If Hiestand can conjur up even a mediocre offensive line, TP could rush for more yards than Hardesty had last year. He makes quicker cuts and he maintains balance really well. Only knock on him is that he isn't as strong as MH (or BB), so he won't be able to push the pile. But that's why we have Toney Williams. Also, I don't know how he is at protecting the ball. I guarantee he won't be better than Hardesty was, since he NEVER fumbled while at UT... not once....
If Hiestand can conjur up even a mediocre offensive line, TP could rush for more yards than Hardesty had last year. He makes quicker cuts and he maintains balance really well. Only knock on him is that he isn't as strong as MH (or BB), so he won't be able to push the pile. But that's why we have Toney Williams. Also, I don't know how he is at protecting the ball. I guarantee he won't be better than Hardesty was, since he NEVER fumbled while at UT... not once....
If Hiestand can conjur up even a mediocre offensive line, TP could rush for more yards than Hardesty had last year.
On the first part, IF Hiestand can get a line that does play mediocre, he should be the national assistant coach of the year.
On the second part, there is nothing he can do that would get any running back we have to match what Hardesty did. Talent nor experience is there yet. Don't take this wrong, there are some very young lineman with potential to have SEC talent, it just will not be able to mature this year to SEC level talent.
UT fans need to be ready for a long season that may end up the worse season since the formation of the SEC.
Not doubting Poole's ability here but why do you wonder Kiffin had the kid buried 4th on the depth chart last season? Did he not impress anyone on the staff in 2009? Many even had him ahead of Brown this spring. I also think Oku is every under-rated and is set to have a big year if the oline can be established.
Never once saw BB break a tackle or move a pile and was always getting knocked out with some kinda injury ... where is the he's strong thing coming from? Oku looks strong, BB looks fragile ... I mean agile.
Not doubting Poole's ability here but why do you wonder Kiffin had the kid buried 4th on the depth chart last season? Did he not impress anyone on the staff in 2009? Many even had him ahead of Brown this spring. I also think Oku is every under-rated and is set to have a big year if the oline can be established.
Yes...Brown looks anything but fragile. 220-230lb back that is bigger,
No....stronger
Probably but if you can't make a cut or see a hole to get yourself into space... it doesn't matter.and faster than Poole.
It sucks he may be leaving but there are reasons someone is named the top prospect in the country.
Yes... No.... Probably but if you can't make a cut or see a hole to get yourself into space... it doesn't matter.
Yeah. He's big, strong, fast, and ran over HS competition. That does not mean he will ever develop the kind of refined RB skills that it takes to be successful.
UT has a long and distinguished history of finding 5* busts.... Kenny O'Neal was said by many to be the best JUCO player in the country a few years ago.
Out of about 17 5* players UT has signed since 2002, only Meachem, Berry, and maybe Jackson have really lived up to their billing.
People try to make this case by pointing to the past success of Rivals' #1 players. What gets lost is that 8 of the other nine #1 players came from power HSFB states. One guy came out of MD.
Kansas by far is the weakest HSFB state to produce a Rivals #1 player... therefore it was the most risky call by them.
Once again, I'm not making a prediction concerning Poole. I love his story, work ethic, et al. But he hasn't proven enough for me to say he's good much less great.
I am not jumping on BB. I hope he stays and reaches his potential which is probably higher than Poole's.
I AM jumping on people who have assumed that his HS ranking has anything to do with him being a shoe in to start if he stays. I AM jumping on people who watched him play last year just like me and aren't recognizing that his game is seriously lacking refined RB skills. The most impressive play he made to me last year was a swing pass he caught and made a nice gain with... they found a way to create space for him and he showed a flash of that speed. But he just didn't show the ability to find or make his own space to run in.
Poole may not have as much ability once he gets the space but he's shown more signs of being able to find/make it IMO.