Has our recruiting strategy shifted?

[vols_are_champs]

Primma donnas may not bring chemistry
But they do bring big plays and wins

[vols_are_champs]

Originally Posted by TennJoe06

I hope Clawson isn't thinking these guys are great, because of the skill level he coached at Richmond. I doubt CPF would let that happen, but I am sure Clawson feels like a kid in a candy store with the amount of talent he has seen so far. I just hope he understands that Tennessee has a totally different standard.

that is gonna give me nightmares
i can see what you are saying. clawson sees a *** (3 star) and is like whoa!!he wants to come here?

[bshell12]

example...U.S. olympic basketball team....by far more talented than anyone but to much "me" ball and they have been coming up short to less talented but better chemistry teams

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Originally Posted by VOLNBAMA

One of the most important things in a team is chemistry. Prima donnas don't bring that.

What is a prima donna? An unrated prospect who grew up as a big fish in a little pond can be as much of a pain as a 5* prospect who let the media attention get to his head. We all want elite prospects to sign with the Vols because we recognize that is the best chance for a winning team. The only wrinkle as I see it is that some folks want to make excuses because two of the past three classes did not meet the expectations that most of us had and that reflects poorly on the head coach who is supposed to be a master recruiter.

[VOLNBAMA]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

What is a prima donna? An unrated prospect who grew up as a big fish in a little pond can be as much of a pain as a 5* prospect who let the media attention get to his head. We all want elite prospects to sign with the Vols because we recognize that is the best chance for a winning team. The only wrinkle as I see it is that some folks want to make excuses because two of the past three classes did not meet the expectations that most of us had and that reflects poorly on the head coach who is supposed to be a master recruiter.

You're reading too much into my post.

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Originally Posted by VOLNBAMA

You're reading too much into my post.

There has definitely been a huge uptick in the 'give me a lifelong UT fan who loves the orange over a 5* prima donna' mantra amongst the Fulmer supporters. It's just an ignorant position to take and it makes us all look foolish. In the future, just end all your posts with the phrase "Fulmer Sucks!" and I will know not to infer an opposite intent.

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

The only wrinkle as I see it is that some folks want to make excuses because two of the past three classes did not meet the expectations that most of us had and that reflects poorly on the head coach who is supposed to be a master recruiter.

We don't know if the last class meets expectations until they start playing. A Rivals ranking isn't "reality". It is educated speculation.

If he is a master recruiter then a) he isn't relying on his Rivals subscription to tell him who to sign and b) will continue to find excellent players that weren't highly rated, ie: Rogan, Poole, A Foster, R Foster...

In short, there's not alot to make excuses for. Those guys have been signed and will either prover they are good or aren't. Again, a Rivals rating isn't reality. As fun as the recruiting war is to watch... the only REAL importance is what the guys do on the field.

[General Jack]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

There has definitely been a huge uptick in the 'give me a lifelong UT fan who loves the orange over a 5* prima donna' mantra amongst the Fulmer supporters. It's just an ignorant position to take and it makes us all look foolish. In the future, just end all your posts with the phrase "Fulmer Sucks!" and I will know not to infer an opposite intent.

You know, not everyone who has a position dissimilar to your own believes fulmer to be a great coach, myself being a clear example. I for one have argued that a good, hard working, team oriented player can be more valuable than a slightly higher rated "me oriented" guy, and suggesting that thought to be ignorant is really only a reflection on one's own narrow views.

Believe it or not, most of us don't intend for every comment to be either pro or ant-Fulmer.

[VolunteerHillbilly]

If it's all a crapshoot, then why do they even bother? Just have an open tryout.

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

In the future, just end all your posts with the phrase "Fulmer Sucks!" and I will know not to infer an opposite intent.

Interesting qualification for what you think constitutes a good, objective post... Just start with the right opinion of Fulmer and don't let the facts get in the way at any point, right?

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Some people consider that qualification to be factual.

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

If it's all a crapshoot, then why do they even bother?

It isn't. The ratings of Rivals and Scout simply aren't the sole or final authority on who UT should sign or whether they are any good or not.

How does Rivals rank players VH? They use measurables, highlight films done by people marketing the player, consider who is recruiting him, consider the competitive reputation of where he plays, etc... right?

Do you really, really think they have the time and staff to accurately and thoroughly evaluate all of the approximately 2500-3000 recruits that will sign with the 130 or so FBS schools this year much less those that completely slip through the cracks to a FCS school?

[sjt18]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

Some people consider that qualification to be factual.

Some people are pretty stupid if they make a blanket assumption then use it as a qualification for every opinion they develop on a particular subject.

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Of course not. But I do think that 99% of the elite talent is properly identified by the services. This isn't like the days of old when the ball coach goes into some heretofore unknown holler and discovers a clan of All Americans.

[sjt18]

VH, you are aware that Rivals arbitrarily limits themselves to a certain % of 4* and 5*, right? That's basically an admission that they can't maintain objectivity year over year...