a friend of mine works for Butch Jones at the University of Tennessee and I dont know if I would say they're going to be an improved team, but I think they're better than people realize. I've been hearing about these prospects for the past 3-4 years, and I think they have a better team, even though they lost some key starters. They lost both RB Jalen Hurd, and Alvin Kamara, they lost WR Josh Malone, CB Cam Sutton, LB Jalen Reeves Maybin, DE Derek Barnett, who was the leading sacker in Tenn history, and QB Josh Dobbs.
I know that sounds like a lot, but Jalen Hurd, Cam Sutton, and Jalen Reeves Maybin all missed 95% of the season last year, so they have already replaced these three. Alvin Kamara is going to be a great NFL RB, but the Tenn OC Deborg really under used him. Even though he averaged like 7 yards a touch, he had several games where he only got 8-12 touches. He was splitting carries with Todd Kelly Jr, a highly recruited RB that really minimized Kamara's value. The one player that is going to be hard to replace his production, is pass rusher Derek Barnett, but Tennessee was able to sign the number 1 JUCO prospect in the nation, Jonathan Kongbo, a 6'6 270lbs freak athlete, who has looked amazing during the spring.
Tennessee had the #4 recruiting class in 2014, and bc of all of the injuries most of that class has already gotten valuable playing time. They have one of the best Wr's in the SEC with Jauan Jennings who is 6'4 215 lbs and a great WR, Marquez Callaway another big WR, Josh Smith a very good slot WR, and senior TE Ethan Wolfe, who should be on an NFL roster next year.
The Vols were able to sign two 5 star recruits to play OLine, including the #1 OT in the 2017 recruiting class. Defensively, they already have established players on every level. Kongboh will replace Barnett, the other DE Kyle Phillips looks like hes ready for a breakout season, now that he's a JR. He was the #4 rated DE in the country in 2014. The middle of the Defense is manned by 5 star DT Kahlil McKenzie, and at LB they have three studs in Darrin Kirkland Colton Jumper and Nigel Warrior, all three players started as Freshman.
For the past 2-3 years, i've rooted against Tennessee, always telling my friend that they would never beat Florida with that god damn bum Josh Dobbs playing QB. He agreed that Dobbs was holding the team back, and even though he's adament that Dormady has outplayed Dobbs the past two seasons, and many thought he should start over Dobbs as a freshman. Ultimately, Dobbs was never replaced, I think one of the reasons behind that was Dormandy wasnt a blue chip prospect, and they figured they could sit him for a year or two before playing him. I cant really say how good Quinton Dormady is, but according to my buddy he's a lot better than Dobbs. During the Tennessee spring game, he didnt throw an incompletion, and after the game the QB's did a skills competition and he dropped a ball in a garbage can in the corner of the endzone from 30 yards out. If he ends up being a good QB, I think Tennessee could easily win the SEC East.
Just a team I think is worth keeping an eye on...
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