2002 Recruiting Class

#2
#2
2002 Rivals # 2 Signed 25 - 9 (36%) Didn't Complete
Rank Pos First Name Last Name Stars
5 ATH Jason Allen 4 1st Round 2006: 16th Pick Dolphins
3 DT-QB James Banks 5 Dismissed from Team. Signed with Carson Newman
7 OT Heath Benedict 4 Transfer to Newberry College
NR SDE Mondre Dickerson 5 Dismissed from Team
12 OG Cody Douglas 4 Completed Eligibility
10 OLB Omar Gaither 4 5th Round 2006: 168th Pick Eagles
56 SDE Jason Hall 2 Completed Eligibility
19 ATH Chris Hannon 4 Completed Eligibility
4 WDE Parys Haralson 4 5th Round 2006: 140th Pick 49ers
36 DT Justin Harrell 4 1st Round 2007: 16th Pick Packers
20 DT LaRon Harris 4 Dismissed from Team
2 OG Brandon Jeffries 5 Transfer to Newberry College
16 DT Greg Jones 4 Gave up Football
3 TE Aaron Kirkland 4 Dismissed from Team - Signed Elizabeth City
20 SDE David Ligon 4 Completed Eligibility
3 SDE Jonathan Mapu 5 Completed Eligibility
8 RB Ruben Mayes 4 Dismissed from Team - Signed Grambling
56 ILB Marvin Mitchell 3 7th Round 2007: 220th Pick Saints
NR TE Leon Pinky 2 Transfer to San Jose St
2 RB Gerald Riggs Jr 5 Completed Eligibility
5 OG Rob Smith 4 Completed Eligibility
28 ATH Antwan Stewart 3 Completed Eligibility
6 ATH Jonathan Wade 4 3rd Round 2007: 84th Pick Rams
1 K James Wilhoit 4 Completed Eligibility
NR S Gibril Wilson 4 5th Round 2004: 136th Pick Giants
 
#3
#3
Also, I figure its old news, but Heath Benedict died, after he was predicted to be a midround pick in this years draft.
 
#7
#7
Jason Hall is/was trying out for the Titans this year(he was going to have knee surgery so I'm not sure if he is still going to) but he played over in Europe and did pretty good there.
Chris Hannon was with the Chiefs for a while, not sure if he still is
Rob Smith is with the Browns I believe and made their roster last year and contributed I believe

I like how you answered your own question there Rex...
 
#9
#9
Rob Smith didn't complete his eligibility - he got disgruntled and left early. Then went undrafted.
 
#14
#14
KLayneUT8 said:
does that class qualify as a flop?
Click to expand...

I don't see how.

Jason Allen
Cody Douglas
Omar Gaither
Jason Hall
Parys Haralson
Justin Harrell
Marvin Mitchell
Gerald Riggs
Rob Smith
Antwan Stewart
Jonathan Wade
James Wilhoit
Gibril Wilson

Those are some pretty solid players there. Eight of them are pros.
 
#15
#15
The common theme has been the lack of an offensive line. Who have been the last real good O-linemen? Arron Sears? Before that, you might have to go back to Scott Wells, before that Chad Clifton, and so on.

The great run of the 1990s was built when there were some good ones every year. Guys like Jeff Smith, Kevin Mays, Robert Poole, Trey Teague, etc. What strikes me every year since about 2001 is the fact that there are, more often than not, five pushovers up front.

When you run the kind of offense that UT has, a stalemate on the line goes to the defense. It is imperative for the O-line to dislodge opposing defensive players, not get pushed back or stalemated. It hasn't happened....and that's why there hasn't been the same kind of success.
 
#16
#16
Ohio Vol said:
The common theme has been the lack of an offensive line. Who have been the last real good O-linemen? Arron Sears? Before that, you might have to go back to Scott Wells, before that Chad Clifton, and so on.

The great run of the 1990s was built when there were some good ones every year. Guys like Jeff Smith, Kevin Mays, Robert Poole, Trey Teague, etc. What strikes me every year since about 2001 is the fact that there are, more often than not, five pushovers up front.

When you run the kind of offense that UT has, a stalemate on the line goes to the defense. It is imperative for the O-line to dislodge opposing defensive players, not get pushed back or stalemated. It hasn't happened....and that's why there hasn't been the same kind of success.
Click to expand...


With 5 returning starters, here is to hoping this year is not the same!!!!
 
#17
#17
Ohio Vol said:
The common theme has been the lack of an offensive line. Who have been the last real good O-linemen? Arron Sears? Before that, you might have to go back to Scott Wells, before that Chad Clifton, and so on.

The great run of the 1990s was built when there were some good ones every year. Guys like Jeff Smith, Kevin Mays, Robert Poole, Trey Teague, etc. What strikes me every year since about 2001 is the fact that there are, more often than not, five pushovers up front.

When you run the kind of offense that UT has, a stalemate on the line goes to the defense. It is imperative for the O-line to dislodge opposing defensive players, not get pushed back or stalemated. It hasn't happened....and that's why there hasn't been the same kind of success.
Click to expand...

I really enjoy your insight. If I may ask, what level have you coached and for how long?
 
#18
#18
WPAINE said:
With 5 returning starters, here is to hoping this year is not the same!!!!
Click to expand...

The chemistry is vital, but at the end of the day it's still the talent and desire that wins out. Having five terrific linemen together for a while is a sure way to be good for a number of years.

Don't believe me? What's the common theme of: the Cleveland Browns 1946-55, the Green Bay Packers 1960-67, the Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-80, the San Francisco 49ers 1982-90, and the Dallas Cowboys 1992-96? Or more recently, look at what the offense of the Kansas City Chiefs looked like when they had Roaf, Tait, Shields, Wiegmann, and Szott. It turned a career backup in Priest Holmes into an MVP.

WAY-J said:
I really enjoy your insight. If I may ask, what level have you coached and for how long?
Click to expand...

High school; I don't know that I have the desire at this point to move up to college. Thankfully I'm still young enough to not be pressed for time on that decision.

I'll keep coaching until I either get a couple of state championships or until I complete the quinella of academics, which involves one of my former players moving on to the following: USAFA, Navy, Army, Northwestern, and Rice. I've got two so far.
 
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