There are so many prospects on offense we will start from the
line and work our way backwards. There’s an abundance of talent on the front
wall of protection from both seniors and underclassmen. Right tackle Will
Ofenheusle is a big strong lineman that plays with a great deal of
intelligence. Ofenheusle easily controls opponents at the point of attack with
brute force but also does an outstanding job using blocking angles and body
positioning to wall defenders out of the play. He sets with a wide base and
works to play low, (though not a natural knee bender or agile) and gets the job
done. In many ways reminds us of a bigger version Chad Clifton and like Clifton
we’d expect Ofenheusle to make his way into the top 90 choices and have a
successful career at the next level. Playing inside of Ofenheusle is fellow
senior Anthony Herrera. Equally strong and a better run blocker, Herrera
has even less mobility or abilities to play in space but is well worth the risk
of a late round selection for a team needing a zone blocking guard. Junior
center Scott Wells is solid on the pivot and was good enough to keep Fred
Weary at guard last year, though we don’t think Wells is as good a
pro-prospect as the aforementioned Weary. They have a pair of tremendous
red-shirt sophomores on the line. Obviously we could talk about the upside
potential of Michael Munoz for paragraphs but won’t and will take a
wait and see approach on him as he returns from the knee injury that sidelined
him last season. One youngster we really have high
hopes for is redshirt sophomore guard Scott Respert, a mean, nasty and
dominant interior lineman that continually progressed last season and looks to
have a great future ahead of him as an early draft pick. Former defensive end Jason
Witten had an incredibly successful campaign last year after moving to tight
end and turned into a complete player at his position; dominant as a blocker and
reliable as a pass catcher. Witten gets movement from his run blocks and at the
same time anchors in pass protection if asked to stay in at the line. When used
as a receiver he always makes the catch and though not fast, does a great job
reading the defense, finding the open seam and sneaking it down the field. He’s
not going to make the highlight reel receptions, outrun defenders in the middle
of the field or time well in the forty but when Witten enters the draft (he’s
a junior) he’s a late first day/early second day choice that could quickly
start for a team and have a productive ten-year career at the next level. Kelly
Washington came on like gang-busters last year and made sure the Volunteer
offense did not skip a beat after Donte’ Stallworth went down with an injury
early in the season. Washington looks and plays like a man amongst boys (heck,
he is in his mid-twenties and a former semi-pro ball player) displaying total
receiving skills. Big and strong, he effectively uses his frame to box out
opponents, extending his hands and catching the pass away from his body.
Washington also has that extra gear that enables him to run to the long throw
and make the deep reception. One aspect of his game that goes unnoticed the
downfield blocking, which is superb. He is also a decent route runner; crisp in
and out of his breaks and stays low as he exits them, quickly positioning
himself to make the reception (though he will get lazy and round them off at
times). 2002 will be a huge campaign for Washington; with questions about the
Vol running game and no second wide out to take the pressure off him, opposing
defense will double Washington and game plan for him. A big campaign could
catapult him into the drafts top eight selections, if not earlier, if 
he
leaves Knoxville. If there is a second wide out scouts would be watching it is Leonard
Scott, an athletic pass catcher with some size and almost nil production.
The man running the show behind center is Casey Clausen, a big, athletic,
strong-armed passer that makes all the throws. Clausen easily drives the ball
down the field or zips the outs and for the most part, throws with solid
fundamentals, all along displaying the ability to make plays on the move. Two
areas Clausen needs to work on are his timing and pass release; all to often
targets wait for the pass as they come out of their breaks and he does not throw
the tightest of spirals but all things considered, he is an excellent prospect
for the future.
On defense the Volunteers have numbers as well, though not as much impact.
Not having the one-two punch of Henderson-Haynesworth with Overstreet coming off
the edge, UT will rely on a three-four punch (a pair of prospects that could
surprise), coupled with a third that will be rush off the corner. Rashad
Moore did a fine job after transferring form junior college last year and is
a nice sized thumper in the middle best stuffing the run. Moore, a defensive
tackle with both growth and upside potential, is quick and strong off the snap
but best making plays in a straight line. If he builds upon the flashes he
displayed last year he could make a big move up draft charts. Likewise, Dementrin
Veal is also very quick but a little more athletic then Moore and has some
upside to his game. Originally slated for defensive tackle, Veal will most
likely be pushed out to end due to the season ending injury suffered by senior Constantin
Ritzmann (a lineman that would’ve received late round consideration had he
played this season) and if Veal picks up the consistency of his pass rushing
abilities, he will move into the later frames. The star up front could be
unheralded defensive tackle Ed Kendrick, an explosive interior lineman
that sat out last season due to academics but a player that did start ahead of
Albert Haynesworth in 2000. Kendrick is quick, athletic and causes a lot of
mayhem up front. Though a little small he does have growth potential and if he
gets back on track, does his homework on and off the field then impresses scouts
prior to the draft, Kendrick could be headed for the initial day. Finally, Omari
Hand moves into the starting line-up and if the senior defensive end turns
in a productive season it would enhance his ability to get draft consideration.
Linebacker Eddie Moore is a solid athlete, intelligent defenders and does
a nice job in both pass coverage or run defense, making plays laterally or up
the field. He has weak-side size,
even a strong safety build, but is a little
stiff and does not display the great range one likes to see in a smaller,
athletic linebacker. Someone could take a liking to Moore and draft him in the
later
rounds as a back-up/special teams type. As usual, the Volunteer secondary is
loaded but starting to build a bad reputation as highly ranked prospects (Deon
Grant, Terry Fair, Dwayne Goodrich, Andre Lott) either fall flat on their face
as seniors or rarely live up to the expectations at the next level. Senior
strong safety Julian Battle is big, athletic and an intimidating force in
the defensive backfield, constantly blowing plays up with monster-type hits. He’s
good against the run but can only pass cover in a small area and plays very
stiff, not displaying the great range. If you’re a defense that does not play
a cover two type system and want your strong safety near the box, then Battle is
worth a top 75 choice. Willie Miles returns to the line-up after the
highly ranked cornerback missed all of 2001 and a good campaign could push him
into the middle rounds. The best players in this unit could be a pair of
underclassmen. Free safety Rashad Baker has terrific cover skills and
plays a tough, disciplined brand of football, positioning himself to make
positive plays on the ball. Baker’s size would be listed as adequate, but his
ability to defend the pass could move him into the first day in a year or two.
He’s so athletic and such a good football player Tennessee may use him as a
situational wide receiver at times in 2002. Fellow underclassman Jabari Greer
has the size to play corner and matches that with terrific cover skills and
instincts. Greer can run with opponents and is constantly around the action
whether it be defending screens or the deep pass. He has the makings of a big
time corner and an early draft choice in the near future.