RTT#17 Kenny O'Neal: reviewing the class of 2007

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 7, 2008 7:45 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

So how did wicked fast Kenny O'Neal (RTT#17) do his first season on Rocky Top? First, his initial recruiting profile:

Hmm. Let's say fine, but not as well as expected for such a speedster. He played in 12 games this season, but his two attempts at reverses didn't work and he only caught two balls, one against Arkansas State and a doozy from Jonathan Crompton against Louisiana LaFayette:

Games Played	Rushing					Total Offense		Receiving				Pts
	Rushes	Gain	Loss	Net	TDs	Plays	Yds	No	Yds	TD	TTL TDs
12	2	4	0	4	0	2	4	2	59	1	1	6

So what do you think? Rated too high in the Class of 2007, too low, or just right?

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Dissapointing.

I really expected and hoped to see more of this kid last season. He played well at Fla. State and he's obviously talented. I know he's really good on the EA '08 game, he's my #1 reciever.

I certainly hope to see more of him this season even though I didn't hear anything about him this spring. Is he even still on the team? I hope so and I hope The Claw finds a way to utilize him more. He could be a real contributor.

I've got something for you young man. Oh! It's Thaa Claawww!! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw...

by XRayVol on May 7, 2008 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

Dangit!

Disappointing.

Sometimes I wonder about myself.

I've got something for you young man. Oh! It's Thaa Claawww!! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw...

by XRayVol on May 7, 2008 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

One of my criticism's of Cutcliffe...

was his seeming lack of creativity when he would put someone like Kenny O'neal in the game. Joel mentioned the reverses that never worked, and I'll go ahead and point out the one play he was in the SECCG for he just ran a go route and it seemed like the play was designed to just chuck it to him no matter what. It seemed like any time we put someone like Kenny in there (Brent Vinson when he was still at wideout) it was just for an attempt at a reverse or a deep ball. I think we need to see what he can do with a full package of plays.

by Getoffmyvols on May 7, 2008 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Yeah, I never liked the special play for a special player when that player only played for that special play. Knowing what the offense is going to do might not matter if you're that much better than the defense, but few teams can say that, and shouldn't you use everything at your disposal anyway, including the element of surprise or at least unpredictability?

It's worked for some. See Tim Tebow his first year. Shoot, see Gerald Jones for us last year. But with Tebow, even Meyer threw a fake run and a pass in there after several runs in a row.

I think that Clawson's going to disguise his plays better based on personnel. I hope, anyway.

Go Vols!

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 7, 2008 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup.

I agree. I think he could be quite useful running a myriad of routes. Stop and gos, zig-zags, posts, etc... The guy's got mitts and wheels, I just hope we get more creative trying to use him as well as the others. I really think The Claw will do a better job of utilizing guys' talents so we should see some much more interesting plays.

I've got something for you young man. Oh! It's Thaa Claawww!! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw...

by XRayVol on May 7, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions