Madre London, Mich State RB grad transfer, coming to UT

[dcm3w]

I'm excited. I hope he can provide the power. But he looks kinda small tbh, needs bigger cannons.

 

[butchna]

short on experienced backs on the roster. Coach had to get this kid. Fils-Aime switched to corner

You have a special way of posting week old information as your own.

 

[Billy Antrim]

Future Heisman winner, NFL MVP, and multiple Super Bowl winner according to my eye test.

D4H second account?

 

[Evergrenevol]

I'm excited. I hope he can provide the power. But he looks kinda small tbh, needs bigger cannons.

I watched the other 2 RB grad transfers and wasn’t very impressed. London has some wiggle, ran over some DBs and ran through some linebackers’ tackles against good competition. Strong lower body. He’s listed at 6’1” 218 and in his best year averaged 4.2 ypc. I’ll give MSU’s oline some credit. They opened some holes you could drive a truck through.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Exactly. That being said, Butch attacked with the run through read option, which is very effective, if you have a guy like dobbs and not Worley or dormady. Butch was also heavy play action.

I think we’re going to look a lot like a Harbaugh Michigan squad, but more with of an Ace set with 3 wideouts and a TE. A lot more under center and definitely running between the tackles. If JG is the starter then I think you mix in some read option stuff to take advantage of his skill set.

 

[volsportsfan]

I think we’re going to look a lot like a Harbaugh Michigan squad, but more with of an Ace set with 3 wideouts and a TE. A lot more under center and definitely running between the tackles. If JG is the starter then I think you mix in some read option stuff to take advantage of his skill set.

I like it. I Agree with ace and a third rec because I don't think we have enough talent at te to run two te sets consistently

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I like it. I Agree with ace and a third rec because I don't think we have enough talent at te to run two te sets consistently

I think Palmer has a big year. We missed him on so many deep balls where he was wide open on a post or 9 rout. He probably should’ve had at least 6 or more TD’s than he did. That’s on Dormady and JG and the coaching. Before it’s all said and done that kid is going to be a star.

 

[The Comb]

I dig it

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Not really. Big backs (215+) with speed have always been the most coveted. You can go back 40+ years and look at some of the bigger running backs during Tennessee’s glory days.

Not talking about Tennessee's "glory days." Talking about the past 10 years. It seems like with the proliferation of spread offenses, smaller Barry Sanders type backs have become more coveted.

I'm just curious whether there is now a counter-trend away from this now or if this is more of a Saban / Pruitt / Saban disciple specific thing. Pruitt seems to really want big RBs; bigger than most teams are recruiting.

You can look at the top running backs for Bama and UGA in the 2017 Championship game. All were 230+ and fast.

Yeah, but my question was whether this is "the trend" or whether this is more of a Saban-disciple philosophy. You're using a Nick Saban coached team and a Saban-disciple coached team as an example, which sort of defeats the purpose.

I'm just curious if this is a very specific Jeremy Pruitt style preference. I'm not seeing a lot of teams specifically targeting these huge RBs. Saban has in the past (see Scarbrough), but even in his last recruiting class, Saban actually went a bit smaller, recruiting two 5'11" / 195 APBs. Though, in the 2017 class, Saban recruited Najee Harris who was H-U-G-E at 6'3" / 225.

 

[UGADawg4Life]

Sony Michel was the top...211.

Chubb was listed at 225, Michel at 215, Swift at 215, Holyfield at 215, and Herrien at 210. I find it hard to believe that Chubb was 10lbs heavier than Swift and Michel. Maybe when Chubb and Michel were freshmen, but Sony gained some muscle over his career in Athens.

 

[butchna]

Chubb was listed at 225, Michel at 215, Swift at 215, Holyfield at 215, and Herrien at 210. I find it hard to believe that Chubb was 10lbs heavier than Swift and Michel. Maybe when Chubb and Michel were freshmen, but Sony gained some muscle over his career in Athens.

Going by his profile. Know he was in the 190’s when he was a freshman...and he looked it.

 

[Evergrenevol]

Not talking about Tennessee's "glory days." Talking about the past 10 years. It seems like with the proliferation of spread offenses, smaller Barry Sanders type backs have become more coveted.

I'm just curious whether there is now a counter-trend away from this now or if this is more of a Saban / Pruitt / Saban disciple specific thing. Pruitt seems to really want big RBs; bigger than most teams are recruiting.




Yeah, but my question was whether this is "the trend" or whether this is more of a Saban-disciple philosophy. You're using a Nick Saban coached team and a Saban-disciple coached team as an example, which sort of defeats the purpose.

I'm just curious if this is a very specific Jeremy Pruitt style preference. I'm not seeing a lot of teams specifically targeting these huge RBs. Saban has in the past (see Scarbrough), but even in his last recruiting class, Saban actually went a bit smaller, recruiting two 5'11" / 195 APBs. Though, in the 2017 class, Saban recruited Najee Harris who was H-U-G-E at 6'3" / 225.

Good point. I think Pruitt and the offensive staff see the benefits of Saban’s big back philosophy and are emulating it. I also think you’re right that Saban sees the benefit of having the “Kamara” type back who adds a different dimension to the offense.

 

[KBVol]

I think we’re going to look a lot like a Harbaugh Michigan squad, but more with of an Ace set with 3 wideouts and a TE. A lot more under center and definitely running between the tackles. If JG is the starter then I think you mix in some read option stuff to take advantage of his skill set.

I agree with everything but your last sentence. I think we saw last season that JG’s skill set is throwing from the pocket....that’s what he wants to do and that’s what he can do if he knows where he’s going with the ball. He’s in no way a read option guy imo. He can be effective running if the play breaks down or perhaps on the very occasional qb draw or something in the right situation.

 

[dcm3w]

Chubb was listed at 225, Michel at 215, Swift at 215, Holyfield at 215, and Herrien at 210. I find it hard to believe that Chubb was 10lbs heavier than Swift and Michel. Maybe when Chubb and Michel were freshmen, but Sony gained some muscle over his career in Athens.

Sony looked huge and plus he is super underrated. I'm glad he's gone because we could never stop him. He just got better and better.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I agree with everything but your last sentence. I think we saw last season that JG’s skill set is throwing from the pocket....that’s what he wants to do and that’s what he can do if he knows where he’s going with the ball. He’s in no way a read option guy imo. He can be effective running if the play breaks down or perhaps on the very occasional qb draw or something in the right situation.

I meant maybe 2 or 3 times a game out of the Shotgun. He could have an impact with his legs.

 

[UGADawg4Life]

Sony looked huge and plus he is super underrated. I'm glad he's gone because we could never stop him. He just got better and better.

We’re gonna miss them both. Swift, Holyfield, and Herrien are all highly rated backs. Plus we have two five-star freshmen coming in. But you never know how they’ll pan out until mid-season or so. They should have a very good offensive line in front of them, but it’s all about chemistry. Time will tell, but we’re losing two very, very good backs.

 

[sport3500]

Good depth signing.

 

[WestEndVol]

 

[Bauce]

Has he signed anywhere?
We might end up with both, never say never

I don't think he has, but would Pruitt sign 2 grad RBs when we need OL, DL, LB, and DBs?

That's why I don't think he would sign 2 RBs.

 

[SaintLouisVol]

Question: is there now a trend towards bigger RBs or is this a Pruitt / Saban specific thing? I always thought the trend was towards smaller, more muscular RBs (e.g. John Kelly types), so guess I'm asking whether we're bucking the trend or if this is the new trend.

The CBJ offense was based on zone blocking schemes. The simplest way to describe zone blocking is that the O-line doesn't open a specific hole but rather creates seams based on the movement of the defense. Backs like Kelly with excellent lateral quickness and acceleration are ideal of this style of play. They see the opening and can shift to it and get through it quickly.

If the offense is more play action, hit the hole, down hill running style, you want speed, but you also want a big, strong guy who pounds through the running lane and breaks tackles.

The bigger backs are also, typically, better pass protectors, which is important in a a pro style offense.