Future of O line

#28
#28
KBVol said:
2 new freshmen to play next year? That’ll be a step backwards if that’s even humanly possible. Also, we’ve had 5 stars come in recently.....how has that worked out for us, other than Smith who was good as freshman, not so good as a sophomore and who now likely won’t play again.
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While this has been past results, we've now got continuity in OL and S/C coaches. If 5*s sign with us, and especially if they are early enrollees, I'd expect both to start on Day 1 and be an upgrade. At worst case, give us much needed depth.
 
#29
#29
MBVFL1 said:
Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright could play right now, watching highlight film on them is like watching CFB players that are currently playing
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Also, there's no way Pruitt going to sign any OL who has any propensity towards softness. He's going to make for sure that ANY OL we sign are tough as nails, whether they're 3, 4 or 5 star guys. I also believe we'll bring in at least one top level road grader running back. Pruitt's gonna run the ball if it kills him.
 
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#30
#30
May want to look at our commits and targets for next year. Several OL hosses in there. I think Pruitt is aware of our needs.
 
#31
#31
njvols said:
Also, there's no way Pruitt going to sign any OL who has any propensity towards softness. He's going to make for sure that ANY OL we sign are tough as nails, whether they're 3, 4 or 5 star guys. I also believe we'll bring in at least one top level road grader running back. Pruitt's gonna run the ball if it kills him.
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No doubt
 
#32
#32
MBVFL1 said:
Wanya Morris and Darnell Wright could play right now, watching highlight film on them is like watching CFB players that are currently playing
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Remember their blocking a lot if HS guys that will never play CFB it’s hard to tell how it translates on all but believe Pruitt good evaluator
 
#35
#35
sechamp2012 said:
Remember their blocking a lot if HS guys that will never play CFB it’s hard to tell how it translates on all but believe Pruitt good evaluator
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That's true sometimes it's a man among boys type of deal, but watching them manhandle players that have signed somewhere especially Morris with the competition he's up against is very encouraging
 
#36
#36
Thanks for the replies, guys. I’m not putting much stock in the incoming class for improvement next year. That’s why I was focused on the guys already in the program. Cade Mays and Trey Smith are exceptions, but if we hold onto that 5 star that’s currently committed we could be cooking with gas if the other guys improve enough.
 
#39
#39
My impression is several of the best OL from the past couple decades were recruited as DL and moved to OL.. Maybe that is the way to do it.
 
#43
#43
VolunteerHillbilly said:
OL will be better next year but DL will regress significantly based on who we lose UNLESS we win the JUCO lottery for one and done, NFL ready DL.
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DL will be fine next year but it will be razor thin unless we get some early enrollees, grad transfers and JUCOs to beef um up.

Maybe Wright will Join Morris to give us some young bookend OTs. I give Trey a 33% chance of playing again but you never know. Just as long as he fully recovers that's the most important thing right now and finding out what is causing this problem.
 
#45
#45
It’s a complete misconception that you can’t go get freshman to play right away. These days the top oline are already ideal size for the most part and ready. Have you seen Wanya Morris? Kid will come in and start and be one of the best oline players in the conference right away.
 
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#46
#46
governmentmule said:
I don't put a lot of stock in freshmen,they usually need a year or two before there really good
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This, even elite guys at this position typically take a year or two to learn the more exotic schemes and condition their bodies for Power 5 schedules. It will be another two years with the right prospects before we start to see quality play out of that unit.

The O-line is undersized and underdeveloped mentally. They look bad as a unit but if you watch what these undersized kids are doing they are putting in work. They make mistakes but I'd argue that's from being gassed and having nothing left, first thing to go is technique then mental breakdowns. It's going to take time, this isn't an easy fix.
 
#47
#47
KB5252 said:
This, even elite guys at this position typically take a year or two to learn the more exotic schemes and condition their bodies for Power 5 schedules. It will be another two years with the right prospects before we start to see quality play out of that unit.

The O-line is undersized and underdeveloped mentally. They look bad as a unit but if you watch what these undersized kids are doing they are putting in work. They make mistakes but I'd argue that's from being gassed and having nothing left, first thing to go is technique then mental breakdowns. It's going to take time, this isn't an easy fix.
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Cam Robinson, Cade Mays, Trey Smith, Jonah Williams, Laramy Tunsill...almost every top rated OL recruit in every class ends up starting, regardless of where he signs. Two of those guys I just named, Robinson and Williams started as true freshmen from DAY 1 on loaded Bama lines and Mays starts (and plays well) on a loaded Georgia line.

So while it normally takes a typical OLineman a few years of development, we’re not talking about normal OLinemen in Morris and Wright. They’re 5*, top 10 players in America, rated 1-2 at their position. So yes, they will be and should be expected to compete for a starting job right away at Tennessee. That would even be the case at a place with more talent than UT has right now. Like Alabama.
 
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#48
#48
Old-school tradition says offensive linemen need time before starting at the big college programs. As several have pointed out, that's not necessarily the case any more. I have to think that's the result of much improved weight training for high school players. So put me in the bunch that thinks the improved weight training for our returnees mixed with some seriously good freshmen could produce decent results sooner than later.
 
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