Thought I would stop by and talk some football as we build up to the biggest game in CFB history. I'll give you guys a quick position-by-position breakdown of the Vols, would like to hear your thoughts on Tennessee and info on your Hokies is much appreciated as well.
QUARTERBACK: Josh Dobbs is a 3 year starter and is a good player. He is careful with the football, as evidenced by only throwing 5 INT's in 2015. But he only threw 15 TD's... Our passing game isn't great and many think Dobbs inability as a passer has something to do with that. At 6'4 220 He is a strong and elusive runner. Our read option and QB powers are bread and butter for Tennessee. Behind Dobbs is 4* sophomore Quiton Dormady. Better arm than Dobbs but obviously less experienced and not near the runner.
RUNNINGBACK: Jalen Hurd is 6'4 240 and only needs 900 yards to be come
Tennessee's all time leading rusher. He is a versatile back and hard to bring down in space. His weakness has been top end speed. He has a ton of runs that are the 8-12 yard range but lacks the ability to take it to the house. Alvin Kamara is option 1A and is more of an all-purpose back. He is very hard to tackle and has a little more wiggle than Hurd. Kamara catches the ball as well as any RB in the country. Tennessee's 3rd string RB is Sophomore John Kelly. The staff seems to trust him and think he will be a solid SEC back.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Return 4/5 starters from 2015. Depth is good and most think we have 8 or 9 guys who can play. I would be disappointed in this group if they aren't a strength of the team.
WIDERECEIVER: As pointed out with the quarterback write-up, the passing game isn't great. We do have a lot of talent at WR though. 5*'s Preston Williams and Josh Malone have all the tools, incoming 4* freshman Marquez Callaway and Tyler Byrd look good in camp... But most Vol fan's will be taking a wait and see approach to the passing game. A lot of potential but not much production to date.
TIGHTEND: Ethan Wolfe is a 3rd year starter and a good player. He needs to be more physical blocking though. Converted WR Jason Croom is 6'4 248 and looks like a match-up problem. He hasn't played a game at TE yet though so we shall see. Tennessee usually has 1 or 2 TEs on the field at a time. H-Back Jakob Johnson should see time as well.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Group is led by Derek Barnett. The junior has 20 sacks to date and many think he is a top 15 pick in the next NFL draft. Depth at DE is plentiful. Our DC says we have 7 guys who he thinks can play. Corey Vereen is undersized but productive. Former 5* Kyle Phillips should have a breakout sophomore season. A lot of anticipation of what 5* Jonathan Kongbo will look like as well. At 6'6 280, he's pretty, but how long will it take to play well at the P5 level.
Tennesseee is a little thin at DT depth wise but should be fine. Group will be led by former 5* Kahlil McKenzie. A couple gritty veterans in this group as well. Sophomore DT Shy Tuttle is probably to most talented DT on roster but there are questions about his health. He broke is leg against Georgia last season. I don't anticipate any contributions from Tuttle vs VT.
LINEBACKER: Jaylen Reeves-Maybin is special. He's a little undersized but his production is off the charts. Sophomore Mike Darrin Kirkland Jr is also a little undersized but a really good player as well. Kirkland probably has a higher ceiling than JRM. Both guys can really run. Not sure I would trade starting LBs with anyone in the country. Depth is good at Will, Mike depth is questionable. We do not play a Sam very often.
DEFENSIVE BACK: CB Cam Sutton has 1st round potential and is a 4 year starter. Depth is good across the board. Our base is a 4-2-5 so opponents will see a lot of DBs. We have recruited well and talent is plentiful. I think S Todd Kelly Jr will have a solid year. Most think S Rashaun Gaulden starts and is a playmaker as well. 6'2 Junior, Justin Martin, has a ton of potential but has not played much CB in his career. Vol fans are excited to see how he develops this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Our kick return units were special in 2015. I believe Tennessee had 7 kicks returned for TDs. Evan Berry on KOR and Cam Sutton on PR.
Hope this write up is well received. Tell me about your Hokies.
QUARTERBACK: Josh Dobbs is a 3 year starter and is a good player. He is careful with the football, as evidenced by only throwing 5 INT's in 2015. But he only threw 15 TD's... Our passing game isn't great and many think Dobbs inability as a passer has something to do with that. At 6'4 220 He is a strong and elusive runner. Our read option and QB powers are bread and butter for Tennessee. Behind Dobbs is 4* sophomore Quiton Dormady. Better arm than Dobbs but obviously less experienced and not near the runner.
RUNNINGBACK: Jalen Hurd is 6'4 240 and only needs 900 yards to be come
Tennessee's all time leading rusher. He is a versatile back and hard to bring down in space. His weakness has been top end speed. He has a ton of runs that are the 8-12 yard range but lacks the ability to take it to the house. Alvin Kamara is option 1A and is more of an all-purpose back. He is very hard to tackle and has a little more wiggle than Hurd. Kamara catches the ball as well as any RB in the country. Tennessee's 3rd string RB is Sophomore John Kelly. The staff seems to trust him and think he will be a solid SEC back.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Return 4/5 starters from 2015. Depth is good and most think we have 8 or 9 guys who can play. I would be disappointed in this group if they aren't a strength of the team.
WIDERECEIVER: As pointed out with the quarterback write-up, the passing game isn't great. We do have a lot of talent at WR though. 5*'s Preston Williams and Josh Malone have all the tools, incoming 4* freshman Marquez Callaway and Tyler Byrd look good in camp... But most Vol fan's will be taking a wait and see approach to the passing game. A lot of potential but not much production to date.
TIGHTEND: Ethan Wolfe is a 3rd year starter and a good player. He needs to be more physical blocking though. Converted WR Jason Croom is 6'4 248 and looks like a match-up problem. He hasn't played a game at TE yet though so we shall see. Tennessee usually has 1 or 2 TEs on the field at a time. H-Back Jakob Johnson should see time as well.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Group is led by Derek Barnett. The junior has 20 sacks to date and many think he is a top 15 pick in the next NFL draft. Depth at DE is plentiful. Our DC says we have 7 guys who he thinks can play. Corey Vereen is undersized but productive. Former 5* Kyle Phillips should have a breakout sophomore season. A lot of anticipation of what 5* Jonathan Kongbo will look like as well. At 6'6 280, he's pretty, but how long will it take to play well at the P5 level.
Tennesseee is a little thin at DT depth wise but should be fine. Group will be led by former 5* Kahlil McKenzie. A couple gritty veterans in this group as well. Sophomore DT Shy Tuttle is probably to most talented DT on roster but there are questions about his health. He broke is leg against Georgia last season. I don't anticipate any contributions from Tuttle vs VT.
LINEBACKER: Jaylen Reeves-Maybin is special. He's a little undersized but his production is off the charts. Sophomore Mike Darrin Kirkland Jr is also a little undersized but a really good player as well. Kirkland probably has a higher ceiling than JRM. Both guys can really run. Not sure I would trade starting LBs with anyone in the country. Depth is good at Will, Mike depth is questionable. We do not play a Sam very often.
DEFENSIVE BACK: CB Cam Sutton has 1st round potential and is a 4 year starter. Depth is good across the board. Our base is a 4-2-5 so opponents will see a lot of DBs. We have recruited well and talent is plentiful. I think S Todd Kelly Jr will have a solid year. Most think S Rashaun Gaulden starts and is a playmaker as well. 6'2 Junior, Justin Martin, has a ton of potential but has not played much CB in his career. Vol fans are excited to see how he develops this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Our kick return units were special in 2015. I believe Tennessee had 7 kicks returned for TDs. Evan Berry on KOR and Cam Sutton on PR.
Hope this write up is well received. Tell me about your Hokies.
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