Big Orange Sunday

8-5-18

*****Disclaimer: Coach Mathews says anything he says about any of these players is
only his educated opinion and
that he hasn't heard it from Coach Pruitt or any staff. His opinions are based on
what he's read about Pruitt's system
and what he's seen at practices.

Stay Healthy, Develop Depth, Develop the Rotation for a 12 Game schedule, Players
have 15 practices to show
they can be a contributor to this team as a player in the rotation that will see
the field this season.

Key Areas of Concern for this Coaching Staff coming in were Offensive and Defensive
Linemen.
(Offensive and Defensive linemen win football games in the SEC).

That's why Trey Smith coming back was so important and Brandon Kennedy, Jahmir
Johnson (RT or LT), Ryan Johnson (C or G),
Drew Richmond, however much Chance Hall can do.

Some of Fulmer's best offensive lines he only played 5, 6, or 7 offensive linemen.

Coach Mathews believes we'll have a very good offensive line.

Coach Doug Mathews says he sees a lot of things in this current (excellent) staff
that reminds him
of excellent teams he's been a part of in the past.

Caller Steve asks where Maliek Gray will play. Coach Matthews said he thinks Coach
Pruitt said
that he will be in the secondary eventually but may redshirt this year and remember
he can still play 4 games if so.

Caller Brandon asks about Todd Kelly, Jr. Coach Matthews said he's a big Todd
Kelly, Jr. (and Sr.) fan,
but doesn't think he'll start because his body type and playing style is more of a
strong safety in a 4-3 or even more suited for
an OLB in a 4-3 but Coach Mathews doesn't see where he fits in to Pruitt's system,
although he said he may be wrong, but doesn't
think he is. With that said, Coach Mathews said he can see TK playing special
teams, that he's a 5th year senior and a strong
leader on this team, and that he may earn a spot in the defensive rotation, but
Coach Mathews doesn't don't where. He says
his situation is like Chance Hall's in that whatever kind of contribution they can
get from him should really help out the team.

Fall camp started Friday. UT 105 total players. 85 scholarships. 20 preferred walk
ons.
After school starts, there's no limit on the numbers.
Only 1 player, LB JJ Peterson isn't in school yet. There's nothing anyone at UT can
do to help him.
Someone somewhere dropped the ball on this. One of your jobs as an assistant coach
is not only
to get the young man signed, but your job is also to get him into school.

The staff still feels confident he can get in soon.

Recruiting:

JUCO DT (In 3-4 a Nose Tackle) 6'4 315 lbs. (Has 3 years of eligibility to play 3
seasons)

3 remaining scholarships for this year of the 21 if all commitments stay committed.

Coach Pruitt borrowed 4 of 25 scholarships in previous class and will probably

borrow
another 4 from next class's 25.

Usually, about 85-90% go where they are committed, but there may be 2 or 3 who
may want to go somewhere else or who may leave if the staff decides a different
direction.

We are rebuilding. It may be a 2 year process.

*It's important to look at who you bring in the first two years of a rebuild.

We're losing 10 seniors this year on defense.

Coach Mathews likes the following about the recruiting so far...

Of the 18 Commits so far, 11 are on defense: 4 DT/NT, 4 DB, 2 DE, and 1 LB.

7 are on Offense: 3 OL, 2 TE, 1 QB, and 1 WR.

The majority of the commits are big linemen to help us completely restock
our entire defensive line, offensive line, and our tight ends with just one class.

These new players coming in are going to have 15 practices to show they belong on
the team
and can help the team. 12 returning players didn't practice in spring. 17 are new
ones coming
in who the staff haven't seen practice yet, so 29 in all who haven't practiced yet
to make the
team. The last 10 practices will already have the scout squad set (mostly preferred
walk-ons)
so it's a key time to prove you belong in the playing rotation before the last ten
practices start.

These 7 JUCO Transfers Should Get Key Looks at Practices:

1. Keller Chryst at QB

2. Jahmir Johnson at Tackle

3.Brandon Kennedy at G an C

4. Dominick Wood-Anderson at TE

(*Huge need for power blocking tight end on the line that he fills because he can
do that)
5. Madre London at RB

6. Emmit Gooden at DT for depth (Shy Tuttle will start)

7. Jordan Allen at OLB (3 years left)

Coaches probably already know 70-95% who can contribute so coaches need to flesh
out the remaining of those final ~ 10%
of players who will be in the rotation to play during ballgames.

Probably 10 DBs will be in the actual game playing rotation of players (not scout
team).

Strong Side OLB Star Position: Kongbo and Taylor already known but need to see who
is a 3rd one
because both Kongbo and Taylor can play DE in certain situations.

Safety: Who can be the 3rd safety

When classes start, player practice time will be greatly limited compared to now.
So at least from about 10-8 practices out before the start of the season, here are

"3 Things the Coaches Need to Do Now to Really Make the Most of Available Remaining
Practice Time"

1. Find out who can play

2. Teach them what you want them to do
3. Evaluate what you can do with them in the ball game

Questions Coach Matthews has Going into the Season

1. Todd Kelly, Jr.

He's played a lot of football at UT. Has played very well at safety at times.
He's a leader of this football team. Exactly where will he line up, where will he
play,
and what will his playing time be?

2. Nigel Warrior

How many positions in the secondary will Nigel Warrior play?

Can play several key positions in the secondary.

Warrior has the potential and talent to move around and play different positions

He can cover man to man, roam at safety, blitz off corner, and blitz up the middle.

3. Chance Hall

How much can Chance Hall help this offensive line?

He's bigger, stronger, and more mature now than he was.

4. Ju'Quain Blakely - Fullback - Blakely is perfect for this position.

Differences from Last Season on Offense:

(We'll have a full array of different formations.)

1. QB who has the ability to get under center.

2. True FB lead blocker (not HB that comes in motion)

lines up with tailback behind him to run the football
on short yardage situations.

3. Two Tight Ends with a Fullback and 1 WR formation

and

4. 4 WRs with no TE formation

Defense:

1. Gooden NT may be backup NT now that Alexis Johnson will start at 5 Technique DE

2. Freshman Defensive Lineman: Kingston Harris, Kurott Garland, and John Mincey

3. Davis and Flowers at Safety

4. Thompson and George, Jr. CB

Corner, Nickel, and Safety positions (5 DBs)

Players to choose 8 to 10 from:

Obsborne, Baylen Buchanan are 2 starters at CB

Shamburger at Nickel

Warrior, Abernathy, and Alontae Taylor (Theo Jackson will eventually play at
safety)

Davis, Flowers, Thompson, George, Jr.,

Maliek Gray is as fine player at freshman as Coach Matthews has seen in a long time
and
will probably Redshirt and Coach Matthews strongly believes he will be an
*excellent* player in the secondary future.

Other players who stand out as deserving good looks:

Tillman at WR
Banks at RB (Physical, excellent player)
Peterson at LB once he gets enrolled