Eric Crosby, 6-1, 325 - Crosby enrolled at Tennessee a bit overweight and not quite ready to help out, so he redshirted last season. He started off spring practice this year working at nose guard, but roughly midway through spring ball he was moved to the offensive line, specifically at guard. Crosby was wildly athletic for his size, getting work at running back in high school mostly as a goal line option. He displayed good athleticism that allowed him to be a disruptive force off the defensive line while also having the size to impose his will. He seems likely to be able to hold up to double teams, but his future position will need to be settled and his weight managed.
Greg Emerson, 6-3, 310 - A high school defensive end who has outgrown the tradition 4-3 mold, he could probably handle his business at a nose or defensive end in the 3-4. He has surprising athleticism for his size and is a dynamic defender...or he was prior to a serious injury the summer before his senior season. He wasn't his old self this spring, and he was moved to offensive line to help with depth issues on that side of the ball. That move hasn't been made permanent yet, so it's hard to say if he's a defensive end, nose guard, or an offensive guard. Once he's healthy and fall camp arrives, such decisions will be made, but if he's back to his old self on defense it would be hard to justify moving him to offense.
Emmit Gooden, 6-4, 315 - This young man is just a football player in every single sense. In high school, he had 213 tackles, 81 tackles for loss, and 24.5 sacks in three seasons. In the JUCO ranks, he had 136 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks in two seasons. He's big, but he's also athletic and makes it so interior linemen can't handle his quickness and edge defenders aren't used to his strength. Odds are that he's going to end up as a nose guard at this point as he continues to add wieght over 300 pounds, but he is likely still capable of playing end if that's where he can help most. All that said, his technique still needs work, but until now it hasn't held him back as his skill set is simply so good that blockers rarely get the better of him.
Kingston Harris, 6-3, 290 - Harris is another who might also be able to help out at end, but he definitely looks like a future nose guard. Harris is as strong as a bull and can jam up blockers in the hole, but he's not exactly as athletic as an Emerson or Gooden. He's a nose, through and through. His skill set fits the role perfectly. Although he may not be the quickest interior defensive lineman, he was fairly productive in a loaded high school program like IMG Academy, producing 133 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks in 30 games played for a school that is essentially a major college feeder school. How good was the defensive line he was a part of? Well, the guys he played on the defensive line with either committed or signed with Georgia Tech, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, and even a defensive tackle who finished his senior season with all of 3 tackles is heading to Chattanooga to play (although that player in question only spent his senior season with IMG and had been a starter at his previous school). Yeah, the group was that good.
Alexis Johnson, 6-4, 308 - Upon joining the Vols out of the JUCO ranks, he had several setbacks, some self-inflicted, that held him back as a true junior. This led to him redshirting. Last season, he became a regular in the rotation for the Vols. Last season, he had 14 tackles and 2 sacks in 11 games played, which was a small sample of what he showed he could do during his stop at Fort Scott CC. There, he had 87 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks, but that hasn't translated fully to the SEC level yet. Still, he provides a valuable and experienced backup option. He's not the most disruptive interior defensive lineman, but he's sound and capable. He'll likely get his minutes this season.
Brant Lawless, 6-3, 290 - This is one I'm not so sure won't end up at end. He's likely athletic enough to do it and he is a disruptive force, producing an average of 40 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks during his four seasons in high school. He's everything you want an interior defensive lineman to be: big enough to use a swim move, stout enough to hold up at the point of attack and control leverage, strong enough to keep blockers off of him, and quick enough to make plays in the backfield. Of course, that's why he had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and LSU just to name a few. Lawless probably still hasn't reached his full potential yet either. His technique is still on the raw side and he will benefit greatly from time in a collegiate strength and conditioning program. I wouldn't bet against him finding a spot in the rotation somewhere on the defensive line.
Shy Tuttle, 6-2, 311 - Last season was the healthiest one of Shy Tuttle's Tennessee career so far, having essentially missed a season's worth of games over his first two seasons. In 2017, Tuttle was able to play in 10 games, almost as many as he played in his first two seasons overall. He also started four games and had his most productive season to this point with 27 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. It gets better though as he looked even healthier this spring once he got past some early conditioning issues. Tuttle is the expected starter for this season, but someone like Gooden could easily push him for the job if he shows up in good football shape.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Position Breakdown: Offensive Line
I don't normally want to put a disclaimer in front of these articles other than the first and last in a series, but I will do so this time. Currently it's unclear if Greg Emerson will remain on the offensive line, and we have little info on him at that spot, so for now I will treat him as someone likely to remain on defense until further notice. Same for Eric Crosby. As long as their position remains uncertain, I'll roll with their original position for the time being for the sake of simplicity since neither played much offensive line in high school, if any.
Tanner Antonutti, 6-5, 279 - Antonutti is a former tight end in high school who has outgrown the position and is now destined to find a home on the offensive line, likely at tackle given his athleticism. As a tight end, he was first and foremost a blocker, so the transition probably won't be as difficult as it might be for some others who served primarily as a receiver. His biggest challenge will be growing into his new role physically, but once on campus it's possible he will add on weight fast as he enters a collegiate strength and conditioning program along with the nutritional plan they will no doubt put him on. A redshirt season is needed here, and barring injuries forcing him into action I expect that redshirt season to come in 2018.
Devante Brooks, 6-5, 295 - Brooks weighed in at 282 last season, but after being forced into action due to injuries and finding himself physically behind many defenders, I fully expect him to be dedicated to adding strength and weight for the upcoming season. A high school tight end who had struggled with injuries before arriving in Knoxville, he quickly moved to offensive line as it became apparent that he had lost some athleticism through the knee injuries. Brooks played in the last four games of the season last year as injuries forced pretty much everyone on the roster listed as an offensive lineman onto the field at some point. He struggled in those four games starting at right tackle, but that experience should prove valuable the next time he gets on the field.
K'Rojhn Calbert, 6-5, 318 - Calbert had to redshirt last year due to injury, but he had as much upside as anyone the Vols added in the 2017 class. Calbert hasn't played many seasons of football due to injuries, and last season he sat out while getting some lingering issues with those injuries cleaned up. Calbert is a big bodied offensive lineman who appears to be ready to contribute at guard with a bit of additional development. His raw athleticism and strength is elite, but his experience is so limited that his technique is underdeveloped. He's going to be a player to watch in 2018 as he fits the prototype of what the new staff wants their offensive linemen to look like.
Jerome Carvin, 6-4, 330 - The top ranked offensive lineman in the 2018 class, this early enrollee quickly started working with the starters. Carvin is a big man and he knows how to use his size and strength to push defenders around. His technique isn't refined yet, but that's normal for a young offensive lineman jumping from high school to college. Carvin saw time at both tackle and guard this spring, and he's certainly capable of playing at either spot. For now, he appears most likely to land at tackle, but that could change if players like Chance Hall and Trey Smith are back at 100% by August. Carvin will be tough to keep off the field somewhere on the offensive line, in part because of how good he is and in part because the offensive line is on the thin side.
Chance Hall, 6-4, 321 - Hall was one of the Vols best on the offensive line when he was healthy. Unfortunately, good health has been fleeting the past couple seasons as injuries have cost him the better part of two seasons. Now he heads toward his redshirt junior season and there's a sense of cautious optimism that he will finally be healthy enough to return. When healthy, Hall is a road grader, clearing huge holes for the running backs to take advantage of. He's also a solid pass blocker, even if he's not necessarily elite in that capacity. Although he doesn't necessarily have the height typical of an offensive tackle, he does appear to have the long arms needed to handle his business on the edge. The question this coming season will be what impact the injuries have had on his athleticism, but there won't be any answer until he's finally able to get back in pads and begin the process of returning to football shape.
Jahmir Johnson, 6-5, 273 - Recently in an interview with 247Sports' Patrick Brown, Johnson revealed that he's a slim, trim 273. It goes without saying that he'll need to add weight before the season if he wants to play, and playing is something that this JUCO player was brought in to do. The staff has set a goal of adding 15-20 pounds this summer, an ambitious but achievable goal. If and when he's up to weight, Johnson is an athletic offensive tackle who can handle his business as both a pass and run blocker, but his size has been a bit of an issue in the past against bigger defenders. In the SEC, almost everyone is a "bigger" defender. Ultimately, this is a player to watch because the staff could desperately use his help but that won't be in the cards if he can't bulk up.
Ryan Johnson, 6-6, 305 - A former high school offensive tackle, Johnson has moved inside on the offensive line since joining the Vols. Last season, he played in all 12 games and started four as injuries began to pile up. In fact, in four starts, he started at three different spots: right guard, left guard, and center. That said, it's pretty clear that he could play at any of those three spots this coming season, and at this point it seems likely that he will start at one of those spots. Johnson was still developing last season, but he performed admirably at times for someone not expected to have to start. He seems to have taken some strides this spring and if that continues over the course of the summer, he could become a staple of the Vols' offensive line for the next three seasons.
Brandon Kennedy, 6-3, 314 - A good sized graduate transfer from Alabama, injuries limited his playing time some for the Tide, and then after being groomed initially as the future center for the Tide he saw former starting guard Ross Pierschbacher moved to center and take control of the starting job, prompting his graduation and transfer. Kennedy is a tactician and a very intelligent offensive lineman, but he isn't the mauler that the Tide typically prefers, which may have led to the changes. Don't expect him to suddenly become a monster on the inside either. That's simply not his game, which isn't to say that he's lacking physically. He simply prefers to outsmart the man across from him with superior technique and leverage. He can play center or either guard spot, and it's reasonable, with some of the Vols questions along the offensive line, to assume that he will find himself starting next season.
Ollie Lane, 6-5, 295 - A big offensive lineman made to clear the way in the interior of the offensive line. Lane is long and strong, ready to help out after he adds some SEC power to his skill set. Like Johnson, he can play any of the three interior spots. He finished the spring running with the second team at right guard, and considering his head was swimming this spring he's probably a candidate to redshirt this season as long as that remains an option due to injuries. Lane is country-strong rather than football strong right now, and in addition to developing him as a football player physically he needs development with the mental side of the game as well. He will be a big part of the offensive line in the future in all likelihood, but not necessarily this coming season.
Riley Locklear, 6-5, 304 - Locklear was the Ollie Lane of the 2017 cycle, a big, country-strong kid who still had learning to do before contributing at a high level in college. Also like Lane, he's an ideal fit as an interior lineman who can play any of the three interior spots. Hopefully where things go differently for Lane are on the redshirt front as Locklear's had to be burned due to the injury situation last November. He started the last two games at right guard after playing in the previous two at right guard as a reserve. It's hard to say whether or not Locklear can win a starting job this coming season, but he's probably as safe a bet as anyone at this point given his experience and versatility, which gives him a chance to win a job at a couple of spots, most likely at center or right guard.
Nathan Niehaus, 6-6, 291 - The ultimate unknown commodity on the roster. Niehaus has yet to play in a game in his first two seasons on campus, his first due to the need to add weight and strength and the second due to injury. That leaves expectations for him murky at best. It's unclear what he can do or where he best fits, but at his size he is likely to land at one of the tackle spots, and tentatively probably at left tackle where the picture got a little less clear with some concerns regarding Trey Smith (more on that later). Niehaus is still working to add weight, and at one time it had been discussed that he could be moved to tight end to add a bigger body at the position to help with blocking, so athleticism isn't generally considered to be an issue. Strength might be. The quicker Niehaus comes along, the better for the team, especially from a depth perspective.
Drew Richmond, 6-5, 312 - A former 5-star, Richmond heads into his redshirt junior season really feeling the crunch to do or die if he wants to continue to get starts. He's looked good at times, but he's yet to look good consistently. It's possible that a lot of that has had to do with coaching, but he absolutely must become a consistent force at left tackle. He's registered 13 starts in his 16 games played, but as a redshirt freshman he lost his job for a time before getting plugged back in once injuries placed him back into that role. Last season, Richmond had some health issues and served a suspension for the first game of the season, but even when he was healthy he never really showed the type of improvement everyone had hoped for after finishing 2016 strong. Now, he has a new staff to work with and a fresh start. For everyone's sake, here's hoping he makes the most of it.
Trey Smith, 6-6, 325 - Smith is everything you could ask for in an offensive tackle. He showed up at Tennessee already prepared to play at an elite level, and nothing he did last season countered that. Freshman All-American. All-SEC second team. He was one of the best offensive linemen in the best conference in college football as a true freshman. Having said all that, how is it possible I might think he could not be a starter this coming season? Well, there was a non-injury health issue that appears to have reared it's ugly head, and with specifics not having been disclosed at this point uncertainty abounds. It does sound like he's cleared to go through workouts this summer and there is cautious optimism that he will be available this coming season. If he is, he can play any spot with the possible exception of center. He can and will start somewhere if he's cleared to play.
Marcus Tatum, 6-6, 295 - Tatum is heading into his junior season with a few games under his belt, but he hasn't yet been able to lock down a job for good. Part of that has to do with a lean build that hasn't packed on weight easily, but this spring he looked bigger and better built than in seasons past. No longer did he look like a big tight end; he finally looked like a Power 5 offensive lineman. If Tatum was able to start when he was built like a tight end, it's reasonable to assume he will improve significantly with the added bulk and strength. He should be a candidate to start at right tackle, and he might be best positioned to do so heading into this season at this point, although if Jahmir Johnson is able to add weight he could be a potential competitor for the job. Trey Smith is also a candidate there.
A quick note on Greg Emerson and Eric Crosby: both worked at guard this spring when they were moved to that side of the ball. Both are likely capable of contributing on either the offensive or defensive line eventually, but neither is locked into a spot that I'm currently aware of, and Emerson certainly isn't. Emerson was still working to get back to his old self following an injury that cost him about nine months and his entire senior season. Crosby is coming off a redshirt season and had some weight issues coming in as a freshman. His weight appears to be in a better place, but at 6-1 he gives up some length on the defensive line, making it hard to get separation and beat blocks. Guard may ultimately serve him well, but until a final decision is made on these two I'll go into them further when I cover the defensive line.
Tanner Antonutti, 6-5, 279 - Antonutti is a former tight end in high school who has outgrown the position and is now destined to find a home on the offensive line, likely at tackle given his athleticism. As a tight end, he was first and foremost a blocker, so the transition probably won't be as difficult as it might be for some others who served primarily as a receiver. His biggest challenge will be growing into his new role physically, but once on campus it's possible he will add on weight fast as he enters a collegiate strength and conditioning program along with the nutritional plan they will no doubt put him on. A redshirt season is needed here, and barring injuries forcing him into action I expect that redshirt season to come in 2018.
Devante Brooks, 6-5, 295 - Brooks weighed in at 282 last season, but after being forced into action due to injuries and finding himself physically behind many defenders, I fully expect him to be dedicated to adding strength and weight for the upcoming season. A high school tight end who had struggled with injuries before arriving in Knoxville, he quickly moved to offensive line as it became apparent that he had lost some athleticism through the knee injuries. Brooks played in the last four games of the season last year as injuries forced pretty much everyone on the roster listed as an offensive lineman onto the field at some point. He struggled in those four games starting at right tackle, but that experience should prove valuable the next time he gets on the field.
K'Rojhn Calbert, 6-5, 318 - Calbert had to redshirt last year due to injury, but he had as much upside as anyone the Vols added in the 2017 class. Calbert hasn't played many seasons of football due to injuries, and last season he sat out while getting some lingering issues with those injuries cleaned up. Calbert is a big bodied offensive lineman who appears to be ready to contribute at guard with a bit of additional development. His raw athleticism and strength is elite, but his experience is so limited that his technique is underdeveloped. He's going to be a player to watch in 2018 as he fits the prototype of what the new staff wants their offensive linemen to look like.
Jerome Carvin, 6-4, 330 - The top ranked offensive lineman in the 2018 class, this early enrollee quickly started working with the starters. Carvin is a big man and he knows how to use his size and strength to push defenders around. His technique isn't refined yet, but that's normal for a young offensive lineman jumping from high school to college. Carvin saw time at both tackle and guard this spring, and he's certainly capable of playing at either spot. For now, he appears most likely to land at tackle, but that could change if players like Chance Hall and Trey Smith are back at 100% by August. Carvin will be tough to keep off the field somewhere on the offensive line, in part because of how good he is and in part because the offensive line is on the thin side.
Chance Hall, 6-4, 321 - Hall was one of the Vols best on the offensive line when he was healthy. Unfortunately, good health has been fleeting the past couple seasons as injuries have cost him the better part of two seasons. Now he heads toward his redshirt junior season and there's a sense of cautious optimism that he will finally be healthy enough to return. When healthy, Hall is a road grader, clearing huge holes for the running backs to take advantage of. He's also a solid pass blocker, even if he's not necessarily elite in that capacity. Although he doesn't necessarily have the height typical of an offensive tackle, he does appear to have the long arms needed to handle his business on the edge. The question this coming season will be what impact the injuries have had on his athleticism, but there won't be any answer until he's finally able to get back in pads and begin the process of returning to football shape.
Jahmir Johnson, 6-5, 273 - Recently in an interview with 247Sports' Patrick Brown, Johnson revealed that he's a slim, trim 273. It goes without saying that he'll need to add weight before the season if he wants to play, and playing is something that this JUCO player was brought in to do. The staff has set a goal of adding 15-20 pounds this summer, an ambitious but achievable goal. If and when he's up to weight, Johnson is an athletic offensive tackle who can handle his business as both a pass and run blocker, but his size has been a bit of an issue in the past against bigger defenders. In the SEC, almost everyone is a "bigger" defender. Ultimately, this is a player to watch because the staff could desperately use his help but that won't be in the cards if he can't bulk up.
Ryan Johnson, 6-6, 305 - A former high school offensive tackle, Johnson has moved inside on the offensive line since joining the Vols. Last season, he played in all 12 games and started four as injuries began to pile up. In fact, in four starts, he started at three different spots: right guard, left guard, and center. That said, it's pretty clear that he could play at any of those three spots this coming season, and at this point it seems likely that he will start at one of those spots. Johnson was still developing last season, but he performed admirably at times for someone not expected to have to start. He seems to have taken some strides this spring and if that continues over the course of the summer, he could become a staple of the Vols' offensive line for the next three seasons.
Brandon Kennedy, 6-3, 314 - A good sized graduate transfer from Alabama, injuries limited his playing time some for the Tide, and then after being groomed initially as the future center for the Tide he saw former starting guard Ross Pierschbacher moved to center and take control of the starting job, prompting his graduation and transfer. Kennedy is a tactician and a very intelligent offensive lineman, but he isn't the mauler that the Tide typically prefers, which may have led to the changes. Don't expect him to suddenly become a monster on the inside either. That's simply not his game, which isn't to say that he's lacking physically. He simply prefers to outsmart the man across from him with superior technique and leverage. He can play center or either guard spot, and it's reasonable, with some of the Vols questions along the offensive line, to assume that he will find himself starting next season.
Ollie Lane, 6-5, 295 - A big offensive lineman made to clear the way in the interior of the offensive line. Lane is long and strong, ready to help out after he adds some SEC power to his skill set. Like Johnson, he can play any of the three interior spots. He finished the spring running with the second team at right guard, and considering his head was swimming this spring he's probably a candidate to redshirt this season as long as that remains an option due to injuries. Lane is country-strong rather than football strong right now, and in addition to developing him as a football player physically he needs development with the mental side of the game as well. He will be a big part of the offensive line in the future in all likelihood, but not necessarily this coming season.
Riley Locklear, 6-5, 304 - Locklear was the Ollie Lane of the 2017 cycle, a big, country-strong kid who still had learning to do before contributing at a high level in college. Also like Lane, he's an ideal fit as an interior lineman who can play any of the three interior spots. Hopefully where things go differently for Lane are on the redshirt front as Locklear's had to be burned due to the injury situation last November. He started the last two games at right guard after playing in the previous two at right guard as a reserve. It's hard to say whether or not Locklear can win a starting job this coming season, but he's probably as safe a bet as anyone at this point given his experience and versatility, which gives him a chance to win a job at a couple of spots, most likely at center or right guard.
Nathan Niehaus, 6-6, 291 - The ultimate unknown commodity on the roster. Niehaus has yet to play in a game in his first two seasons on campus, his first due to the need to add weight and strength and the second due to injury. That leaves expectations for him murky at best. It's unclear what he can do or where he best fits, but at his size he is likely to land at one of the tackle spots, and tentatively probably at left tackle where the picture got a little less clear with some concerns regarding Trey Smith (more on that later). Niehaus is still working to add weight, and at one time it had been discussed that he could be moved to tight end to add a bigger body at the position to help with blocking, so athleticism isn't generally considered to be an issue. Strength might be. The quicker Niehaus comes along, the better for the team, especially from a depth perspective.
Drew Richmond, 6-5, 312 - A former 5-star, Richmond heads into his redshirt junior season really feeling the crunch to do or die if he wants to continue to get starts. He's looked good at times, but he's yet to look good consistently. It's possible that a lot of that has had to do with coaching, but he absolutely must become a consistent force at left tackle. He's registered 13 starts in his 16 games played, but as a redshirt freshman he lost his job for a time before getting plugged back in once injuries placed him back into that role. Last season, Richmond had some health issues and served a suspension for the first game of the season, but even when he was healthy he never really showed the type of improvement everyone had hoped for after finishing 2016 strong. Now, he has a new staff to work with and a fresh start. For everyone's sake, here's hoping he makes the most of it.
Trey Smith, 6-6, 325 - Smith is everything you could ask for in an offensive tackle. He showed up at Tennessee already prepared to play at an elite level, and nothing he did last season countered that. Freshman All-American. All-SEC second team. He was one of the best offensive linemen in the best conference in college football as a true freshman. Having said all that, how is it possible I might think he could not be a starter this coming season? Well, there was a non-injury health issue that appears to have reared it's ugly head, and with specifics not having been disclosed at this point uncertainty abounds. It does sound like he's cleared to go through workouts this summer and there is cautious optimism that he will be available this coming season. If he is, he can play any spot with the possible exception of center. He can and will start somewhere if he's cleared to play.
Marcus Tatum, 6-6, 295 - Tatum is heading into his junior season with a few games under his belt, but he hasn't yet been able to lock down a job for good. Part of that has to do with a lean build that hasn't packed on weight easily, but this spring he looked bigger and better built than in seasons past. No longer did he look like a big tight end; he finally looked like a Power 5 offensive lineman. If Tatum was able to start when he was built like a tight end, it's reasonable to assume he will improve significantly with the added bulk and strength. He should be a candidate to start at right tackle, and he might be best positioned to do so heading into this season at this point, although if Jahmir Johnson is able to add weight he could be a potential competitor for the job. Trey Smith is also a candidate there.
A quick note on Greg Emerson and Eric Crosby: both worked at guard this spring when they were moved to that side of the ball. Both are likely capable of contributing on either the offensive or defensive line eventually, but neither is locked into a spot that I'm currently aware of, and Emerson certainly isn't. Emerson was still working to get back to his old self following an injury that cost him about nine months and his entire senior season. Crosby is coming off a redshirt season and had some weight issues coming in as a freshman. His weight appears to be in a better place, but at 6-1 he gives up some length on the defensive line, making it hard to get separation and beat blocks. Guard may ultimately serve him well, but until a final decision is made on these two I'll go into them further when I cover the defensive line.
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Position Breakdown: Tight End/Fullback/H-back
Ja'Quain Blakely, 6-2, 255 - The spring game saw the return of the use of a lead blocker for the running back, and whether you want to call them a fullback or an H-back, they've made their reappearance. Blakely, who ended up missing the spring game, was in line to be one of the top options for that role along with Bumphus and Pope, and Blakely looks every bit the part. Athletic but stoutly built, Blakely looks like a blocker. His abilities as a runner or receiver out of the backfield are somewhat unknown at this point, so he may be relegated to the #2 role for the upcoming season. Blakely will eventually become the mold this staff will look for in the H-back/fullback spot.
James Brown, 6-3, 232 - Brown, a high school quarterback, is still learning as a tight end. He has good length and is building on that frame in order to better help at the position. Given his lack of blocking prowess, he's likely to find himself mostly filling a role as a receiver, or a flex tight end who can move into the slot and offer versatility as a #2 tight end. He's probably not going to have a big role on offense this season, but he may carve out a spot on special teams.
LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3, 260 - Bumphus was highly regarded as both a tight end and as a defensive end, but he came to Tennessee looking to make a name for himself on offense. Although he didn't make much noise offensively last season, he did play in 10 games, largely on special teams. Now, with the new H-back role on the offense, Bumphus looks the part and filled that role as the starter in that spot for the White team, but that may have been mostly due to Blakely being out. For now, it's fair to assume that Bumphus will be a backup option at both H-back and tight end while continuing his work on special teams.
Austin Pope, 6-4, 238 - Austin Pope is the second leading receiver at tight end for the Vols...with 9 career receiving yards. The good news is that Pope, despite serving as the starting fullback for the Orange team, had a nice 17 yard reception. In fact, he's shown the best capacity to be a productive player in that role. For anyone concerned about him running the ball in short yardage and goal line situations, it's worth noting that in high school he had 18 carries for 52 yards and 8 touchdowns as a goal line specialist, so this isn't a big change for Pope. It's going to take someone pretty special to overtake Pope for this job, and it seems like that guy isn't coming in this summer. Blakely is the biggest threat in theory, but Blakely's versatility in the role is questionable.
Jacob Warren, 6-6, 228 - Right now, Warren is really more like an oversized wide receiver than a tight end despite already putting on some quality weight as an early enrollee, and that's probably going to find him redshirting this season. That said, he has some nice upside as a flex tight end going forward. In his final two seasons in high school, he had 68 receptions for 1,138 yards and 17 touchdowns. In other words, he's a quality receiver at the tight end position. What he isn't yet is a ready blocker or physically capable of holding up against bigger linebackers and safeties in the SEC, but as he continues to grow and develop he should be able to develop into a weapon in the offense.
Eli Wolf, 6-4, 235 - A steadily growing and rapidly improving weapon for the offense, Wolf had a strong spring game with five receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. Wolf has played in 15 games, pulling down four passes for 56 yards in his limited playing opportunities. Now, there is a huge opportunity for the younger brother of four year Vol starter Ethan Wolf. Wolf was a productive high school wide receiver, and he continues to display those skills that allowed him to excel in that regard. He seems to be the most likely candidate to fit the flex role at tight end with his athleticism as he is not yet ready to be an in-line blocker.
Dominick Wood-Anderson, 6-5, 248 - Wood-Anderson is as close to what the staff is looking for at tight end as will be found on the roster this season. He has the size as well as the blocking willingness to excel as the primary tight end. Wood-Anderson had 43 receptions for 476 yards and 4 touchdowns during his time at Arizona Western, despite losing some opportunities as a freshman to then #1 JUCO tight end Jeremy Patton, who landed at Arkansas. Wood-Anderson, following in the same footsteps, ended up being the #1 JUCO tight end in his own cycle, but Wood-Anderson is a more well-rounded tight end. Look for Wood-Anderson to make an early impact, and likely quite a significant one.
James Brown, 6-3, 232 - Brown, a high school quarterback, is still learning as a tight end. He has good length and is building on that frame in order to better help at the position. Given his lack of blocking prowess, he's likely to find himself mostly filling a role as a receiver, or a flex tight end who can move into the slot and offer versatility as a #2 tight end. He's probably not going to have a big role on offense this season, but he may carve out a spot on special teams.
LaTrell Bumphus, 6-3, 260 - Bumphus was highly regarded as both a tight end and as a defensive end, but he came to Tennessee looking to make a name for himself on offense. Although he didn't make much noise offensively last season, he did play in 10 games, largely on special teams. Now, with the new H-back role on the offense, Bumphus looks the part and filled that role as the starter in that spot for the White team, but that may have been mostly due to Blakely being out. For now, it's fair to assume that Bumphus will be a backup option at both H-back and tight end while continuing his work on special teams.
Austin Pope, 6-4, 238 - Austin Pope is the second leading receiver at tight end for the Vols...with 9 career receiving yards. The good news is that Pope, despite serving as the starting fullback for the Orange team, had a nice 17 yard reception. In fact, he's shown the best capacity to be a productive player in that role. For anyone concerned about him running the ball in short yardage and goal line situations, it's worth noting that in high school he had 18 carries for 52 yards and 8 touchdowns as a goal line specialist, so this isn't a big change for Pope. It's going to take someone pretty special to overtake Pope for this job, and it seems like that guy isn't coming in this summer. Blakely is the biggest threat in theory, but Blakely's versatility in the role is questionable.
Jacob Warren, 6-6, 228 - Right now, Warren is really more like an oversized wide receiver than a tight end despite already putting on some quality weight as an early enrollee, and that's probably going to find him redshirting this season. That said, he has some nice upside as a flex tight end going forward. In his final two seasons in high school, he had 68 receptions for 1,138 yards and 17 touchdowns. In other words, he's a quality receiver at the tight end position. What he isn't yet is a ready blocker or physically capable of holding up against bigger linebackers and safeties in the SEC, but as he continues to grow and develop he should be able to develop into a weapon in the offense.
Eli Wolf, 6-4, 235 - A steadily growing and rapidly improving weapon for the offense, Wolf had a strong spring game with five receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. Wolf has played in 15 games, pulling down four passes for 56 yards in his limited playing opportunities. Now, there is a huge opportunity for the younger brother of four year Vol starter Ethan Wolf. Wolf was a productive high school wide receiver, and he continues to display those skills that allowed him to excel in that regard. He seems to be the most likely candidate to fit the flex role at tight end with his athleticism as he is not yet ready to be an in-line blocker.
Dominick Wood-Anderson, 6-5, 248 - Wood-Anderson is as close to what the staff is looking for at tight end as will be found on the roster this season. He has the size as well as the blocking willingness to excel as the primary tight end. Wood-Anderson had 43 receptions for 476 yards and 4 touchdowns during his time at Arizona Western, despite losing some opportunities as a freshman to then #1 JUCO tight end Jeremy Patton, who landed at Arkansas. Wood-Anderson, following in the same footsteps, ended up being the #1 JUCO tight end in his own cycle, but Wood-Anderson is a more well-rounded tight end. Look for Wood-Anderson to make an early impact, and likely quite a significant one.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Position Breakdown: Wide Receiver
Tyler Byrd, 6-0, 201 - Byrd was a top ranked corner coming out of high school, but the previous staff quickly moved him to wide receiver out of necessity. As a freshman, Byrd took off, finishing his first season with 535 yards on 33 touches. Although he never found the end zone in that first season, he was phenomenal in that first season. Season two came around and he wasn't exactly healthy...or productive. In year two, although he found the end zone for the first time, he touched the ball six times for 54 yard. Byrd had long showed the desire to return to defense, and this spring he got the chance. Ultimately, things didn't pan out on that side of the ball and before spring ended he was shifted back to offense. Byrd will have to decide to fully buy-in and put for all his effort at some position. He has the speed, the size, and the athleticism to make big plays all over the field, so it's time for the want to.
Marquez Callaway, 6-2, 206 - Callaway emerged as a playmaking receiver last season, finishing with 24 receptions for 406 yards and 5 touchdowns, and for his career the elite athlete has produced 695 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. Callaway had some really lean times last season though too, so consistency is still lacking and it's fair to say he's not yet a polished product, but he did pick up where he left off last season this spring, with 3 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. Callaway still has a ways to go to emerge as a threat game in and game out, but he's always a threat to strike.
D.J. Henderson, 6-1, 185 - Henderson arrived in Knoxville as a long corner coming out of the JUCO ranks, where he had put up impressive numbers. Unfortunately, he never managed to emerge as a true junior and he received a redshirt. Last season, Henderson played in 11 games, registering six tackles and a forced fumble, but he was ultimately moved to offense. His athleticism could give him a chance at seeing some action at wide receiver this season, but realistically he's probably going to find himself relegated to a reserve role.
Jauan Jennings, 6-3, 211 - Jennings made an impact as a freshman, but he really exploded as a sophomore with 580 yards and seven touchdowns on 40 receptions. Last season was expected to be his best yet, but injury limited him to two games and he only caught three balls for 17 yards. Then, after hoping to play in the final game of the season, an outburst on Instagram when he was told he wouldn't play led then acting head coach Brady Hoke and then athletic director John Currie to remove him from the team. Now, a medical redshirt and second chance later, he'll look to have that big junior season under a new staff. Jennings is an aggressive and athletic player who often makes tough catches, but sometimes fails to make the routine plays. His talent is occasionally derailed by his passion and lack of focus, but when he's locked in he's impossible to stop as evidenced by some of his more outstanding performances. He seems to have his focus back and he appears ready to take his game to a new level if his health is 100%.
Brandon Johnson, 6-2, 200 - Brandon Johnson has been another young receiver who stepped up last season, even if it didn't lead to many red zone targets. He caught 37 passes for 482 yards and a touchdown with a long of 66, showing off some deep threat ability in addition to reliable hands. Johnson has good size and solid speed, allowing him to make tough catches and easy ones alike. He's developed into an increasingly trusted target for the quarterbacks when they need to get the ball out of their hands fast. Johnson needs to do a better job of getting open and making himself available to the quarterback, but he's not bad in that category. It's just an area to improve.
Jacquez Jones, 5-10, 175 - Jones is the shortest of the scholarship receivers on the roster this coming season, but he was very productive in high school and found his way onto the field in five games last season, avoiding a redshirt. How productive was he in high school? He accounted for 3,542 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns on 224 touches in 33 games played. He's not a slow receiver necessarily, but his official time at The Opening regional before his senior season was a 4.62. He's probably more like Pig Howard for anyone trying to find a recent comparison, and if he can show the same kind of toughness that made Howard productive for the Vols, it's reasonable to think he will eventually make his mark on the program. That said, he could be a redshirt candidate this season unless he makes his mark on special teams.
Jordan Murphy, 5-11, 178 - Murphy is one of the most intriguing young players on the roster. Why? Well, most people are going to find themselves intrigued by a player who accounts for 3,302 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns on 237 touches in 27 games over two seasons. Long story short, he did essentially what Jacquez Jones did in 6 fewer games. Murphy certainly plays fast and he is fearless, willing to make catches across the middle or streaking down the field with equal enthusiasm. Last season, he played in seven games, catching one pass for 12 yards after arriving late while sorting out a lingering eligibility issue, which put him behind others when it came to physical development. Now, he'll have a full offseason under his belt and he'll at least have a chance to make some noise on the field in 2018.
Josh Palmer, 6-2, 200 - My pick for the breakout receiver in 2018. He found his way onto the field early and often last season, playing in all 12 games, including six starts, with nine receptions for 98 yards and one carry for 6 yards. In the spring game, he showed big play promise by turning three receptions into 77 yards, a nearly 26 yard per catch average. Palmer had occasional bouts of the drops last season, and that reared it's head again to a lesser degree in the spring game in the fourth quarter, but he is a physical and gifted receiver who is rapidly improving, particularly considering his limited experience prior to a breakout senior campaign. I don't think it will take that long before he starts making his mark with the Vols.
Alontae Taylor, 6-0, 188 - Is he a wide receiver or is he a corner? We don't really know for sure yet, but he did finish spring at corner, so why include him here? Short answer is that the door was left open for him to move back to offense and he was a very dynamic offensive weapon in high school. Taylor was most frequently a quarterback in high school, seeing only limited time at receiver. He finished his high school career with 6,000 rushing yards, 1,746 passing yards, 479 receiving yards, 172 kickoff return yards, and 15 punt return yards. He also accounted for 74 rushing touchdowns, 10 passing touchdowns, 2 receiving touchdowns, and a kickoff return touchdown. Long story short, when he has the ball in his hands, he's dynamic. He wasn't moved to defense this spring because he wasn't making headway as a receiver. Quite the contrary as he was making plays in practice. Instead, it was an effort to find solutions at corner. If Taylor does return to offense, it's reasonable to believe that the staff will find ways to get the ball in his hands when he's on the field. The biggest knock on him right now is that he lacks polish and technique, but that will come along quickly with time at his new position.
Bryce Thompson, 6-0, 182 - A late addition to the class, like Taylor he will probably find himself talked about at corner as well as here. He played both defense and offense in high school, finishing his senior season on offense with 198 touches for 1,999 yards and 35 touchdowns. The bulk of that work came as a runner, but he had 44 receptions for 630 yards and 6 touchdowns and is a dynamic weapon as a runner and receiver. In the Shrine Bowl, he was named the Most Outstanding Player with 7 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown, showing off how good he can be as a dedicated receiver. Still, given the need to find answers at the corner position, he will no doubt get a look there as well. Ultimately, he has a lot of upside at receiver but with his size it's certainly possible he could land in the secondary as well.
Cedric Tillman, 6-3, 208 - A late find, Tillman has size and potential as he really only lacks development at this point to be at minimum a productive possession receiver. Last season, he had 37 receptions for 774 yards and 7 touchdowns, a huge leap from his junior season numbers of 8 receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior, he went ahead and tossed in a punt return for touchdown for good measure. Tillman really won't be called upon to offer up much more than depth this season, and he appears to be redshirt-bound, but he will offer up a big target for the Vols quarterbacks after some development.
Latrell Williams, 5-11, 185 - Vol fans were rightfully excited about Williams when he arrived on campus, and understandably so for a player who had been timed at a 4.27 in the forty before arriving. Unfortunately, an injury held him back during his true freshman season and he redshirted. Last season, although he was healthy he wasn't back to his old self yet, ultimately appearing in just one game. Throughout the spring, it was reported that the speed appeared to be back, and he finally got a chance to show that speed off on a 35 yard scoring strike from Will McBride late in the spring game, a reception made right after catching a five yard pass. He's still seeking consistency, but he certainly does have the speed and potential to make big plays, and it's likely he'll see playing time throughout the season.
Marquez Callaway, 6-2, 206 - Callaway emerged as a playmaking receiver last season, finishing with 24 receptions for 406 yards and 5 touchdowns, and for his career the elite athlete has produced 695 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. Callaway had some really lean times last season though too, so consistency is still lacking and it's fair to say he's not yet a polished product, but he did pick up where he left off last season this spring, with 3 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. Callaway still has a ways to go to emerge as a threat game in and game out, but he's always a threat to strike.
D.J. Henderson, 6-1, 185 - Henderson arrived in Knoxville as a long corner coming out of the JUCO ranks, where he had put up impressive numbers. Unfortunately, he never managed to emerge as a true junior and he received a redshirt. Last season, Henderson played in 11 games, registering six tackles and a forced fumble, but he was ultimately moved to offense. His athleticism could give him a chance at seeing some action at wide receiver this season, but realistically he's probably going to find himself relegated to a reserve role.
Jauan Jennings, 6-3, 211 - Jennings made an impact as a freshman, but he really exploded as a sophomore with 580 yards and seven touchdowns on 40 receptions. Last season was expected to be his best yet, but injury limited him to two games and he only caught three balls for 17 yards. Then, after hoping to play in the final game of the season, an outburst on Instagram when he was told he wouldn't play led then acting head coach Brady Hoke and then athletic director John Currie to remove him from the team. Now, a medical redshirt and second chance later, he'll look to have that big junior season under a new staff. Jennings is an aggressive and athletic player who often makes tough catches, but sometimes fails to make the routine plays. His talent is occasionally derailed by his passion and lack of focus, but when he's locked in he's impossible to stop as evidenced by some of his more outstanding performances. He seems to have his focus back and he appears ready to take his game to a new level if his health is 100%.
Brandon Johnson, 6-2, 200 - Brandon Johnson has been another young receiver who stepped up last season, even if it didn't lead to many red zone targets. He caught 37 passes for 482 yards and a touchdown with a long of 66, showing off some deep threat ability in addition to reliable hands. Johnson has good size and solid speed, allowing him to make tough catches and easy ones alike. He's developed into an increasingly trusted target for the quarterbacks when they need to get the ball out of their hands fast. Johnson needs to do a better job of getting open and making himself available to the quarterback, but he's not bad in that category. It's just an area to improve.
Jacquez Jones, 5-10, 175 - Jones is the shortest of the scholarship receivers on the roster this coming season, but he was very productive in high school and found his way onto the field in five games last season, avoiding a redshirt. How productive was he in high school? He accounted for 3,542 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns on 224 touches in 33 games played. He's not a slow receiver necessarily, but his official time at The Opening regional before his senior season was a 4.62. He's probably more like Pig Howard for anyone trying to find a recent comparison, and if he can show the same kind of toughness that made Howard productive for the Vols, it's reasonable to think he will eventually make his mark on the program. That said, he could be a redshirt candidate this season unless he makes his mark on special teams.
Jordan Murphy, 5-11, 178 - Murphy is one of the most intriguing young players on the roster. Why? Well, most people are going to find themselves intrigued by a player who accounts for 3,302 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns on 237 touches in 27 games over two seasons. Long story short, he did essentially what Jacquez Jones did in 6 fewer games. Murphy certainly plays fast and he is fearless, willing to make catches across the middle or streaking down the field with equal enthusiasm. Last season, he played in seven games, catching one pass for 12 yards after arriving late while sorting out a lingering eligibility issue, which put him behind others when it came to physical development. Now, he'll have a full offseason under his belt and he'll at least have a chance to make some noise on the field in 2018.
Josh Palmer, 6-2, 200 - My pick for the breakout receiver in 2018. He found his way onto the field early and often last season, playing in all 12 games, including six starts, with nine receptions for 98 yards and one carry for 6 yards. In the spring game, he showed big play promise by turning three receptions into 77 yards, a nearly 26 yard per catch average. Palmer had occasional bouts of the drops last season, and that reared it's head again to a lesser degree in the spring game in the fourth quarter, but he is a physical and gifted receiver who is rapidly improving, particularly considering his limited experience prior to a breakout senior campaign. I don't think it will take that long before he starts making his mark with the Vols.
Alontae Taylor, 6-0, 188 - Is he a wide receiver or is he a corner? We don't really know for sure yet, but he did finish spring at corner, so why include him here? Short answer is that the door was left open for him to move back to offense and he was a very dynamic offensive weapon in high school. Taylor was most frequently a quarterback in high school, seeing only limited time at receiver. He finished his high school career with 6,000 rushing yards, 1,746 passing yards, 479 receiving yards, 172 kickoff return yards, and 15 punt return yards. He also accounted for 74 rushing touchdowns, 10 passing touchdowns, 2 receiving touchdowns, and a kickoff return touchdown. Long story short, when he has the ball in his hands, he's dynamic. He wasn't moved to defense this spring because he wasn't making headway as a receiver. Quite the contrary as he was making plays in practice. Instead, it was an effort to find solutions at corner. If Taylor does return to offense, it's reasonable to believe that the staff will find ways to get the ball in his hands when he's on the field. The biggest knock on him right now is that he lacks polish and technique, but that will come along quickly with time at his new position.
Bryce Thompson, 6-0, 182 - A late addition to the class, like Taylor he will probably find himself talked about at corner as well as here. He played both defense and offense in high school, finishing his senior season on offense with 198 touches for 1,999 yards and 35 touchdowns. The bulk of that work came as a runner, but he had 44 receptions for 630 yards and 6 touchdowns and is a dynamic weapon as a runner and receiver. In the Shrine Bowl, he was named the Most Outstanding Player with 7 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown, showing off how good he can be as a dedicated receiver. Still, given the need to find answers at the corner position, he will no doubt get a look there as well. Ultimately, he has a lot of upside at receiver but with his size it's certainly possible he could land in the secondary as well.
Cedric Tillman, 6-3, 208 - A late find, Tillman has size and potential as he really only lacks development at this point to be at minimum a productive possession receiver. Last season, he had 37 receptions for 774 yards and 7 touchdowns, a huge leap from his junior season numbers of 8 receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior, he went ahead and tossed in a punt return for touchdown for good measure. Tillman really won't be called upon to offer up much more than depth this season, and he appears to be redshirt-bound, but he will offer up a big target for the Vols quarterbacks after some development.
Latrell Williams, 5-11, 185 - Vol fans were rightfully excited about Williams when he arrived on campus, and understandably so for a player who had been timed at a 4.27 in the forty before arriving. Unfortunately, an injury held him back during his true freshman season and he redshirted. Last season, although he was healthy he wasn't back to his old self yet, ultimately appearing in just one game. Throughout the spring, it was reported that the speed appeared to be back, and he finally got a chance to show that speed off on a 35 yard scoring strike from Will McBride late in the spring game, a reception made right after catching a five yard pass. He's still seeking consistency, but he certainly does have the speed and potential to make big plays, and it's likely he'll see playing time throughout the season.
Thursday, May 10, 2018
Position Breakdown: Running Back
Jeremy Banks, 6-2, 215 - The new staff at Tennessee favors bigger backs, and they had to find a couple to add to the roster. Well, mission accomplished, and the first bigger body they added to the mix was Jeremy Banks, a load of an in-state back who saw interest in him build throughout his senior campaign. His senior season was pretty special, with 198 carries for 1,941 yards and 32 touchdowns, but he hadn't been a slouch before that, with 141 carries for 832 yards with 16 touchdowns. He's capable of catching the ball out of the backfield, but he didn't get a ton of targets in high school with 5 receptions for 60 yards. Banks plays angry, both as a blocker and a runner. Odds are some of his longer runs won't translate to the next level as his speed, while good, isn't exactly blazing. He is able to make quick moves to avoid tackles, but odds are he'll have to improve in that area to make the same kind of maneuvers in the SEC. He seems capable of contributing as a true freshman, and he'll be given that opportunity.
Ty Chandler, 5-11, 202 - Chandler was among the top backs in the 2017 class, and although he didn't quite set the world on fire as a freshman, he did account for over 800 all-purpose yards between his play on offense and on special teams. Chandler had 305 rushing yards, 108 receiving yards, and 416 kickoff return yards with two rushing touchdowns and a return touchdown on his 98 touches last season. With John Kelly's 227 offensive touches off for the NFL and Carlin Fils-aime's 33 touches heading to the defensive side of the ball, Chandler is one of the most proven options on the roster, and he did nothing to suggest he won't get his share of the touches during the spring game when he turned his 11 carries into 53 yards and a touchdown and at least one reception for five yards. In the end, the biggest potential issues for Chandler as size and physicality. He has a willingness to try on the tough runs, but he hasn't yet shown the strength to break through tackles or move a pile. That is one of the main reasons he may lose some red zone carries, but he's certainly willing to take on those tough runs if given the chance.
Trey Coleman, 5-11, 220 - Trey Coleman was added to bring a power element to the previous staff's offense, and he's certainly capable of adding that element to the mix. That said, it's worth wondering if his future might hold a move to fullback as he continues to grow. He was one of the odd men out last season, getting only four carries and a reception on the season, all in the same game. With the fullback reappearing in the Vols offensive plans for the first time in a decade in the spring game, Coleman could be in line for such a move in the future. Probably not this season though as numbers are tight at running back and Austin Pope seems to have established himself in the role during spring football. Coleman is a powerful runner and doesn't shy away from contact. However, he lacks breakaway speed, so he's best utilized between the tackles. He's a solid receiver and capable runner, and with added bulk he could be effective at fullback as a blocker, runner, and receiver. His opportunities may be limited this season.
Princeton Fant, 6-3, 222 - Fant was one of the more unexpected position changes of the spring, moving from tight end to running back to linebacker and finally back to running back. Last year, he moved from wide receiver to tight end. His athleticism has remained unquestioned, but determining the best way to utilize it has been the question. Although his spring game outing wasn't one that would set the world on fire, he did have a solid spring overall, showing decent vision and good power as a runner. He's raw, however, which is understandable considering the position changes. I don't think it's likely he'll see many touches this season if any, but down the line he could prove to be a productive option out of the backfield as both a runner and receiver. With Fant, it's just a matter of being patient and learning the job.
Tim Jordan, 5-11, 205 - If anyone came out of the spring poised to share carries with Chandler, it's definitely Jordan. In fact, he did more with fewer carries this spring. He's very similar to John Kelly, although he's a bit taller and probably has more room to grow. Jordan isn't a burner, but he has sufficient speed to make defenses pay if he's given a crease, as evidenced by a 29 yard run in the spring game. Jordan, like Chandler, isn't necessarily the ideal back in the mind of the new staff, but production matters most in the end, and he produced in the Orange and White game with 57 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. This is building on a freshman campaign in which he turned 11 carries into 52 yards, 8 receptions into 65 yards, and 3 kickoff returns into 55 yards, maximizing his limited opportunities behind Kelly, Chandler, and Fils-aime. With Fils-aime at corner now and Kelly moving on to the LA Rams, Jordan will have to hold off a couple of summer newcomers but has given himself a shot to increase his opportunities this fall.
Madre London, 6-1, 221 - London is the big back the staff was looking for, and they're hoping that he can be everything they're looking for this season when it comes to immediate impact. He's a graduate transfer from Michigan State, where he churned out 924 yards on 230 carries, finding the end zone 8 times in three seasons. He also caught 13 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Although his yards per touch average isn't anything too special (4.2), he's a fairly effective between the tackles runner with some speed and evasiveness limitations. He has been through some meaningful competition, so even if he isn't a starter at Tennessee he should be an effective reserve in his one season with the Vols. London doesn't do a good job of avoiding tacklers, but he can break arm tackles and keeps his legs moving, allowing him to occasionally push the pile. He is another player who seems likely to find some sort of role in the rotation at running back, and he's no doubt coming in with his eye on winning a starting job. Best case is that London serves as the Bo Scarborough to Chandler's Damien Harris as the Vols' running game works toward emulating the effective one in Tuscaloosa.
Ty Chandler, 5-11, 202 - Chandler was among the top backs in the 2017 class, and although he didn't quite set the world on fire as a freshman, he did account for over 800 all-purpose yards between his play on offense and on special teams. Chandler had 305 rushing yards, 108 receiving yards, and 416 kickoff return yards with two rushing touchdowns and a return touchdown on his 98 touches last season. With John Kelly's 227 offensive touches off for the NFL and Carlin Fils-aime's 33 touches heading to the defensive side of the ball, Chandler is one of the most proven options on the roster, and he did nothing to suggest he won't get his share of the touches during the spring game when he turned his 11 carries into 53 yards and a touchdown and at least one reception for five yards. In the end, the biggest potential issues for Chandler as size and physicality. He has a willingness to try on the tough runs, but he hasn't yet shown the strength to break through tackles or move a pile. That is one of the main reasons he may lose some red zone carries, but he's certainly willing to take on those tough runs if given the chance.
Trey Coleman, 5-11, 220 - Trey Coleman was added to bring a power element to the previous staff's offense, and he's certainly capable of adding that element to the mix. That said, it's worth wondering if his future might hold a move to fullback as he continues to grow. He was one of the odd men out last season, getting only four carries and a reception on the season, all in the same game. With the fullback reappearing in the Vols offensive plans for the first time in a decade in the spring game, Coleman could be in line for such a move in the future. Probably not this season though as numbers are tight at running back and Austin Pope seems to have established himself in the role during spring football. Coleman is a powerful runner and doesn't shy away from contact. However, he lacks breakaway speed, so he's best utilized between the tackles. He's a solid receiver and capable runner, and with added bulk he could be effective at fullback as a blocker, runner, and receiver. His opportunities may be limited this season.
Princeton Fant, 6-3, 222 - Fant was one of the more unexpected position changes of the spring, moving from tight end to running back to linebacker and finally back to running back. Last year, he moved from wide receiver to tight end. His athleticism has remained unquestioned, but determining the best way to utilize it has been the question. Although his spring game outing wasn't one that would set the world on fire, he did have a solid spring overall, showing decent vision and good power as a runner. He's raw, however, which is understandable considering the position changes. I don't think it's likely he'll see many touches this season if any, but down the line he could prove to be a productive option out of the backfield as both a runner and receiver. With Fant, it's just a matter of being patient and learning the job.
Tim Jordan, 5-11, 205 - If anyone came out of the spring poised to share carries with Chandler, it's definitely Jordan. In fact, he did more with fewer carries this spring. He's very similar to John Kelly, although he's a bit taller and probably has more room to grow. Jordan isn't a burner, but he has sufficient speed to make defenses pay if he's given a crease, as evidenced by a 29 yard run in the spring game. Jordan, like Chandler, isn't necessarily the ideal back in the mind of the new staff, but production matters most in the end, and he produced in the Orange and White game with 57 yards on nine carries and a touchdown. This is building on a freshman campaign in which he turned 11 carries into 52 yards, 8 receptions into 65 yards, and 3 kickoff returns into 55 yards, maximizing his limited opportunities behind Kelly, Chandler, and Fils-aime. With Fils-aime at corner now and Kelly moving on to the LA Rams, Jordan will have to hold off a couple of summer newcomers but has given himself a shot to increase his opportunities this fall.
Madre London, 6-1, 221 - London is the big back the staff was looking for, and they're hoping that he can be everything they're looking for this season when it comes to immediate impact. He's a graduate transfer from Michigan State, where he churned out 924 yards on 230 carries, finding the end zone 8 times in three seasons. He also caught 13 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Although his yards per touch average isn't anything too special (4.2), he's a fairly effective between the tackles runner with some speed and evasiveness limitations. He has been through some meaningful competition, so even if he isn't a starter at Tennessee he should be an effective reserve in his one season with the Vols. London doesn't do a good job of avoiding tacklers, but he can break arm tackles and keeps his legs moving, allowing him to occasionally push the pile. He is another player who seems likely to find some sort of role in the rotation at running back, and he's no doubt coming in with his eye on winning a starting job. Best case is that London serves as the Bo Scarborough to Chandler's Damien Harris as the Vols' running game works toward emulating the effective one in Tuscaloosa.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks
These position breakdowns will have the players listed in alphabetical order for simplicity's sake. I will go through each position group, only combining the specialists into a single category. This isn't focused on who should start or anything of that nature. It will be player stats, strengths, and weaknesses heading towards summer workouts. To keep things easy to read, I won't cover walk-ons unless a walk-on is likely to earn a place in the rotation. Beyond that, I will be sticking to scholarship players. Some weights will be estimated based on believed weight gains, in part due to the removal of weight information on the official roster.
Keller Chryst, 6-5, 234 - The former Stanford Cardinal will spend his final season of college eligibility working to earn the starting job for the Tennessee Vols, and he will be easily the most experienced passer on the roster. During his time at Stanford, he played in 23 games with 13 starts, going 11-2 as a starter. He passed for 1,926 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. He also ran for 164 yards on 66 carries with 3 touchdowns. The talent is clearly there. He can move when he needs to, but he is comfortable standing in the pocket and delivering a pass. He has plenty of arm strength, but his accuracy has been problematic at times, as evidenced by his 55.4% completion rate. That completion percentage will need to see improvement, and Chryst will have to display mobility unless the offensive line for the Vols gets healthy and blocks better than they were able to last season, when the quarterbacks were getting hammered just as much as the running backs.
Jarrett Guarantano, 6-4, 215 - Opinions definitely vary on this young man, but the stats were clear last season in showing that he was the most effective quarterback for Tennessee last season. Guarantano, in nine games with six starts, passed for 997 yards with 4 touchdowns against 2 interceptions. Unfortunately, we can't actually gauge him as a runner because he never really got a chance to run amidst the poor protection he often had, ending the season officially with 66 carries for -39 yards and a touchdown. Guarantano, for a passer under duress, had a solid completion percentage at 61.9% as well as a strong passing yard per attempt number at 7.2 yards. With time, Guarantano has at least provided the strong suggestion that he can be a very effective passer, but his pocket presence has left much to be desired up to this point. That lack of vision and awareness also impacted his ability to recognize and react to running opportunities last season. He showed apparent improvement this spring in recognition of the pass rush and decision making with the ball, but that is spring ball and the jury is still out on Guarantano's progress.
Will McBride, 6-1, 205 - Will McBride likely needed a redshirt season. That did not happen last year as injuries pressed the true freshman into action. As a true freshman forced into a difficult situation, he played about as well as one could hope for, throwing for 152 yards and a touchdown, although he did throw a pair of interceptions. He also ran for 70 yards on 18 touches over the two games he saw action in along with a start. McBride wasn't ready and nobody really expected him to be read, but in spite of that he showed moments of promise. He also gave cause for concern. He only completed 42.5% of his passes, and that paired with his two picks to one touchdown isn't a great recipe for success. Although he ran well at times, he still only averaged a 3.9 yard per carry clip, so he's not such a dynamic runner that he can overcome passing deficiencies. He didn't really seem to show the progress one would hope in the spring game, although it was indicated he had good practices. He still seems likely to need a redshirt season to develop.
JT Shrout, 6-3, 210 - Tennessee had some trouble with the quarterback position in the 2018 cycle. They had two promising quarterbacks set to join the program, but both elected to go elsewhere after the coaching change with one heading to Nebraska and the other joining Indiana. This left Tennessee looking for their passer in the class, and they turned to a high upside option in Shrout. Scouts and analysts who got a look at him in person were wowed by his tools and potential to step into a pro-style offense and excel. That said, he hasn't had a lot of opportunities to develop, with only one season as a starter under his belt in high school. In that lone season, he threw for 3,064 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions on a 51% completion rate, so obviously you can see the talent at work but also the improvements needed. He's a willing and capable runner, but he's no burner. He averaged 3.7 yards per rush in his high school career with 311 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. The arm talent is there. He is fearless both inside and outside the pocket. His decision making and accuracy need work. He too needs a redshirt season, assuming health allows for it.
The running backs are up next. There's no target goal for getting these out. It's just when I have time to finish one, but at least one per week is what I hope to be able to do.
Keller Chryst, 6-5, 234 - The former Stanford Cardinal will spend his final season of college eligibility working to earn the starting job for the Tennessee Vols, and he will be easily the most experienced passer on the roster. During his time at Stanford, he played in 23 games with 13 starts, going 11-2 as a starter. He passed for 1,926 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. He also ran for 164 yards on 66 carries with 3 touchdowns. The talent is clearly there. He can move when he needs to, but he is comfortable standing in the pocket and delivering a pass. He has plenty of arm strength, but his accuracy has been problematic at times, as evidenced by his 55.4% completion rate. That completion percentage will need to see improvement, and Chryst will have to display mobility unless the offensive line for the Vols gets healthy and blocks better than they were able to last season, when the quarterbacks were getting hammered just as much as the running backs.
Jarrett Guarantano, 6-4, 215 - Opinions definitely vary on this young man, but the stats were clear last season in showing that he was the most effective quarterback for Tennessee last season. Guarantano, in nine games with six starts, passed for 997 yards with 4 touchdowns against 2 interceptions. Unfortunately, we can't actually gauge him as a runner because he never really got a chance to run amidst the poor protection he often had, ending the season officially with 66 carries for -39 yards and a touchdown. Guarantano, for a passer under duress, had a solid completion percentage at 61.9% as well as a strong passing yard per attempt number at 7.2 yards. With time, Guarantano has at least provided the strong suggestion that he can be a very effective passer, but his pocket presence has left much to be desired up to this point. That lack of vision and awareness also impacted his ability to recognize and react to running opportunities last season. He showed apparent improvement this spring in recognition of the pass rush and decision making with the ball, but that is spring ball and the jury is still out on Guarantano's progress.
Will McBride, 6-1, 205 - Will McBride likely needed a redshirt season. That did not happen last year as injuries pressed the true freshman into action. As a true freshman forced into a difficult situation, he played about as well as one could hope for, throwing for 152 yards and a touchdown, although he did throw a pair of interceptions. He also ran for 70 yards on 18 touches over the two games he saw action in along with a start. McBride wasn't ready and nobody really expected him to be read, but in spite of that he showed moments of promise. He also gave cause for concern. He only completed 42.5% of his passes, and that paired with his two picks to one touchdown isn't a great recipe for success. Although he ran well at times, he still only averaged a 3.9 yard per carry clip, so he's not such a dynamic runner that he can overcome passing deficiencies. He didn't really seem to show the progress one would hope in the spring game, although it was indicated he had good practices. He still seems likely to need a redshirt season to develop.
JT Shrout, 6-3, 210 - Tennessee had some trouble with the quarterback position in the 2018 cycle. They had two promising quarterbacks set to join the program, but both elected to go elsewhere after the coaching change with one heading to Nebraska and the other joining Indiana. This left Tennessee looking for their passer in the class, and they turned to a high upside option in Shrout. Scouts and analysts who got a look at him in person were wowed by his tools and potential to step into a pro-style offense and excel. That said, he hasn't had a lot of opportunities to develop, with only one season as a starter under his belt in high school. In that lone season, he threw for 3,064 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions on a 51% completion rate, so obviously you can see the talent at work but also the improvements needed. He's a willing and capable runner, but he's no burner. He averaged 3.7 yards per rush in his high school career with 311 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. The arm talent is there. He is fearless both inside and outside the pocket. His decision making and accuracy need work. He too needs a redshirt season, assuming health allows for it.
The running backs are up next. There's no target goal for getting these out. It's just when I have time to finish one, but at least one per week is what I hope to be able to do.
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