Austin Johnson was back in his comfort zone Tuesday, situated in the heart of the defense at middle linebacker for Tennessee's first scrimmage of the fall.
For parts of the practice, Johnson was flanked by two players whose last Neyland Stadium football experience came on a recruiting trip — freshmen A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt.
A lack of chemistry and togetherness would have been understandable, but Johnson saw no such thing.
"They know what they are doing," Johnson said. "They have picked up on it really quickly. We are all working together as a unit."
Johnson, who was back at his old position after a brief stint at outside linebacker, wasn't the only one who saw it that way.
Coach Derek Dooley, who levied criticism on nearly every facet of the program after Tuesday's scrimmage, was left speechless — in a positive way — when it pertained to A.J. Johnson and Maggitt.
"It's hard to say any bad things," Dooley said. "Those guys are big and physical. They're playing fast and aggressive. They just bring a presence that we have not had at the linebacker position."
Dooley said both Johnson and Maggitt worked with the first-team defense Tuesday. Statistically, the duo appeared to make the most of their respective opportunities, as Maggitt finished with three tackles, which tied for third-best on the team, and Johnson added two tackles, one of which went for a 1-yard loss.
Christian Harris, another one of UT's freshman linebackers, finished with three tackles, one of which also went for a 1-yard loss.
Because of UT's lack of depth and experience in its linebacking corps, all three players, especially Maggitt and Johnson, are expected to contribute as soon as the season opener against Montana.
"We're so used to playing freshmen around here, we don't know what it's like not to have to get a freshman ready to play at a position," Dooley said. "We've gotten pretty good at it, I guess."
The size of both Johnson and Maggitt make blending in just a little easier. Actually, among a group of largely undersized linebackers, it forces them to stick out a bit.
Maggitt, who could work on the defensive line in the future, is listed at 215 pounds, but has clearly surpassed that figure. Johnson, meanwhile, came to school already at 245 pounds, which makes him the heaviest linebacker on the team.
"I know those guys can keep improving and grow into great players," Austin Johnson said. "I think that's what's going to happen. We just have to keep growing from this performance today."
Not So Special: Dooley wasn't exactly pleased with the performance of his specialists after Tuesday's scrimmage.
Though all four of his kickoffs sailed past the 5-yard line, kicker Michael Palardy made just one of his three field-goal attempts, a 37-yarder. Punter Matt Darr struggled with consistency and finished with an average of 41 yards per attempt.
Dooley said he and special teams coach Eric Russell aren't working Palardy, who dealt with a nagging quadriceps injury during the spring, nearly as hard as in the past. Darr, meanwhile, is still learning "the art of punting" as a redshirt freshman.
"He's going to go out there and boom some and he's going to go out there and not boom some, shank some," Dooley said. "He'll get there."
Talking About It: Dooley wouldn't go into specifics, but said there have been "a lot of discussions" about what to do with the opening at left guard.
On the depth chart provided by UT at the start of camp, redshirt sophomore JerQuari Schofield and freshman Marcus Jackson were listed as co-starters. But the emergence of transfer Alex Bullard as a potential starting center could add James Stone to the mix as well.
"It's not where we want it yet. That's all I can tell you," Dooley said. "We'll probably look at some personnel, like we will at a lot of positions. This is a good time to shuffle some guys around."
A Secondary Matter: The shakeout in UT's crowded secondary has yet to occur, but freshman cornerback Justin Coleman provided the biggest statistical feat Tuesday, picking up the scrimmage's only interception.
Because the Vols are set to play plenty of nickel this season, Dooley is looking for the "best five" from the group.
"It's a lot of guys out there mixing it up," junior Prentiss Waggner said. "We're just trying to be versatile in the back end and add that depth and get help wherever it's needed."
Andrew Gribble may be reached at 865-342-6327. Follow him at http://twitter.com/Andrew_Gribble and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/gribble
Rocky Top League opening night
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 60
Goosfraba writes:
Truth hurts sometimes, we have a lot of freshman. I say in time Dooley will be successful and I'm glad he's our coach.
VolGrad writes:
Sounds like there is hope for one of the weaker areas of the the defense, the LB unit.
GBO!
txvolsfan writes:
If you notice Satan talks a lot about freshmen also. It's a big part of college football now and I don't see CDD using it as an excuse. I don't agree but everyone is intitled to their own opinion.
Go Vols
TXVOLSFAN
who supports his team and coach
VolGrad writes:
I think it is just your interpretation.
Dooley has made no excuses.
Go Vols!
VolGrad writes:
...and thankfully, your perception is not our reality.
Real_Vol writes:
Freshmen will have to step up like last year. "CDD is impressed with a 2 freshman linebackers" and they are bigger than our current veterans sounds positive to me. The cupboard was bare dude. . . Good Attorneys win and you need to take a xanax and give him time to build his case
PlaidinOrangeandWhite writes:
CantStandSaban; I read through some of the 730 prior posts; I don't think I could find any thing that you said positive about the Tennessee program; I don't know who your team is, but if all you can do is come on this site and say negative things about the VOLS then you really need to get a life.
VolzsFan writes:
Yes, Layne saw to it that we lost 40 players when he took over. Several are SEC starters at other positions. Anyone who is stupid enough to think that any of these freshman LBs are as good as Reviez are ignant. He will make the Tampa team and these guys will probably never sniff pro ball.
As for DD, all I know is his recruiting has been horrendous. He has gotten very few players that any of the big SEC power teams wanted regardless of ranking and virtually none this year AND his ranking is not even in the top 50. He and the fans are finding out how tough it is to get the kids that every other big school wants. We where spoiled in the past by beating those teams for those kids. We have the best in state talent in 25 years and he gets a kicker from West who's only offer was from the Navy. Face it, it ain't going to happen. It will be 25 years before this program ever wins 10 games in a year again. The fans where spoiled by the Hall of Famer.
VolzsFan writes:
To whom?
VolzsFan writes:
Cont rare, he would be a great AD....football not so much....I'm just saying.
FWBVol writes:
The nut case is a supposed Vandy fan. I'm surprised you've missed his 100 posts about how Vandy had 25 more wins than UT last year in the big three...football, basketball and baseball. The thing is all those extra wins came in baseball.
PlaidinOrangeandWhite writes:
Two top 15 classes ain't too shabby and my bet is that this year's class will be there as well. You heard it here first. 2012 is our year to win the SEC!
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
UT will murder Vandy this year.
Write it down.
givehim6 writes:
Last year palardy was the herald freashmen on specail team, this year its Darr when picking UT we were told they were some of the best. Then during fall practice were told by CDD there still learning the position. What did these guys forget how to play when they got here?
Colliervol writes:
I say a Vanderbilt fan should NEVER speak on football and stick to chess and such. It would be much less painful for you.
new_era_vol writes:
you call yourself volzsfan, come on. you are just another vandygrad closet fan. come out and go away, and GO VOLS.
mountainbrook writes:
You did poorly in Troll School and should have stayed there.
mountainbrook writes:
His other Troll name is Vandy Grad. That will tell you all you need to know.
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Dooley is the bomb. He gets it, all of it. VFL's is inspired. He's recruiting kids with character that appreciate his values. How many comments talk about how much this guy or another one loves the game? How many comments from players about getting better everyday. Getting better everday ain't easy, it's a culture we all strive for but rarely accomplish. It requires reason, discipline and daily consistency. Enjoy the ride.
new_era_vol writes:
agree 110% go vols
OrangePsyched writes:
I'm so thankful for the talented character recruits that CDD has reeled in the past 2 years. No Fulmer Cups for this team as we'll leave that to Florida again. This year 8 wins and next year 10. GBO!
rockytopjeff writes:
A.J. Johnson was coveted by nearly every big time school in the country. He played about 10 miles from me. He is a absololute BEAST!! Mark my words, He will start as a freshman, and if he doesn't have a major injury, will play in the NFL, this kid is that good, Alabama wanted him REALLY bad. Just stay tuned, you will be really impressed with this kid
VOLsince68 writes:
Way too many Negavols and\or trolls on here. It's a dam shame.
GO VOLS!!!!!!
bigorangebolt writes:
It is almost football time in Tennessee! I feel the chill bumps already! I hear Rocky Top playing ! There is nothing like football in Tennessee! Don't stop believing! Go Big Orange!
www.craigsteronline.com
www.baseballchatters.com
FLORIDAGATORHATER writes:
There is a lot of room for improvement at every position, but not being able to kick field goals scared the living bejesus out of me.
Huttdawg100 writes:
AJ Johnson is a 4 Star Linebacker that chose UT over UGA, Florida, Alabama, and Auburn. AJ decommitted after Kiffin left and recommitted under Dooley; that says a lot about his love for UT. Curt Maggitt, another 4 star, chose UT over LSU, Florida, Bama, and UGA. Big fast guys generally beat small slow guys. I love Nick Reveiz, but he's not near the caliber of linebacker as these two. We hadn't seen a crop of linebackers like this in many years.
Last year Dooley addressed serious deficiencies at DB and OL. This year he's doing the same at LB with a huge commitment from Al Wilson Jr aka Dalton Santos. We're leading for top defensive linemen Danny O'Brien and Denico Autry.
Dooley learned from the master of roster management: Nick Saban. He knows what he's looking for, and he's addressing needs accordingly. We can't gamble on guys that might not get into school, especially with Cheek denying Eddrick Loften his shot to play at UT.
Huttdawg100 writes:
You beat me to it. It surprises me that so many people don't know how good AJ is. And Florida completely missed the boat on Maggitt and Jordan Williams; they offered Maggitt too late, and never offered Williams. Those guys were in their back yard.
VOLliven2it writes:
You know, it is sickening to see people on this site go after the trolls. Let 'em die a slow irrelevant death.
This article is exciting. To read our previously thought very questionable linebacking crew may just be gamers, excites me. But no, we turn it into Dooley can't recruit or this and that or whatever. We have a team. It may not be the best in the league or tops in the nation. But it is our team. Why not get behind them? Our whining and complaining changes nothing. So let's make the most of it, support our coaches and players and let the CSS types be unattended. Honestly, I don't care one bit what he thinks or anyone claiming to be a Vol fan who runs down an already struggling program. Rant completed!
mdvol writes:
The field is going to be dotted with exciting playmakers both on offense and defense! Can't wait to see these new guys go crazy! Might even take a couple of real games to work out the kinks but by the time we head to Gainesville.....
VOLS start the season 4-0! (Georgia 0-2)
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"They bring a presence we have not had"
'Nuff said.
GBO
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
As far as the recruiting goes, who really cares where we are sitting right now? The fact is, a verbal is just that, a verbal. These kids can change their minds after the season is over. Many of the kids give a verbal to get rid of the distraction during their senior year playing, and then change their minds later. If Tennessee goes 8-4, we will see a bunch of those verbals change their minds. For example, DeRick was a lock for Georgia, but wait, he signed with Tennessee! Lets get excited about this season and see what happens in recruiting after we are done playing this year! National Signing day isnt until 2012 people!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Can't wait to see A.J. Johnson and Curt Maggitt in action..I remember when they committed to UT, I was screaming @ the top of my lungs..These were TWO VERY HIGHLY recruited LB's and IMO, they are the real deal..Next year with the addition of Santos, that will be a SCARY group and LB's will not be a concern.
Smokey is still on the prowl for LB's that can lay some hits on their opponents..
tennvolsman19651965 writes:
I thought they didnt make em like Leonard Little and Al Wilson anymore. Maybe they do! Go Vols!
drgreear writes:
cantstandsaban is the perfect example of a weak individual. posters like him, sec1, and witch_docotrs_daddy are just jealous fools.
cantstandsaban im speaking directly to you know: Please tell me why you think Vandy is better then tennessee? History doesn't show it obviously, vandys football program is a joke. You can't use any recent recruiting classes to show a difference....even this years! LOSER
So for once in your life don't be the coward that we know you are and answer my question and grow up a little bit.
tennrich1 writes:
VANDY FAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH....Wish I could read your post and believe me I try but.....YOU'RE A VANDY FAN!!!!!!!What, pray tell, could you POSSIBLY know....Whew...glad my heart is in good condition....just having fun......
tennrich1 writes:
"As for DD, all I know is his recruiting has been horrendous".
HUH?????????????At least have some connection to the truth....Quit reading your post when I saw that gem....
greatdaysahead writes:
Why are you on here so much?
keviningeorgia writes:
Didn't Spurrier use to make snarky little comments about UT's recruiting classes beating his? Seems like he said something about how that doesn't always translate to wins on the field. Who had the #1 rated recruiting class in 2009? 2008? 2007? Anybody know? I don't. Any class rated in the top 25 or so, if it meets your team's needs, is good enough.
Man, if I knew recruiting analysts were going to carry so much weight with folks, I would have become one. A guy can get rich in that job because everybody seems to think whatever they say is gospell.
Hey! Gimme ahhnuther of 'em BIG ORANGE bellyworshers.... An ahh moonpie too!
drgreear writes:
Cantstandsabans a coward and won't reply back if you point him out from the crowd
volfan1990 writes:
I've been a season ticket holder since the mid-nineties, so I am as loyal a Tennessee fan as anyone. I have to agree with "Can't stand Saban" despite what everyone else is saying. From day 1 Dooley has used nothing but clever rhetoric to lower expectations for himself and the fans. He constantly refers to his first year as year zero and his second year as year two. He always makes excuses by claiming he has a "young team". Which is true but we have legitimate SEC talent and experience on offense this year. As far as defense we have a lot more experience returning this year and SEC talent at several positions (Secondary, DEs and some linebackers). Not too mention we have the same offensive and defensive systems in place.
All that to say Dooley has no excuse for not putting a better product out on the field this year and he needs to stop with the rhetoric. Not to forget the very easy schedule we have compared to other SEC schedules. There should be no excuse for not winning at least 8 games this year. It's sad to say, but we've lowered our expectations for Tennessee Football. Go Vols
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Great Post!!
Just wait until Santos joins them..This LB corp will be VERY scary to opposing teams..All of these guys are the size that we need at the position.
Smokey says "can't wait until Santos is added to this group"...
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Please stop feeding CSS and the other trolls.Quit responding directly and they will go hungry.
Smokey says "Forget the trolls and let's play some football"...
keviningeorgia writes:
I have lower expectations for this year. I had the same for the 2 previous years. You can't win championships changing coaching staffs and schemes every year.
He gets one more year from me before I EXPECT them to challenge for the SEC. Even then, I expect I will be reasonable about it. Hey 'Bama is supposed to have the best coach in the world and he lost 3 games in the SEC last year. Should he be run out of town?
Pompey writes:
.....I don't care what you say and don't know anyone who does, but I did hear that you have been offered a free a--kickin....I think you need it, might do you good....
keviningeorgia writes:
Thanks for the info. Shouldn't Fla have won it all last year with TWO #1 recruiting classes on the field and the same staff?
My goodness, I guess we'll have to let them play the games out on the field instead of crowning a nat. champ based on recruiting ratings...
TKO writes:
Something tells me you can read a newspaper through this defense.
pingkr62 writes:
It's time for you to pull your head out of your butt and face reality TROLL! G.B.O.!
pingkr62 writes:
When time comes for you to renew your season tickets, maybe you should buy them from a different school. Dude, you need help. G.B.O.
keviningeorgia writes:
Well said. It takes both talent AND great coaching to win championships at the highest level. I think most will agree Saban and staff are really good. Even Myer and his staff had it happening for a time. And, to some folks on here's dismay, in the late 90's, it was Fulmer and his staff too. But, the greatest coaches, lacking top tier talent, don't win it all. Even then, there are 1 or 2 games a year they need a little luck with, too.
It's all the hype involved in ranking that "top tier" talent that people get distracted about. These recruiting analysts try to, but really can't tell which 4.2 guy is going to be great from which will be just ok. They BOTH look great running away from other high school kids. So, as I've said before, any class ranked in the top 25 is a great class as long as you actually get the kids in school and it properly fills your individual needs.
FLORIDAGATORHATER writes:
I'm talking about Palardy. He was 1 for 3 in the scrimmage. He was underwhelming last year to say the least. I know he was the number one kicker out of high school, but so far I haven't seen him live up to any of the hype.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.