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Report: Colts Among NFL Teams Scouting Tennessee at Georgia

By Luke Schultheis

Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to NFL.com College Football 24/7 writer Chase Goodbread, the Indianapolis Colts are among the credentialed NFL teams that will be scouting the Tennessee at Georgia college football game on Saturday afternoon:

"Jul 28, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson watches during the Indianapolis Colts NFL training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/Indy Star via USA TODAY NETWORKTennessee at Georgia11 clubs attending: Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts.Details: Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)Three top players: Tennessee (RB Jalen Hurd, DE Derek Barnett, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin); Georgia (RB Nick Chubb, S Dominick Sanders, RB Sony Michel).Matchup to watch: Tennessee LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin vs. Georgia RB Sony Michel. With Chubb’s status for the game looking questionable at best, it’s looking more and more like Michel’s chance to prove why he’s one of college football’s most gifted backups; more of a star-in-waiting than a second-teamer. Unlike the more powerful Chubb, Michel’s game is more about speed and elusiveness. Reeves-Maybin is one of Tennessee’s best open-field tacklers and, if healthy, could play a key role in containing Michel on the perimeter. Keep an eye on Reeves-Maybin’s ability to wrap and finish tackles with a shoulder injury that forced him out of last week’s game against Florida."

While Georgia star running back Nick Chubb (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday, the game still features his talented backup Sony Michel. The latter 5’11”, 222 pound running back has 23 carries for 106 rushing yards (4.6 ypc avg) and 7 receptions for 58 receiving yards through 3 games for the Bulldogs this season.

Sep 24, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) runs the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 45-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Additionally, the game features Tennessee Volunteers’ bruiser Jalen Hurd, who at 6’3″, 230 pounds is currently expected to be a Day 2 pick in next year’s NFL Draft as a preseason 1st-team All SEC selection.

Through 4 games with the Volunteers, the junior running back has 91 carries for 365 rushing yards (4.0 ypc avg) and 2 rushing touchdowns, as well as 4 receptions for 32 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.

Of course, with a 33 year old Frank Gore, the Colts could be scouting for a long-term successor at the starting running back position with no immediate solutions behind him.

Meanwhile, Jalen Reeves-Maybin is a reigning 2nd-Team All-SEC pick and could pique the Colts interest as a hybrid coverage 3-4 inside linebacker at the next level–something that the team could really use in the middle of their defense.

The 6’0″, 230 pound linebacker has played weakside linebacker for the Volunteers, and what he lacks in size, he makes up for it with his exceptional instincts, sure-tackling, and coverage ability.

Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) defends during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (21) defends during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Through 4 games, Reeves-Maybin has 20 tackles (12 solo) including 2 tackles for loss, but is currently being bothered by a shoulder injury.

The senior linebacker has a chance to be a Day 2 draft selection with a strong showing this season.

With Colts inside linebackers struggling in coverage, the Colts could theoretically use a player like Reeves-Maybin, who’s even played some safety and nickel cornerback while at ‘Rocky Top’. He sounds like a player similar to ex-Colts starting inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who’s been sorely missed so far this season.

Veteran D’Qwell Jackson is 33 years old, while Sio Moore has been very inconsistent through 3 games for their defense. Rookie Antonio Morrison has shown promise, but the Colts could still use some additional help at this position going forward.

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