A look Back On 2012 Recruiting Class

[voldawgforever]

Interesting read. INB4 copy and paste special and blah blah blah.

It was a recruiting class that -- on paper -- appeared to help the University of Tennessee football program and coach Derek Dooley get back on track. On National Signing Day 2012, the Vols had the nation's 16th-ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports and the 17th-ranked class on Rivals.com.

Both those "final" rankings would have gotten a boost with the addition of consensus four-star defensive tackle Omari Phillips months after NSD.

But fast-forward a year later, and Dooley's final class is as much flop as feast. Of the 22 signees that inked with UT, at least seven will not suit up for Tennessee and new coach Butch Jones in 2013.

Basically, we only signed 15 recruits last year. Another amazing stat.

[orangeluvr]

Seven players from the 2012 class have left .

[voldawgforever]

Originally Posted by orangeluvr

Seven players from the 2012 class have left .

2 don't really count. Patterson and Sentimore.

Watson
Bourque
Taylor
Phillips
Bonner

[velovol]

I think you could argue that Bourque,Taylor,Phillips,Bonner were 4 of the top 8 kids 'on paper'.
I know many on here will say it doesnt matter but 3 of those guys play D and no question we could use ANY help on D

[Sackett]

Players left when Kiffin came. Players left when Dooley came and some players are going to leave now that Jones came. It's just the way things go with coaching changes, unfortunately.

[gardners_51609]

More players will continue to leave, I think Alden Hill will also leave, and that will make us without any RB's in the 2012 class.

[thebjd]

Interesting read. INB4 copy and paste special and blah blah blah.

If you are the OP then everything you post is INB4.

[Vol-in-Atlanta]

It's hard to say but one of the reasons Murray and McCarron both returned for their Senior year is that they're having fun. Winning games, getting good press, and having happy fans makes the experience soooo much better for these guys. When times get and stay tough for a 3-4 years it's easier to just say "forget this I'm going to the NFL." Other things factor into their decision, but don't underestimate this issue.

This too shall change. Good times will return. But, I have to admit - I was really fooled by Dooley. I thought he was the guy.

[theutvolunteers]

Originally Posted by gardners_51609

More players will continue to leave, I think Alden Hill will also leave, and that will make us without any RB's in the 2012 class.

Why do you think he'll leave?

[UT Hill Man]

I still have high hopes for the 2011 class.

That was a highly rated class and should provide a big boost this year.

Is it still true that we have lost only one player from that class?

[UT Hill Man]

[QUOTE=voldawgforever;8141247]2 don't really count. Patterson and Sentimore.

JC players don't count?

[Catbone]

This happens with most teams when you have a HC change. 4 head coaches in 6 years causes severe instability and does that.

[FTCvol]

Originally Posted by voldawgforever

2 don't really count. Patterson and Sentimore.

Watson
Bourque
Taylor
Phillips
Bonner

Why, exactly, don't they count?

[voldawgforever]

[QUOTE=UT Hill Man;8141579]

Originally Posted by voldawgforever

2 don't really count. Patterson and Sentimore.

JC players don't count?

Of course. I discounted them because I am looking at this as players that didn't work out, left for various reasons. Going to the NFL is a legitimate reason for leaving.

[FTCvol]

Originally Posted by gardners_51609

More players will continue to leave, I think Alden Hill will also leave, and that will make us without any RB's in the 2012 class.

If Hill were to leave, we'd be left with no RBs and no OL in the '12 class. Pretty cool.

Even if Hill stays, does he ever contribute?