Vols looking at grad transfer WR Velus Jones

[s1216]

 

[Kinglberry]

There are plenty of 4 star athletes at all the positions that can come in, learn and contribute for multiple years instead of a guy who will be here for one, be 4th on the chart make 12 catches for 87 yards and 1 touchdown. Between Palmer, Gibbs, Keyton and Till we have plenty of talent.

 

[Lane Train 4]

 

[sjt18]

There are plenty of 4 star athletes at all the positions that can come in, learn and contribute for multiple years instead of a guy who will be here for one, be 4th on the chart make 12 catches for 87 yards and 1 touchdown. Between Palmer, Gibbs, Keyton and Till we have plenty of talent.

Depends on who is still on the board for this class. Most of the conversation in the recruiting forum right now seems to be about guys UT didn't get or probably won't get.

A guy like this is one way to "slide" a spot until next year.

 

[thunder5]

I remember Palmer having some really big catches this (last) year. I don't know if I'm more surprised that Palmer had that many catches or that Callaway didn't have more. Probably the later.

I’m pretty excited about the WR core to be honest...you have 4 good options on the outside in Palmer, Gibbs, Keyton and Tillman...then you have a solid contributor in the slot with Johnson and there’s speed out the wazoo to back him up with Hyatt, Calloway and potentially Jones...

I’m definitely all for bringing Jones on...I just hope JG can take the next step in getting the ball to all of these options

 

[VolinMichigan]

If he couldn't make it on the field at USC, why give him a spot on our roster? He would only have 1 year of eligibility.

We have room at WR and a bunch of unproven players there. That’s why.

 

[D-rock]

It's a fair question. If Tennessee did decide to bring him on I imagine it would be because they wanted another experienced receive maybe? We lose Jennings and Callaway. We do add Deangelo Gibbs and have Brandon Johnson coming back.

Palmer is solid. Keyton has potential but hasn't proven much yet. He had four catches this year. Same as Tillman.

Exactly. It’s experience they are interested in as well as development.

 

[tbones0711]

Exactly. It’s experience they are interested in as well as development.

In that case Tee knows how we stand in that dept. I hope Jones is still running around 4.4 in the 40. Fortunately we have a coach who knows him more than any of us. Could be another Malik Jackson who finished his college career at UT after playing at USC.

 

[sjt18]

But Callaway is definitely a bigger playmaker. Think that's what will really hurt next season; we have some guys who can get open and catch the ball, but it's tough to find guys like Jennings and Callaway who can break tackles and make big plays. Hopefully, we find some players to step next year.

I doubt we will see another one like Jennings in the near future. As much as I like Callaway, I think you get that plus a little more speed with Keyton.

 

[RollerVol]

rather have a big D-lineman...

 

[lynnh]

I think Keyton and Tillman both have potential to be great WR good size...…..Vols got have QB that can get ball to playmakers consistently every game
QB must be leader and winner that's difference between top teams and middle of pack teams …………………..Go Vols....

 

[livefaith]

Connection with Tee should help reel him in.

Kids from Mobile all the way to Cali. I bet this has Tee written all over it.

 

[volroadwarrior]

No, you're right. It's not a fair evaluation, just that they're unproven. I think Keyton and Tillman both have a lot of potential.

We also have these freshmen speed burners coming in. My view is if there is a spot on the roster available, let him come in and compete.

 

[Peyton_ManThing]

Guys that don't like the idea of investing a roster spot for a transfer wr for only 1 year I ask you to consider this... We have 1 wr on this roster that has had any considerable playing time going into next year. While Velus hasn't put up impressive numbers @ USC he also provides experience in the college game. He's been on the college stage at a major D1 school and has plenty of potential/talent. The kid could arguably come onto the team and be the fastest guy on the roster day 1. Yes we have currently recruited speed in this incoming class but none of those guys have college game ready bodies yet. Velus does. Tell me none of you want to see Chaney with an at least somewhat experienced college wr that is a serious burner. Something we haven't had. Another off season of QB development will only help the passing game too. Get him here now. Give him a full off season in our offense and see what the kid can do. With that type of speed you can find ways to get him the ball (sweeps, screens, direct snaps, go routes). At the very least you have a serious threat as a return man. You don't turn away talent like that when it comes knocking on your door.

 

[Tennesseefan2019]

You can't have too many good wide receivers

 

[tbh]

If we have the room, why not?

Worst case scenario, even if he doesn't completely pan out, he's an occasional utility guy they bring in to spell the workhorses for a couple of downs or to play some ST. A fresh set of legs and a different look or skill set to change things up mid-drive could be great.

Best case scenario is he's a diamond in the rough and a leader and contributes well throughout his time here.

Either way, if there's unfilled space on the roster and we have an inkling of a notion the kid can contribute to the season's success, what do we have to lose?

 

[savannahfan]

I think Ramel Keyton could figure into that also , having HB here may even boost his confidence more .

I have been wanting to mention Keyton all through this thread. Glad you point him out. I personally think from just what I saw in the bowl game he has the ability. On one or two catches he looked like JJ or any receiver of that type with what I saw as aggressiveness. I think he can catch the ball anytime it gets close to him. Just needs the chance.

 

[savannahfan]

Shrout throws a pretty deep ball....i would like to see Velus outrun the cannon arm

Lots of guys throw "pretty deep balls". Not many of them can hit a bull in the as- with a base fiddle. We don't have much to go on as to whether Shrout can be accurate or not.

 

[savannahfan]

We’ll have some pretty good options but how many decent WR is enough? I’m thinking at least 8 and it’s looking like we’ll have 7 if all the unproven guys and incoming guys turn out to be decent. And I’m sure our coaches would like to have the option of redshirting some guys.

The red shirt option has way more leeway under the new "play in four" rule. No one should be red shirted before a season unless there are lots of reasons, like existing injury, need to get bigger, etc. If you think 8 and we have 7, I think that's enough, unless it is a proven world beater type looking to come in. Yes, he could add speed and maybe we need a returner, if that is what we would be looking at him as, then OK. But not primarily as a receiver.

 

[savannahfan]

We’ll have some pretty good options but how many decent WR is enough? I’m thinking at least 8 and it’s looking like we’ll have 7 if all the unproven guys and incoming guys turn out to be decent. And I’m sure our coaches would like to have the option of redshirting some guys.

The red shirt option has way more leeway under the new "play in four" rule. No one should be red shirted before a season unless there are lots of reasons, like existing injury, need to get bigger, etc. If you think 8 and we have 7, I think that's enough, unless it is a proven world beater type looking to come in. Yes, he could add speed and maybe we need a returner, if that is what we would be looking at him as, then OK. But not primarily as a receiver.

I think it makes sense. Bring an experienced, mature WR to help that group grow and compete. Looking to bolster that position in 2020 and grad transfer is a good option.

How much more experience does he have than Palmer? Likely not much. I think that this is a "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" type situation.

 

[jkleno]

Joe Burrow couldn’t make it on the field at Ohio St. Why in the world would LSU let him take away a roster spot ???

Burrow had 2 years eligibility I believe Jones has only 1 year left. That is a huge difference in the likelihood of positive contributions. Also, only 1 QB plays where you may have 3-4 WRs on a given play.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

There are plenty of 4 star athletes at all the positions that can come in, learn and contribute for multiple years instead of a guy who will be here for one, be 4th on the chart make 12 catches for 87 yards and 1 touchdown. Between Palmer, Gibbs, Keyton and Till we have plenty of talent.

Thank you coach. He wil be a transfer will cout against the 85 limit but not the annual 25 limit. We wante him out of high school and I doubt that we would take him unless Tee thought it was a goos idea. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[bpalmer28]

How much more experience does he have than Palmer? Likely not much. I think that this is a "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" type situation.

He doesn't have more experience than Palmer or Johnson, but the rest of the WRs who we're assuming will contribute (Gibbs, Tillman, Keyton, Hyatt, and Jimmy Calloway) have only appeared in 11 games combined. There's also the possibility that Calloway plays defense or that Gibbs doesn't pan out as a WR and moves back to defense. And what if someone gets hurt before the season or gets in trouble off the field? 7 guys could easily turn into 5 guys by September. We've got some talent but we are a little thin at the position. I think it'd be foolish to turn away a talent like Jones.

 

[BSGVOL]

He doesn't have more experience than Palmer or Johnson, but the rest of the WRs who we're assuming will contribute (Gibbs, Tillman, Keyton, Hyatt, and Jimmy Calloway) have only appeared in 11 games combined. There's also the possibility that Calloway plays defense or that Gibbs doesn't pan out as a WR and moves back to defense. And what if someone gets hurt before the season or gets in trouble off the field? 7 guys could easily turn into 5 guys by September. We've got some talent but we are a little thin at the position. I think it'd be foolish to turn away a talent like Jones.

You are the first poster to mention Johnson. I think his flashed at times in the past and brings experience back to that room along with Palmer. The red shirt was a good move for him.

 

[2xVol]

I doubt we will see another one like Jennings in the near future. As much as I like Callaway, I think you get that plus a little more speed with Keyton.

Kenton is slower but has better lateral movement. Calloway always struggled getting lateral separation imo