I had some time this morning and started looking at the depth chart, roster, and incoming class. The Cliff Notes: Tennessee could fill all 22 offensive and defensive positions with returning starting experience, and there appears to be only two major concerns with starters going into the season which are; Offensive Tackles and Inside Linebacker. There are also three minor concerns which are; Running Back depth, Quarterback depth, and who is going to step up at the Nickel position. I believe that Tennessee did a great job recruiting to one major and one minor concern with an adequate job recruiting to another of the minor concerns.
First: I listed all the offense and defense positions with the current on campus players. I then listed what in my opinion were depth issues and talent issues. The third category is unproven (this is harder to recruit over).
Biggest Depth Concern is at QB and RB. If Dobbs or Hurd go down with an injury we are in trouble.
Biggest Talent Concern is at OT and ILB. Plenty of depth and experience but on field production was well below par.
We are unproven at the Nickel position but have depth and talent in Gaulden, Berry, Swafford etc..
Tennessee recruited very well to the depth concern at QB adding 3 four star players and getting two on campus for spring. They also recruited fairly well to the depth concern at RB adding a five star player who is on campus and two or three other potential RBs for practice and break purposes.
Tennessee addressed a major concern at OT by recruiting 3 players a five star, four star, and three star. Two are on campus and two have a potential instant impact.
Tennessee addressed the second major concern at ILB with a four star player who is on campus but who needed surgery. At least through spring practice it looks like Tennessee is going to need much improvement from the current roster at that position. One of the following players has the opportunity to seize the all important position for the next several years. J. Johnson, G. Bryant, K. Bynum, and D. Bates. I have never heard the coaches talk about Bates in the middle but I am desperate to see him on the field.
Second: I put down on paper the offensive and defensive two deep schematic and highlighted what I think will be the open position battles. On offense there are two highlighted starter spots both at the tackle positions and six other highlighted 2nd team positions which are the entire offensive line and quarterback spot. I have taken the following liberties to come up with this. Kamara is our second team RB, Crowder at center, Robertson and Jackson at guards are entrenched. Wolf and Ellis are our number 1 and 2 tight ends. Howard and Pearson are 1 and 2 in the slot. Croom and Malone are 1 and 2 at one receiver spot with North and Smith 1 and 2 at the other.
In Summary on Offense: We have 8 highlighted (open) positions of which two are starting spots. For those two starting spots we have 3 returning players with starting experience in Thomas, Kendrick, and Kerbyson. Not to mention Blair who if he is what the coaches thought he was will make our offense, and highly rated Jones and Richmond coming in to compete. I believe the numbers and experience will make an adequate 2nd team line.
In Summary on Defense: We have 17 highlighted (open) positions of which five are starting spots. This sounds much worse than it actually is. Those five positions are one DE, ILB, one Corner, one Safety, and the Nickel. I am counting the nickel so we are talking about five spots out of 12. We have starters coming back at all but the Nickel but I have highlighted those spots because of what I believe will be competition for them. Such as; The DE spot opposite of Barnett. Vereen is going to get first look but he will have to beat out Lewis, Butcher, Phillips, and Taylor. The corner spot Mosely(sp) will get the first look but he will have to beat out Berry, Swafford, and the Volquest favorite Martin. At safety it is safe to give Randolph one spot but McNeil will be in a battle to keep Kelly Jr. off the field. That leaves two more spots one at Nickel which was addressed above and I think that Gaulden will take and the ILB spot which has been discussed. I have every 2nd team spot up for position battle on the defense.
I believe Tennessee has put itself by recruiting and player development to contend for the East this year barring injuries to three positions. Those are QB, RB, and ILB.
First: I listed all the offense and defense positions with the current on campus players. I then listed what in my opinion were depth issues and talent issues. The third category is unproven (this is harder to recruit over).
Biggest Depth Concern is at QB and RB. If Dobbs or Hurd go down with an injury we are in trouble.
Biggest Talent Concern is at OT and ILB. Plenty of depth and experience but on field production was well below par.
We are unproven at the Nickel position but have depth and talent in Gaulden, Berry, Swafford etc..
Tennessee recruited very well to the depth concern at QB adding 3 four star players and getting two on campus for spring. They also recruited fairly well to the depth concern at RB adding a five star player who is on campus and two or three other potential RBs for practice and break purposes.
Tennessee addressed a major concern at OT by recruiting 3 players a five star, four star, and three star. Two are on campus and two have a potential instant impact.
Tennessee addressed the second major concern at ILB with a four star player who is on campus but who needed surgery. At least through spring practice it looks like Tennessee is going to need much improvement from the current roster at that position. One of the following players has the opportunity to seize the all important position for the next several years. J. Johnson, G. Bryant, K. Bynum, and D. Bates. I have never heard the coaches talk about Bates in the middle but I am desperate to see him on the field.
Second: I put down on paper the offensive and defensive two deep schematic and highlighted what I think will be the open position battles. On offense there are two highlighted starter spots both at the tackle positions and six other highlighted 2nd team positions which are the entire offensive line and quarterback spot. I have taken the following liberties to come up with this. Kamara is our second team RB, Crowder at center, Robertson and Jackson at guards are entrenched. Wolf and Ellis are our number 1 and 2 tight ends. Howard and Pearson are 1 and 2 in the slot. Croom and Malone are 1 and 2 at one receiver spot with North and Smith 1 and 2 at the other.
In Summary on Offense: We have 8 highlighted (open) positions of which two are starting spots. For those two starting spots we have 3 returning players with starting experience in Thomas, Kendrick, and Kerbyson. Not to mention Blair who if he is what the coaches thought he was will make our offense, and highly rated Jones and Richmond coming in to compete. I believe the numbers and experience will make an adequate 2nd team line.
In Summary on Defense: We have 17 highlighted (open) positions of which five are starting spots. This sounds much worse than it actually is. Those five positions are one DE, ILB, one Corner, one Safety, and the Nickel. I am counting the nickel so we are talking about five spots out of 12. We have starters coming back at all but the Nickel but I have highlighted those spots because of what I believe will be competition for them. Such as; The DE spot opposite of Barnett. Vereen is going to get first look but he will have to beat out Lewis, Butcher, Phillips, and Taylor. The corner spot Mosely(sp) will get the first look but he will have to beat out Berry, Swafford, and the Volquest favorite Martin. At safety it is safe to give Randolph one spot but McNeil will be in a battle to keep Kelly Jr. off the field. That leaves two more spots one at Nickel which was addressed above and I think that Gaulden will take and the ILB spot which has been discussed. I have every 2nd team spot up for position battle on the defense.
I believe Tennessee has put itself by recruiting and player development to contend for the East this year barring injuries to three positions. Those are QB, RB, and ILB.
