

[TNHopeful505]

You generally have to play 4-5 backs in a season.. Paulk may very well redshirt, but there is no chance that he and Scott both RS

Not true at all.

Last year, Neal and Lane got the meaningful snaps. Tom Smith got a very few in blow out games. Summerhill, same things. Alden Hill, same thing.

You need 2-3 backs for doing the job. If 4-5 was the case, then he would have stuck around at Bama.

I believe Lane and Hurd will be a great 1-2 punch this year...but that 3rd back spot can't be assumed by anyone. Scott, Pickett, Paulk, all three unproven.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

Not true at all.

Last year, Neal and Lane got the meaningful snaps. Tom Smith got a very few in blow out games. Summerhill, same things. Alden Hill, same thing.

You need 2-3 backs for doing the job. If 4-5 was the case, then he would have stuck around at Bama.

I believe Lane and Hurd will be a great 1-2 punch this year...but that 3rd back spot can't be assumed by anyone. Scott, Pickett, Paulk, all three unproven.

I agree. 2 backs ideally get the bulk of the carries. Lane and Hurd will be those guys unless an injury happens. Then a kid like Pickett, DY in situations, can pick up what's left. As of now I think RSing Paulk and Scott would be fine. The staff could actually only take Reid in 2015 and have 3 new RBs in 2016 who have never played a down. Need to take 5 OL guys in 2016? That is how you do it.

 

[AV_12]

And Hurd isn't a Fr? Lol ok. I acknowledged that last year we did good there health wise. You're always a twisted ankle or banged up knee away.. Our depth isn't good enough to RS both. Do you seriously not remember having to play Q Watson meaningful snaps? Also, the Kamara transfer wasn't solely about depth chart.

 

[LebanonVolunteer]

And Hurd isn't a Fr? Lol ok. I acknowledged that last year we did good there health wise. You're always a twisted ankle or banged up knee away.. Our depth isn't good enough to RS both. Do you seriously not remember having to play Q Watson meaningful snaps? Also, the Kamara transfer wasn't solely about depth chart.

You can go into a season planning to RS a kid then take it off if needed. Maybe Lane, Hurd, Pickett, Summerhill, and DY can get it done this year and avoid injury. No reason IMO to give Scott a few carries a game early on because your counting on injuries. Game 4-5 comes around and Scott needs to go, so be it.

Of course a big part of it would be IF the staff made Scott or Paulk any promises during recruiting. A lot of times a kid lays it right out there that they are NOT interested in RSing as a FR and may not consider schools who plan to RS them that 1st year. We'll just have to see how it plays out.