Linebacker University

[CroKev]

I know it’s Bleacher Report, but I read the following about Dillon Bates’ performance at The Opening:

“One of the camp's events is an NFL Combine day. At the "combine," Bates ran a 4.5-second 40 and had a 39.8-inch vertical jump—both tops among the 20 linebackers. The Volunteers are obviously ecstatic to have such an athlete.”
Dillon Bates Picks the Tennessee Volunteers | Bleacher Report

This 6’4” OLB runs a 4.5 40?! No wonder he does great in coverage. I wonder where we are with Christian Miller at this point. According to 247, we’re in his top 5 (with Bama and UF in the hunt as well – sound familiar?). Could you imagine in 2 or 3 years having these two bookends with Cherry as our ILB? Throw in Mouhon, Bryant, Dews – and who knows, maybe even Garrett and Petera Wilson - and LB University is back on the map in a big way!
:yes:

 

[VolInDayton]

I like your enthusiasm but it takes more than 2 recruiting classes to be considered "linebacker u"

 

[RichRollin]

I like your enthusiasm but it takes more than 2 recruiting classes to be considered "linebacker u"

I think an argument can be made for Tennessee as LBU.

As for Bates, I like tall LBs and it can be an advantage in regard to their coverage skills. Bates athleticism, ball skills, and ability to read a play are all elite for a kid at his position. Kid's like watching a young Brian Urlacher. He's gonna completely wreck shop for Tennessee....JMO

 

[UTChicagoV]

I like your enthusiasm but it takes more than 2 recruiting classes to be considered "linebacker u"

Must be a recent fan? We had/have/will have some stud LBs.

What School Is Linebacker U.?

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

I like your enthusiasm but it takes more than 2 recruiting classes to be considered "linebacker u"

I don't know. Cecil Cherry is already playing at the level of a NFL Pro-Bowler.

 

[Biopsyman]

Will be fun to see how it's plays out

 

[85SugarVol]

we are Wide Receiver University

 

[MockingVol]

we are Wide Receiver University

And we are also top 5 when it comes to LineBacker University

 

[85SugarVol]

And we are also top 5 when it comes to LineBacker University

I would not argue against that, we've had some great ones, but no one calls us that.

We are WRU

 

[checkerboards09]

I don't know. Cecil Cherry is already playing at the level of a NFL Pro-Bowler.

You must be serenadiums sarcastic cousin.

 

[Vol8188]

I like your enthusiasm but it takes more than 2 recruiting classes to be considered "linebacker u"

Little, Wilson, Mayo we've had some of the best lbs the NFL has scene in the last two decades.

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

I would not argue against that, we've had some great ones, but no one calls us that.

We are WRU

Hell, very few outside the home team refer to us as WRU anyways. I'm sure most fans would put Miami before TN in that regard. Just how it is.

 

[85SugarVol]

Little, Wilson, Mayo we've had some of the best lbs the NFL has scene in the last two decades.

Andy Spiva, Jackie Walker, Keith DeLong, Raynoch Thompson, Kevin Burnett, and there are still more...

 

[85SugarVol]

Hell, very few outside the home team refer to us as WRU anyways. I'm sure most fans would put Miami before TN in that regard. Just how it is.

that's fair, but WRU is our historical moniker, just like Penn St was always known as LBU

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

that's fair, but WRU is our historical moniker, just like Penn St was always known as LBU

And by historical do you mean from the 90s and on?

 

[MockingVol]

You must be serenadiums sarcastic cousin.

You seem to be a touch butthurt

 

[esarmstrong]

Little, Wilson, Mayo we've had some of the best lbs the NFL has scene in the last two decades.

I wouldn't stop there, either. How about Kiner, Reynolds, Walker, Poole, Spiva, etc... . UT was linebacker U before we ever had any credibility as wide receiver U.

 

[checkerboards09]

You seem to be a touch butthurt

Not at all lol. It was a shot at me, so I gave a simple response.

 

[85SugarVol]

And by historical do you mean from the 90s and on?

i believe that designation first appeared in the early 80's, but i get your point

 

[Cyclopskiller]

This thread beats all Eye've ever SCENE.

 

[85SugarVol]

This thread beats all Eye've ever SCENE.

ha, eye didnt want to be the guy to call him out for grammar..

 

[Volosaurus rex]

I wouldn't stop there, either. How about Kiner, Reynolds, Walker, Poole, Spiva, etc... . UT was linebacker U before we ever had any credibility as wide receiver U.

You are definitely on the right track, but you can push the time line back a bit farther. The following players achieved All-American status as linebackers during the Dickey and early Battle years:

Frank Emanuel (1965)

Paul Naumoff (1966)

Steve Kiner (1968, 1969). In the '69 Alabama game, Kiner "had five sacks, 11 tackles with five assists, four quarterback hurries, an interception and a forced fumble. Kiner was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999."

"Hacksaw" Jack Reynolds (1969).

Jackie Walker (1970, 1971). Walker "finished his career with 11 interceptions, more than anyone who wasn't a defensive back during his time. He returned those picks for 281 yards and a then-NCAA record five touchdowns. The 281 interception return yards ranked fourth at the time on Tennessee's all-time chart behind three defensive backs - all his teammates."

Jamie Rotella (1972) "Jamie Rotella became the sixth Tennessee linebacker to earn All-America status in seven years following the 1972 season. The Vols recorded a 31-5 mark during his three-year career."

 

[madbamahater]

Linebacker U:

1) Miami

2) Tennessee

3) Penn State *probably

#s 1 and 2 can't be argued.

 

[KBVol]

Hell, very few outside the home team refer to us as WRU anyways. I'm sure most fans would put Miami before TN in that regard. Just how it is.

You're probably right. They're wrong.... but you're probably right.

 

[macrovol]

Andy Spiva, Jackie Walker, Keith DeLong, Raynoch Thompson, Kevin Burnett, and there are still more...

Not to mention Jack Reynolds, Steve Kiner, Tom Fisher, Frank Emanuel, Rotella, etc.