The D-Line Recruiting

#1
Weezer

Weezer

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#1
Yes, it's another one of these threads.

Why are we having such difficulty recruiting on the D-line? IMO, we need at least 3DTs and 3DEs in this class. Thus far we have one of each committed. Everyone feels good about Autry becoming a Vol so that would make 2 at DE, but no other DEs jump up as leaning towards UT. At DT, our best shot seems to be O'Brien, but it's far from a sure thing as he continues to flirt with Michigan. And after O'Brien, it seems all of our other DT targets are leaning elsewhere. Yes, I know it's still early, but with our lack of depth and thus the potential for early playing time, it seems we would be more attractive to some of these DTs than we are. It seems we've been able to sell every position BUT the D-line. Is it Thompson or something else? Until we start reeling in some D-line studs, it's hard to picture us returning to championship level.
 
#2
#2
We are doomed

doomed.gif
 
#3
#3
Weezer said:
Yes, it's another one of these threads.

Why are we having such difficulty recruiting on the D-line? IMO, we need at least 3DTs and 3DEs in this class. Thus far we have one of each committed. Everyone feels good about Autry becoming a Vol so that would make 2 at DE, but no other DEs jump up as leaning towards UT. At DT, our best shot seems to be O'Brien, but it's far from a sure thing as he continues to flirt with Michigan. And after O'Brien, it seems all of our other DT targets are leaning elsewhere. Yes, I know it's still early, but with our lack of depth and thus the potential for early playing time, it seems we would be more attractive to some of these DTs than we are. It seems we've been able to sell every position BUT the D-line. Is it Thompson or something else? Until we start reeling in some D-line studs, it's hard to picture us returning to championship level.
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i have heard that thompson is extremely hard and will dog cuss the mess out of you but he is a pretty good coach so i really dont know what it is
 
#4
#4
I think we finish with Lewis, Autry, Jacobs, O'Brien, McCullers and maybe Watson or Taylor on the DL. None of those are reaches at all and that would be a damn good DL class.
 
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#6
#6
Keep an eye on these guys: JuCo DE Denico Autry, MD DE Ryan Watson, FL DE Trent Taylor, MI DT Danny O'Brien, GA DT Dalvin Tomlinson, JuCo DT Daniel McCullers, VA DT Korren Kirven.

More prospects will come into the picture as the season goes on as well.
 
#9
#9
I think it was the 2007 class and we needed DTs as bad as right now. I remember 10 of the top 10 DTs on Rivals had UT listed as interested. We landed 0.

We have not recruited the position well since. Well, except for where Kiffin had us on the DL before he jumped out. That year he had verbals from a 37 DEs, then most looked elsewhere when he left and took the hostesses with him to Cali. :eek:hmy:

The problem may be that EVERY team is selling PT to the blue chippers b/c of the deep rotations needed at the position. Maybe that does not help us stand out against the other deep SEC schools. JMO
 
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#12
#12
Berry4Heisman said:
Keep an eye on these guys: JuCo DE Denico Autry, MD DE Ryan Watson, FL DE Trent Taylor, MI DT Danny O'Brien, GA DT Dalvin Tomlinson, JuCo DT Daniel McCullers, VA DT Korren Kirven.

More prospects will come into the picture as the season goes on as well.
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Dont forget about kenderius whitehead. We are in the top 3 for him too
 
#14
#14
UTCVol said:
I think we finish with Lewis, Autry, Jacobs, O'Brien, McCullers and maybe Watson or Taylor on the DL. None of those are reaches at all and that would be a damn good DL class.
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I don't see that happening but that'd be a solid haul.
 
#16
#16
I have been a faithful member of the Big Orange Nation since 1967 and consider the recruitment of defensive tackles to be, historically, a deeply rooted and chronic problem. When you consider that elite defensive tackles are at a premium and we usually wind up recruiting them from out of state, it is no wonder that we often wind up bride’s maids in recruiting battles at that position.

Consequently, we have often had to produce serviceable tackles from beefing up undersized linemen, players who ideally would be better suited as DEs (e.g. Malik Jackson). Fulmer had more success when he had the recruiting juggernaut running at peak efficiency and signed Henderson, Haynesworth and Mahelona. In my memory, John Henderson and Reggie White are the only dominant defensive tackles we have had who were homegrown. In all probability, the only long-term solution to accessing this pipeline will be found via major improvement in the win-loss ledger, thus making the program, as a whole, more desirable to those coveted 4-and 5-star DTs.
 
#17
#17
Volosaurus rex said:
I have been a faithful member of the Big Orange Nation since 1967 and consider the recruitment of defensive tackles to be, historically, a deeply rooted and chronic problem. When you consider that elite defensive tackles are at a premium and we usually wind up recruiting them from out of state, it is no wonder that we often wind up bride’s maids in recruiting battles at that position.

Consequently, we have often had to produce serviceable tackles from beefing up undersized linemen, players who ideally would be better suited as DEs (e.g. Malik Jackson). Fulmer had more success when he had the recruiting juggernaut running at peak efficiency and signed Henderson, Haynesworth and Mahelona. In my memory, John Henderson and Reggie White are the only dominant defensive tackles we have had who were homegrown. In all probability, the only long-term solution to accessing this pipeline will be found via major improvement in the win-loss ledger, thus making the program, as a whole, more desirable to those coveted 4-and 5-star DTs.
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Excellent post. Think that pretty well sums it up.
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#18
#18
Justin Harrell and Big Dan Williams are a couple of homegrown guys along with Aubrayo Frankln.
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#19
#19
When I think of dominant DT play in SEC Auburn comes to mind. Alabama and Louisianna seem to produce alot of them. Tough to recruit there when LSU, Bama, and Auburn are all on the upswing. Practically the entire D line on the 98 NC team was from SC but now Spurrier has locked that state down a bit. Lets hope the Dawg's implode and we can get back into GA strong.
 
#20
#20
UTCVol said:
I think we finish with Lewis, Autry, Jacobs, O'Brien, McCullers and maybe Watson or Taylor on the DL. None of those are reaches at all and that would be a damn good DL class.
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4 JuCos in one class and 3 on the DL alone. I have a hard time seeing that. I don't think we get McCullers for some reason.
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#21
#21
Given Dooley's recruiting success thus far, I'm confident we will end up with a handful of above average DT and DE commits. There are still over 5 months to NSD.
 
#22
#22
Because talented DL are rare. It's like saying "why can't I find a big house in my price range". Sometimes picking up a few 3* guys can be quite an accomplishment.
 
#24
#24
Weezer said:
Yes, it's another one of these threads.

Why are we having such difficulty recruiting on the D-line? IMO, we need at least 3DTs and 3DEs in this class. Thus far we have one of each committed. Everyone feels good about Autry becoming a Vol so that would make 2 at DE, but no other DEs jump up as leaning towards UT. At DT, our best shot seems to be O'Brien, but it's far from a sure thing as he continues to flirt with Michigan. And after O'Brien, it seems all of our other DT targets are leaning elsewhere. Yes, I know it's still early, but with our lack of depth and thus the potential for early playing time, it seems we would be more attractive to some of these DTs than we are. It seems we've been able to sell every position BUT the D-line. Is it Thompson or something else? Until we start reeling in some D-line studs, it's hard to picture us returning to championship level.
Click to expand...

:ermm:I just heard on the radio that they have offered something like 29 and will just have to wait and see who they can get. Hopefully will get two or three. Everybody wants them. I guess it is hard to find guys big enough with the required speed.
 
#25
#25
jordan williams and Saulsberry are frosh with good talent - corey smith and jacques smith are both soph DL with really good talent - Couch was one of the top if not the top JUCO DT in country last year and damien jacobs should be one of top JUCO DT's in this class

seems to me we have done a very good job of addressing this in the last 2 years - it is just that there are no Junior-seniors to lean on so i don't see it as a current need as much as it was a 2-3 year ago need (at least no junior-seniors recruited by UT)
 
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