London Vol
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Now the dust has settled on the National Signing Day(s) This week on A View from Big Ben I thought I would I make a list of the new Freshmen whom are most likely to start during this coming season. As always with Freshman some are pleasant surprises and some not so, but anyway here goes:
Morven Joseph and Tyler Baron.
Jeremy Pruitt is a great advocate of the 3 – 4 defense which is mainly designed for the outside Linebackers to shine, the problem is that DeAndre Johnson and Kivon Bennett (I still believe he is very close to a breakout season) are slated as the starters in the fall with Harrison and Allen the backups. After Barnett, Taylor, Maggitt and Lewis etc this current group has more questions than answers, thus there is every chance that if Joseph and Baron are as good as advertised there is plenty of early playing time available.
Harrison Bailey
No article would be complete without mentioning the quarterback situation. Wherever you stand regarding Guarantano, nobody can dispute that he has good moments and not so good moments quite often in the same game never mind the same season, so there will be moments when another quarterbacks number will be called. Maurer, it’s easy to like his “moxie” but 2 touchdowns and 5 picks does raise legitimate concerns whilst J T Shrout has not really been given a run after an impressive performance against South Carolina and I fear will at some stage enter the transfer portal and quite likely shine somewhere else ala Fergusson and Peterman. So, I believe that Bailey will get his chance and then all our predictions or hopes will either be confirmed or exposed.
Keshawn Lawrence
With the graduation of Warrior there are two safety positions available (I would keep Shamburger in the Star position as I thought he was a pleasant surprise there last season). Tank McCullough played well at the back end of the season and very well in the bowl win so I would pencil him in. Flowers has never nailed down the other place, mainly due to injuries, so Lawrence could easily step in and develop a very salty partnership with McCullough for the next two to three years.
Dominic Bailey
The “no name” Defensive line did an amazing job last season, however apart from Solomon you can make a case for or against all the other lineman for starting in September. I watched with interest the Under/Amour game in January and Bailey was a star, he was frequently in the backfield, his motor was impressive and the stats bore all of this out. I feel many people are sleeping on this dude (hope you can still use this word) because his recruitment was so low key few people analysed him, but there’s nothing low key here and I believe he will force himself into the starting line-up this year.
Damarcus Beckwith
This one is a reach but the reasoning is that, Jim Chaney loves a Tight End and we did whiff on signing either Gilbert or Washington. The only TE on the roster who has progressed to this point is Pope (and he is really known for blocking not catching) so I believe the staff will do everything to try to develop Beckwith as quickly as possible, hence deservedly or not, I think he will start sometime this season.
Malachi Wideman (what a name for a wide receiver).
I actually think we are well set this season at WR; Palmer should have a break out season, apparently Gibbs has impressed hugely since arriving and Johnson is a proven reliable slot receiver. But this guy is the real deal and I think he will be just too good to keep of the field, so I put him above Jalin Hyatt and Jimmy Calloway as the best Freshman WR. Ironically the last person to sign this year might very well be the best overall. Time will tell
As always please feel free to comment on my ramblings
GO VOLS
Morven Joseph and Tyler Baron.
Jeremy Pruitt is a great advocate of the 3 – 4 defense which is mainly designed for the outside Linebackers to shine, the problem is that DeAndre Johnson and Kivon Bennett (I still believe he is very close to a breakout season) are slated as the starters in the fall with Harrison and Allen the backups. After Barnett, Taylor, Maggitt and Lewis etc this current group has more questions than answers, thus there is every chance that if Joseph and Baron are as good as advertised there is plenty of early playing time available.
Harrison Bailey
No article would be complete without mentioning the quarterback situation. Wherever you stand regarding Guarantano, nobody can dispute that he has good moments and not so good moments quite often in the same game never mind the same season, so there will be moments when another quarterbacks number will be called. Maurer, it’s easy to like his “moxie” but 2 touchdowns and 5 picks does raise legitimate concerns whilst J T Shrout has not really been given a run after an impressive performance against South Carolina and I fear will at some stage enter the transfer portal and quite likely shine somewhere else ala Fergusson and Peterman. So, I believe that Bailey will get his chance and then all our predictions or hopes will either be confirmed or exposed.
Keshawn Lawrence
With the graduation of Warrior there are two safety positions available (I would keep Shamburger in the Star position as I thought he was a pleasant surprise there last season). Tank McCullough played well at the back end of the season and very well in the bowl win so I would pencil him in. Flowers has never nailed down the other place, mainly due to injuries, so Lawrence could easily step in and develop a very salty partnership with McCullough for the next two to three years.
Dominic Bailey
The “no name” Defensive line did an amazing job last season, however apart from Solomon you can make a case for or against all the other lineman for starting in September. I watched with interest the Under/Amour game in January and Bailey was a star, he was frequently in the backfield, his motor was impressive and the stats bore all of this out. I feel many people are sleeping on this dude (hope you can still use this word) because his recruitment was so low key few people analysed him, but there’s nothing low key here and I believe he will force himself into the starting line-up this year.
Damarcus Beckwith
This one is a reach but the reasoning is that, Jim Chaney loves a Tight End and we did whiff on signing either Gilbert or Washington. The only TE on the roster who has progressed to this point is Pope (and he is really known for blocking not catching) so I believe the staff will do everything to try to develop Beckwith as quickly as possible, hence deservedly or not, I think he will start sometime this season.
Malachi Wideman (what a name for a wide receiver).
I actually think we are well set this season at WR; Palmer should have a break out season, apparently Gibbs has impressed hugely since arriving and Johnson is a proven reliable slot receiver. But this guy is the real deal and I think he will be just too good to keep of the field, so I put him above Jalin Hyatt and Jimmy Calloway as the best Freshman WR. Ironically the last person to sign this year might very well be the best overall. Time will tell
As always please feel free to comment on my ramblings
GO VOLS
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