Signing Class Report Card: Tennessee Volunteers
Biggest Needs: Tennessee started one of the youngest offensive lines in 2011, and the great news for Vol fans is that every man on the two-deep O-line depth chart returns in 2012. QB Matt Simms graduates, but Tennessee fans will not miss a guy that was relegated to third on the depth chart. Much like the O-line group, Tennessee’s receiving corps doesn’t lose a single player to graduation. The biggest offensive loss comes with the graduation of RB Tauren Poole. While Poole’s 693 rushing yards won’t wow anyone, it is always tough to replace a quality back in the SEC.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tennesse has to replace a few more guys than the offense. Up front the Vols have to replace DT Malik Jackson. Jackson led the Vols in tackles for loss with 11. The Vols lose their defensive leader with the graduation of LB Austin Johnson; they also have to replace LB Daryl Vereen who was a situational defender. They have to replace a couple of defenders in the defensive backfield, but if the Vols can find a replacement for Austin Johnson, there is a ton of experience returning next year on both sides of the ball.
Needs Met: If you love skill positions, you will love the 20 guys that Tennessee signed in the 2012 recruiting class. On the offensive side of the ball, Tennessee signed four outstanding receivers. Jason Croom and JUCO transfer Cordarrelle Patterson are both tall (over 6’4”) physical receivers that will pose significant match-up problems for defenses, and while Drae Bowles and Alton Howard aren’t that tall, they can both fly. They signed two RB’s in this class, and Alden Hill fits the fullback mold at 220lbs. RB Quenshaun Watson is a quality speed back that will add depth. Davante Borque is listed as an athlete, but he will also probably play RB when he gets on campus, and he will push for playing time next year. The Vols also signed Justin Meredith, a quality TE prospect out of South Carolina, and they signed QB Nathan Peterman who will have time to redshirt and develop behind Tyler Bray and Justin Worley.
Tennessee signed five defensive linemen with this signing class. DT Daniel McCullers and DT Danny O’Brien are the headliners on the defensive front, but I think Vol fans will really like JUCO transfer Darrington Sentimore. Sentimore started out his career at Alabama, and while at Alabama he was always praised for his high motor. Justin King is the lone LB signed in this class, and he is a big LB that will be solid in the middle of the field for Tennessee in coming years. They also signed three defensive backs and I think Deion Bonner is too good to keep off the field next year. I would not be surprised to see him starting next year. Even though the Vols return a lot of starters next year, don’t be surprised if some of these guys come in and take some starting jobs away from guys already on campus.
Biggest Get: Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson was a singing day pick-up, and I think he will be highly involved in the offense next year.
Biggest Miss: Jovon Robinson. Robinson was a big punishing in-state RB that the Vols let get away.
Final Evaluation: This class definitely gives Tennessee depth at the skill positions to match up with just about any SEC team. Unfortunately Tennessee was terrible in run blocking in 2011, and if I were a Tennessee fan, I would have liked to have seen a few O-Linemen signed in 2012. All SEC fans know games are won in the trenches.
Final Grade: B+
Other 2012 Signing Report Cards:
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Didn’t you say that everyone in the 2 deep is returning? And there’s also the fact that all except for one offensive lineman this year that will play significant minutes are juniors or below. The next class requires some O-lineman. This one was about skill positions.
well theyre picked up another linebacker and leap frogged lsu in rankings so least an A- now. pretty impressive, tenn is on the way back, they have a roster to compete with anyone and a legit coaching staff.. and the oline will be just fine because new oline coach and the best 5 will play.. aka tiny richardson…in there.. if bray stays healthy and they can run block , watch out for a surpise come back year..