Team took a huge step forward this season. Not in the W/L column. Left some games on the field. But, winning 5 in a row and not losing to any of those teams down the stretch that TN shouldn't lose to said something about this team and the coaches. I think the SEC is eager to get TN back on the stage nationally and whatever bowl we go to will reflect that.
I think this will be a team with more steam after this season than last year. Dobbs was a darkhorse last year after half a season. After 3,000 yards and close to 30 TDs against 8 or so turnovers, it will be louder. I also think Hurd and his 1k yard season will be from under the shadow of LF and Chubb. Kamara needs 83 yards to reach 1k total yards from scrimmage and 1 td for double digits.
This next season will be one where the Vols will have to deal with being hunted by every team we face up until Bama. That includes UF. UF, will limp into next season potentially getting smashed in its last 3 games. Depending on their NFL defections this spring, they may not have the same ability to rely on a defense to keep some games close while they wait for Franks to get up to speed or wait for Grier to get back.
Point is this is a team that will finally have the depth at the positions we need it to truly be a deep team.
No doomsday scenario of what happens if Dobbs goes down. With Kelly, Aimes,and Young in the backfield, we have depth and talent in positions. Between Brooks, Pope, Jakob Johnson, and Creamer, I am confident TE play can better. Of course, we have to show we are committed to an offense that nows what a TE is.
At OL, everyone is back that started except Kerbyson. That's a big loss. Imagine saying you wish we had Kerbyson at LT for another year. But, the bodies and experience are there to make this OL really good. Guard play should be spectacular. I am looking forward to seeing what a rotation of Thomas/Raulerson get to do at Center.
On defense, we honestly don't lose a single person of note from the 2015 season. We got 1.25 games out of Maggitt this year. Otherwise, we get a healthy Richmond back. Redshirt top 250 talents in Taylor and Butcher. Throw in the crazy development of Corey Vereen, and you have a unit to really look forward to in 2016. Still have to include Lewis and Mixon in that mix. I think those are 2 guys that with another year can add some weight and rotate with Phillips as quick DTs on passing downs. If Austin Smith steps up, he takes over Maggitt's role full time. That doesn't even include Kongbo.
At DT, Shy, Kahlil, O'brien, Alexis Johnson, Picou, and Vickers sound really nice as a DT rotation. IF we can add Derrick Brown to that mix and Giles shows up more ready (Still RS IMO), you talking a rotation almost on par the Bamas and Florida States of the world.
The LB unit will be solid. Kirkland and Maybin will be two of the tops in the SEC. The true improvement comes from finding someone up to play the SAM spot and make a difference. I think Bates, McDowell, Bynum, Jumper, and Sapp will be up for playing backup to those 2. But, we really need Smith to step up and own the SAM position.
Corner should be pretty damn good if Sutton is back. Between Martin and Moseley, a good SEC corner should come out of the spring to man the other spot. IF DJ Henderson is up for corner, you have a good rotation. Also, Osborne will be here early. Don't discount the possibility of seeing him a good bit (for a backup) early. Foreman may also be able to play corner as a backup depending on how nickel shakes.
Nickel play is all about Gaulden. If his health is what it should be, we finally have an elite type guy at Nickel. I also think Abernathy will be in the mix with Foreman for the 2nd spot there. He is a bigger guy who should provide better run support. He also showed up on coverage teams. As a former RB, he will be physical.
Safety is the weakest spot on the field IMO. Kelly and Berry have promise. But, neither have put together a season at Safety where they showed themselves to ready for the next step. Kelly is gonna be a good one though. Micah Abernathy, Griffin, and maybe Warrior will round out that rotation. This group still has the ability to be a standout unit.
Townsend should be close to an All American returning. And Medley regained his Freshman form late in the season. No need to mention return units. Best in the nation by far.
Setting the bar at 10-2 right now. In the Spring, I'm looking for a LT to win the spot outright (no bracketed starters). Berry and Kelly will leave the Spring as safety starters. Anything else and its a problem. I would love to see Bryant win the backup MLB spot. We need Austin Smith's name to pop up a lot similar to what we heard from a guy like Maybin coming off his Freshman campaign. I expect to hear a lot from the Juco's George, Johnson, and Henderson. How ready they will be in Bristol will be in the air however. Gonna be a fun year to be a vol.
I purposely left off the WR group as I don't know how they plan on being used going forward.
I think this will be a team with more steam after this season than last year. Dobbs was a darkhorse last year after half a season. After 3,000 yards and close to 30 TDs against 8 or so turnovers, it will be louder. I also think Hurd and his 1k yard season will be from under the shadow of LF and Chubb. Kamara needs 83 yards to reach 1k total yards from scrimmage and 1 td for double digits.
This next season will be one where the Vols will have to deal with being hunted by every team we face up until Bama. That includes UF. UF, will limp into next season potentially getting smashed in its last 3 games. Depending on their NFL defections this spring, they may not have the same ability to rely on a defense to keep some games close while they wait for Franks to get up to speed or wait for Grier to get back.
Point is this is a team that will finally have the depth at the positions we need it to truly be a deep team.
No doomsday scenario of what happens if Dobbs goes down. With Kelly, Aimes,and Young in the backfield, we have depth and talent in positions. Between Brooks, Pope, Jakob Johnson, and Creamer, I am confident TE play can better. Of course, we have to show we are committed to an offense that nows what a TE is.
At OL, everyone is back that started except Kerbyson. That's a big loss. Imagine saying you wish we had Kerbyson at LT for another year. But, the bodies and experience are there to make this OL really good. Guard play should be spectacular. I am looking forward to seeing what a rotation of Thomas/Raulerson get to do at Center.
On defense, we honestly don't lose a single person of note from the 2015 season. We got 1.25 games out of Maggitt this year. Otherwise, we get a healthy Richmond back. Redshirt top 250 talents in Taylor and Butcher. Throw in the crazy development of Corey Vereen, and you have a unit to really look forward to in 2016. Still have to include Lewis and Mixon in that mix. I think those are 2 guys that with another year can add some weight and rotate with Phillips as quick DTs on passing downs. If Austin Smith steps up, he takes over Maggitt's role full time. That doesn't even include Kongbo.
At DT, Shy, Kahlil, O'brien, Alexis Johnson, Picou, and Vickers sound really nice as a DT rotation. IF we can add Derrick Brown to that mix and Giles shows up more ready (Still RS IMO), you talking a rotation almost on par the Bamas and Florida States of the world.
The LB unit will be solid. Kirkland and Maybin will be two of the tops in the SEC. The true improvement comes from finding someone up to play the SAM spot and make a difference. I think Bates, McDowell, Bynum, Jumper, and Sapp will be up for playing backup to those 2. But, we really need Smith to step up and own the SAM position.
Corner should be pretty damn good if Sutton is back. Between Martin and Moseley, a good SEC corner should come out of the spring to man the other spot. IF DJ Henderson is up for corner, you have a good rotation. Also, Osborne will be here early. Don't discount the possibility of seeing him a good bit (for a backup) early. Foreman may also be able to play corner as a backup depending on how nickel shakes.
Nickel play is all about Gaulden. If his health is what it should be, we finally have an elite type guy at Nickel. I also think Abernathy will be in the mix with Foreman for the 2nd spot there. He is a bigger guy who should provide better run support. He also showed up on coverage teams. As a former RB, he will be physical.
Safety is the weakest spot on the field IMO. Kelly and Berry have promise. But, neither have put together a season at Safety where they showed themselves to ready for the next step. Kelly is gonna be a good one though. Micah Abernathy, Griffin, and maybe Warrior will round out that rotation. This group still has the ability to be a standout unit.
Townsend should be close to an All American returning. And Medley regained his Freshman form late in the season. No need to mention return units. Best in the nation by far.
Setting the bar at 10-2 right now. In the Spring, I'm looking for a LT to win the spot outright (no bracketed starters). Berry and Kelly will leave the Spring as safety starters. Anything else and its a problem. I would love to see Bryant win the backup MLB spot. We need Austin Smith's name to pop up a lot similar to what we heard from a guy like Maybin coming off his Freshman campaign. I expect to hear a lot from the Juco's George, Johnson, and Henderson. How ready they will be in Bristol will be in the air however. Gonna be a fun year to be a vol.
I purposely left off the WR group as I don't know how they plan on being used going forward.
