Mid-Summer Depth Chart Projections

[chavisut]

Depth

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Best lineup weve had in 15 years

Certainly.

 

[gunner]

Mid-Summer Depth Chart Projections | Rocky Top Insider

S: 1. Rashaan Gaulden 2. Evan Berry
S: 1. Todd Kelly Jr. 2. Nigel Warrior/Micah Abernathy
CB: 1. Cam Sutton 2. Darrell Miller/D.J. Henderson
CB: 1. Justin Martin 2. Emmanuel Moseley
NB: 1. Malik Foreman 2. Marquill Osborne
OLB: 1. Jalen Reeves-Maybin 2. Cortez McDowell/Quart’e Sapp
ILB: 1. Darrin Kirkland Jr. 2. Colton Jumper/Gavin Bryant
DE: 1. Derek Barnett 2. Kyle Phillips/Darrell Taylor
DT: 1. Kahlil McKenzie 2. Danny O’Brien
DT: 1. Shy Tuttle 2. Kendal Vickers
DE: 1. Corey Vereen 2. Jonathan Kongbo III/Austin Smith

LT: 1. Drew Richmond 2. Ryan Johnson
LG: 1. Jashon Robertson 2. Venzell Boulware
C: 1. Coleman Thomas 2. Jack Jones
RG: 1. Dylan Wiesman 2. Charles Mosley
RT: 1. Chance Hall 2. Brett Kendrick
WR: 1. Josh Malone 2. Jauan Jennings/Jeff George
WR: 1. Preston Williams 2. Marquez Callaway/Tyler Byrd
WR: 1. Josh Smith 2. Latrell Williams
TE: 1. Ethan Wolf 2. Jason Croom
QB: 1. Joshua Dobbs 2. Quinten Dormady
RB: 1a. Jalen Hurd 1b. Alvin Kamara 2. John Kelly

Fall practice right around the corner. Thoughts?

Where is Dillion Bates???

 

[LittleVol]

Where is Dillion Bates???

Fighting for a spot.

When I see this defense, I see a lot of active, disruptive guys.

But what really excites me is what i see potentially on offense.
We know about our run game.

Preston Williams, Josh Smith and Josh Malone have the ability to really transform our offense from effective to dominant.

People talk about our defense lacking at crucial moments, but I also saw a passing game that just never took off. If our pass game awakens to compliment our run game, then we are headed to Atlanta.

 

[gunner]

At this point, Bates looks to be a 3rd team WLB, and a Special Teams player at best.

 

[Phat-Phil]

The depth and talent this staff has stock-piled at DR is so impressive. We have: Barnett, Vereen, Kongbo, Phillips.Latroy Lewis, Darrell Taylor, Austin Smith, Andrew Butcher, and Mixon (DE/DT). That's just ridiculous when you look at where we were 4-5 years ago, I would've killed for some of our 3rd stringers back then. The athletes we have coming off the edge is scary.

 

[Biopsyman]

Jack Jones needs to start

 

[LittleVol]

Jack Jones needs to start

Over who?

Jack Jones is starter material, but our line really came together last half of the year and Chance Hall had a ton to do with that.

Coleman Thomas is stud at C

Weisman and Robertson are All SEC caliber gaurds.

LT then? Richmond was born to play that spot. I wouldnt at all.be upset to see Jack Jones starting, but who does he beat out...

 

[LA vol7]

Shoop called Gaulden a natural safety. I think he would be a starter at either S or NB, but the coaches see him at safety. And Foreman is solid enough to hold down the nickel position.

I think Jack Jones will get more reps at center because Raulerson is transferring. He's versatile, and could really be a floater - filling in where needed. Especially if he doesn't lock down a starting role.

I agree on Jumper. He would have to make major strides to see much action this year. Depth at MLB is kind of thin. I'm hoping in a big way that Bryant is ready to contribute this year.

I hope Byrant gets some time on the field this year too. He went to school with my son and my niece. Great young man! Go Gavin, Go Big Orange!!!

 

[Kristy*]

Over who?

Jack Jones is starter material, but our line really came together last half of the year and Chance Hall had a ton to do with that.

Coleman Thomas is stud at C

Weisman and Robertson are All SEC caliber gaurds.

LT then? Richmond was born to play that spot. I wouldnt at all.be upset to see Jack Jones starting, but who does he beat out...

Jack Jones is good enough to start. It's tough.

Robertson is without a doubt the starting LG. Thomas has pretty much locked down starting at C. That leaves Weisman and Jones at RG and backup C/RG/LG duties. I like Jones better, but I don't see him beating out the senior this year. Either way, he'll get a lot of playing time. I think he'll be the first man in when any of the 3 are out.

 

[08Vol]

I was just saying that we don't use just one scouting service buddy. When you see all of these recruits listed on here there are multiple scouting services used for every single one of them. That's all I'm trying to say Mr. butchna!

Don't tell me which one to use because there is not a particular single one to decided grades. Rivals & Scout have been around longer than 247 Sports anyhow. They are the standard for recruiting but it doesn't mean they're the best either. Thanks!

You do know that 247 was started by the 2 guys who created Rivals. After they sold Rivals to Yahoo they started another recruiting service with the intent of being more comprehensive than Rivals ever was

 

[LittleVol]

Jack Jones is good enough to start. It's tough.

Robertson is without a doubt the starting LG. Thomas has pretty much locked down starting at C. That leaves Weisman and Jones at RG and backup C/RG/LG duties. I like Jones better, but I don't see him beating out the senior this year. Either way, he'll get a lot of playing time. I think he'll be the first man in when any of the 3 are out.

Jones is probably the 6th man if I were to guess. Boulware follwing him

 

[butchna]

Jack Jones is good enough to start. It's tough.

Robertson is without a doubt the starting LG. Thomas has pretty much locked down starting at C. That leaves Weisman and Jones at RG and backup C/RG/LG duties. I like Jones better, but I don't see him beating out the senior this year. Either way, he'll get a lot of playing time. I think he'll be the first man in when any of the 3 are out.

Not practical, but it would be ideal if he could RS and throw his hat into the C ring to eventually succeed Thomas...specially since Boulware will be a major player in an OG rotation and hopefully Mosely will finally emerge as quality depth. Jones has that nastiness you want and would hate to miss even a season of it, but would be nice to have another year of eligibility...as a STARTER...instead of best backup. But again will concede...prolly not practical. :question:

 

[butchna]

You do know that 247 was started by the 2 guys who created Rivals. After they sold Rivals to Yahoo they started another recruiting service with the intent of being more comprehensive than Rivals ever was

I think he got hung up on the 247 Composite term.

 

[sjt18]

Smh.

I'm not claiming any superior knowledge. I just haven't seen this mysterious 3rd linebacker thats gonna save us.

We're right now desperate for adequate depth behind DKJr and JRM at linebacker. We moved Austin Smith to DE. A guy who the staff pegged as a starter after Curt went down.

Please tell me who this 3rd linebacker is gonna be that'll be a better option than Malik Foreman (who has been a stud lately) when there is a 3rd WR on the field?

I'll wait....

And don't waste my time with guys who haven't seen the field in 2 years like Elliott Berry or guys who haven't shown anything in their few snaps on defense like Cortez McDowell.

All I'm saying is Malik Foreman is a better option right now in nickel situations than whoever you think that 3rd linebacker is gonna be.

Don't "waste" your time? Foreman "is" a better option? You want to arbitrarily limit the options because you KNOW so much?

You are THE most arrogant know it all I have encountered in my years on this board.... and that's saying A LOT.

What I'm "saying" is that Shoop has run a base 4-3 in the past. He indicated he would run it at UT. Jones did NOT bring him to UT to run Jancek's defensive scheme or philosophy. YOU, in spite of your self-proclaimed superior knowledge of football, DO NOT know who will flourish in that system.

So with all due respect.... McDowell AND Berry are talented guys who never had a niche in Jancek's scheme.

 

[Vols_14]

Elliot Berry starting on special teams? Working into the rotation at LB?

 

[gunner]

You do know that 247 was started by the 2 guys who created Rivals. After they sold Rivals to Yahoo they started another recruiting service with the intent of being more comprehensive than Rivals ever was

Agreed. The 247 composite rankings are the gold standard.

 

[butchna]

Don't "waste" your time? Foreman "is" a better option? You want to arbitrarily limit the options because you KNOW so much?

You are THE most arrogant know it all I have encountered in my years on this board.... and that's saying A LOT.

What I'm "saying" is that Shoop has run a base 4-3 in the past. He indicated he would run it at UT. Jones did NOT bring him to UT to run Jancek's defensive scheme or philosophy. YOU, in spite of your self-proclaimed superior knowledge of football, DO NOT know who will flourish in that system.

So with all due respect.... McDowell AND Berry are talented guys who never had a niche in Jancek's scheme.

 

[Bms4880]

Don't tell me which one to use because there is not a particular single one to decided grades. Rivals & Scout have been around longer than 247 Sports anyhow.

Boys... come on. Just do what I do: use whichever service gave our player the higher ranking. For instance, Kamara was a 4-star on 247, a 5-star on Scout, and a 4-star on Rivals. Therefore, he was a 5-star.

 

[buckwild]

What about LeTroy Lewis?

He is a redshirt senior that started a few games last year. I think he will be a solid backup this year.

I am not sold on Derrell Taylor just yet.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

What I'm "saying" is that Shoop has run a base 4-3 in the past. He indicated he would run it at UT. Jones did NOT bring him to UT to run Jancek's defensive scheme or philosophy. YOU, in spite of your self-proclaimed superior knowledge of football, DO NOT know who will flourish in that system.

So with all due respect.... McDowell AND Berry are talented guys who never had a niche in Jancek's scheme.

To be fair, McDowell had a niche in Jancek's defense. He just had an All-SEC LB in front of him on the depth chart.


As far as the 4-3 vs Nickel debate goes, nobody reallu knows for sure what we'll see in 2016. In the past, Shoop has liked to use a lot of 4-3 even against spread teams on early downs. It seems like we have the guys to run like that between Sapp, McDowell, Berry, etc.

But also Shoop has never had a defense with the same amount of talent as we'll have this year. He might decide to use more nickel if he likes our nickel personnel more. It's hard to tell what he'll do since what he's done in the past and what we saw in the spring game don't align so well. Whether he favors heavy doses of 4-3 or nickel will likely come down to weekly match ups IMO.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

What about LeTroy Lewis?

He is a redshirt senior that started a few games last year. I think he will be a solid backup this year.

I am not sold on Derrell Taylor just yet.

Taylor seems destined for a bit of a specialty role as a pass rusher this season IMO. I imagine guys like Lewis and Mixon will see more snaps than him since we know those guys can hold up against the run.

 

[hardyemt_p]

No way that slow jumper kid is number 2

 

[clarencepeabody]

Boys... come on. Just do what I do: use whichever service gave our player the higher ranking. For instance, Kamara was a 4-star on 247, a 5-star on Scout, and a 4-star on Rivals. Therefore, he was a 5-star.

Amen to that. Same goes for preseason rankings.

 

[tonybologna]

What about LeTroy Lewis?

He is a redshirt senior that started a few games last year. I think he will be a solid backup this year.

I am not sold on Derrell Taylor just yet.

Most definitely he should be added to the 1st post. He will see playing time. Probably 2 deep position most of the time with Kyle Phillips & Lewis at the two-deep behind Barnett & Vereen.

Kongbo I believe will be a 2nd & 3rd down type rushing DE most of the time with special stunts/plays ran for him. Lewis will definitely play though. He made some plays last year so I see no differently this coming season for him.