'26 OK RB Kaydin Jones

[MarcoVol]

Because he was a highly rated recruit and he would be entering his 3rd season having never been higher than 3rd string. And I think his share of carries is about to go down.

I’m not saying it would be smart, especially with Thomas moving on, but with the way kids transfer these days, it’s a concern.

Maybe. If the carries go way down.

But overall most get way too caught up in “1st string, 2nd string” etc.

Star has 42 carries.
Bishop 38 carries.
Lewis 32 carries.

 

[StanfordVol]

Maybe. If the carries go way down.

But overall most get way too caught up in “1st string, 2nd string” etc.

Star has 42 carries.
Bishop 38 carries.
Lewis 32 carries.

Maybe they are trying to say best, 2nd best, etc? Since we do running back by committee, the other way doesn’t make sense, like you keep saying. If that’s the case, I would call Lewis 3rd string based off what we’ve seen

 

[MarcoVol]

Maybe they are trying to say best, 2nd best, etc? Since we do running back by committee, the other way doesn’t make sense, like you keep saying. If that’s the case, I would call Lewis 3rd string based off what we’ve seen

Agree on that

 

[RandomUTfan]

Maybe. If the carries go way down.

But overall most get way too caught up in “1st string, 2nd string” etc.

Star has 42 carries.
Bishop 38 carries.
Lewis 32 carries.

Yeah, they definitely do. We don't really have 1st, 2nd, 3rd that we've seen thus far at least. Star is getting more carries because he's been hot but they've tried to get all three involved in every game. They were alternating them in series in the UAB game. Everyone was getting equal opportunity but the snaps varied depending on the nature of the drive. Star was in early on a drive and we scored quickly through the air. Then fans were wondering why the other two were getting more carries than him.

 

[NighthawkVol]

He started the year second string

That lasted a half.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Maybe. If the carries go way down.

But overall most get way too caught up in “1st string, 2nd string” etc.

Star has 42 carries.
Bishop 38 carries.
Lewis 32 carries.

Like I said, my concern is based on the thinking that his carries are about to go down. He’s clearly a drop off after Thomas/Bishop. Those two need to be getting the workload in SEC games.

Lewis doesn’t seem to have the requisite vision right now. That can be developed. Wright really improved his. So did Hardesty. I hope he sticks around to do so.

 

[SugarCC]

Like I said, my concern is based on the thinking that his carries are about to go down. He’s clearly a drop off after Thomas/Bishop. Those two need to be getting the workload in SEC games.

Lewis doesn’t seem to have the requisite vision right now. That can be developed. Wright really improved his. So did Hardesty. I hope he sticks around to do so.

So do I. He flashed a bit Saturday, and had the best game of his career, so far. However, if he does bounce, I will not fret over it, one bit. Im on record wanting Morris to be the #3 behind Star and Bishop. Imo, Daune Morris is the most talented back in the entire room...just needs the experience and reps.

Again, in no way am I giving up on Lewis, wanting him to transfer...just not too concerned, at all, if he does.

 

[NighthawkVol]

So do I. He flashed a bit Saturday, and had the best game of his career, so far. However, if he does bounce, I will not fret over it, one bit. Im on record wanting Morris to be the #3 behind Star and Bishop. Imo, Daune Morris is the most talented back in the entire room...just needs the experience and reps.

Again, in no way am I giving up on Lewis, wanting him to transfer...just not too concerned, at all, if he does.

I’m very high on Morris…have been since he was committed to USC. I also like Baker.

 

[mrMet]

That lasted a half.

He was second in receiving Carries in games 2 & 3 too, so not true

 

[walkenvol]

He was second in receiving Carries in games 2 & 3 too, so not true

It appears to me that CJH views our RB room as having 3 starters.

 

[NighthawkVol]

He was second in receiving Carries in games 2 & 3 too, so not true

I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at here. He’s clearly third string. He’s been third string this season and will continue to be third string. That is the point. That is why I think he might leave.

Further, what YOU are saying isn’t true.

Of the RBs, he was as follows:
3rd in carries vs. Syracuse
4th in carries vs. ETSU
3rd in carries vs. UGA
1st in carries vs. UAB

So other than trying to get him some work in the UAB game when the top guys weren’t needed, he’s been 3rd or lower in carries.

I was asked why I thought he might leave. I gave my answer. I hope he stays. But it’s weird to make an argument out of this, given the rather obvious circumstances.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Not sure why anyone would expect Peyton Lewis to transfer when he stuck around this year given there are two other backs he's splitting carries with. Maybe he does, but there's absolutely no reason currently to think it's likely. He'll be one of our most experienced backs next year and in line for a lot of carries.

 

[cncchris33]

Not sure why anyone would expect Peyton Lewis to transfer when he stuck around this year given there are two other backs he's splitting carries with. Maybe he does, but there's absolutely no reason currently to think it's likely. He'll be one of our most experienced backs next year and in line for a lot of carries.

I think the generally accepted theory was that he'd be the lead back in that rotation. A theory he likely believed. I'd argue hes 3rd in the current rotation.

 

[RandomUTfan]

I think the generally accepted theory was that he'd be the lead back in that rotation. A theory he likely believed. I'd argue hes 3rd in the current rotation.

Whose theory? Why wasn't I party to this theory? First I've even heard of it. It was my impression most people expected Bishop to at least start as the lead back.

 

[MarcoVol]

I think the generally accepted theory was that he'd be the lead back in that rotation. A theory he likely believed. I'd argue hes 3rd in the current rotation.

That was a fan theory.

Another fan theory was Nico was gonna be a baller.

Another fan theory was Aguilar might suck and Merk could win the job.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Not sure why anyone would expect Peyton Lewis to transfer when he stuck around this year given there are two other backs he's splitting carries with. Maybe he does, but there's absolutely no reason currently to think it's likely. He'll be one of our most experienced backs next year and in line for a lot of carries.

A) “Expect” is not the word anyone has used.

B) He was seen as co-#1 coming into this season. He’s now 3rd string and about to watch the other 2 carry the workload. That’s why it’s a “concern” that he might look elsewhere (I.e., not an “expectation”).

 

[RandomUTfan]

A) “Expect” is not the word anyone has used.

B) He was seen as co-#1 coming into this season. He’s now 3rd string and about to watch the other 2 carry the workload. That’s why it’s a “concern” that he might look elsewhere (I.e., not an “expectation”).

You aren't answering the question I asked. According to who? I keep up with the team year-round and I've never seen anything to suggest there was any established pecking order at RB. You just keep repeating it without any evidence.

 

[NighthawkVol]

You aren't answering the question I asked. According to who? I keep up with the team year-round and I've never seen anything to suggest there was any established pecking order at RB. You just keep repeating it without any evidence.

I didn’t answer your question because you didn’t direct it to me. To most people, that makes sense.

If you didn’t listen to the VQ podcast, 247, or anyone else who covers Tennessee football all offseason, then your question makes sense. But for those of us who do, the general consensus was that Bishop & Lewis would be the lead backs, getting close to even carries. Which one ended up getting more was up for debate. Then we started hearing in Fall Practice that Thomas was really looking good and he could force them to use a 3-man rotation. Still, no one really thought Thomas would be higher than #2. Not until the Syracuse game.

The point is, because it apparently has to be said, during the time Lewis could have transferred, he was seen as A) a legitimate contender to start and B) a guy who, even if he wouldn’t start, would be part of a 2-headed rushing attack, splitting carries close to evenly.

Maybe that will be the case next year. Maybe, during the portal window, he will stick around and think he’s the man next year. Or maybe he will see that he wasn’t able to capitalize this year maybe Morris and/or Baker will pass him. Again, I’m not predicting he leaves. I’m saying it’s a possibility. And if you don’t think that in today’s day and age, you haven’t been paying attention.

 

[cncchris33]

That was a fan theory.

Another fan theory was Nico was gonna be a baller.

Another fan theory was Aguilar might suck and Merk could win the job.

That's a bit of stating the obvious, though. At no point did Heupel state that explicitly, nor did I insinuate he did.

 

[RandomUTfan]

I didn’t answer your question because you didn’t direct it to me. To most people, that makes sense.

If you didn’t listen to the VQ podcast, 247, or anyone else who covers Tennessee football all offseason, then your question makes sense. But for those of us who do, the general consensus was that Bishop & Lewis would be the lead backs, getting close to even carries. Which one ended up getting more was up for debate. Then we started hearing in Fall Practice that Thomas was really looking good and he could force them to use a 3-man rotation. Still, no one really thought Thomas would be higher than #2. Not until the Syracuse game.

The point is, because it apparently has to be said, during the time Lewis could have transferred, he was seen as A) a legitimate contender to start and B) a guy who, even if he wouldn’t start, would be part of a 2-headed rushing attack, splitting carries close to evenly.

Maybe that will be the case next year. Maybe, during the portal window, he will stick around and think he’s the man next year. Or maybe he will see that he wasn’t able to capitalize this year maybe Morris and/or Baker will pass him. Again, I’m not predicting he leaves. I’m saying it’s a possibility. And if you don’t think that in today’s day and age, you haven’t been paying attention.

I keep up with the program just as closely as you do I promise you. At no point did I ever hear anyone suggest Lewis would be commanding any more carries than the other two running backs that have been commanding carries. Again you provide absolutely nothing to back up your claim.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I keep up with the program just as closely as you do I promise you. At no point did I ever hear anyone suggest Lewis would be commanding any more carries than the other two running backs that have been commanding carries. Again you provide absolutely nothing to back up your claim.

I actually did. But you’re going to dismiss anything I provide as something “you didn’t hear,” therefore it wasn’t said. That’s convenient for you, but pathetically immature rhetoric.

I can back up the claim that you enjoy arguing for argument’s sake. See: this thread. If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t have strayed so far from the point in a vain attempt to nail down an irrelevant point. I’m done chasing red herrings. Have a good night.

 

[RandomUTfan]

I actually did. But you’re going to dismiss anything I provide as something “you didn’t hear,” therefore it wasn’t said. That’s convenient for you, but pathetically immature rhetoric.

I can back up the claim that you enjoy arguing for argument’s sake. See: this thread. If that weren’t true, you wouldn’t have strayed so far from the point in a vain attempt to nail down an irrelevant point. I’m done chasing red herrings. Have a good night.

Just correcting the record. You're being very disingenuous suggesting you provided any kind of evidence for your claim. I'm glad you're done.

 

[LittleVol]

A) “Expect” is not the word anyone has used.

B) He was seen as co-#1 coming into this season. He’s now 3rd string and about to watch the other 2 carry the workload. That’s why it’s a “concern” that he might look elsewhere (I.e., not an “expectation”).

Not sure about this.

Even though he’s the defacto “3rd” back, he got better in the UAB game.

He’s not been bad. The way he ran over the Syracuse LB for the seasons first TD is a long time ago, but he’s been moving the chains.

Thomas and Bishop both see the field much better but as I told people there would be an adjustment for Lewis because of the offense he played in HS. He’s getting better though.

People make way too much about recruiting rankings. Bishop and Star will either be on an NFL team or deep into training camp. Honestly Lewis is developing just fine imo.

 

[drvenner]

Sooooo..... about this Jones guy.....

 

[BigOrangeCrush32]

if Lewis could catch a ball out of the backfield, he would have at least two more TD's. He has dropped two that looked like sure fire TD's with his speed. that may be some of the reason for his reduced playing time compared to Thomas/Bishop.