All I know is if you are a Vol fan and aren't concerned about the lack of top OT we are able to land then you are wearing the orange glasses heavily.
We need at least one OT prospect who can play immediately. After losing Richmond, we no longer have a realistic shot at getting one from the HS ranks. Going the JUCO route makes all the sense in the world at this point.
I think we have to be very careful about taking too many JUCO linemen from here on out. Maybe 1 per year on each side, but CBJ very clearly has stated he prefers developing players from their freshman year and especially with a redshirt option. That is the way to build quality depth. Ideally, you want JUCO's to be skill positions such as WR and RB, which are much easier to develop and contribute quickly.
I know we missed on Richmond and people are down and out, but I've been pleased with our OL recruiting. We return all but one opening day starter next year and have seen really good things out of guys like Robertson despite him just recently getting moved. We have our future RT in Thomas and I truly believe that next year with Kendrick and Blair getting another year in the system we will have a serviceable LT to go along with a very experienced OL.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is, no to a JUCO, and if we do take 1 or 2, we are in more trouble than we think along the OL.
VN brother, it seems like you have an axe to grind with our O-line coach. I am concerned about our whole O-line not just OT. WE ARE ADDRESSING THESE NEEDS, AND LIKE EVERY TEAM DOES, WE MISSED ON A RECRUIT TODAY. We had focused on Drew and be it $, peer pressure, or he just plain preferred OM then so be it. But do not blame this O-line coach for our current problems. Blame the real culprits, the dam Dofus Dooley coaching staff that did not recruit worth a dam and went one whole class and did not sign a single, not one single, offensive lineman. CBJ and his staff are having to piece together a line because they were not left with many parts to build one. In four years then it is on CBJ, but not now, not this year and not next year.