|
Post by tsu120 on Mar 31, 2024 7:03:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. Wish I could be there, but I have other obligations on the weekends. I have heard on Instagram the new Dlinemen are wreaking havoc!! Both are from Georgia. One a true freshman. The other a transfer from Ga Southern, I think. The RB's, "Solid As A Rock" I think we are good with the WR & TE. I have noticed the TE are being used more than in the past. Thou it's to early to tell. Wilhoite, transfer from Oregon - Butler CC, will be a starter. All speed. Conner Meadows, UTK Transfer, is solid on the OL. Can't wait for brother Ace to get well. One on the Left Side and the other on the Right side The team has been practicing a lot on Punt - Kick Off Returns.
|
|
|
Post by bluetigga on Mar 31, 2024 21:38:33 GMT -5
Didn't know Ace was out...wishing him a full recovery!
Thanks for the updates 120. Good to hear the RBs look good. I feel like Gant wore down towards the end of the season last year. We'll need other backs to carry some of the load.
Denver, that's good to hear about the D-line. That's probably our best and deepest position group. Likely 2 deep at each DL position. With a few new starters on the back end, we'll need the D-Line to set the tone up front!
|
|
|
Post by funkiejunkie on Apr 3, 2024 10:20:57 GMT -5
www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2024/04/03/eddie-george-tennessee-state-football-spring-practice-2024/73154982007/Five things Eddie George, Tennessee State football must get done in spring practice
After achieving its first winning season in six years in 2023 the Tennessee State football team under coach Eddie George has five specific areas where it must improve in spring practice. The Tigers, who went 6-5 in George's third season, have several key players returning and are breaking in a handful of transfers in the spring. TSU wraps up the drills on April 13 with the Blue and White Spring Game at Hale Stadium. Tennessee State football quarterback improvement is a must
Quarterback Draylen Ellis is headed into his third season at TSU, but this is the first spring practice in which he has participated. After transferring from Austin Peay, Ellis arrived at TSU in the fall of 2022 and started in 10 games. Ellis missed the 2023 spring practice, however, due to grade issues then returned in the fall and split time as the starter with Deveon Bryant. Bryant graduated so Ellis, who completed 103 of 196 passes for 1,075 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023, is getting the bulk of the first-team snaps this spring. A couple of FBS transfers − Tevin Carter from Memphis and George Hamlsey from LSU − were set to challenge Ellis for starting reps, but neither has proven to be much of a threat so far.
Former Overton quarterback Ryder Hagan, who played in two games last season, is further down the depth chart along with Youngstown State transfer Demeatric Crenshaw. Figuring out Tennessee State's running back attack
The Tigers are in the best position they have been at running back under George, a former Tennessee Titans running back. Senior Jalen Rouse and junior Jordan Gant will be featured in the backfield. Rouse is using the spring to get back into condition after missing three games with injuries. Gant filled in nicely when Rouse was out and played in 11 games and led the Tigers with 553 rushing yards on 144 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. Antwone Parker, the biggest back on the roster at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, is a junior college transfer attempting to get into the mix along with Ike Brown, a transfer from Lane who played in six games in 2023. Tennessee State has receivers fighting to be No. 1
The Tigers never settled on a No. 1 receiver in 2023. There are plenty of receivers with experience and the coaching staff is trying to identify a No .1. In the mix is DaShon Davis, who led the Big South/OVC in average yards per catch (27.1 yards) last season, along with Dayron Johnson, former Franklin Road Academy standout Lance Wilhoite, a transfer from Oregon, Jalal Dean, a transfer from Tennessee Tech, Solomon Dunn, a transfer from East Tennessee State, and former Overton star Delanie Majors. Karate Benson, who had a total of 53 catches for 606 yards and three touchdowns over the last two seasons, is sitting out the spring with an injury. TSU needs to find enough reps for strong defensive line
The defensive line is the strength of the team. The only problem has been getting enough reps for each of the key players. Defensive end Terrell Allen, who led the FCS in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (28), is in the rotation along with George's son Eriq George, an FCS Freshman All-American, Chris Walker, Tyler Moore, a 3-star prospect from Locust Grove, Georgia, who enrolled in January, and Trinity Valley Community College transfer Cameron Blaylock. Tackle Jalen Bell, who had an outstanding season in 2022 but was injured in the 2023 opener at Notre Dame, is back and on the first team. Georgia Southern transfer Kierron Smith is expected to come out of spring as the starting nose tackle. Tennessee State needs two new linebackers
All Big South/OVC middle linebacker Monroe Beard is back after leading the Tigers in tackles (95) last season, but help is needed at the other two linebacker spots. Ahmad Nelson, Micah Gay and former Ensworth star Sammy Taylor each have experience and are battling to step in as starters.
|
|
|
Post by bluetigga on Apr 3, 2024 12:58:09 GMT -5
Interesting enough, I think there are two other positions that need to be focal points during spring (OL & DB). The D-Line is fine. That's definitely our strongest position group. Having a number 1 receiver is nice, but I prefer a receiving corps that has a few players who can make plays. That said, I'm not super worried about receivers.
There is no rushing attack without the O-line. Same goes for passing attack, if we cannot protect the QB. The O-line improved this past year but considering the O-line struggle from 2022, that's not saying much. We need that group to become dominant and consistent.
The secondary went from one of our more experienced position groups, to one of the least experienced; due to attrition from graduation and the transfer portal. We're bringing in a lot of new faces (signing class & roster additions). Interested to see how these new faces gel and pick up the system.
I agree linebackers is something to keep an eye on. We have 2 guys with experience (Beard and Nelson). After that, we're short on experience. Wonder where Ken Andrews will land in the portal (wishing him the best). I thought he might slide into a 2-man rotation with Nelson for the spot opposite of Beard.
|
|
|
Post by tiger1 on Apr 3, 2024 12:58:11 GMT -5
www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2024/04/03/eddie-george-tennessee-state-football-spring-practice-2024/73154982007/Five things Eddie George, Tennessee State football must get done in spring practice
After achieving its first winning season in six years in 2023 the Tennessee State football team under coach Eddie George has five specific areas where it must improve in spring practice. The Tigers, who went 6-5 in George's third season, have several key players returning and are breaking in a handful of transfers in the spring. TSU wraps up the drills on April 13 with the Blue and White Spring Game at Hale Stadium. Tennessee State football quarterback improvement is a must
Quarterback Draylen Ellis is headed into his third season at TSU, but this is the first spring practice in which he has participated. After transferring from Austin Peay, Ellis arrived at TSU in the fall of 2022 and started in 10 games. Ellis missed the 2023 spring practice, however, due to grade issues then returned in the fall and split time as the starter with Deveon Bryant. Bryant graduated so Ellis, who completed 103 of 196 passes for 1,075 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023, is getting the bulk of the first-team snaps this spring. A couple of FBS transfers − Tevin Carter from Memphis and George Hamlsey from LSU − were set to challenge Ellis for starting reps, but neither has proven to be much of a threat so far.
Former Overton quarterback Ryder Hagan, who played in two games last season, is further down the depth chart along with Youngstown State transfer Demeatric Crenshaw. Figuring out Tennessee State's running back attack
The Tigers are in the best position they have been at running back under George, a former Tennessee Titans running back. Senior Jalen Rouse and junior Jordan Gant will be featured in the backfield. Rouse is using the spring to get back into condition after missing three games with injuries. Gant filled in nicely when Rouse was out and played in 11 games and led the Tigers with 553 rushing yards on 144 carries and scored 10 touchdowns. Antwone Parker, the biggest back on the roster at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, is a junior college transfer attempting to get into the mix along with Ike Brown, a transfer from Lane who played in six games in 2023. Tennessee State has receivers fighting to be No. 1
The Tigers never settled on a No. 1 receiver in 2023. There are plenty of receivers with experience and the coaching staff is trying to identify a No .1. In the mix is DaShon Davis, who led the Big South/OVC in average yards per catch (27.1 yards) last season, along with Dayron Johnson, former Franklin Road Academy standout Lance Wilhoite, a transfer from Oregon, Jalal Dean, a transfer from Tennessee Tech, Solomon Dunn, a transfer from East Tennessee State, and former Overton star Delanie Majors. Karate Benson, who had a total of 53 catches for 606 yards and three touchdowns over the last two seasons, is sitting out the spring with an injury. TSU needs to find enough reps for strong defensive line
The defensive line is the strength of the team. The only problem has been getting enough reps for each of the key players. Defensive end Terrell Allen, who led the FCS in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (28), is in the rotation along with George's son Eriq George, an FCS Freshman All-American, Chris Walker, Tyler Moore, a 3-star prospect from Locust Grove, Georgia, who enrolled in January, and Trinity Valley Community College transfer Cameron Blaylock. Tackle Jalen Bell, who had an outstanding season in 2022 but was injured in the 2023 opener at Notre Dame, is back and on the first team. Georgia Southern transfer Kierron Smith is expected to come out of spring as the starting nose tackle. Tennessee State needs two new linebackers
All Big South/OVC middle linebacker Monroe Beard is back after leading the Tigers in tackles (95) last season, but help is needed at the other two linebacker spots. Ahmad Nelson, Micah Gay and former Ensworth star Sammy Taylor each have experience and are battling to step in as starters. That is a little concerning but I say give it time. They are learning new a playbook and language. At this point I would be more concerned with the OL development because without that and last years fiasco, nobody at signal caller will get much done. Obvious changes were made in the offseason so I am willing to give this staff the benefit of doubt and grace. I plan on making it to the scrimmage next week and will report back on developments.
|
|
|
Post by funkiejunkie on Apr 3, 2024 15:06:47 GMT -5
Honestly, it's what I expected. A senior should be ahead of a RS-FR. The OC is new, so he doesn't have an advantage of knowing the offense. He does have experience with his receivers though, and game experience. If the talent between them is comparable, that's gonna be the deciding factor.
I agree with you, I'm more concerned with revamping the line.
|
|
|
Post by tsundenver on Apr 3, 2024 15:41:49 GMT -5
Maybe Ellis just needed some decent coaching.
|
|
|
Post by funkiejunkie on Apr 3, 2024 20:16:25 GMT -5
Think about it though; he's going into year 3, but his first spring practice. There was almost no way he was gonna be good last year after missing the spring. Of course, he made that bed and had to sleep in it. But I think being available now should put him back on track.
|
|
|
Post by tsucrat on Apr 3, 2024 22:02:19 GMT -5
Think about it though; he's going into year 3, but his first spring practice. There was almost no way he was gonna be good last year after missing the spring. Of course, he made that bed and had to sleep in it. But I think being available now should put him back on track. Nah. I don't think spring practice would have fixed what we saw from him last year. Dude is talented, but Oline play, play calling, and a few personal tendencies probably hurr him more than not being in spring practice
|
|
|
Post by bluetigga on Apr 4, 2024 9:54:04 GMT -5
I agree with both. He has some habits he can work on, but I think Spring ball could've definitely helped him. Rhythm, psyche, and sole ownership of the starting QB role come to mind.
I think Ellis missing Spring practice last year allowed Bryant to catch him, which led to both splitting snaps during the season. Remember, Bryant was the day one starter against Notre Dame, not Ellis. Coach deciding to "go with the hot hand", could've caused Ellis (and Bryant) to force plays at times, to try to stay on the field.
I also agree Ellis has some habits he has to work on regardless.
Let's just hope coming into his senior year, he has tunnel vision on playing his best ball and being an experienced leader. Definitely, want all of our QBs improving and playing at a high level. It's good to hear right now Ellis is taking charge. It gives the younger guys something to shoot for. "This is what we expect from our starting QB"
|
|
|
Post by tsundenver on Apr 5, 2024 13:53:53 GMT -5
He was covered. Great throw and catch
|
|
|
Post by funkiejunkie on Apr 5, 2024 13:58:22 GMT -5
Hamsley with the throw
|
|
|
Post by tsucrat on Apr 5, 2024 14:06:16 GMT -5
Ain't nothing a DB can do against a throw like that unless he got another gear.
|
|
|
Post by tsundenver on Apr 6, 2024 20:19:06 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by tsucrat on Apr 6, 2024 20:43:15 GMT -5
Saw quite a few passes. Hopefully that means we intend to make defenses respect our passing game a little more.
|
|