Did we put too many eggs in the Cam Akers basket?

#1
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rockydoc

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#1
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
 
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#4
#4
It's been a very long time and recruiting coverage wasn't the big business in 1986 like it is today but I don't remember many people feeling disappointed that we had to "settle" for Cobb over LeRoy... He certainly was the better player in college. Maybe it was a joke? I don't know.
 
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#5
#5
LeRoy Thompson going to Penn St. was a big deal. Moreso from a standpoint of losing a local player to Joe Paterno & Penn. St.

That came on the heels of John Johnson going to Maryland in basketball. I know they're 2 different sports but back then losing 2 top Knoxville kids to other schools was pretty unheard of.
 
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#6
#6
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

And the "lesser" ended up the better player? Don't understand the comparison.
 
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#7
#7
I think the RB corps will be fine for this year. Probably next year too. They just absolutely have to get a very solid RB or two in this year's class. If they don't do that, THEN they're in trouble for the future IMO
 
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#8
#8
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

Cobb was one helluva college running back, certainly much better than Leroy Thompson.

As far as missing on Akers, I don't think it hurt us pursuing him to the degree it did, he was certainly worth the effort, just didn't get him, that's recruiting. But we still landed a kid with great talent and potential and who knows about the other two....one coukd turn out to be another John Kelly.

Would like to have more proven depth this year at RB, but I don't think we're in some sort of dire position or something. If we stay healthy I think we'll be ok.
 
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#9
#9
Boca Vol said:
LeRoy Thompson going to Penn St. was a big deal. Moreso from a standpoint of losing a local player to Joe Paterno & Penn. St.

That came on the heels of John Johnson going to Maryland in basketball. I know they're 2 different sports but back then losing 2 top Knoxville kids to other schools was pretty unheard of.
Click to expand...

It caught a lot of people who didn't know Thompson's situation by surprise (he explained on Mike Keith's show that he needed to get away from some bad influences in east Knox) but it really wasn't a big deal. Our RB's in '89 did just fine. LeRoy was not as good as either Cobb or Webb.

...and did John Johnson ever play at Maryland?
 
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#10
#10
Cobb was already on the Vols as a redshirt when Leroy was being recruited. Cobb announced he was much better than Thompson and immediately proved it. Then came Chuck Webb. It is alarming the lack of rb depth but maybe Carlin is better than we think.

Wonder if Leroy actually was scared to compete with Reggie Cobb?
 
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#11
#11
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

So much "wut" in this one post.
 
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#12
#12
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

I thought this was an Easter thread
 
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#13
#13
BowlBrother85 said:
It caught a lot of people who didn't know Thompson's situation by surprise (he explained on Mike Keith's show that he needed to get away from some bad influences in east Knox) but it really wasn't a big deal. Our RB's in '89 did just fine. LeRoy was not as good as either Cobb or Webb.

...and did John Johnson ever play at Maryland?
Click to expand...

Not much, but losing a local HS kid to another major program was a big deal. Obviously, them leaving was more of a big deal than either players production.

But there's a whole forum on here dedicated to potential (the recruiting forum).
 
#15
#15
Boca Vol said:
Not much, but losing a local HS kid to another major program was a big deal. Obviously, them leaving was more of a big deal than either players production.

But there's a whole forum on here dedicated to potential (the recruiting forum).
Click to expand...
Which is a bigger deal, losing a kid to another state or getting a kid from another state? Serious question.
 
#16
#16
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

Wait a minute! Kelly was a 3 star. So no evidence that Jordan or Coleman will not be as good as Kelly! Not super likely but very possible. And Carlin Fils-aime has bulked up based on the Spring Video I have seen. He looks about 195 or 200lbs now. He might be really good as well. We have signed several 4 or 5 star backs that were not real good in college. So lets wait and see what happens!!!
 
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#17
#17
I honestly think Carlin will be a big surprise this year. He may be the fastest RB on the roster. Plus from everything I've been reading, it seems he's working hard so he can meaningfully contribute this season and help JK carry the load.
 
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#18
#18
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

CFA was a 4 star. He will get carries before Chandler does.
 
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#19
#19
The Crystal Ball indicates that Chandler won't be getting any redshirt opportunities and that CFA will disappoint the Nega-Vols by significantly exceeding the low expectations set for him.
 
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#20
#20
Orange&White said:
I honestly think Carlin will be a big surprise this year. He may be the fastest RB on the roster. Plus from everything I've been reading, it seems he's working hard so he can meaningfully contribute this season and help JK carry the load.
Click to expand...

I think people forget that not every player blossoms in their Fr or Soph seasons. Sometimes they need to take their great talent and add significant S&C as well as learn how to succeed on the next level. I feel good about CFA.
 
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#23
#23
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

I'd settle for Reggie Cobb in this backfield.
 
#24
#24
HuntlandVolinColo said:
I think people forget that not every player blossoms in their Fr or Soph seasons. Sometimes they need to take their great talent and add significant S&C as well as learn how to succeed on the next level. I feel good about CFA.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. A lot of times we get a highly rated recruit and instantly expect them to make a significant impact. It does not always work like that and many need a year or two in the program. Plus we do not help as fans overhyping a lot of these kids. Another example is Drew Richmond. He struggled at first after being hyped up, but has progressed a lot over time. I think Wells will do wonders for him and the entire OL.
 
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#25
#25
rockydoc said:
Basically, unless Jordan or Coleman outperforms their star rating, we will have two RB's this season.....Kelly and Chandler. Reminds me of Majors going all out recruiting Leroy Thompson and having to settle for a lesser Knoxvillian named Reggie Cobb.
Click to expand...

You post that as if UT didn't make a run at any of the other top RB's. They recruited the ones willing to listen.
 
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