|
Tennessee 2012 Recruiting
|
|
|
|
|
|
CollegeFootballNews.com
Posted Feb 2, 2012
|
|
Tennessee Volunteers 2012 ...
Head Coach: Derek Dooley
|
Tennessee Volunteers
| 2011 Record:
5-7
Sep. 3 Montana W 42-16
Sep. 10 Cincinnati W 45-23
Sep. 17 at Florida L 33-23
Sep. 24 OPEN DATE
Oct. 1 Buffalo W 41-10
Oct. 8 Georgia L 20-12
Oct. 15 LSU L 38-7
Oct. 22 at Alabama L 37-6
Oct. 29 South Carolina L 14-3
Nov. 5 Middle Tenn W 24-0
Nov. 12 at Arkansas L 49-7
Nov. 19 Vanderbilt W 27-21 OT
Nov. 26 at Kentucky L 10-7
2010 CFN
Prediction: 6-6
2010 Record: 6-7
Sept. 4 UT Martin W 50-0
Sept. 11 Oregon L 48-13
Sept. 18 Florida L 31-17
Sept. 25 UAB W 32-29 2OT
Oct. 2 at LSU L 16-14
Oct. 9 at Georgia L 41-14
Oct. 16 OPEN DATE
Oct. 23 Alabama L 41-10
Oct. 30 at So Carolina L 38-34
Nov. 6 at Memphis W 50-14
Nov. 13 Ole Miss W 52-14
Nov. 20 at Vanderbilt W 24-10
Nov. 27 Kentucky W 24-14
MUSIC CITY BOWL
Dec. 30 N. Carolina L 30-27 2OT
-
Get Tickets
|
Tennessee
|
The Entire 2012 Recruiting Class
Top 5 Tennessee Recruits To Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com
1. S LaDarrell McNeil
6-2, 190, Scout.com 6th ranked, four-star safety. A long and rangy safety prospect who has been one of the best players on the field since a very young age. He is the defensive leader of his team and is a head-hunter from the safety position. He is very aggressive against the run and will deliver big blows to receivers attempting to go across the middle. Because of his size, length and speed he can cover a lot of ground as a safety.
2. DT Danny O’Brien
6-3, 287, Scout.com 18th ranked, four-star defensive tackle. High intensity, high effort player with an outstanding motor. Plays tough and plays mean, and has excellent lateral agility and footwork to go with it. Light on his feet, and has a good variety of interior moves to beat offensive linemen with. Technically sound and good with his hands. The question is if he can carry enough weight to take on double teams and hold up against the run. Right now, he's more of a penetrator/disrupter.
3. DE Trent Taylor
6-3, 250, Scout.com 29th ranked, four-star defensive end.
4. WR Jason Croom
6-5, 233, Scout.com 44th ranked, four-star wide receiver. Croom is a real weapon at wide receiver on the high school level. He could be used there or in a hybrid role in college. He has very good size, he is athletic, he is tough to jam at the line of scrimmage, and he can be a real weapon inside the red zone. He can still work on exploding off the line, being more explosive out of his cuts, and running more crisp routes. Overall, he is an offensive weapon with versatility.
5. QB Nathan Peterman
6-2, 205, Scout.com 18th ranked, three-star quarterback. Peterman has gotten better and better over the past few years. He really stands tall in the pocket and he allows his receivers time to get open. He has shown the ability to scan the field, look off defenses, and not to focus on one receiver. He has a better than average arm, he throws with touch, and he is very mature. He still needs to become more consistent with his release and that will help his accuracy as well.
The 2012 Class Was Heavy On... The defensive front seven. The Volunteers were fine defensively, but not great. The offense needs a boost as soon as possible, but for the long haul the defense needs to beef things up on the line. There are good prospects waiting in the wings, but reinforcements are a must with a few stud defensive tackles a plus. The secondary is fine for the next few years, but players are needed to develop for 2014.
Team Concerns For 2012: The running game needs more pop. The Vols return loaded with experience and should be full or ready-made players across the board, but RB Tauren Poole is gone from a ground attack that didn’t do much of anything. It’s an easy sell for any running back prospect; there’s a chance to play immediately ad make an impact.
Looking Ahead To The 2012 Season:
Can Tennessee ever get out its mediocre rut? Tyler Bray might be the best quarterback in the conference, and he could blow up if receivers Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter can stay healthy. The offense line struggled in the running game, but it started four underclassmen and now gets all five starters back. Tauren Poole was a talented running back who never got room to move, and now he’s done. The defense that finished 27th in the nation loses leading tackler Austin Johnson in the middle, but all four starters return to a terrific secondary and the line gets enough pieces back to be better. However, finding more of a pass rush would be nice.
2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 10. That Class Was Heavy On ... Offensive linemen. Derek Dooley did a tremendous job with a class that might bring Tennessee back to the level that everyone has been waiting for. JUCO transfer safety Byron Moore will be used right away, JUCO transfer defensive tackle Maurice Couch will step inside instantly, and linebacker A.J. Johnson is a stud, but the key to the class is the bulking up on the offensive line with two Signing Day pickups in Cameron Clear and Antonio Richardson. Clear needs a while to bulk up, but the athleticism is there to be special. 6-5, 290-pound Kyler Kerbyson is ready soon, and guards Marcus Jackson and Alan Posey are promising.
2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 11. That Class Was
Heavy On ... The passing game.
The defense was hardly ignored in Derek Dooley's
first class with three excellent linemen in JUCO
transfer DT John Brown and ends Jacques Smith, and
Corey Miller all good enough to see time right away.
JUCO transfer Dave Clark needs to play a big role
this year at one corner, while JaWaun James might be
the SEC's best recruit for the O line. Before
leaving, Lane Kiffin made a big deal out of securing
the quarterbacks, and Dooley kept them around with
Tyler Bray, a very big, very talented passer to go
along with Nash Nance and JUCO transfer Matt Simms.
Simms will be expected to compete for the starting
job this offseason. Four terrific receivers were
signed with Da'Rick Rogers, Justin Hunter, and Matt
Milton all with next level skills.
2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 20. That Class Was
Heavy On ... defensive backs. The defensive line got a big boost with Jonathan Hollins and Rae Sykes likely to provide immediate help on the end, and the linebackers are strong with Jerod Askew with all the skills to be special. The secondary got the most help with six defensive backs, and they’re all fantastic. Safety Darren Myles might be the best prospect of the group, while Nyshier Oliver and corners Janzen Jackson, Mike Edwards, Eric Gordon and Marsalis Teague all have the potential to be stars.
Nov. 26 at Kentucky 10 … Tennessee 7
CFN Analysis: It was a bad year with injuries and a nasty schedule, but there was hope for a nice finishing kick to right the ship to in time to get to a bowl game. This was an utter disaster with the season ending so abruptly. Tennessee never, ever loses to Kentucky. Tennessee just lost to Kentucky. … Tyler Bray still looked rusty. He wasn’t able to regain his form after coming back from his thumb injury over the last few weeks, completing 15-of-30 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown with two picks. … No, Derek Dooley shouldn’t be on a hot seat – yet. He was thrown into bad circumstances and he’s still trying to build things up. However, the offense scored seven points or fewer in five of its final seven games. That’s not exactly a plus.
(AP) LEXINGTON, Ky. -- CoShik Williams ran for a touchdown and senior wide receiver Matt Roark filled in at quarterback with 124 yards on 24 carries as Kentucky snapped a 26-game losing streak to Tennessee with a 10-7 victory on Saturday.
The win capped a disappointing season for the Wildcats (5-7, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) and kept Tennessee (5-7, 1-7) from reaching bowl eligibility with representatives from the Liberty Bowl on hand.
Kentucky's game plan was clear from the start to win for the first time in the series since 1984.
The Wildcats weren't going to be able to throw much with Roark, but instead tried to run misdirection plays and catch Tennessee off-guard while relying on their improving defense.
It worked.
Roark led two scoring drives and Kentucky forced three turnovers, including a key one in a goal-line stand in the third quarter.
Roark had talked earlier in the week about needing to find a job after he graduated in May, but he left a strong impression in his final appearance at Commonwealth Stadium with injured quarterbacks Maxwell Smith (right shoulder) and Morgan Newton (right ankle, right shoulder) watching from the sideline.
Kentucky wore its black jerseys for the second time this season at the request of its 21 seniors and, on the first possession, Roark led Kentucky on a 15-play drive that lasted nearly eight minutes before it stalled at the Tennessee 7 and forced Craig McIntosh's 24-yard field goal. That would stay the only score until the fourth quarter, when Williams scored from the 6 to give Kentucky a 10-0 lead.
Tennessee had plenty of chances late, but committed three turnovers in the second half.
First, Ronnie Sneed intercepted Tyler Bray's pass at the Tennessee 34. But, with Kentucky seemingly stalled, it appeared to be only a matter of time before Tennessee's offense engaged. It happened when Bray found Rajion Neal behind cornerback Randall Burden for a 44-yard gain that set up first-and-goal on the 8.
But Neal failed to handle the snap out of a wildcat formation two plays later, and Collins Ukwu recovered the fumble for Kentucky before Roark restarted the offense.
First, he got linebacker A.J. Johnson to turn his back for a 24-yard gain into Tennessee territory. Roark made another key play a few minutes later, splitting the defense and breaking two tackles on a third-and-12 to gain 26 yards down to the Tennessee 7. Williams, who finished with 68 yards, scored two plays later on a 6-yard run that made it 10-0 with 14:12 left.
Tennessee struck right back when Bray found Neal on the post again against Burden for a 53-yard score that cut it to 10-7 with 12:52 left. Tennessee had three chances late, but Bray failed to move the offense beyond one first down and on fourth-and-17. Taiedo Smith intercepted Bray's pass to seal it.
Roark finished 4 of 6 for 15 yards passing.
Volunteers wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers caught two passes for 38 yards to boost his SEC-leading totals to 67 receptions for 1,040 yards, but Bray looked rusty in his second game back after missing five with a broken right thumb. He finished 15 of 38 for 215 yards.
The Vols last lost on the road to Kentucky in 1981 and, coupled with their 6-7 finish last year, have ended seasons with consecutive losing records for the first time since 1910-11.
They'll have a long offseason to think about this one by failing to topple a Wildcats team that had been in turmoil all week with rumors that coach Joker Phillips might not return for a third season.
Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart said on the school's pregame show that nothing changed from when he publicly supported Phillips in October.
Phillips is 11-14 and 4-12 in SEC play over his first two seasons while the program won't go to a bowl for the first time in five years. Instead, the coach got a victory bath from a sideline water cooler all the same and fans rushed the field.
Nov. 19 at Tennessee 27 … Vanderbilt 21 OT
CFN Analysis: Ehhhhhhhh, it was a win, but it was a controversial one. Eric Gordon made the play with a 90-yard pick six to win the game, and it was up to the officials to figure it out. After the smoke cleared, it was a cathartic moment for a team that just has to hit the two-foot putt against an awful Kentucky team to go bowling. … Tyler Bray was rusty. The Vanderbilt defense is great at forcing mistakes, and it showed with two interceptions and a pick six while keeping the Vol passing game under wraps. The big difference with Bray, though, was that his presence opened things up for the ground game. Tauren Poole finally got room to move with the safeties staying back a bit. … Da’Rick Rogers deserves All-SEC honors. Vandy focused on stopping him and failed, allowing ten catches for 116 yards and two scores.
Nov. 12 at Arkansas 49 … Tennessee 7
CFN Analysis:
0-6 in the SEC. The Vols might have a tough SEC slate with no Ole Miss or Mississippi State from the West, and Vanderbilt and Kentucky are coming up, but it’s still inexcusable to score a grand total of 23 points in the last four conference games. The offense isn’t getting any better with nothing coming from the ground game and the quarterbacks not putting points on the board. … Justin Worley completed 15-of-29 passes for 208 yards and a pick, and Da’Rick Rogers caught five passes for 106 yards. Rogers has been strong under bad circumstances. ... It’ll take wins over the last two weeks to go bowling, but the team is used to it. Last year the Vols had to win their final four games to get to a bowl.
Nov. 5 at Tennessee 24 … Middle Tennessee 0
CFN Analysis: It wasn’t exactly a thing of beauty for four quarters, but the Vols broke a four-game losing streak with a shut out after scoring all 24 points in the first half. Justin Worley showed he could play with 291 yards and a score on an effective 23-of-32 day, but there’s still a huge concern about a running game that continues to go nowhere. Tauren Poole couldn’t get loose, running for just 13 yards on 11 carries, but he scored twice to help put the game out of reach early. The 120 rushing yards were way too paltry against a Middle Tennessee run defense that came into the game ranked 112th in the nation. Next week against Arkansas, the offensive line has to get more of a push against a Hog front that stuffed South Carolina cold.
Oct. 29 South Carolina 14 … at Tennessee 3
CFN Analysis: Now it’s really getting ugly. Tyler Bray obviously meant everything to the team, with the Vols scoring just 28 points in the last four games and going nowhere with Justin Worley getting the nod. The freshman completed 10-of-26 passes for 105 yards and two picks, and Matt Simms didn’t do any better completing 5-of-12 passes for just 46 yards. It was too easy for South Carolina, just like it’s been too easy for everyone else. Load up to stop Tauren Poole, and the Vol offense goes dead in the water. The O came up with just 186 yards of total offense and only held on to the ball for 23:42. The defense did what it could, with A.J. Johnson making 12 stops, but the offense didn’t come close to taking advantage of any chances to take over the game. Fortunately, Middle Tennessee is up next before going to Arkansas, and the layup couldn’t come at a better time.
Oct. 22 at Alabama 37 … Tennessee 6
CFN Analysis:
The Vols did what they could to stay alive, with the defense coming up with a strong performance in the first half, but the offense doesn’t have any pop without Tyler Bray; Matt Simms just couldn’t make anything work. Tauren Poole ran relatively well as the only part of the attack that had any success, but once Bama turned it on in the second half, there weren’t any answers. It’s not fair, though, to judge the team based on games against LSU and Alabama. At 0-4 in SEC play, a win over South Carolina is a must with a trip to Arkansas down the road. At some point the pass rush has to show up or a 6-6 record will be the ceiling.
Oct. 15 LSU 38 ... at Tennessee 7
CFN Analysis:
Tennessee gave a valiant effort but it was over late in the first half. The offense didn’t have the pop or the passing game without Tyler Bray. Matt Simms completed 6-of-20 passes for 128 yards and two picks, but it’s not fair to judge him on a performance against the LSU secondary. The running game was surprisingly decent, running for 111 yards, but it wasn’t enough to throw any sort of a scare into the LSU D. Unfortunately, things don’t get any easier with Alabama and South Carolina up next, and until the ground game can get better, if it can get better, the offense is going to keep sputtering in SEC play.
Oct. 8 Georgia 20 … at Tennessee 12
CFN Analysis:
The Vol offensive line is having a nightmare of a time. Georgia was able to get to the quarterbacks without a problem, and Tauren Poole and the backs didn’t have any room to move. Poole finished with seven yards on seven carries, and Tyler Bray and Matt Simms were hit time and again. Simms did what he could when Bray hurt his hand, but the offense needs No. 8 to have any chance going forward. Simms doesn’t push the ball down the field like Bray does, and with no running game, it’s bombs away or bust for the Tennessee attack. The defense did a good job, but it’ll have to find a way to come up with several key takeaways for the Vols to have any hope against LSU or Alabama over the next two weeks.
Oct. 1 at Tennessee 41 … Buffalo 10
CFN Analysis: The Vol passing game rolled without Justin Hunter as Da’Rick Rogers stepped up and showed he could be the No. 1 target with seven catches for 180 yards and two scores. Tyler Bray continues to be terrific completing 21-of-30 passes for 342 yards and four scores, but most importantly, at least besides the play of Rogers, the running game showed up with Tauren Poole finally getting a little room to move with 101 yards on 17 carries. Tennessee was never threatened and it looked refreshed after getting two weeks off from the Florida game. This was a god tune-up game with home games against Georgia and LSU up next.
Sept. 17 at Florida 33 … Tennessee 23
CFN Analysis: The Vols lost WR Justin Hunter to a knee injury, and they seemed to lose their firepower and their deep ability. Tyler Bray, as always, was fearless, and he spread the ball around extremely well with his star out of the picture. The offensive line that’s been such a problem so far in pass protection didn’t have a prayer against the Gator offensive front to get the ground game going, finishing with -9 net yards with Tauren Poole coming up with just 18 yards on nine carries. This was Bray’s offense and he did what he could, but Tennessee was overmatched. With winnable home games against Buffalo and Georgia up next, the Vols have to get the ground game moving a bit, but they mostly have to tune up the passing game even more with LSU and Alabama coming up soon. Forget about moving the ball on the ground against the Tide and Tigers.
Sept. 10 at Tennessee 45 ... Cincinnati 23
CFN Analysis: It’s time to start talking about Tyler Bray as one of the elite of the elite quarterbacks. Tremendously efficient, he ripped up Cincinnati for 405 yards and four touchdowns completing 34-of-41 passes, while Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rodgers were fantastic, each catching ten passes combining for 256 yards and three scores. The defense had its problems, but Bray took care of that by converting third down throw after third down throw as the Vols held on to the ball for over 37 minutes and controlled the game after a wild first quarter. And now it’s time for Florida. Unlike the last few years, Tennessee appears ready to bring firepower and an attitude that it really can win this game. It’s time to make a statement that the program is back to being strong again, but it’s up to Bray to keep it all going.
Sept. 3 at Tennessee 42 … Montana 16
CFN Analysis: Remember, Montana is an FCS national title-level superpower, and Tennessee had no problems rolling to the easy win. Tyler Bray was phenomenal, especially on third downs, completing 17-of-24 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns while keeping the chains moving time and again. The pass protection was spotty and the line struggled to get the running game going on a consistent basis, but the passing game more than made up for the problems with Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers combining to make 11 catches for 246 yards and two scores. The defense did its job, and now it has to deal with a Cincinnati team that hung up 72 points in the opener. As long as Bray is as efficient as he was, all will be fine.
The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Offensive linemen. Derek Dooley did a tremendous job with a class that might bring Tennessee back to the level that everyone has been waiting for. JUCO transfer safety Byron Moore will be used right away, JUCO transfer defensive tackle Maurice Couch will step inside instantly, and linebacker A.J. Johnson is a stud, but the key to the class is the bulking up on the offensive line with two Signing Day pickups in Cameron Clear and Antonio Richardson. Clear needs a while to bulk up, but the athleticism is there to be special. 6-5, 290-pound Kyler Kerbyson is ready soon, and guards Marcus Jackson and Alan Posey are promising.
Five Tennessee Recruits You Should Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com
1. OT Cameron Clear
6-6, 260, Scout.com’s 9th ranked offensive tackle. Clear is a big athlete that has spent most of his time on the high school level playing tight end. His future is on the offensive line though at offensive tackle. He has great size, he has great leg drive, and he is very athletic. His move to OL will take some time because he will need to learn the position, but he has the tools to be a very good one there. His upside is very high because of his body, feet, and athleticism.
2. DT Maurice Couch
6-2, 295, four-star JUCO transfer. Couch plays end in Garden City's 3-4 and moves inside to defensive tackle when they go to a 4-3. His size is best suited to play for the interior line. He has a good first step and uses his hands well to beat an offensive lineman off the snap. He needs to do a better job of staying low and getting off of blocks once he's engaged, especially if he moves inside full time. Good natural strength and leverage.
3. WR DeAnthony Arnett
6-0, 170, Scout.com’s 8th ranked receiver. Arnett does as good a job as any receiver in the country at getting separation through his route running. On the smallish side, Arnett can still present a big target because of his ability to elevate and contort his body in traffic to make the tough grabs. Can work on getting off of jams as he gets stronger and adds weight. Is extremely elusive after the catch and is quick in space.
4. RB Marlin Lane
6-0, 205, Scout.com’s 23rd ranked running back. Battling back from a knee injury as a junior, Lane has yet to regain the trademark burst that made him so dynamic as a sophomore. He has split carries in the backfield as a senior and seen a lot of time at slot receiver. He has good size and has learned to run with more power as he's rehabbing not just physically but mentally from his injury. Not quite where he was earlier in his career, but room to grow.
5. LB A.J. Johnson
6-3, 227, Scout.com’s 16th ranked middle linebacker. Johnson is a talented and versatile linebacker. He could play inside or outside LB on the next level or could develop into a rush end as well. He plays with a lot of energy, he is a very aggressive player, and he hits with power behind his pads. He does need to work on his drops, shedding blockers, and his flexibility. He is best when attacking north-south and combining his size with that strength, D-End is a possibility.
2011 Entire Recruiting Class
DeAnthony Arnett WR 6-0 175 Saginaw, Mich. (Saginaw)
Allan Carson DT 6-2 327 Oxford, Ala. (Oxford)
Cameron Clear TE 6-6 265 Memphis, Tenn. (Central)
Justin Coleman DB 5-11 175 Brunswick, Ga. (Brunswick)
Maurice Couch DT 6-2 305 Orlando, Fla. (Garden City CC)
Mack Crowder OL 6-4 270 Bristol, Tenn. (Tennessee)
Vincent Dallas WR 6-0 180 Ellenwood, Ga. (Cedar Grove)
Brendan Downs TE 6-6 235 Bristol, Tenn. (Tennessee)
Christian Harris LB 6-2 235 Woodstock, Ga. (Etowah)
Marcus Jackson OL 6-2 315 Vero Beach, Fla. (Vero Beach)
A.J. Johnson LB 6-3 245 Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville)
Kyler Kerbyson OL 6-5 315 Knoxville, Tenn. (Catholic)
Marlin Lane RB 6-0 210 Daytona Beach, Fla. (Mainland)
Izauea Lanier ATH 6-1 190 Scooba, Miss. (East Mississippi CC)
Curt Maggitt DE 6-3 215 West Palm Beach, Fla. (Dwyer)
Pat Martin DB 6-0 205 Greenville, S.C. (J.L. Mann)
Byron Moore DB 6-1 205 Harbor City, Calif. (Los Angeles Harbor CC)
Geraldo Orta DB 6-0 180 Valdosta, Ga. (Lowndes)
Alan Posey OL 6-6 350 Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central)
Brian Randolph DB 6-0 190 Marietta, Ga. (Kell)
Antonio Richardson OL 6-6 325 Nashville, Tenn. (Pearl-Cohn)
Trevarris Saulsberry DL 6-5 280 Gainesville, Fla. (Gainesville)
Tom Smith RB 5-10 205 Apopka, Fla. (Apopka)
Tino Thomas DB 6-0 200 Memphis, Tenn. (Melrose)
Jordan Williams DL 6-5 250 Gainesville, Fla. (Gainesville)
Justin Worley QB 6-4 205 Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern)
Devrin Young ATH 5-7 156 Knoxville, Tenn. (Bearden)
|
|
|