Hey
@Vfl2407
Here is my attempt at taking notes this morning, but I'd recommend only using them as a supplement while listening to the show:
Big Orange Sunday - Coach Doug Mathews
Big Orange Sunday
8-5-18
*****Disclaimer: Coach Mathews says anything he says about any of these players is only his educated opinion and
that he hasn't heard it from Coach Pruitt or any staff. His opinions are based on what he's read about Pruitt's system
and what he's seen at practices.
Stay Healthy, Develop Depth, Develop the Rotation for a 12 Game schedule, Players have 15 practices to show
they can be a contributor to this team as a player in the rotation that will see the field this season.
Key Areas of Concern for this Coaching Staff coming in were Offensive and Defensive Linemen.
(Offensive and Defensive linemen win football games in the SEC).
That's why Trey Smith coming back was so important and Brandon Kennedy (C or G), Jahmir Johnson (RT or LT), Ryan Johnson (C or G),
Drew Richmond and however much Chance Hall can do.
(Some of Fulmer's best offensive lines he only played 5, 6, or 7 offensive linemen so we're in good shape.)
Coach Mathews believes we'll have a very good offensive line!
Coach Doug Mathews says he sees a lot of things in this current ("excellent") staff that remind him
of excellent teams that he's been a part of in the past.
I'm placing the call-in questions here in the beginning because Coach Mathews goes into greater detail.
Questions from Callers
Caller Steve asks where Maliek Gray will play.
Coach Mathews said he thinks Coach Pruitt said
that he will be in the secondary eventually but may redshirt this year and remember he can still play 4 games if so.
Caller Brandon asks about Todd Kelly, Jr.
Coach Mathews said he's a big Todd Kelly, Jr. (and Sr.) fan,
but doesn't think he'll start because his body type and playing style is more of a strong safety in a 4-3 or even more suited for
an OLB in a 4-3 but Coach Mathews doesn't see where he fits in Coach Pruitt's system, although he said he may be wrong, but doesn't
think he is. With that said, Coach Mathews said he can see TK playing special teams, that he's a 5th year senior and a strong
leader on this team, and that he may earn a spot in the defensive rotation, but Coach Mathews doesn't know where. He says
his situation is like Chance Hall's in that whatever kind of contribution they can get from him should really help out the team.
Overview
Fall camp started Friday. UT 105 total players. 85 scholarships. 20 preferred walk-ons.
After school starts, there's no limit on the numbers.
Only 1 player, LB JJ Peterson isn't in school yet. There's nothing anyone at UT can do to help him.
Someone somewhere dropped the ball on this. One of your jobs as an assistant coach is not only
to get the young man signed, but your job is also to get him into school.
The staff still feels confident he can get in soon.
Recruiting:
- Savion Williams #1 JUCO DT (In 3-4 a Nose Tackle) 6'4 315 lbs. (Has 3 years of eligibility to play 3 seasons).
- 3 remaining scholarships for this year of the 21, if all commitments stay committed.
- Coach Pruitt will probably borrow another 4 from next class's 25.
- Usually, about 85-90% go where they are committed, but there may be 2 or 3 who may want to go somewhere else or who may leave if the staff decides a different direction.
On Rebuilding
- We are rebuilding. It may well be a 2 -year process.
- *It's important to look at who you bring in the first two years/recruiting cycles of a rebuild.
- We're losing 10 seniors this year on defense
Coach Mathews really likes the following about the recruiting so far...
- Of the 18 Commits so far, 11 are on defense: 4 DT/NT, 4 DB, 2 DE, and 1 LB.
- 7 are on Offense: 3 OL, 2 TE, 1 QB, and 1 WR.
The majority of the commits are big linemen to help us completely restock
our entire defensive line, offensive line, and our tight ends with just one class.
29 New Players Have 15 Practices to Make the Playing Rotation
These new players coming in are going to have 15 practices to show they belong on the team
and can help the team. 12 returning players didn't practice in spring. 17 are new ones coming
in who the staff hasn't seen practice yet, so 29 in all who haven't practiced yet to make the
team. The last 10 practices will already have the scout squad set (mostly preferred walk-ons)
so it's a key time to prove you belong in the playing rotation before the last ten practices start.
These 7 Transfers Should Get Key Looks at Practices:
1. Keller Chryst at QB
2. Jahmir Johnson at Tackle
3. Brandon Kennedy at G and C
4. Dominick Wood-Anderson at TE
(*
Huge need for power blocking tight end on the line that he fills because he can do that!)
5. Madre London at RB
6. Emmit Gooden at DT for depth (Shy Tuttle will start)
7. Jordan Allen at OLB (3 years left)
Who Will Make the Rotation This Season
- Coaches probably already know 70-95% who can contribute so coaches need to flesh out the remaining of those final ~ 10%of players who will be in the rotation to play during ballgames.
- Probably 10 DBs will be in the actual game-playing rotation of players (not players who will only be on the scout team).
- Strong Side OLB Star Position: Kongbo and Taylor are already known starters here, but we need to see who is the 3rd one because both Jonathan Kongbo and Darrell Taylor can play DE in certain situations.
- Safety: Who can be the 3rd safety?
- When classes start, player practice time will be greatly limited compared to now.
So between now and by the time we are about 10-8 practices out before the start of the season, here are the...
"3 Things the Coaches Need to Do Now to Really Make the Most of Available Remaining Practice Time"
1. Find out who can play
2. Teach them what you want them to do
3. Evaluate what you can do with them in the ball game
Questions Coach Mathews has Going into the Season
1. Todd Kelly, Jr.
He's played a lot of football at UT. Has played very well at safety at times.
He's a leader of this football team. Exactly where will he line up, where will he play,
and what will his playing time be?
2. Nigel Warrior
How many positions in the secondary will Nigel Warrior play?
Can play several key positions in the secondary.
Warrior has the potential and talent to move around and play different positions
He can cover man to man, roam at safety, blitz off the corner, and blitz up the middle.
3. Chance Hall
How much can Chance Hall help this offensive line?
He's bigger, stronger, and more mature now than he was.
4. Ju'Quain Blakely - Fullback - Blakely is perfect for this position.
Differences from Last Season on Offense:
(We'll have a full array of different formations.)
1. QB who has the ability to get under center.
2. True FB lead blocker (not HB that comes in motion)
lines up with a tailback behind him to run the football
on short yardage situations.
3. Two Tight Ends with a Fullback and 1 WR formation
and
4. 4 WRs with no TE formation
Defense:
1. Emmit Gooden NT may be backup NT now that Alexis Johnson will start at 5 Technique DE
2. Freshman Defensive Linemen: Kingston Harris, Kurott Garland, and John Mincey
3. Brandon Davis and Trevon Flowers at Safety
4. Bryce Thompson and Kenneth George, Jr. CB
Corner, Nickel, and Safety positions (5 DBs)
Players for the rotation to choose 8 to 10 from:
Marquill Osborne, Baylen Buchanan are 2 starters at CB
Shawn Shamburger at Nickel
Nigel Warrior, Micah Abernathy, and Alontae Taylor (Theo Jackson will eventually play at safety)
Brandon Davis, Trevon Flowers, Bryce Thompson, Kenneth George, Jr.
Maliek Gray is as fine a freshman player as Coach Mathews has seen in a long time and
will probably redshirt. Coach Mathews strongly believes he will be an excellent player in the secondary in the near future.
Other players who should get good looks:
Cedric Tillman at WR
Jeremy Banks at RB (Physical, excellent player)
J.J. Peterson at LB (once he gets enrolled).
