Before spring practice starts, RockyTopInsider.com will take a look at 16 uncommitted prospects to watch in the 2016 recruiting cycle. Click here for the full 2016 commitment list.
Devin Cochran
Offensive Tackle – 2016 Class
6’7, 300 pounds
Norcross, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian)
Other top offers
Georgia, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Duke
Status
The Vols were the first team to offer Cochran, a lanky offensive tackle prospect from the same high school as 2015 signee Micah Abernathy, and several others have followed including Georgia, Kentucky, Vandy and Duke. Don’t expect the offers to stop there, however. With his tackle frame, he’s the type prospect that could really blow up over the spring and summer as more coaches get a look at him. He travelled to Knoxville for the March 7th Junior Day and with UT’s early offer and the interest Cochran has shown so far, it’s a reasonable assumption that the Vols will be heavily involved in his recruitment as they try to add some more depth to the offensive line.
Ratings
247Sports: N/A
ESPN.com: N/A
Rivals.com: ★★★
Scout.com: N/A
RTI average: 3-stars
How He Fits
One of Tennessee’s biggest shortcomings on the offensive line since the departure of Ja’Wuan James and Tiny Richardson has been the lack of true offensive tackle types on the offensive line. The Vols had had a lot of 6-3 to 6-4 type of linemen who can play guard and tackle, but not many players who have panned out so far with a big frame, a long wingspan and a lot of upside to play outside.
Cochran certainly has the potential to be that type of player for UT. He needs some development, and that’s potentially why the recruiting services aren’t all in on him yet. But watch his film and you’ll see he fires out low, has good technique, good athleticism and finishes his blocks. He’s especially talented in pass blocking, where he gave up zero sacks in 2014, according to his Hudl profile.
Though he had a couple dozen pancake blocks, he’s not ready to be a true mauler at the college level just yet. He needs some more work in the weight room and that will come this offseason and, even more so, once he gets in a college weight program. The good news for UT is that depth is getting better on the offensive line, so the Vols can afford to take somebody who needs to develop a bit more.
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