On the road: Kansas
EDITOR'S NOTE: This week the Volquest.com staff is looking at five critical areas across the country Tennessee should take advantage of as they jump into the spring evaluation period. Most of the areas are ones Vol fans are familiar with, but this week we'll take a closer look at why they could be beneficial to the Vols moving forward.
Take out the Vols' home state of Tennessee, along with the fertile recruiting grounds of border state Georgia and talent-rich Florida, and name the state has Tennessee signed someone from for eight consecutive years?
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It's not North Carolina or Virginia after Derek Dooley didn't look into the rich history of Vols from either state and virtually chose not to recruit the two border states in the early 2010s.
It's not California, where many a great Vols have called home. Not Texas either. What about Alabama? Or South Carolina? Two states that have always been generous to Tennessee over the years?
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Keep guessing. Eventually, after throwing out states like Mississippi or Ohio you'd hopefully land on Kansas. Yes, Kansas.
While most of the signings have been forgetful, no offense Stephaun Raines, Rae Sykes, Dave Clark and Riyahd Jones.
Others have been serviceable, most notably Maurice Couch, who finished his Tennessee career with 79 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and those stats would have been higher had he not had to miss almost all of his senior season for violating NCAA eligibility rules (while also having to battle a knee injury suffered during his sophomore season after a cheap shot by a Vanderbilt offensive lineman in 2011).
Cordarrelle Patterson had the biggest impact during the streak that's gone on since 2008. 'CP' made a huge mark in his one and only year with more than 1,800 total yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns.
Williams made an impact in his first year at Tennessee last season playing in 12 games and finishing with 21 tackles and two sacks and figures to be a part of the Vols' defensive tackle rotation this upcoming season.
Blair is still trying to find his way along the offensive line but showed signs of improvement this spring and could help Tennessee on the offensive line in terms of depth in 2015.
And then there's Kamara who just arrived four months ago but is going to be teamed with another former five-star, Jalen Hurd, in the Vols' backfield this upcoming season.
So, the Vols have shot about 30 percent in Kansas recently, but with one huge payoff, possibly another in Kamara, several role players and then several who never even saw the field.
So, why go back? First, it's the immediate help available and there seems to be several guys who could do that (more on that later). But, Tennessee could use some immediate help next season at several positions where the Vols are losing valuable contributors.
On the offensive side of the ball, Tennessee is set to lose three senior wide receivers after the season in Pig Howard, Johnathon Johnson and Von Pearson meaning the need for some more wide receiver help is obvious as Butch Jones and Zach Azzanni like to use upwards of 10 receivers in a game.
That's why Zach Azzanni's first trip out this week is to see several wideout targets in Kansas.
On defense, the Vols will lose Williams and linebacker/defensive end hybrids Curt Maggitt and Chris Weatherd. Incoming freshman Darrell Taylor has the look of playing that same role, but more help is likely needed there.
And, always being on the lookout at the defensive tackle spot is wise as well.
With that being said, here are several players Tennessee has targeted or been in touch with early on that could be ones to watch in Kansas in this cycle.
KANSAS JUCO PROSPECTS
Jeff George WR, 6-6/195, Dodge City C.C.
George has become quite the prospect over the last several weeks after Tennessee initially offered the tall wideout earlier this month. Along with the Vols, Arizona State, Cincinnati and Iowa State have all offered and schools like Louisville are heading to Dodge City, Kan., to see him this spring.
Zach Azzanni seems to have made George a priority early on as we expect George to be visited by 'Coach Z' early this week. With his big frame and smooth athleticism, George looks like an intriguing prospect because of his build and ability. Right now, Tennessee has to be considered to be in good standing because of the early attention. He expects to visit in the fall.
Ladarius McElroy WR, 6-5/220, Butler C.C.
McElroy may be one of the most intriguing prospects in Kansas this year. A native of Ashdown, Ark., the jumbo receiver burst onto the scene his senior season after playing sparingly up until that point. But, poor grades landed him at Butler where he redshirted last year to begin to refine his still-raw game.
No one is quite sure what he will turn into as a receiver as he's still learning, but according to his coaches he's become much more dedicated to the game and has seen improvement. Azzanni is expected at Butler early this week to scout McElroy, who at 6-5, 220 possesses a great frame to build on with impressive athleticism as well. McElroy may not be able to be a December graduate, but he should have three years to play three at the end of next May which is inciting as well. He has no offers at this point but if he continues to trend in the right direction that shouldn't last too much longer.
Koron Crump DE/LB, 6-3/220, Fort Scott C.C.
Tennessee has already offered Crump and he fits into the mold as an undersized, athletic defensive end/linebacker hybrid that can get after the passer, but also spy the quarterback and cover in space that we've seen Tennessee utilize under John Jancek.
Jancek has been in communication with Crump now for several months and offered the St. Louis native earlier this spring but the Vols aren't he only school after him. Arizona State, Baylor and Kentucky have all offered and that list is likely to grow this spring with coaches stopping by. Blessed with outstanding closing speed and a strong burst off the line, Crump would fit in nicely in the Vols' defense because of his ability to create havoc in the backfield as evidenced by his 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss as a freshman at Fort Scott.
Alexis Johnson DT, 6-4/280, Fort Scott C.C.
As we mentioned, it's never a bad thing if you find an athletic defensive lineman at the junior college level and one that's caught several team's eye is Johnson. The Atlanta, Ga., native already has offers from Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati with more coming in to look at him this spring.
Johnson played both tackle and end last year for Fort Scott and was regularly in opponent's backfield with a nice combination of size, 6-4, 280, and quickness. Tennessee has been in contact and will likely Johnson this month or into next month. He's at least an early name to keep filed away as the Vols look to possibly add help on the defensive line in the junior college ranks.