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Stock Up
1. RB Alvin Kamara: I was hesitant to rev up the hype machine until I saw him get some live work in. After just a few plays in Saturday’s scrimmage portion, there’s plenty of evidence that he’s going to be a very capable SEC running back from the first time he steps on the field in a real game in 2015. He’s a complete package: Speed, instincts, hands, blocking and enough size to handle plenty of work. I’d caution fans from letting his legend grow too much before he does it against some tougher defenses. Tennessee, after all, is a shadow of what it will be this fall on defense right now. But my initial impressions of the former Alabama and junior college running back are very high and it’s fair to say he’s as good, if not better, than advertised.
2. DTs Kendal Vickers & Shy Tuttle: I’m always skeptical of the spring warrior that fades in the fall as other players arrive and/or return from injury. Vickers certainly is at risk of falling into that category with the incredible amount of talent on the defensive line that will be there in the fall. But at least for the time being, the converted defensive end is making the most of his opportunity and appears to be carving out at least a spot in the rotation. He’s arguably the strongest player on the team, and still has much of his speed from being a pass-rushing end in high school despite packing on close to 60 pounds in the past few years. Coaches and teammates are raving about him. Look for him to, at the very least, be a contributor in 2015.
Tuttle is having a great camp as well. Sometimes forgotten as the “other” highly-ranked defensive tackle coming in this class, Tuttle moves way better than a 315-pounder should be able to, and has made several disruptive plays this spring. His conditioning needs some work, but he’s also lining himself up for a share of the rotation in 2015.
3. Quinten Dormady’s chances at winning the backup QB job: Nothing will be decided on this front until Sheriron Jones gets his chance this summer. But pencil Dormady in as the leader in the clubhouse after a solid spring so far. He’s clearly the most developed quarterback on the roster not named Joshua Dobbs. The 19-year old son of a coach has a great grasp for the position and throws a very nice ball. He’s had his fair share of mistakes such as an interception at the hands of Evan Berry in Saturday’s scrimmage. But he’s well ahead of Jauan Jennings as a passer right now and he moves around the pocket well too, making him an early favorite to be QB2.
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