Sincere Question for Knowledgeabe Fans

#1
WoodsmanVol

WoodsmanVol

It takes wisdom to understand wisdom.
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#1
What are our depth shortages on both OL and DL this coming 2019 season? Yes, I can read but I also know there's always some folks smarter and better informed than I might be or even hope to be.
 
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#2
#2
We lost a ton of D-line starters. But, we have guys returning, with significant playing time. The returning starters on the o-line, from 2018, will be Johnson and Niehaus at guard, and Kennedy at center. Wayne Morris or Drew Richmond at right tackle, and Darnell Wright at Left Tackle.

Vols' big win over Kentucky could make big waves in recruiting
 
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#3
#3
kbear01 said:
We lost a ton of D-line starters. But, we have guys returning, with significant playing time. The returning starters on the o-line, from 2018, will be Johnson and Niehaus at guard, and Kennedy at center. Wayne Morris or Drew Richmond at right tackle, and Darnell Wright at Left Tackle.

Vols' big win over Kentucky could make big waves in recruiting
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Thank you. Drew is actually returning rather than transferring? I missed that, as I thought he was gone for certain.
 
#4
#4
The oline will have everyone back from last year except for Richmond (transfer portal) unless he stays plus 3 freshman that signed for spring practice
The defense line lost 3 -4 players.
There were some dline guys that went to offense last year that should be back for spring practice.
Hopefully the Juco players that were signed can come in play immediately.
We will know more as spring practice goes
 
#5
#5
#7
#7
We had several in this recruiting class to be added to Oline. The talent is headed in the right direction I just don't know that some of these kids are strong enough to be SEC ready but they may have to be. Morris and wright both look good, Morris is probably more physically ready. The kid out of IMG also is supposedly physically strong and maybe ready ahead of schedule.
 
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#8
#8
I make no artificial claims to knowledge.

Both sides of the line of scrimmage seem to offer a lot of playing time for anyone that steps up. VERY little is set going into practice.
 
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#9
#9
kbear01 said:
We lost a ton of D-line starters. But, we have guys returning, with significant playing time. The returning starters on the o-line, from 2018, will be Johnson and Niehaus at guard, and Kennedy at center. Wayne Morris or Drew Richmond at right tackle, and Darnell Wright at Left Tackle.

Vols' big win over Kentucky could make big waves in recruiting
Click to expand...
Lol. Niehaus ain’t starting anywhere this year and Drew Richmond is in the transfer portal.
 
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#10
#10
kbear01 said:
We lost a ton of D-line starters. But, we have guys returning, with significant playing time. The returning starters on the o-line, from 2018, will be Johnson and Niehaus at guard, and Kennedy at center. Wayne Morris or Drew Richmond at right tackle, and Darnell Wright at Left Tackle.

Vols' big win over Kentucky could make big waves in recruiting
Click to expand...
You leave out Carvin, J.Johnson, Locklear and Tatum. At least two of those could start.
 
#13
#13
KBVol said:
Lol. Niehaus ain’t starting anywhere this year and Drew Richmond is in the transfer portal.
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That was the projected depth chart, per 247. I left Richmond in there, because he hasn't transferred yet. Niehaus started several games, last season. As did Johnson. But, our o-line isn't very accomplished. Hoping the new arrivals improve the line play. As I said, this is 247's way too early depth chart.
 
#15
#15
As far as the D-Line goes, it’s emmitt Gooden (and he was even inconsistent at times last year), and then bunch of other puzzle pieces that the coaches are going to have to see who fits in best with emmitt. Emmit comes from a very athletic family so I have no doubt that he’s capable of being the anchor of our d line. I think a full offseason in S&C will really help him to be prepared for a real run threw the SEC schedule. After that you have Matthew butler, savion Williams, Darryl Middleton, Kevin Bennett and Greg Emerson who all have the ability to contribute but if they can’t practice the right way then they won’t see the field as much as we need them too. Emerson still has to prove he can come back from his injury but I believe he can. If Greg does then he could be a really solid guy to go around Golden. Bennett and butler are very similar but butler has more size. I like what Matthew did in his minutes played last year though. Elijah Simmons has good speed and solid size but I’m unsure if he’s ready to be in a SEC rotation. Kingston Harris is one guy I’m most anxious to see playing on the d line after he was moved to o line out of necessities last year. He has great size and Should be able to take on multiple defenders at the LOS. Solomon is a coin toss but if he is cleared to play this year then it will really help to add depth to our young D line. Bottom line is we are young but we have horses in the stable to work with. Just gotta hope Craig Fitzgerald is working his magic during these offseason workouts, I believe we will all be happy with the results he provides though.
 
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#16
#16
Really, really hard question. The DL kind of depends on what you think they were doing last fall.

Did they play the only good players they had? We better hope not because they didn't recruit well enough to help if the other guys are just that bad.

Did they hold guys back while developing them and using guys that weren't developed for the system Pruitt wants to run? If so, hopefully a full year in the S&C/development program will bring the potential out of some guys who've never really shown much.


The OL IMO comes down to S&C and the ability to keep guys healthy. I think Kennedy had a history of injuries at Bama too. Some guys just stay injured. Smith? Who really knows?

After those two guys... we better hope the S&C is miraculous. Otherwise, UT may start two Fr at OT... with a QB who is slow getting the ball out. That's not a good combination.
 
#17
#17
UT will still have a tough season IMO due to where they are in the trenches. While I expect much better play from the OL, Pruitt is really going to have to figure out how to help the DL not give up a ton of yards.
 
#18
#18
sjt18 said:
Really, really hard question. The DL kind of depends on what you think they were doing last fall.

Did they play the only good players they had? We better hope not because they didn't recruit well enough to help if the other guys are just that bad.

Did they hold guys back while developing them and using guys that weren't developed for the system Pruitt wants to run? If so, hopefully a full year in the S&C/development program will bring the potential out of some guys who've never really shown much.


The OL IMO comes down to S&C and the ability to keep guys healthy. I think Kennedy had a history of injuries at Bama too. Some guys just stay injured. Smith? Who really knows?

After those two guys... we better hope the S&C is miraculous. Otherwise, UT may start two Fr at OT... with a QB who is slow getting the ball out. That's not a good combination.
Click to expand...

I think the two freshmen are infinitely better than what we put on the field last year. Both are strong and quick -- which Richmond and Tatum are not. Their technique will be raw, but I don't remember anyone on our line being described as a "technician," so that shouldn't count against them. Carvin will play a big role as will J. Johnson -- he's added close to 20 pounds and is nasty.

D line has three deep at all three spots (including Solomon) but it's more about finding out if anyone can play. Gooden is a safe bet, and the staff loves Mincey apparently. Butler has potential, and Greg Emerson was a 5 star before he broke his ankle at the opening, so his ceiling is high if he gets healthy.

Like you said, that it comes down to S&C, and I agree with that 100%. If guys like Ryan Johnson, Ollie Lane, Kurot Garland, Darrel Middleton and Kingston Harris can get to SEC strength and size, then we could at least have some competitive depth on both lines during summer and fall camp.

Let's see how good this coaching staff is.
 
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#19
#19
Joe Dirt said:
I think the two freshmen are infinitely better than what we put on the field last year. Both are strong and quick -- which Richmond and Tatum are not.
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Tatum is quick. Just not big or strong last year. Richmond like JG has physical talent. I don't know where the disconnect is.

But no matter how good Fr OL's are, they are almost never ready and even when they are there are things that only time and experience can give a guy. And truthfully... all we know about them is that they were highly rated and the coaches liked them. The same was true of Richmond just a few years ago.

Their technique will be raw, but I don't remember anyone on our line being described as a "technician," so that shouldn't count against them. Carvin will play a big role as will J. Johnson -- he's added close to 20 pounds and is nasty.
Click to expand...
If the S&C program is what it needs to be then several of those guys will come back ready to compete. There will be surprises.

D line has three deep at all three spots (including Solomon) but it's more about finding out if anyone can play. Gooden is a safe bet, and the staff loves Mincey apparently. Butler has potential, and Greg Emerson was a 5 star before he broke his ankle at the opening, so his ceiling is high if he gets healthy.

Like you said, that it comes down to S&C, and I agree with that 100%. If guys like Ryan Johnson, Ollie Lane, Kurot Garland, Darrel Middleton and Kingston Harris can get to SEC strength and size, then we could at least have some competitive depth on both lines during summer and fall camp.

Let's see how good this coaching staff is.
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I've thought all along that Pruitt's weakness would NOT be his ability to coach the game. He's done a very nice job of surrounding himself with talented coaches. I am not sure about S&C though they seem to have fought hard to keep the coach.

Ultimately though... players have to work and then put it on the field. That looks murky at best.
 
#21
#21
sjt18 said:
Tatum is quick. Just not big or strong last year. Richmond like JG has physical talent. I don't know where the disconnect is.

But no matter how good Fr OL's are, they are almost never ready and even when they are there are things that only time and experience can give a guy. And truthfully... all we know about them is that they were highly rated and the coaches liked them. The same was true of Richmond just a few years ago.

If the S&C program is what it needs to be then several of those guys will come back ready to compete. There will be surprises.


I've thought all along that Pruitt's weakness would NOT be his ability to coach the game. He's done a very nice job of surrounding himself with talented coaches. I am not sure about S&C though they seem to have fought hard to keep the coach.

Ultimately though... players have to work and then put it on the field. That looks murky at best.
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Richmond does have physical talent. But he's not athletic enough to play tackle. Thats a big reason he gets called for false starts so often.

I was as excited as anyone when he flipped to us, but immediately saw many analysts saying he was a better fit inside (short arms and limited lateral quickness). If any combo of Morris, Tatum, and Wright can push Richmond inside, then I would welcome him back.
 
#22
#22
At least we know who the "knowledgeabe" fans are, now we just need to know what that is.
 
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