Drew Richmond works toward 'bright' future while redshirting

[kamoshika]

His future remains bright, but it's certainly not easy to go from being a blue-chip recruit to not playing, and the Vols have tried to send the message to Richmond that these months could help set the foundation for a successful future.

"It's really a collective effort," offensive line coach Don Mahoney said Tuesday. "(Former Tennessee tackle) Ja'Wuan James came in for his open date and was a great, great resource for (Richmond) to talk to, to say, 'Hey, look, I played early, and I probably shouldn't have.' I think as time has gone on, it's been kind of a process in which it's just slowly had its effect to where he understands it.

"It's so hard. I've had talks with him, Coach (Butch) Jones has had talks with him. I said, 'Look, no one can even begin to understand the amount of pressure that you came in under.' I said it to his folks, because I have so much respect for them. People look and say, 'Is he failure? Is he a bust?' I said, 'Absolutely not.'"
Vols' Drew Richmond works toward 'bright' future while redshirting | Times Free Press

 

[supersmo18]

As long as he's got a mean streak like Jones and Hall, we're good. I have no doubts about his talent. Glad to have this kid on the good guys team.

 

[UT Hill Man]

He's gonna be a good one.

 

[jmkvols]

He's gonna be a good one.

Can't wait to see Richmond in action next year.
Also, Patrick Brown is my favorite sports writer.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

As pumped about him, as I was on nsd when it was announced he picked us.

 

[Biopsyman]

OL will look very different next year from the start of 2015 season

Will be collectively younger.. only 2 upperclassman

 

[rocytop2624]

I think its people thinking its another Blair is why but i understand he is building up to be a star left tackle and give us depth.

 

[Chilmonty]

This is how you are supposed to bring along a top recruit!

Redshirt, learn, get bigger, and stronger, then play and kick ass!!! :rock::rock::rock:



.

 

[sameolvol]

OL will look very different next year from the start of 2015 season

Will be collectively younger.. only 2 upperclassman

Won't it ever, Bman! Had the injury bug not so viciously bit our lines on both sides of the LOS this year, at least one of those needless losses could've been averted. Next year + very few injuries could = those 10 Ws we were so badly wanting this season. Let's hope Barnett will stick around (I'm not going to bet the farm on Cam) and we'll be debating which group of linemen will be the team's strength. Lets expect the heart breaks to come upon our opponents regarding both Drew and Khalil, and not upon us. No disappointment here...just further development leading to Sunday superstars.

 

[vol-un-tear]

The future of our line is solid! Add Johnson in 16 and Mays soon after. Wow!

 

[Biopsyman]

Won't it ever, Bman! Had the injury bug not so viciously bit our lines on both sides of the LOS this year, at least one of those needless losses could've been averted. Next year + very few injuries could = those 10 Ws we were so badly wanting this season. Let's hope Barnett will stick around (I'm not going to bet the farm on Cam) and we'll be debating which group of linemen will be the team's strength. Lets expect the heart breaks to come upon our opponents regarding both Drew and Khalil, and not upon us. No disappointment here...just further development leading to Sunday superstars.

Barnett is not eligible for the draft until after next season. He will be GONZO.

 

[sanddune50]

Per Hubbs

And Don Mahoney told us this week, "It's hard to say just how excited I am about the future when you think about those four we've got up front, Jack (Jones), Chance (Hall), Venzell and Drew." Mahoney said once the duo of Boulware and Richmond reconciled themselves with the redshirting process, they've been really good and gotten progressively better. We're told by others that Richmond had one of his best practices of the year midweek and all signs point to the former five-star from Memphis being the Vols' No. 1 left tackle the day after the bowl game. It's Richmond's world on the left side for the future.

Both Richmond and Boulware have marked December on their calendars as both are expected to see a significant increase in snaps during bowl workouts.

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

High school kids have no idea how much they have to learn to be ready to play in college.

They also are clueless about how much faster and stronger college players are.

It would be best if all true freshmen could get a redshirt year so they'll be much better prepared.

Next season Richmond will be very happy he redshirted and his Vols career will be much better too.

Get ready folks, our lines will soon become BEASTS and we'll all love it.

#BrickbyBrick...VFL...GBO!!!

 

[UTVOLS1614]

OL will look very different next year from the start of 2015 season

Will be collectively younger.. only 2 upperclassman

younger yes but technically more expierience

 

[Catbone]

Let's see if we can have a season without 10+ season ending injuries next year again. We may be pretty good

 

[fade route]

OL will look very different next year from the start of 2015 season

Will be collectively younger.. only 2 upperclassman

So we'll get more "youth" excuses next year if we underperform? That'll be fun.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

The future of our line is solid! Add Johnson in 16 and Mays soon after. Wow!

Don't forget Zach Stewart enrolls in January as well!

 

[checkerboards09]

So we'll get more "youth" excuses next year if we underperform? That'll be fun.

Well yeah, that's every year.

 

[UT_King]

Best move for him because next year he will be stronger, faster, smarter.

 

[jeff1vol]

I'm confused. Why would their practice snaps increase for bowl preparation?? Are redshirts allowed to play in the Bowl and still be redshirted???

 

[Allvol1978]

On paper this line looks like it could be the great wall, Thomas-Center, Richmond R-Tackle, Hall-L-Tackle, Jones- R-Guard, Roberson-L-Guard, Then being able to sub in Sanders, Weisman, Boulware, Kendrick, Mosley. We gave great depth, and skill, list does not even include Raulerson, Z Stewart, Mosley, and red shirting R Johnson. Hopefully we get Tatum as well to sign and redshirt. The future looks bright

 

[walkenvol]

I'm confused. Why would their practice snaps increase for bowl preparation?? Are redshirts allowed to play in the Bowl and still be redshirted???

I'm curious about this also....I can't recall a redshirt playing in a bowl game in the past?

 

[zjcvols]

No they will get more reps during the extra bowl bowl practices where it's less about game prep and more about fundamentals

 

[butchna]

I'm curious about this also....I can't recall a redshirt playing in a bowl game in the past?

One of the benefits of a bowl is the extra practice time. Traditionally EEs and that year's redshirts get a hefty dose of reps.

 

[UCDog90]

Guys like Richmond are magnetic and good influences to the rest of the team, especially those working on a redshirt season. I've heard good things coming out of the redshirt/non-travel player's workouts and am excited that player's like Darrel Taylor and Landon Knoll have grouped with Richmond in the weight room because it is of max importance to them! These kids are determined and hard working and are/will be great representatives of our University!