Looking at this group going into the off season, It's a group that needs a major youth influx, maybe a portal guy and needs some second year guys to really come on to have a successful season. Coach Garner will get all he can out of these guys, but they just are not that dynamic at this time and need to make huge strides this off season.
Let's get into this,
LaTrell Bumphus... this is a young man that is a real benefit to have back for another year and could really fill the void left by Butler . I think LT is can be more of a pass rush tackle than Butler, but staying healthy will be key for Bumphus next season, 30 to 40 snaps from him could really help this DLine.
Off season improvements... It really begins with Bumphus getting completely healthy and staying healthy all year. He will have to continue to work on using his hands better and using better leverage on the inside as a DT. Effort will never be an issue with LT, now it's his last go and time to put all that effort and talent into production.
Omari Thomas... Omari is young man that is about to become a consistent force on the D-Line, his natural quickness and power will only be enhanced in this off season. As he continues to learn to use better leverage and get a better punch with his hands the sky is the limit for Thomas. Kid has the potential to become an All-SEC type D-Lineman next season IMHO.
Off season improvement... Thomas needs to really continue to work on his conditioning , using his hands better to get inside guards pads to lift O-Linemen to put them on their heels and gaining leverage. On pass rush techniques, he has to learn to get skinny, learn to dip that inside shoulder to narrow the area a O-Line can get their hands on him, rip through the gap and collapse that pocket.
Elijah Simmons... this is a mountain of a man and an absolute gap stuffer, has surprisingly good quickness for a guy his size, but is not the best conditioned. Has showed signs he could be a very solid D-Lineman and provide quality depth next season.
Off season improvement... Simmons number one mission has to be get into shape and get his weight around 320. He has to commit himself to getting better conditioned and improve his overall endurance to become a real difference maker. I will say if Coach G sees something in a kid , it's there, but it's going to take Simmons committing to bring it out moving forward. If he will lose the weight, get better conditioned, he will become a player that demands double team blocks every snap.
Da'Jon Terry... another absolute physical specimen that showed promise at times. He could be much better player after a full year and off season in the program. He has SEC size and strength that will only get better as he has another year in weight program. He showed some good power and quickness early on, but seem to fade a little later in the season.
Off season improvement... really needs to work on his ability to shed blocks and hold the point of attack better, he had a tendency to turn his hips too much and get turned out of his gaps. He is a guy that needs to continue to work on his lower body strength and his technique to better defeat double teams. Also, could work more on his foot work to be more disruptive in stunts and on pass rush.
Kurott Garland... here is a kid that just needs to find consistency, he has all the measurables you look for in a D-Lineman, however for whatever reason just hasn't put it together on a regular basis. He has showed flashes of raw power and an ability to at times change the line of scrimmage. He has great arm length to able to keep OG from getting inside on him and a sound lower body to hold up inside.
Off season improvements... honestly this late in his career he needs to take the Matthew Butler approach and completely dedicate himself to nothing but ball. Garland has to become an absolute field rat to get in the best shape of his life, work on lateral quickness and work on being more bullish at the line of scrimmage. I think he could provide some real quality depth and give 25 to 30 snaps a game.
Bryson Eason... just from the eye test Eason is good looking football player and as he reshapes his body he could become a very good 3 technique DT or SDE in the 30 look.
Off season improvements... here is a kid that needs to drop about 10 lbs. and has a chance to fill the role Blakely has held last couple of seasons. Moving from playing backer most of his life, he will need to continue to work on leverage, technique and realize the strain it takes to play on the D-Line. Continue gain upper body strength to be able to shed blockers and hold the C gap against the run game.
Dominic Bailey... it's hard to give a real good evaluation on this young man, but looking back at his high school film he has the tools that can be fashioned into a quality SEC D-Lineman.
Off season improvements... Bailey really needs to hit the weight room and nutrition bar hard this off season. He has to put on about 25 to 30 lbs. to have a real opportunity to help this team coming this season. He needs to get his mindset right and allow Coach Garner to push him to the max to bring out the best in him.
Amari McNeill... this is a kid that I feel might have been a late find in last year's class. Watching him again in high school, he has a great motor and really moves well for big young kid. For some reason the state of Georgia seems to turn out a lot of D-Linemen and this kid may be a real player by the end of his time at UT.
Off season improvements... At 6'4" and 285 lbs. McNeill needs to really take advantage the year in the weight program to transform his young baby fat body, into a more leaned muscled frame to be able to add another 10 lbs. of muscle. He needs to work on his agility, quickness and technique to become a more complete player. This season is probably not going to be his time, but by 23 he could be pushing to start or at least be a very capable back up.
Incoming freshmen
Tyre West 6'4" 280
Jordan Phillips 6'4" 295
Let's get into this,
LaTrell Bumphus... this is a young man that is a real benefit to have back for another year and could really fill the void left by Butler . I think LT is can be more of a pass rush tackle than Butler, but staying healthy will be key for Bumphus next season, 30 to 40 snaps from him could really help this DLine.
Off season improvements... It really begins with Bumphus getting completely healthy and staying healthy all year. He will have to continue to work on using his hands better and using better leverage on the inside as a DT. Effort will never be an issue with LT, now it's his last go and time to put all that effort and talent into production.
Omari Thomas... Omari is young man that is about to become a consistent force on the D-Line, his natural quickness and power will only be enhanced in this off season. As he continues to learn to use better leverage and get a better punch with his hands the sky is the limit for Thomas. Kid has the potential to become an All-SEC type D-Lineman next season IMHO.
Off season improvement... Thomas needs to really continue to work on his conditioning , using his hands better to get inside guards pads to lift O-Linemen to put them on their heels and gaining leverage. On pass rush techniques, he has to learn to get skinny, learn to dip that inside shoulder to narrow the area a O-Line can get their hands on him, rip through the gap and collapse that pocket.
Elijah Simmons... this is a mountain of a man and an absolute gap stuffer, has surprisingly good quickness for a guy his size, but is not the best conditioned. Has showed signs he could be a very solid D-Lineman and provide quality depth next season.
Off season improvement... Simmons number one mission has to be get into shape and get his weight around 320. He has to commit himself to getting better conditioned and improve his overall endurance to become a real difference maker. I will say if Coach G sees something in a kid , it's there, but it's going to take Simmons committing to bring it out moving forward. If he will lose the weight, get better conditioned, he will become a player that demands double team blocks every snap.
Da'Jon Terry... another absolute physical specimen that showed promise at times. He could be much better player after a full year and off season in the program. He has SEC size and strength that will only get better as he has another year in weight program. He showed some good power and quickness early on, but seem to fade a little later in the season.
Off season improvement... really needs to work on his ability to shed blocks and hold the point of attack better, he had a tendency to turn his hips too much and get turned out of his gaps. He is a guy that needs to continue to work on his lower body strength and his technique to better defeat double teams. Also, could work more on his foot work to be more disruptive in stunts and on pass rush.
Kurott Garland... here is a kid that just needs to find consistency, he has all the measurables you look for in a D-Lineman, however for whatever reason just hasn't put it together on a regular basis. He has showed flashes of raw power and an ability to at times change the line of scrimmage. He has great arm length to able to keep OG from getting inside on him and a sound lower body to hold up inside.
Off season improvements... honestly this late in his career he needs to take the Matthew Butler approach and completely dedicate himself to nothing but ball. Garland has to become an absolute field rat to get in the best shape of his life, work on lateral quickness and work on being more bullish at the line of scrimmage. I think he could provide some real quality depth and give 25 to 30 snaps a game.
Bryson Eason... just from the eye test Eason is good looking football player and as he reshapes his body he could become a very good 3 technique DT or SDE in the 30 look.
Off season improvements... here is a kid that needs to drop about 10 lbs. and has a chance to fill the role Blakely has held last couple of seasons. Moving from playing backer most of his life, he will need to continue to work on leverage, technique and realize the strain it takes to play on the D-Line. Continue gain upper body strength to be able to shed blockers and hold the C gap against the run game.
Dominic Bailey... it's hard to give a real good evaluation on this young man, but looking back at his high school film he has the tools that can be fashioned into a quality SEC D-Lineman.
Off season improvements... Bailey really needs to hit the weight room and nutrition bar hard this off season. He has to put on about 25 to 30 lbs. to have a real opportunity to help this team coming this season. He needs to get his mindset right and allow Coach Garner to push him to the max to bring out the best in him.
Amari McNeill... this is a kid that I feel might have been a late find in last year's class. Watching him again in high school, he has a great motor and really moves well for big young kid. For some reason the state of Georgia seems to turn out a lot of D-Linemen and this kid may be a real player by the end of his time at UT.
Off season improvements... At 6'4" and 285 lbs. McNeill needs to really take advantage the year in the weight program to transform his young baby fat body, into a more leaned muscled frame to be able to add another 10 lbs. of muscle. He needs to work on his agility, quickness and technique to become a more complete player. This season is probably not going to be his time, but by 23 he could be pushing to start or at least be a very capable back up.
Incoming freshmen
Tyre West 6'4" 280
Jordan Phillips 6'4" 295
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