Practice #3 Updates 8.3.16

#76
#76
VFL-82-JP said:
Reading these tea leaves, it sounds like the primary place for Evan's star to continue to shine is on returns....
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What's scary to me is after seeing him house one at the end of the Outback Bowl last year, you'd think he'd be right there in contention. With his speed and athleticism, if he can't find a place in our defense, that must speak volumes on how much Jones and his staff has elevated the talent level of that secondary! If this were 2010-2013 Evan is a day one starter!
 
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#78
#78
Think about it. Jennings best projected position is safety...and there's no room. :)
 
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#79
#79
VFL-82-JP said:
Reading these tea leaves, it sounds like the primary place for Evan's star to continue to shine is on returns....
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He's an All American there, not sure how much higher a zenith his star could be in that role. It seems our staff has been fixated on Cam returning punts and he has done that very well, but I've been sort of disappointed that role was also not turned over to young Berry given how well he has managed returns.
 
#80
#80
BaldBiker said:
Agree with the premature part. Hopefully it's true, but you can't possibly know after two days in no pads.
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Agree. Even if he's only talking about their build and body type it's kinda hard to mention a legend and a newbie thats only done drills in the same sentence.

I like and trust J Brice. He always lays out good common sense write-ups but this time I think he seen a helluva specimen doin drill work and it got the better of him.

Either way it's more good praise for Kongbo and more fuel for the hype train but soon as kickoff time arrives, it's fer realzies and hype don't win ballgames. Let's see (and hope) if Kongbo lives up to his appearance and actually compares to the Big Hen on the field.
 
#81
#81
08Vol said:
Rewatch the Bowling Green game. He just doesn't have the nose for playing safety, gets way out of position a lot as a strong safety. They should work him into the offensive game plan for no other reason than teams would have to respect his skills on a reverse and he has shown break away speed when he gets into the open field
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I agree. He can break a game wide open with the football in his hands. Would love to see him on offense.
 
#82
#82
HardKnoxVol said:
I'm working with Daniel Lewis and Rocky Top Insider this fall camp. I have been making the practice videos as well as shooting and filming. First off, it's been a blast being out there. It's like a dream come true. Being able to see my favorite team all time up close.

Anyways, here's some of my observations from what I've seen at practice the last 3 days.

-My list of absolute freaks: Kongbo, McKenzie, Hurd, Byrd, Evan Berry, Gaulden, Vereen, Barnett, Phillips

-Byrd, Callaway, and Brandon Johnson are looking very good so far in terms of newcomers. Byrd is also practicing some kickoffs and he's just as explosive, if not more, than Berry. Callaway isn't the fastest receiver, but his hands, hops, and hair may be the best on the entire team. Brandon Johnson is catching almost every single ball thrown to him no matter what. Also, Preston and Jauan are having solid practices. Preston made a very nice grab the first day and had a few good ones out of the air on a crossing route today.

-Kongbo, McKenzie, and Barnett are going to eat up offensive lines this year. I don't think I've ever seen a more physically built man than Kongbo. He's got the upper body of a strong D-lineman and the legs of a good linebacker. McKenzie has slimmed down and he's definitely a few steps quicker. Barnett is plowing through guys. Also, it's worth noting Kyle Phillips had 2 sacks the last 2 practices (that's according to Shoop). The entire defensive line is just built like beasts. Very intimidating to say the least.

-Ryan Johnson in the O-line will be nasty. Marcus Tatum has to get more aggressive but he looks like he's gonna be a good one.

-Trevor Daniel boomed a moonshot very close to the very corner edge of the 1 yd line to Callaway who showed great athleticism by catching the ball while turned around.

-Dobbs has more velocity on his throws. Guarantano is turning heads and will be the future of this program. Nice throwing motion; seems to know where to place the ball.

-Bob Shoop and Mike DeBord have to be two of the smartest minds in the game in their positions. Dead serious. I've been able to hear them on the field and their football IQs are out of the roof. I don't expect Shoop to be here long, as I think bigger teams (possibly even NFL) may come calling. The man is absolutely brilliant. Players are listening to him intently and they seem to respect him. Also, Coach Martinez is hilarious and scary at the same time.
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If UT pays him the $$$ I dont think he leaves unless its a HC or NFL gig.
 
#83
#83
Remy said:
He's an All American there, not sure how much higher a zenith his star could be in that role. It seems our staff has been fixated on Cam returning punts and he has done that very well, but I've been sort of disappointed that role was also not turned over to young Berry given how well he has managed returns.
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Cam is a really good returner. If they trust him fielding punts, let him stay.
 
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#84
#84
Brave Volunteer said:
What's scary to me is after seeing him house one at the end of the Outback Bowl last year, you'd think he'd be right there in contention. With his speed and athleticism, if he can't find a place in our defense, that must speak volumes on how much Jones and his staff has elevated the talent level of that secondary! If this were 2010-2013 Evan is a day one starter!
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I think Evan is a spectacular athlete and truly hope he is a major contributor to this team's success - but that pick 6, glorious as it was, gets a little too much hype. Great play and an epic way to end a game, but not enough to anoint him as an All-American.

We have decent depth/experience across all positions, but we have really good depth at a few. And safety is one of those. Whoever starts will have certainly earned it and is gonna be a really good player, imo.
 
#88
#88
I'm all in this thread like...

dae932484026f25cb9a64e3af011cfa4



You get a like!.....You get a like!....You get a like!.....You get a like!!
 
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#89
#89
"Yes, this is your hype train captain speaking. No, we won't be slowing down until we get to Tampa."
 

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#90
#90
anyone else see Butch run and follow CFA after the circle of life drill with Bitui smiling and speaking praise and slap him on the rear?
 
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#94
#94
Freak said:
Considering the size difference between the two, and the fact that Bituli had just annihilated Austin Pope, it was a very impressive effort by CFA.
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Yeah, when I saw that pic of the two of them in circle of life drill, I was like... who is that smaller guy, looks like a total mismatch!

Two observations on that note btw. I thought when Tn recruited Bituli he needed to gain a good amount of weight and strength, looks like he bulked up FAST!!!!!!!!

Iirc, CFA was a good size Rb, so crazy how small Bituli made him look!!!!!!
 
#95
#95
Freak said:
Considering the size difference between the two, and the fact that Bituli had just annihilated Austin Pope, it was a very impressive effort by CFA.
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I was thinking this very same thing, CFA must be the real deal and you simply cannot be an effective RB in the SEC without being able to block. Also JRM this morning during the presser mentioned Bituli's size, toss that in to the mix and CFA did an outstanding job, the kid did not flinch.
 
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#97
#97
Bassmaster_Vol said:
I envy your life... But in all seriousness, this team a playoff team iyo?
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Ehh I mean it's early in camp and we still aren't in full pads, but I think this may be one of the most athletic teams in program history. I mean, not even considering the upperclassmen and veterans, the freshmen and sophomores alone are just incredible. There's so much speed at every position. I filmed McKenzie booking it from midfield all the way past the sideline in a drill. I have heard that people within the football program believe Tyler Byrd will be a future 1st round pick, either on offense or defense. He's just that versatile and talented. From what I've seen, it's only going to get scarier when he becomes more developed in the program. He's already a huge dude, especially for WR.

So to answer your question, yes I think it's very possible. Also, seeing them just the past few days has pretty much thrown out my doubts about the Florida game. We're gonna annihilate them.
 
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#100
#100
HardKnoxVol said:
Ehh I mean it's early in camp and we still aren't in full pads, but I think this may be one of the most athletic teams in program history. I mean, not even considering the upperclassmen and veterans, the freshmen and sophomores alone are just incredible. There's so much speed at every position. I filmed McKenzie booking it from midfield all the way past the sideline in a drill. I have heard that people within the football program believe Tyler Byrd will be a future 1st round pick, either on offense or defense. He's just that versatile and talented. From what I've seen, it's only going to get scarier when he becomes more developed in the program. He's already a huge dude, especially for WR.

So to answer your question, yes I think it's very possible. Also, seeing them just the past few days has pretty much thrown out my doubts about the Florida game. We're gonna annihilate them.
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What are your early thoughts of Croom at TE, if any?
 
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