Expectations for Darrin Kirkland Jr. This Season

#1
TheMookieMonster

TheMookieMonster

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#1
I was curious as to how you all believe DKJr. will play this fall. Prior to his multiple injuries (the guy just cannot stay healthy) he was one of our best defenders during the Jones Era. As a freshman, he seemed to be all over the field, making some insanely athletic plays. Following his injuries, lack of playing time the past few years, and his indecision as to whether he wanted to transfer or be a Vol, how do you all see him performing this season? I feel like a lot of our defensive success will come from whether or not he can be the dominant force he once was.

In my opinion, if Pruitt can coach him up to the potential monster he once was, with Taylor and Bituli, our LB unit could be one of the best in the East right behind Georgia.
 
#3
#3
I think bituli and Sapp are options 1a and 1b. DK is likely part of the rotation only at this point. Could change as the season goes on.

I doubt there's very little written in stone.
 
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#4
#4
Kirkland is a special player when he's healthy. That's not to say his injuries haven't taken their toll, but the guy has some talent. You don't play middle backer as a freshman in the SEC if you're an average player.
 
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#5
#5
DKjr, is one of the guys that I am really curious about. Your right, he was all over the field until he kicked himself and broke his own ankle at the Va Tech game... I would really hate for him not to reach his potential.

I kind of get a vibe from sports radio that he may not be 100%....hopefully I am wrong and he destroys this season.

On kind of a side note, I am hoping the "injury bug" is less contagious with a better staff that guys are motivated to play for. Last staff lost the team and all of the sudden everyone was "injured."
 
#6
#6
Wolfeman_Vol said:
Kirkland is a special player when he's healthy. That's not to say his injuries haven't taken their toll, but the guy has some talent. You don't play middle backer as a freshman in the SEC if you're an average player.
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The multiple serious injuries do concern me. At some point your body just breaks down and you aren't the player you used to be. I have hope that he can overcome these setbacks though, much like Adrian Peterson did after he tore his Achilles and people thought his career was pretty much over. DK is so talented and as other posters have noted, it would be a shame if his career derailed before it really started because of some bad luck.
 
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#7
#7
Jack Burton said:
He’ll do great if he stays healthy. Some guys just have bad luck sometimes.

“They call me Mr. Glass.”
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One wonders, however, if that bad "luck" will end with Butch being gone and a new S&C program installed. Funny how bad luck (and good luck too) can often be the result of things not left to chance. Luck favors the well prepared.
 
#8
#8
He is a talented ball player. If he stays healthy and picks up the new schemes CJP is installing then he should have a great year.
 
#10
#10
TheMookieMonster said:
I was curious as to how you all believe DKJr. will play this fall. Prior to his multiple injuries (the guy just cannot stay healthy) he was one of our best defenders during the Jones Era. As a freshman, he seemed to be all over the field, making some insanely athletic plays. Following his injuries, lack of playing time the past few years, and his indecision as to whether he wanted to transfer or be a Vol, how do you all see him performing this season? I feel like a lot of our defensive success will come from whether or not he can be the dominant force he once was.

In my opinion, if Pruitt can coach him up to the potential monster he once was, with Taylor and Bituli, our LB unit could be one of the best in the East right behind Georgia.
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That was a recurring theme during the Jones years. I think we'll see alot of players showcasing the talent we all hoped for when they first signed, now that they have somebody who can develop that talent.
 
#11
#11
MyBloodRunnethOrange said:
That was a recurring theme during the Jones years. I think we'll see alot of players showcasing the talent we all hoped for when they first signed, now that they have somebody who can develop that talent.
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The biggest mistake made by Shoop was in his first press conference he announced that Kirkland was the most important factor in the defense. That is something that Pruitt has not and probably will not ever do. You can't put that much public pressure on one college football player.
 
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#12
#12
TheMookieMonster said:
I was curious as to how you all believe DKJr. will play this fall. Prior to his multiple injuries (the guy just cannot stay healthy) he was one of our best defenders during the Jones Era. As a freshman, he seemed to be all over the field, making some insanely athletic plays. Following his injuries, lack of playing time the past few years, and his indecision as to whether he wanted to transfer or be a Vol, how do you all see him performing this season? I feel like a lot of our defensive success will come from whether or not he can be the dominant force he once was.

In my opinion, if Pruitt can coach him up to the potential monster he once was, with Taylor and Bituli, our LB unit could be one of the best in the East right behind Georgia.
Click to expand...


Kirkland is still not 100% and when he is, expect to see him play a bunch, Pruitt's being extra careful with DKJr and rightfully so, it's a very long season and he really needs Kirkland to contribute down the road.
 
#13
#13
Pepe said:
The biggest mistake made by Shoop was in his first press conference he announced that Kirkland was the most important factor in the defense. That is something that Pruitt has not and probably will not ever do. You can't put that much public pressure on one college football player.
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That isnt anymore pressure than any college QB faces.. Not saying it was smart but it shouldn't be a factor in his performance. Great players rise to these kinds of challenges and I think DK will as well.. Thats JMO
 
#14
#14
Gandalf said:
One wonders, however, if that bad "luck" will end with Butch being gone and a new S&C program installed. Funny how bad luck (and good luck too) can often be the result of things not left to chance. Luck favors the well prepared.
Click to expand...

I think it was Thomas Jefferson (maybe?) who said something along the lines of 'I'm a firm believer in luck, and the harder I work the luckier I seem to be." Let's hope it works out that way for the Vols and the guys hard work turns into a ton of luck this season.
 
#16
#16
ProudVOLfan said:
That isnt anymore pressure than any college QB faces.. Not saying it was smart but it shouldn't be a factor in his performance. Great players rise to these kinds of challenges and I think DK will as well.. Thats JMO
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A quarterback always has that kind of pressure. But a coach never comes out and says that is such-and-such goes down we are going to suck. That is essentially what Shoop did with Kirkland. Kind of along the same lines the biggest mistake Lane kiffin made was to lament in every postgame press conference how much he needs to recruit better players. That's so scary to say in a general press conference, but not in a situation where you are commenting on the effort in a par ticular game
 
#17
#17
TheMookieMonster said:
I was curious as to how you all believe DKJr. will play this fall. Prior to his multiple injuries (the guy just cannot stay healthy) he was one of our best defenders during the Jones Era. As a freshman, he seemed to be all over the field, making some insanely athletic plays. Following his injuries, lack of playing time the past few years, and his indecision as to whether he wanted to transfer or be a Vol, how do you all see him performing this season? I feel like a lot of our defensive success will come from whether or not he can be the dominant force he once was.

In my opinion, if Pruitt can coach him up to the potential monster he once was, with Taylor and Bituli, our LB unit could be one of the best in the East right behind Georgia.
Click to expand...

Pruitt said he intends to win every game. I figure he wouldn't have put Kirkland in a starting role if he didn't believe he was healthy and gave the team the best chance to beat WVU. And I agree, our linebackers will prove a major strength this year and give us a leg up on winning this Saturday.
 
#18
#18
I believe he will have a good year as long as he stays moderately healthy. He is in the rotation at inside linebacker so he will have his chances.
 
#19
#19
VFFL@THE BEACH said:
DKjr, is one of the guys that I am really curious about. Your right, he was all over the field until he kicked himself and broke his own ankle at the Va Tech game... I would really hate for him not to reach his potential.

I kind of get a vibe from sports radio that he may not be 100%....hopefully I am wrong and he destroys this season.

On kind of a side note, I am hoping the "injury bug" is less contagious with a better staff that guys are motivated to play for. Last staff lost the team and all of the sudden everyone was "injured."
Click to expand...
I hope Butch took the injury bug with him to Bama. I would love to see Bama lose 3 games this year.
 
#20
#20
CJP seems to be very much on top of effectively dealing with injuries. Coach takes this matter to a higher level IMO by easing players back into playing condition. I think often times players attempt to go all-out far too early, when they aren't quite ready. DKjr made a comeback after the ankle injury and never got back to full speed then came a knee injury prior to the 2017 season. All is not lost and UT has some depth at LB so I look for DK to ease back into 100% playing condition by UF game. The same can be said about C.Hall and JJ and TKjr. Tuttle and Trey seem good to go. Barring any further injuries UT should be at full force by the time UF rolls into K-town. It's kinda strange seeing UT this healthy but my hope is they develop a mean streak that reflects Pruitt's intensity for the game. I just like his style and see a lot of rotating of players from his teams. Fresh horses are a good thing to have going into the 4th qtr. of this years schedule especially if the games are close. Whereas UT may not have the better athletes against many teams, it appears as if coach wants the fresher athletes at crunch time. I can see this style as giving UT an advantage and the added bonus is it'll make the players feel better, plus the recruits will know if you come to UT you'll get playing time. Another bonus is the players will be less susceptible to injury in this "system". Go Big Orange!
 
#21
#21
Some guys heal from knee surgery in 6 months, some in 9 months, some a year, and some take as long as 18 months or more,, Hoping for the best. It may be better to play a little early on and play all season, than to play too much too soon and be out more than in all season.. JMO
 
#22
#22
I think he's going to kill it!! He's as smart a player as we've had put on the orange, athletic, long, used to be fast! Health is obviously a big concern. I believe that he, Bituli, Warrior, Suttle and Alontae are the alpha dogs of our D.
 
#24
#24
jakez4ut said:
I think bituli and Sapp are options 1a and 1b. DK is likely part of the rotation only at this point. Could change as the season goes on.

I doubt there's very little written in stone.
Click to expand...
DK is starting if he’s healthy.
 
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