MUST HAVE Recruits: '07

bearcub347 · 12-03-2006, 03:14 PM

1. Berry - We need Berry in the worst way. To play an aggressive, Chavis defense, we need a solid secondary. Plus, we are thin in that position and loaded with upper-classmen. He is the most important target for the class.

2. Donald and H. Smith - According to most fans, H. Smith is not a huge deal. However, both of these players are necessary so we can control our state recruitment. We have missed out on Patrick Turner and Brandon Warren, the two top players in TN, in previous years. By landing Donald and Smith we can begin to reestablish ourselves with the top in-state talent. Landing Donald and Smith could have an impact of 5 years in improving in-state recruiting.

3. D-Line help - It doesn't matter who (Austin, Dunlap, Watkins), but we need top-tier help. Obviously, we struggled this year and there is no extremely promising talent coming up.

General Jack · 12-03-2006, 04:07 PM

Losing in-state talent is a real sore spot for me. Its not like we have that much to begin with, we need to keep the best of what we've got.

To your point, keeping at least one of Donald/Smith would still be a good thing. I prefer Donald of the two, we're already getting some great athletes who should contribute at WR so I'm not quite as worried about losing Smith from a filling the need standpoint. We need some nasty headhunting defenders... to blow up florida's spread option which is going to become every bit the nemesis that the fun n' gun was, IMO.

Berry would be a tremendous asset to the same end. The way the game is evolving, the defense is going to have to dictate - and that means being aggressive. Solid physical corners is going to be a necessity.

As for the D-line... we need some guys coming up like the Darwin Walkers, Albert Haynesworths, John Hendersons, Justin Harrells that we've had. I didn't see anyone on the field with that kind of potential this year after Harrell was hurt.

TennTradition · 12-03-2006, 04:28 PM

I don't see H. Smith playing for UT. Knoxville is too familiar..."everybody" went to school over on the hill...there's nothing mysterious or new about it. I'm sure all kinds of family and friends have gone to UT...how many have gone to ND? I think that kind of mind set often happens when a kid grows up in a certain college town and there isn't an entrenched tradition (like a father) actually playing for that team. I think that his parents feel like they are doing him a favor by pushing ND .. when they're most likely not ... even academically speaking. I think that the chances are good that he would get just as good of an education (obviously depenedent some on his major) over on the hill ... and he wouldn't have to catch balls from a Clausen.

**hvwarrior58** · 12-03-2006, 05:52 PM

Smith is not a must get. I would take Morgan Burnett any day over Smith.

MississippiVol · 12-03-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvwarrior58

Smith is not a must get. I would take Morgan Burnett any day over Smith.

Have you heard anything lately on Morgan, HV? I have a good feeling about us landing Eric Berry, but could you imagine getting him AND Morgan both? That would be groovy!

BigOrangeNation1 · 12-03-2006, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearcub347

1. Berry - We need Berry in the worst way. To play an aggressive, Chavis defense, we need a solid secondary. Plus, we are thin in that position and loaded with upper-classmen. He is the most important target for the class.

2. Donald and H. Smith - According to most fans, H. Smith is not a huge deal. However, both of these players are necessary so we can control our state recruitment. We have missed out on Patrick Turner and Brandon Warren, the two top players in TN, in previous years. By landing Donald and Smith we can begin to reestablish ourselves with the top in-state talent. Landing Donald and Smith could have an impact of 5 years in improving in-state recruiting.

3. D-Line help - It doesn't matter who (Austin, Dunlap, Watkins), but we need top-tier help. Obviously, we struggled this year and there is no extremely promising talent coming up.

I agree with that list 100%...except for Harrison Smith.

BigOrangeNation1 · 12-03-2006, 11:25 PM

Here's the latest on Morgan Burnett:

Burnett obviously enjoyed his trip to Knoxville, but he cautions that he's not in any sort of rush to make a decision at this point. He's yet to make any official visits, and says he'll make at least three and possibly all five before he's ready to decide anything about his college future.

"I'm going to sit down next week and start planning all my visits out. I don't have any dates set up yet, but I know that I'm going to visit Florida, Tennessee and Georgia Tech," Burnett said. "I'll probably visit Georgia too, and I'm not sure about the fifth one. I'm going to try and start taking them in December and see if I can squeeze all five in."

Burnett is well-acquainted with another of Tennessee's top recruiting targets, fellow Georgia prospect Eric Berry. The two play in the same high school region and talk often. In fact, Burnett said they rode to the game together in Knoxville on Saturday.

Dawson · 12-03-2006, 11:26 PM

Berry, Donald, and one top DT and I will be H A P P Y

bearcub347 · 12-03-2006, 11:32 PM

H. Smith is not a must-have because of his talent alone.

H. Smith is a must-have player because he is top-tier talent AND because he projects to be a fast, physical safety (which UT needs), AND because he is our own backyard.

Too many times UT has lost the best talent in the state. Although it is not the production of Florida or California, Tennessee consistently produces a couple top players each year.

And if we can't keep a top prospect in Knoxville, we have in-state recruiting problems.

rockydoc · 12-04-2006, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TennTradition

I don't see H. Smith playing for UT. Knoxville is too familiar..."everybody" went to school over on the hill...there's nothing mysterious or new about it. I'm sure all kinds of family and friends have gone to UT...how many have gone to ND? I think that kind of mind set often happens when a kid grows up in a certain college town and there isn't an entrenched tradition (like a father) actually playing for that team. I think that his parents feel like they are doing him a favor by pushing ND .. when they're most likely not ... even academically speaking. I think that the chances are good that he would get just as good of an education (obviously depenedent some on his major) over on the hill ... and he wouldn't have to catch balls from a Clausen.

If he grew up in East Tennessee and attended UT games and was a Vol fan since childhood and doen't want to sign with us then good riddance we don't want him IMO!!

Dawson · 12-04-2006, 12:13 AM

Not saying I wouldnt want Smith, but my Christmas wish is Donald, Berry, and a top DT

rexvol · 12-04-2006, 07:56 AM

amen, my dream is Donald, Berry, Austin, the Hawaiian, and Jones

utvol0427 · 12-04-2006, 10:17 AM

If we add Berry, Donald, and Burnett to the class we already have and I will be a happy man. Jones, Austin, Paige, etc. would just be icing on the cake. At this point I am not to concerned about getting Harrison Smith because we are in the running for some much better players. I think the emphasis on recruiting in-state players in blown out of proportion by some of the fans.

OrangePappy · 12-04-2006, 01:21 PM

I don't have a problem with recruiting Smith because I do like to see the in-state guys on the team. But, it wouldn't be a killer if we lose him because I never heard them say Patrick Turner, you know the guy from Tennessee that snubbed the Vols for USC.

rexvol · 12-04-2006, 02:46 PM

Trust me, if Patrick Turner had committed to Tennessee, he would be starting right now alongside Meach