Worth watching 6.19.18: Kamara and Lofton

Our Vols stuff worth watching today features a couple of VFLs, one football and one hoops. First up, Alvin Kamara:


And Chris Lofton en fuego!

Worth reading 6.19.18: RB Madre London

If you only read one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from Patrick Brown:

How Pro Football Focus graded Madre London at Michigan State

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. Cornelius Bennett, father of Kivon Bennett, won’t sing “Rocky Top”, via 247Sports
  2. When will we see legalized sports betting in SEC states? via Gridiron Now
  3. Top five opposing wide receivers on Tennessee’s 2018 schedule, via 247Sports
  4. Gameday on Rocky Top 2018 preseason Top 25
  5. Vols among favorites for five-star LB Henry To’oto’o, via 247Sports
  6. Vols among favorites for four-star athlete Jaren Mangham, via 247Sports
  7. Tennessee in top four for four-star WR Khafre Brown, via 247Sports
  8. Tennessee in top five for Florida OL Chris Akporoghene, via 247Sports


Behind the paywalls

  • Alabama QB commit Taulia Tagovailoa has ‘fun’ at Tennessee camp, via 247Sports
  • Tennessee Vols Basketball Recruiting: Vols have ‘pretty good relationship’ with 5-star Jaden Springer, via 247Sports

Gameday on Rocky Top 2018 preseason Top 25

We’ve been including a Top 25 in our Gameday on Rocky Top preseason magazine for a couple of years now. Last year, our biggest miss was Florida State (preseason No. 4), which lost its quarterback in the first game and finished only 7-6. We also missed on Michigan (preseason No. 15), Louisville (preseason No. 16), Texas (preseason No. 18), and West Virginia (preseason No. 20), and no team that we ranked outside of the Top 20 actually finished in the Top 25.

But . . . we actually did pretty well as far as these things go. Most of our Top 10 finished the season in the Top 12, and with the exception of FSU, those that didn’t weren’t too far off at No. 16 (Washington, preseason No. 8), No. 14 (Oklahoma State, preseason No. 9), and No. 18 (LSU, preseason No. 10).

Here’s our preseason Top 25 for the upcoming 2018 season, as we published it in the magazine but with some updated comments in italics.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama seems to have developed an immunity to the kind of attrition that usually destroys other programs. Its inoculation is a cocktail of elite coaching and elite recruiting.

So yeah, there’s a competition at quarterback between Jalen Hurts, who got them to the national championship, and Tua Tagovailoa, who won it. [UPDATE: It’s looking like Tagovailoa is going to be the guy.] And they lose three starting receivers and a running back.

And yes, it’s even worse on defense. Yada, yada, yada.

But as always, there’s plenty of talent on the sideline, so they’ll not only be fine, they’ll thrive.

Saban does have a new offensive coordinator and will be entrusting his prized defense to the team’s third new defensive coordinator in four years, so if there’s a vulnerability, maybe it’s there.

But with Damien Harris at running back, a talented receiving corps, an experienced offensive line, and a defense as salty as ever, expect Alabama to hit a speed bump and then still arrive at College Football Playoff again anyway.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Urban Meyer has things rolling in Columbus, having won at least 11 games in each of his six seasons as a Buckeye. His challenge heading into the 2018 season is the same as it always is – find the right talent on the roster to replace the talent departing.

The greatest challenge this season is replacing quarterback J.T. Barrett, but the offensive line also loses two All-Americans, and the defense loses its share of guys, too.

The competition to replace Barrett is between Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow [UPDATE: Burrow is transferring to LSU], and Tate Martell, but Haskins appears to have the edge in the early running to take the reins as a sophomore. Whoever wins will have the luxury of a solid supporting cast with running back J.K. Dobbins and the top six receivers all returning.

This year’s schedule includes road trips to Penn State, Michigan State, and Purdue, and an out-of-conference contest with TCU. But the Buckeyes appear to be the favorites to win the Big 10 this fall.

3. Clemson Tigers

Like Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, Dabo Swinney is quickly becoming a master of managing team attrition by way of elite recruiting. He’s having to contend with early departures to the NFL again this year, but his cupboard is well-stocked.

The best news for Swinney, though, is that his offense doesn’t require much re-stocking this fall. Quarterback Kelly Bryant returns, as do running backs Travis Etienne and Tavien Feaster. The receiving corps may be the best in the nation, with Hunter Renfrow, Tee Higgins, and Amari Rodgers all returning. The offensive line is missing three starters, but Mitch Hyatt is back to keep things under control.

The defense will have to re-tool a bit, but it will do so around star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

The schedule includes road trips to Florida State and out-of-conference opponent Texas A&M, but isn’t particularly problematic, and Clemson is the favorite to win its fourth consecutive ACC title this season.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

In Kirby Smart’s second year, he had his Georgia Bulldogs team just one play away from winning it all, but what they couldn’t finish on the field, they finished on the recruiting trail, knocking Alabama out of the top spot in the recruiting rankings.

Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are gone, but Georgia stands ready to unleash a three-headed monster at running back in D’Andre Swift, Brian Herrien, and Elijah Holyfield. Jake Fromm is back at quarterback, and although they lose receiver Javon Wims, they return Terry Godwin and Mecole Hardman.

On defense, the Bulldogs will miss Butkus Award Winner Roquan Smith and a bushel full of other terrific players, but can choose their replacements from among a large group of talent.

The Bulldogs have questions, but they also have answers, so we expect Georgia to represent the SEC East in Atlanta again this fall.

5. Washington Huskies

Chris Petersen’s Huskies have won 10 and 12 games each of the past two seasons and seem like they could take that final step into greatness this fall.

Any departures from last year’s team are offset by the return of Jake Browning, who is back for his senior season as a four-year starter. He’ll be joined by running back Myles Gaskin, who’s had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, and fellow back Salvon Ahmed. The receiving corps returns Chico McClatcher and tight end Hunter Bryant, and the line returns Trey Adams.

On defense, the key guys returning include linebacker Ryan Bowman, cornerback Byron Murphy, and safety Taylor Rapp.

The Huskies open the season against non-conference opponent Auburn, which will be an intriguing game for both teams, and they get Stanford at home. Expect Washington to be the Pac-12 team most likely to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff this season.

6. Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma really couldn’t have asked for much more out of Lincoln Riley’s first year replacing the legendary Bob Stoops as the Sooners’ head coach. Maybe you’d want a bit more defense, but losing in double-overtime in the College Football Playoff Semifinal in your first season is not bad.

Now, though, Riley is going to have to do it without quarterback Baker Mayfield and lineman Orlando Brown. The role of Mayfield will now be played by Texas A&M transfer Kyler Murray. He’ll be joined by running backs Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon, receivers Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb, and three starters along one of the nation’s best offensive lines.

The defense loses Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year Ogbonnia Okoronkwo as well as several other key players, but they have capable guys ready to step up.

The Sooners open the 2018 season against Lane Kiffin’s FAU squad and then host UCLA before commencing conference play. They are the favorites to win the Big 12.

7. Miami Hurricanes

Most expected Mark Richt to have success as the head coach at Miami, but few believed he would find it in his first season. Despite finishing with three consecutive losses last year, Richt’s team finished first in the ACC Coastal division and challenged Clemson for the ACC title. They could be even better this year, as they return a great deal of talent from last year’s squad.

The offense loses a few key pieces but returns quarterback Malik Rosier this fall, and he’ll be joined in the backfield by running backs Travis Homer and Lorenzo Lingard. The Hurricanes should also get receiver Ahmmon Richards back from injury.

Miami kicks off the 2018 season with a huge game at Jerry World against the LSU Tigers. They also have a late road trip to play the Virginia Tech Hokies, but the rest of the schedule is quite manageable. They’re probably still a recruiting class or two away from catching Clemson for the ACC title, but they are well on their way.

8. Auburn Tigers

Auburn nearly lost head coach Gus Malzahn to Arkansas last season, but upped the ante to keep him. Good thing, too, because they’re going to need him this fall.

The Tigers beat both Georgia and Alabama last year but got left out of the playoff when they lost the rematch to the Bulldogs. Heading into 2018, they have to replace some key guys, as the NFL has swooped in to snatch up running backs Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway, linebacker Jeff Holland, and defensive back Carlton Davis.

The Tigers are fortunate to have quarterback Jarrett Stidham back, though, and he’s fortunate to have most of his receiving corps return. Kam Martin takes over at running back for Johnson and Pettway.
Auburn’s toughest conference games are all on the road this fall, as they have to travel to take on Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi State. They also added a tough out-of-conference game with Washington this season.

All of that will make it a challenge for the Tigers in 2018.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Fighting Irish finished the 2017 season with a 10-3 record, but a 2-2 November headlined by an embarrassing loss to Miami really seemed to put a damper on the season.

Now, they head into 2018 with several challenges. The team must replace two standout linemen in Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. Also gone are running back Josh Adams, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, and defensive coordinator Mike Elko.

It’s not all bad news for Notre Dame, though. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush returns, as does Ian Book, who will compete with him for the starting position. Whoever wins the job, he’ll have a talented group of receivers to throw to, provided the new offensive line can give them time to connect.

Notre Dame opens the season against Michigan and also has games scheduled with Virginia Tech, USC, and Florida State. They could get 10 wins again this season, but they’ll have to solve their issues in the trenches first.

10. Wisconsin Badgers

Paul Chryst’s Wisconsin team is a model of consistency, regularly winning the Big Ten West and competing with Ohio State for the conference title. If they could only take care of business in the championship game, they’d be positioned for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Badgers have to re-tool their defense this season, but nearly everybody is back on offense. Leading the way is quarterback Alex Hornibrook and a wide receiving corps featuring Quintez Cephus, A.J. Taylor, Danny Davis, and Kendric Pryor. The passing game will be complemented by the return of running back Jonathan Taylor fresh off an excellent first season. In all, the offense returns 10 of 11 starters.

The defense has more of a challenge heading into this season, as it loses two ends, two linebackers, and three defensive backs. But standout linebacker T.J. Edwards returns.

With most of the rest of the Big Ten firepower residing in the East, Wisconsin has a relatively easy path to the Big Ten championship game. Continue reading “Gameday on Rocky Top 2018 preseason Top 25”

Vols stuff worth watching 6.18.18: Peyton Manning’s room

Rule No. 1: You can never watch too many Peyton Manning videos:


Yeah, what can I say? I’m a sucker for father-daughter stuff:

Vols stuff worth reading 6.18.18: A Father’s Day tribute

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from Ashley Rogers:

Father’s Day Special: Ashley Rogers’ Touching Tribute to Her Late Father Loring

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. Tennessee football assistant Will Friend: Always a leader, once made hilarious tribute, via SEC Country. I’m betting that I’m not the only one who’s never seen these particular words strung together in this sequence: “[T]o honor Bubba he shaved Bubba’s number into his back hair.”
  2. Admiral Schofield still setting tone for 2018-19, says Vols are ‘always going to be the hunter’, via 247Sports. Love that Schofield refuses to allow himself or his team to become the hunted; they will continue to hunt.
  3. Tennessee Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt recalling ‘lessons’ from Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2007 season, via 247Sports.
  4. Fit ‘on and off the court’ led DJ Burns to Tennessee, via 247Sports.
  5. Consistency still ‘the key word’ as Vols look for depth at PG, via 247Sports.
  6. Vols ‘competing at a different level’ after breakout season, via 247Sports.
  7. Tennessee Vols football’s 2018 opponents at a glance: Florida Gators, via 247Sports.
  8. The best college football game of every week in 2018, via SB Nation.


Behind the paywalls

  • Five-star LB Henry To’oto’o visits Tennessee, via 247Sports. To’oto’o, too?
  • Tennessee offer ‘a dream come true’ for local running back, via 247Sports
  • Vols’ offer ‘overwhelming’ for LB/DE Roman Harrison, via 247Sports

Vols stuff to watch 6.15.18: An impressive 17-year-old

D.J. Burns is one impressive 17-year-old man:

Speaking of impressive dudes, Admiral Schofield:

And the guy who’s helping build these impressive dudes:


Man, some things have changed. And some things never will.

Vols stuff worth reading 6.15.18: Pruitt’s recruiting

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from Will Shelton:

Jeremy Pruitt & Relative Recruiting Success

Jeremy Pruitt’s not yet pacing with Alabama and Georgia in recruiting, but he is ahead of the rest of the pack in a metric that matters.

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

  1. Tennessee Continues to Get Better Right Away With Kennedy Addition, by GRT’s Brad Shepard
  2. Tennessee Vols OL Marcus Tatum granted medical redshirt, via 247Sports
  3. Inaugural SEC Summerfest slated for July 15 in Atlanta, via SEC Sports. Because your tailgate can’t wait until September.
  4. Former Tennessee Vols WR Josh Smith signs deal with New Orleans Saints, via 247Sports

Behind the paywalls

  • Finally healthy, Fulkerson focused on getting back to business, via VolQuest
  • Four-star Alabama QB commit Taulia Tagovailoa planning more SEC visits, via 247Sports. Yes, including Tennessee.
  • Vols ‘up there’ for in-state OL Melvin McBride after camp, offer, via 247Sports

Jeremy Pruitt & Relative Recruiting Success

Hey, let’s see how Tennessee is doing on the recruiting trail compared to Alabama and Georgia! They’re two of our biggest rivals and were the two best teams in the nation last year, and that’s where we want to be ASAP! Surely we’re closing the gap…

Team Current Rank (247) Commits Blue Chips (4/5*) Blue Chip Ratio
Alabama 1 15 14 93.33%
Georgia 13 8 8 100.00%
Tennessee 17 10 6 60.00%

(Fulmerized.)

Seriously, Georgia’s blue chip ratio is 100% through their first eight commits for 2019. Alabama’s is a measly 93% through fifteen commits only because their lone three-star is a kicker. SB Nation’s blue chip ratio is based on the idea of a team needing at least 50% of its players to be four-or-five-stars to win a national championship. I think the Dawgs and Tide have it covered.

But…for the moment, so does Tennessee.

It ain’t 14 four-or-five stars, and it ain’t a (well-earned) perfect start like Georgia’s. But so far Jeremy Pruitt’s staff has put the Vols in great position with blue chip players more often than not. His transition class went 9-for-23 (39.1%) in blue chip ratio, better than Butch Jones’ final class in 2017 (5-for-28, 17.9%) and his transition class in 2013 (4-for-23, 17.4%).

And while Jones’ first full class was getting us (rightfully) excited around this time five years ago, and did ultimately end up hitting the 50% mark on the money (16-for-32), I do think it’s noteworthy that its four highest-rated players were in-state and/or legacy commits. It’s to Jones’ credit that he landed those players at Tennessee, especially after the struggles he inherited from Derek Dooley. It’s to Pruitt’s credit that his four highest-rated players are currently out-of-state kids, plus legacy commit Jackson Lampley at number five, especially after the struggles of last season.

Comparing Tennessee to Alabama or Georgia right now is an exercise in futility. And comparing Pruitt to Jones on a small sample size is an exercise in seeing what we want to see. But Tennessee can establish important separation among the rest of the SEC East. And in that regard:

Team Current Rank (247) Commits Blue Chips (4/5*) Blue Chip Ratio
Tennessee 17 10 6 60.00%
Florida 27 9 4 44.44%
South Carolina 5 15 5 33.33%
Missouri 73 3 1 33.33%
Kentucky 53 6 0 0.00%
Vanderbilt 80 2 0 0.00%

Long way to go. South Carolina is off to a great start in quantity, but less so in quality. But it’s Tennessee who leads the non-Georgia SEC East in blue chip ratio through mid-June, and the Vols are above the 50% threshold so far. If this is one of the most important battles for Tennessee to win on the field early in Pruitt’s tenure – how are we compared to the rest of the non-UGA SEC East? – the Vols are also doing a good job gaining a leg up on that battle in the future. Right now, this comparison is more important than Pruitt-to-Butch or the Vols to teams that just played for the title. Success is relative, and Pruitt is doing relatively well so far.

Tennessee Continues to Get Better Right Away With Kennedy Addition

The SEC recently relaxed its graduate transfer rule for players wishing to switch schools inside the conference after graduation. It didn’t take long for new Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt to capitalize on the rule change.

The first-year coach reached into his old stomping grounds and plucked Alabama center transfer Brandon Kennedy from the Crimson Tide. The former 4-star recruit has the potential to be a huge pickup for the Vols with two seasons left to play. He should step right in and be the favorite to win UT’s starting center gig.

Kennedy was slated to be Alabama’s backup center in 2019, but he wanted to go elsewhere and battle for a starting job. The Vols from the beginning were picked as a probable destination along with rival Auburn. Both of those programs have massive holes along the offensive front, and Kennedy saw an opportunity to make an immediate impact.

That’s hard for anybody to pass up, especially considering the NFL could come calling in a couple of years. In the end, the familiarity of Pruitt and the chance to play for known offensive line coach Will Friend gave Tennessee an advantage.

Once the Tide moved Ross Pierschbacher from left guard to center this spring, it became evident that UA coach Nick Saban had no desire to start Kennedy, so he looked to leave. Saban was against transfers within the SEC, calling it “free agency” at one time, according to SEC Country’s Marq Burnett. He also recently tried to block Kennedy from transferring to Tennessee or Auburn and was ridiculed for it. Then, he said according to SI.com’s Andy Staples:

“If we agree in the SEC in these meetings that we’re going to have free agency in our league and everybody can go wherever they want to go when they graduate and that’s what’s best for the game, then I think that’s what we should do,” Saban said. “Then Brandon Kennedy can go wherever he wants to go. But if we don’t do that, why is it on me?”

Of course, as Mike Griffith points out, Saban has benefitted in the past from “free agency” getting receivers Richard Mullaney (Oregon State) and Gehrig Dieter (Bowling Green), among others. But for all of his talk about wanting what’s best for the student-athlete, it’s smoke if it negatively affects the Crimson Tide.

No matter. His opinion means squat now. Kennedy is going to be a Vol, and that’s huge news for Tennessee, which all of a sudden has some reasons to be excited about a ’19 season that appeared dismal on the surface.

Though there remains a lot of holes, Pruitt has added quarterback Keller Chryst (Stanford), running back Madre London (Michigan State), offensive tackle Jahmir Johnson (JUCO), cornerback Kenneth George (JUCO), tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (JUCO), outside linebacker Jordan Allen (JUCO), defensive tackle Emmit Gooden (JUCO), and late addition from high school Bryce Thompson, who could play cornerback or wide receiver.

That’s a lot of firepower to add who can step right in and play, and they are part of or in addition to a late-surging recruiting class. The Vols suddenly don’t look like pushovers, even though they still need to play better than expected to make a splash in the SEC East.

As far as the O-line goes, the Vols could surprise. Kennedy should be penciled into the starting rotation, and UT expects to get its best player back this fall if Trey Smith returns from a mysterious illness/injury that kept him out of spring practice. If he continues to progress, Smith will be a massive help. With Johnson being added to the mix along with players who could benefit from Friend’s tutelage such as Ryan Johnson, Drew Richmond, K’Rojhn Calbert, freshman Jerome Carvin, Riley Locklear, Marcus Tatum, Devante Brooks and returning oft-injured tackle Chance Hall. Among those guys, UT could piece together a strong unit, especially if Smith and Kennedy are injected as starters.

This is big news for Tennessee, and it continues to make some important moves under Pruitt. Now, if he can only put everything together, the Vols have some reasons for optimism.