Similar to last year and maybe the year before, here is my ranking of our players in terms of football talent (roughly how the guys project to the NFL, from my present knowledge/perspective). With 85 guys listed and one of them being Paul Bain, I almost think I may have left off 1 scholarship guy. Feel free to tell me where I am an idiot. I may have overlooked some things.
1 Trey Smith (OL) - Yes, he's a freshman, but he's an almost certain game 1 start…Rivals had rating wrong a bit, even if sticks at OG not OT
2 John Kelly (RB) - Gonna be an NFL running back; should have ~1,200 rushing yards this year with pretty decent health. Must protect ball.
3 Jauan Jennings (WR) - Flat out playmaker, looking back at a few plays from his freshman year, his quickness seemed to be hampered as Soph
4 Darrin Kirkland Jr. (LB) - We may have almost forgotten just how much promise he showed as a true freshman
5 Nigel Warrior (S) - Apparently his talent is clearly visible. Once mental part of the game is locked down, watch out
6 Evan Berry (KR/S) - Ranking this high is due to his KR skills
7 Jonathan Kongbo (DE) - Frame and athleticism are simply freaky…..hunch that lack of fall camp buzz has been intentional
8 Jarrett Guarantano (QB) - Yes, I have him ranked ahead of QD but still think QD makes sense as the starter for 2017
9 Shy Tuttle (DT) - Higher if not for the injuries
10 Ty Chandler (RB) - Early hype seems to confirm that he has a chance to really be special
11 Rashaan Gaulden (Nickel/DB) - Could be a real wild card for this year's team in terms of exceeding expectations
12 Darrell Taylor (DE) - #WGWTFA….up over 255 lbs now, should still have a lot of the athleticism from being a HS WR
13 Justin Martin (CB) - Finally developing into his potential, as the clear #1 CB for this team
14 Quentin Dormady (QB) - Is he going to have a Trubisky-esque year, doubtful, but I think he'll be quite good as our starter, ~26:8 TD:Int ratio
15 Khalil McKenzie (DT) - Should take a bit step forward this season, hopefully he stays fully healthy all year
16 Kyle Phillips (DE) - Gotta stay healthy to be listed higher
17 Jashon Robertson (OL) - Playing center this year could be huge for his NFL stock
18 Drew Richmond (LT) - Seems to have a firm hold on the LT spot, despite possible 1-game suspension
19 Trevor Daniel (P) - Beast of a punter; will have a nice NFL career; can't bring myself to putting a punter any higher
20 Marcus Tatum (OT) - Yeah, he remains a bit undersized, but to be competing for a spot the way he has, he has to have a lot of talent
21 Jack Jones (OL) - Simply a ball-player
22 Tyler Byrd (WR) - Still learning WR….may but out bigtime around midseason
23 Matthew Butler (DL) - Hunch that this kid was quite underrated. Seems to have a great attitude
24 Todd Kelly Jr. (S) - Hopefully picked up a touch of speed, makes a lot of big plays
25 Micah Abernathy (S) - Nice player, got hurt a bit last year
26 Chance Hall (OT) - Hate that he has been hurt so much…..fully healthy, he'd be top-10 on here, but those knees
27 Brandon Johnson (WR) - Had him far too low on the list last year……….. those bloodlines (Uncle Ocho/Daddy Charles)
28 Quarte Sapp (LB) - Big wild card for how good our defense can ultimately be this season
29 Marquez Callaway (WR) - Wears #1 now, hopefully he can live up to it. Seems to be really smooth
30 Josh Palmer (WR) - Must be a baller to have earned rotation spot so early
31 Coleman Thomas (OL) - Interesting to see how his role fits for Team 121….if he doesn't play against GT, maybe a RS? Only 21 years old
32 Ethan Wolf (TE) - Hands need to be more sure and needs to be tougher as a blocker to be higher
33 Shawn Shamburger (CB) - Making a real name for himself early, but is a bit old for a frosh
34 Kendal Vickers (DT) - He has worked really hard, and developed into a good football player. Has a pretty solid NFL chance.
35 Theo Jackson (S/PR) - Early on, sounds like he'll be a good player for us
36 Daniel Bituli (LB) - Physical ability seems to be there completely
37 Shaq Wiggins (CB) - Would have liked to have heard more clearly that he had locked down a spot…..not too tall
38 Tim Jordan (RB) - Sounds like he might have been a real steal for us (RR of 5.3?)
39 Venzell Boulware (OG) - Most years from 2008-2016, him this year would have been a no-brainer starter on the OL for the Vols
40 Brett Kendrick (OL) - Big-time bench press numbers, may have a shot at the NFL as a utility guy
41 Austin Smith (LB/DE) - Hoped to hear more about him this preseason…..maybe silence has been on purpose?
42 Josh Smith (WR) - Inability to stay healthy keeps him lower on this listing
43 Will Ignont (LB) - Early moves are a good sign; this may be too low
44 Cortez McDowell (LB) - Has been really good on special teams for us
45 Alexis Johnson (DT) - Looks pretty intimidating getting off the bus, hopefully the 4-star rating translates to the field
46 LaTrell Bumphus (TE) - Seems to have all the tools to be a good TE
47 Cheyenne Labruzza (CB) - J.J. McCleskey seems pretty high on him, so I have him up somewhat far on this list
48 Maleik Gray (S) - Not much preseason buzz, but still giving him benefit of doubt for 4-star status
49 Kivon Bennett (DT) - Great bloodlines. Really young for a true freshman
50 Latrell Williams (WR) - Sleeper big-time playmaker for Team 121, IMO
51 Jordan Murphy (WR) - Haven't heard much yet, but should be a pretty good player
52 Eman Moseley (CB) - Needs to finally show some of the elite speed he allegedly had out of HS
53 Deandre Johnson (DE) - If he's earned the #4 DE spot as a freshman, that is pretty good (RR of 5.5?)
54 Eric Crosby (DT) - Work to do on his body, but seems to have great strength already
55 Shannon Reid (LB) - Seemed to make a good impression in the spring (RR of 5.5?)
56 Devante Brooks - Not sure if he'll be able to overcome the injuries and break into the rotation
57 Marquill Osborne (CB) - Disappointing that he isn't more in the mix to be a starter as highly ranked as he was
58 K'Rojhn Calbert (OT) - All the tools, if health can cooperate
59 Quay Picou (DT) - Should be a solid member of the rotation
60 Riley Locklear (OL) - Should have a chance to develop into a good OL
61 Terrell Bailey (DB) - Know very little about him, but giving benefit of the doubt due to his 4-stars
62 Jakob Johnson (TE) - I think he will make some key contributions this season as the 2nd TE/H-Back
63 Will McBride (QB) - Think he will turn out to be a lot better than many would have guessed
64 Nathan Niehaus - May have pretty solid potential but just remain stuck behind really good players; could envision him considering a future transfer for PT
65 Trey Coleman (RB) - With Chandler and Jordan, will have to really fight for a chance
66 Ryan Johnson (OL) - As a versatile OL, may present some good value for us down the road
67 Ja'Quain Blakely (DE) - Converted from LB, no real expectations for him from me
68 Jeff George - We'll see if he can make any plays this year
69 Colton Jumper (LB) - Not sure he has much NFL chance, but he's developed into a decent SEC player
70 Baylen Buchanan (CB) - Early playing time has subsequently faded to obscurity
71 Elliot Berry (LB) - Smart kid, but apparently not quite as blessed speed-wise as Eric and Evan
72 Dillon Bates (LB) - Seems to lack the passion for football
73 Ryan Thaxton (DE) - Apparently passed the eye test pretty well
74 Eli Wolfe (TE) - Guessing the scholarship was well-earned, sounds like he is ahead of Pope
75 Paul Bain (DT) - Seemed to make several plays before he was hurt when he was pressed into action
76 Carlin Fils-Aime (RB) - Austin Price asks, where is the wiggle?
77 Jacquez Jones (WR) - Hopefully he has some serious speed to go with the 5-10 165-lb frame
78 Riley Lovingood (LS) - even though he is this low, if he is good he could make money playing this game as a specialist
79 Solon Page (LB) - Too early to know much
80 Austin Pope (TE) - Hasn't seemed to push for PT any yet
81 Brent Cimaglia (K) - Pushing Medley already is a lot better than Medley having no challenge
82 James Brown (TE) - Little expectation for him and haven't heard anything yet to change that thinking
83 Aaron Medley (K) - Has yet to be consistent from 40+ yards, pretty good KOS though
84 Princeton Fant (TE) - not sure how long it will take him to fully recover from HS injuries
85 D.J. Henderson (DB) - Never here much about him. No expectations of him contributing much
1 Trey Smith (OL) - Yes, he's a freshman, but he's an almost certain game 1 start…Rivals had rating wrong a bit, even if sticks at OG not OT
2 John Kelly (RB) - Gonna be an NFL running back; should have ~1,200 rushing yards this year with pretty decent health. Must protect ball.
3 Jauan Jennings (WR) - Flat out playmaker, looking back at a few plays from his freshman year, his quickness seemed to be hampered as Soph
4 Darrin Kirkland Jr. (LB) - We may have almost forgotten just how much promise he showed as a true freshman
5 Nigel Warrior (S) - Apparently his talent is clearly visible. Once mental part of the game is locked down, watch out
6 Evan Berry (KR/S) - Ranking this high is due to his KR skills
7 Jonathan Kongbo (DE) - Frame and athleticism are simply freaky…..hunch that lack of fall camp buzz has been intentional
8 Jarrett Guarantano (QB) - Yes, I have him ranked ahead of QD but still think QD makes sense as the starter for 2017
9 Shy Tuttle (DT) - Higher if not for the injuries
10 Ty Chandler (RB) - Early hype seems to confirm that he has a chance to really be special
11 Rashaan Gaulden (Nickel/DB) - Could be a real wild card for this year's team in terms of exceeding expectations
12 Darrell Taylor (DE) - #WGWTFA….up over 255 lbs now, should still have a lot of the athleticism from being a HS WR
13 Justin Martin (CB) - Finally developing into his potential, as the clear #1 CB for this team
14 Quentin Dormady (QB) - Is he going to have a Trubisky-esque year, doubtful, but I think he'll be quite good as our starter, ~26:8 TD:Int ratio
15 Khalil McKenzie (DT) - Should take a bit step forward this season, hopefully he stays fully healthy all year
16 Kyle Phillips (DE) - Gotta stay healthy to be listed higher
17 Jashon Robertson (OL) - Playing center this year could be huge for his NFL stock
18 Drew Richmond (LT) - Seems to have a firm hold on the LT spot, despite possible 1-game suspension
19 Trevor Daniel (P) - Beast of a punter; will have a nice NFL career; can't bring myself to putting a punter any higher
20 Marcus Tatum (OT) - Yeah, he remains a bit undersized, but to be competing for a spot the way he has, he has to have a lot of talent
21 Jack Jones (OL) - Simply a ball-player
22 Tyler Byrd (WR) - Still learning WR….may but out bigtime around midseason
23 Matthew Butler (DL) - Hunch that this kid was quite underrated. Seems to have a great attitude
24 Todd Kelly Jr. (S) - Hopefully picked up a touch of speed, makes a lot of big plays
25 Micah Abernathy (S) - Nice player, got hurt a bit last year
26 Chance Hall (OT) - Hate that he has been hurt so much…..fully healthy, he'd be top-10 on here, but those knees
27 Brandon Johnson (WR) - Had him far too low on the list last year……….. those bloodlines (Uncle Ocho/Daddy Charles)
28 Quarte Sapp (LB) - Big wild card for how good our defense can ultimately be this season
29 Marquez Callaway (WR) - Wears #1 now, hopefully he can live up to it. Seems to be really smooth
30 Josh Palmer (WR) - Must be a baller to have earned rotation spot so early
31 Coleman Thomas (OL) - Interesting to see how his role fits for Team 121….if he doesn't play against GT, maybe a RS? Only 21 years old
32 Ethan Wolf (TE) - Hands need to be more sure and needs to be tougher as a blocker to be higher
33 Shawn Shamburger (CB) - Making a real name for himself early, but is a bit old for a frosh
34 Kendal Vickers (DT) - He has worked really hard, and developed into a good football player. Has a pretty solid NFL chance.
35 Theo Jackson (S/PR) - Early on, sounds like he'll be a good player for us
36 Daniel Bituli (LB) - Physical ability seems to be there completely
37 Shaq Wiggins (CB) - Would have liked to have heard more clearly that he had locked down a spot…..not too tall
38 Tim Jordan (RB) - Sounds like he might have been a real steal for us (RR of 5.3?)
39 Venzell Boulware (OG) - Most years from 2008-2016, him this year would have been a no-brainer starter on the OL for the Vols
40 Brett Kendrick (OL) - Big-time bench press numbers, may have a shot at the NFL as a utility guy
41 Austin Smith (LB/DE) - Hoped to hear more about him this preseason…..maybe silence has been on purpose?
42 Josh Smith (WR) - Inability to stay healthy keeps him lower on this listing
43 Will Ignont (LB) - Early moves are a good sign; this may be too low
44 Cortez McDowell (LB) - Has been really good on special teams for us
45 Alexis Johnson (DT) - Looks pretty intimidating getting off the bus, hopefully the 4-star rating translates to the field
46 LaTrell Bumphus (TE) - Seems to have all the tools to be a good TE
47 Cheyenne Labruzza (CB) - J.J. McCleskey seems pretty high on him, so I have him up somewhat far on this list
48 Maleik Gray (S) - Not much preseason buzz, but still giving him benefit of doubt for 4-star status
49 Kivon Bennett (DT) - Great bloodlines. Really young for a true freshman
50 Latrell Williams (WR) - Sleeper big-time playmaker for Team 121, IMO
51 Jordan Murphy (WR) - Haven't heard much yet, but should be a pretty good player
52 Eman Moseley (CB) - Needs to finally show some of the elite speed he allegedly had out of HS
53 Deandre Johnson (DE) - If he's earned the #4 DE spot as a freshman, that is pretty good (RR of 5.5?)
54 Eric Crosby (DT) - Work to do on his body, but seems to have great strength already
55 Shannon Reid (LB) - Seemed to make a good impression in the spring (RR of 5.5?)
56 Devante Brooks - Not sure if he'll be able to overcome the injuries and break into the rotation
57 Marquill Osborne (CB) - Disappointing that he isn't more in the mix to be a starter as highly ranked as he was
58 K'Rojhn Calbert (OT) - All the tools, if health can cooperate
59 Quay Picou (DT) - Should be a solid member of the rotation
60 Riley Locklear (OL) - Should have a chance to develop into a good OL
61 Terrell Bailey (DB) - Know very little about him, but giving benefit of the doubt due to his 4-stars
62 Jakob Johnson (TE) - I think he will make some key contributions this season as the 2nd TE/H-Back
63 Will McBride (QB) - Think he will turn out to be a lot better than many would have guessed
64 Nathan Niehaus - May have pretty solid potential but just remain stuck behind really good players; could envision him considering a future transfer for PT
65 Trey Coleman (RB) - With Chandler and Jordan, will have to really fight for a chance
66 Ryan Johnson (OL) - As a versatile OL, may present some good value for us down the road
67 Ja'Quain Blakely (DE) - Converted from LB, no real expectations for him from me
68 Jeff George - We'll see if he can make any plays this year
69 Colton Jumper (LB) - Not sure he has much NFL chance, but he's developed into a decent SEC player
70 Baylen Buchanan (CB) - Early playing time has subsequently faded to obscurity
71 Elliot Berry (LB) - Smart kid, but apparently not quite as blessed speed-wise as Eric and Evan
72 Dillon Bates (LB) - Seems to lack the passion for football
73 Ryan Thaxton (DE) - Apparently passed the eye test pretty well
74 Eli Wolfe (TE) - Guessing the scholarship was well-earned, sounds like he is ahead of Pope
75 Paul Bain (DT) - Seemed to make several plays before he was hurt when he was pressed into action
76 Carlin Fils-Aime (RB) - Austin Price asks, where is the wiggle?
77 Jacquez Jones (WR) - Hopefully he has some serious speed to go with the 5-10 165-lb frame
78 Riley Lovingood (LS) - even though he is this low, if he is good he could make money playing this game as a specialist
79 Solon Page (LB) - Too early to know much
80 Austin Pope (TE) - Hasn't seemed to push for PT any yet
81 Brent Cimaglia (K) - Pushing Medley already is a lot better than Medley having no challenge
82 James Brown (TE) - Little expectation for him and haven't heard anything yet to change that thinking
83 Aaron Medley (K) - Has yet to be consistent from 40+ yards, pretty good KOS though
84 Princeton Fant (TE) - not sure how long it will take him to fully recover from HS injuries
85 D.J. Henderson (DB) - Never here much about him. No expectations of him contributing much
