Dang this staff is doing work....

[sjt18]

UT has great tradition. That matters to fans. It matters some to most recruits and a lot to a few.

But the point that other schools have tradition to offer as well is valid. Even UF in the life time of most of these recruits has "tradition".

It is also very, very valid that UT has the toughest recruiting situation of any of the SEC teams that has spent any time recently at the top.

BTW, if UT gets the best 20 players in TN right now every year... they will cease to be competitive. There have not been 20 SEC worthy recruits in any recent class.

[VolinMichigan]

Originally Posted by cardwell

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

And Tuscaloosa is?

[cardwell]

Originally Posted by VolinMichigan

And Tuscaloosa is?

No, it's not. But Alabama had several down years in a row, until Saban came in. The success he's had there makes it more difficult for us to compete with them for kids.

Look, my point is simply that UT doesn't sell itself. We've been good for a long time because of excellent recruiting. Say what you will about Fulmer, but he was an excellent recruiter. I'm optimistic about current staff's ability to recruit. If they get a great class, it will be because they worked hard and smart, not because UT just sells itself.

This also doesn't mean that I don't think kids will fall in love with the program and the campus as soon as they step foot on it. I didn't go to UT, but I thought it was an incredibly special place the first time I visited, and still love spending weekends there in the fall.

[cwil4]

DO WORK.

[tnbear66]

Originally Posted by cardwell

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

I don't think it is about the kids dreaming about the geographic location as much as it is dreaming about visiting new and different places in the recruiting process. About attending class and playing for a school that has historically been a winner and where the fans know you when you sit in the stands at a game. "Not a vacation spot". As we say in East Tennessee 'it's just a hop skip and a holler' to one of the biggest attractions in the country. The GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS with all the trappings of a major vacation spot(both good and bad trappings IMO). The natural beauty of the area added to the friendly folks and their rabid attention to everything orange is a huge draw. I could go on and on about the physical location but I will only say there are very few areas of the country that offer the feel of a big city while still having a small town atmosphere. This makes us unique. As for tradition I really take exception to the idea that the schools you mentioned have greater tradition than UT. In addition to the traditions already named in several posts I would add cruising on the river and pontooning with other VOL fans at the foot of the best facility in the country. Also, running through the T, hearing ROCKY TOP sung by 100,000 crazed fans, the maxims...on and on I could go. I sense your love for the Orange but feel you are wrong about at least these items I have named. GBO

[JAL]

Originally Posted by cardwell

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

HAHAHAHA..what a joke!! You have some homework to do. Sorry, but that is the most ignorant comment I have read on this site. Florida was a doormat until the 90s!! Therefore, very little tradition. Texas has a huge fan base primarily because their enrollment is twice Tennessee's. That in no way indicates that their tradition has more of an impact on recruits or anyone else. Bama is a legitimate claim. Tennessee and Bama are atop the SEC regarding tradition and are among a select few nationwide that can boast about a tradition rich past. Enough said...

[CagleMtnVol]

Might it not be a good thing that we have only two commits at this time? While some of these other schools are taking lots of early commits they will be forced to pick and choose later on especially depending on positions.

That way we will be able to better jump on guys who blow up during the summer camps and senior season?

[Sabanocchio]

Originally Posted by cwil4

DO WORK.

This is a pretty badass sig as well.

[Sabanocchio]

Originally Posted by CagleMtnVol

Might it not be a good thing that we have only two commits at this time? While some of these other schools are taking lots of early commits they will be forced to pick and choose later on especially depending on positions.

That way we will be able to better jump on guys who blow up during the summer camps and senior season?

This is an excellent point. We had three or four recruits by this time last year. Do you know how many stuck? One Jacques Smith. It's not just this school that this happens to, it's a bunch.

I think anyone that complains about recruiting in May is stupid.

I have a feeling we are going to put together a class that fills needs better than the last one did and fills them with high quality players.

It may not be highly ranked, but it will do exactly what we need it to do.

[kngjabez]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by kngjabez

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

Yeah, I really don't see how that's valid. Some individuals may be prejudiced against certain things but to say an entire fanbase or institution is prejudice is another - I don't really know which one you're saying. But we have players of all types of ethnicity and race - I don't see how we can be prejudiced.

[Sabanocchio]

Originally Posted by kngjabez

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

There is no sort of perception.

[chavisut]

Originally Posted by kngjabez

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

how so?

[DERELICK_MY_VOLS]

Originally Posted by kngjabez

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

That sir is like wiping your rear end BEFORE you poop because it makes no sense.

[KnoxvilleVol]

If people think Tennessee is prejudiced then I wonder how they feel about Alabama. Up until this year one of the fraternities has been dressing in Confederate grays every year.