Riley Ferguson appears to be gone

[BruiserVol]

I don't care how many stories/excuses/etc. people come up with. Ferguson didn't even show up to his meeting with the coaches to discuss the matter. That tells me all I need to know. He has a history of throwing hissy fits according to a lot of accounts, and I can't discount those after he basically proved them correct by his latest action.

 

[jefferyg]

Article on Scout saying final decision suppose to come Monday. Anybody with a sub care to post it.

 

[bg1968]

No, he's out of the league.

I read somewhere a couple days ago, he heard from a couple of teams about going to camp as a back-up role.

 

[MWAVolfan]

You are working much too hard to make this Dooley's fault.

Ferguson is a talented kid that would have been a 4* if not for his injury at the Elite 11. What if he does have a bit of an attitude? How many successful college players have had their attitudes or work ethic questioned at one point or another (ie. Manziel, Clowney).

It didn't work out for him with Jones. That happens. You have people who are capable followers and people who are capable leaders who just can't work together in every walk of life. I know that many have a need to blame someone.... in this case mostly Riley. It has to be some grave character flaw in him and by extension Dooley that caused the current heartache for so many.

Why can't we just accept that it didn't work out rather than trying to condemn the kid?

I wasnt blaming Dooley for anything. I'm simply saying that if Ferguson was an actual good QB, one of the other schools that offered him would have taken him or he would have been offered by a better program.

I'm basically saying the only reason RF came to TN because it was his best option to play immediately. Not because he liked Tennessee or because Dooley was a good recruiter.

 

[1972 Grad]

I wasnt blaming Dooley for anything. I'm simply saying that if Ferguson was an actual good QB, one of the other schools that offered him would have taken him or he would have been offered by a better program.

I'm basically saying the only reason RF came to TN because it was his best option to play immediately. Not because he liked Tennessee or because Dooley was a good recruiter.

Some people will never give Dooley credit for anything.

 

[ajvol01]

Some people will never give Dooley credit for anything.

Dooley did a good job of getting Riley Ferguson's grandad to be a former Vol and huge Vol fan.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Some people will never give Dooley credit for anything.

Other than running our football program into the mud, what should he get credit for?

 

[1972 Grad]

Other than running our football program into the mud, what should he get credit for?

The fact is that he signed 34 four star players in 3 years, and had an average Rivals recruiting class ranking of #13 in the country.

It may not be great compared to some other SEC schools, but considering what he walked into, it wasn't half bad. Cordarelle Patterson, Justin Hunter, Da'Rick, Sentimore, McCullers, Sutton, Randolph, A.J., Tiny, Pig, Maggitt, Lane, etc. I think that these guys were Dooley's. If I'm wrong, let me know. Also, his 2012 class suffered when the coaching staff left after the second year.

Also, the program was already in the mud when he arrived. He just wasn't able to get it out. Neither was Butch last year, and neither will Butch this year. It was mired chest deep in the mud.

 

[sjt18]

I wasnt blaming Dooley for anything. I'm simply saying that if Ferguson was an actual good QB, one of the other schools that offered him would have taken him or he would have been offered by a better program.

I didn't follow his recruitment that close but Rivals and 247 show an offer from Bama. How much "better" do you want? If I understand correctly, RF has family ties to TN and had been a UT fan for a long time. There are lots of "actual good" QB's that sign with down programs or lower level programs.

I'm basically saying the only reason RF came to TN because it was his best option to play immediately. Not because he liked Tennessee or because Dooley was a good recruiter.

You have no way of knowing that and haven't even provided a good argument for speculating that. But also you brought Dooley into it as if that tainted RF. It doesn't. Dooley didn't land enough good players but he did sign some.

 

[Vol Main]

I am disappointed that RF chose to walk away. I don't buy the Butch did not want him stories, at all. I think it is just another case of a talented but high strung player who started throughout high school not handling the competition and the pine. I hope Reilly finds what he's looking for.

 

[k-town_king]

I didn't follow his recruitment that close but Rivals and 247 show an offer from Bama. How much "better" do you want? If I understand correctly, RF has family ties to TN and had been a UT fan for a long time. There are lots of "actual good" QB's that sign with down programs or lower level programs.


You have no way of knowing that and haven't even provided a good argument for speculating that. But also you brought Dooley into it as if that tainted RF. It doesn't. Dooley didn't land enough good players but he did sign some.

He had an offer to Bama like the kid who tried to commit here. What was his name Thompson? He went to Clemson. Just because it shows an offer doesn't mean its committable.

 

[1972 Grad]

I am disappointed that RF chose to walk away. I don't buy the Butch did not want him stories, at all. I think it is just another case of a talented but high strung player who started throughout high school not handling the competition and the pine. I hope Reilly finds what he's looking for.

Maybe he can get a job at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Looks like the name is the same.

 

[TGVol]

He out coached the Georgia and South Carolina staffs you should have watched those games!
:clapping:

That is definitely true. However its also true he got out-coached in all other games that mattered: UF, Mizzou, and Vandy being the most obvious but also Bama, Auburn, and Oregon (in those losses you could use the lack of talent as one of the excuses).
Still, CBJ just recruited such a good class the he (and the rest of the staff) now deserves the benefit of the doubt for at least the next year or two - let's see what they can do with all this talent they recruited.

 

[Sudden Impact]

That is definitely true. However its also true he got out-coached in all other games that mattered: UF, Mizzou, and Vandy being the most obvious but also Bama, Auburn, and Oregon (in those losses you could use the lack of talent as one of the excuses).
Still, CBJ just recruited such a good class the he (and the rest of the staff) now deserves the benefit of the doubt for at least the next year or two - let's see what they can do with all this talent they recruited.

Pretty simple....Bama Auburn and Oregon, Mizzou were losses any way you look at it. The QB changed played into the Florida loss rather handily. It also came after the Oregon beat down. Vandy we were out coached, absolutely a couple of calls go our way and we win. But we were out coached. End of season loss and too much on the line as far as a bowl appearance.

The So Alabama game one could say he was out coached or that the staff was out coached, however it is could be said the talent saved the day...

Bottom line: In spite of 3 5-7 seasons in a row He managed to bring in a Top 5 class...He must be doing something right. Culture is changing...

I thought Riley's final decision was coming on Monday did something happen?

 

[KBVol]

I didn't follow his recruitment that close but Rivals and 247 show an offer from Bama. How much "better" do you want? If I understand correctly, RF has family ties to TN and had been a UT fan for a long time. There are lots of "actual good" QB's that sign with down programs or lower level programs.


You have no way of knowing that and haven't even provided a good argument for speculating that. But also you brought Dooley into it as if that tainted RF. It doesn't. Dooley didn't land enough good players but he did sign some.

18, don't do it. I've learned that you can't possibly reason with the "Feguson-Haters" on here. The unbelievable conspiracy theories they're coming up with out of whole cloth is amazing..... he really didnt like Tn so he signed here, he really wasn't injured last year and CBJ made it up to "protect" him, etc., etc. You just can't reasonably debate with guys who are dead set on hating the kid.

 

[SeniorDrill]

This account of the back story on Ferguson comes from a guy that's never steered me wrong on anything. This seems plausible. Tony...was told two days ago of the possible Riley Ferguson transfer via his grandfather who lives here in the Tri-Cities area - Blountville, TN. Riley has been influenced by a former Matthews High School teammate - Uriah Lemay - a former four-star WR recruit who just two weeks ago announced his transfer from Georgia. Lemay's announcement came on the heels of a March arrests along with three Bulldog teammates for theft by deception. I'm being told that Lemay and Ferguson have contrived a plan to reunite at the University of Charlotte. It's also interesting to note that Lemay's older brother Christian, also announced his transfer from Georgia after last season and in January indicated he would enroll at Jacksonville State. Christian Lemay was the starting QB at Matthews ahead of Ferguson until Lemay got into trouble and Ferguson took over in his sophomore season. The Ferguson family wanted to meet with Coach Butch Jones before a final decision was made, but it sounds as if Riley is determined in his decision and if a meeting occurs, it will only be for the Ferguson family to ask for a release, which Jones has already told them he will not grant. Ferguson's grandfather and the rest of the family are not in agreement with the decision and the grandfather said he was 'going to Knoxville to kick Riley's ass.' ...and forgot to add...Riley's brother Zach is WR at Charlotte.

 

[SDV]

This account of the back story on Ferguson comes from a guy that's never steered me wrong on anything. This seems plausible. Tony...was told two days ago of the possible Riley Ferguson transfer via his grandfather who lives here in the Tri-Cities area - Blountville, TN. Riley has been influenced by a former Matthews High School teammate - Uriah Lemay - a former four-star WR recruit who just two weeks ago announced his transfer from Georgia. Lemay's announcement came on the heels of a March arrests along with three Bulldog teammates for theft by deception. I'm being told that Lemay and Ferguson have contrived a plan to reunite at the University of Charlotte. It's also interesting to note that Lemay's older brother Christian, also announced his transfer from Georgia after last season and in January indicated he would enroll at Jacksonville State. Christian Lemay was the starting QB at Matthews ahead of Ferguson until Lemay got into trouble and Ferguson took over in his sophomore season. The Ferguson family wanted to meet with Coach Butch Jones before a final decision was made, but it sounds as if Riley is determined in his decision and if a meeting occurs, it will only be for the Ferguson family to ask for a release, which Jones has already told them he will not grant. Ferguson's grandfather and the rest of the family are not in agreement with the decision and the grandfather said he was 'going to Knoxville to kick Riley's ass.' ...and forgot to add...Riley's brother Zach is WR at Charlotte.

This was posted 4 days ago on this thread:

Basilio listener's input (SIAP)

Tony...was told two days ago of the possible Riley Ferguson transfer via his grandfather who lives here in the Tri-Cities area - Blountville, TN. Riley has been influenced by a former Matthews High School teammate - Uriah Lemay - a former four-star WR recruit who just two weeks ago announced his transfer from Georgia. Lemay's announcement came on the heels of a March arrests along with three Bulldog teammates for theft by deception. I'm being told that Lemay and Ferguson have contrived a plan to reunite at the University of Charlotte. It's also interesting to note that Lemay's older brother Christian, also announced his transfer from Georgia after last season and in January indicated he would enroll at Jacksonville State. Christian Lemay was the starting QB at Matthews ahead of Ferguson until Lemay got into trouble and Ferguson took over in his sophomore season. The Ferguson family wanted to meet with Coach Butch Jones before a final decision was made, but it sounds as if Riley is determined in his decision and if a meeting occurs, it will only be for the Ferguson family to ask for a release, which Jones has already told them he will not grant. Ferguson's grandfather and the rest of the family are not in agreement with the decision and the grandfather said he was 'going to Knoxville to kick Riley's ass.'

...and forgot to add...Riley's brother Zach is WR at Charlotte. You probably knew all this but I'd sat on it for two days and was about to bust. Keep up the good work...lots of listeners and growing in the Tri-Cities.

 

[Fingers]

This was posted 4 days ago on this thread:

Seriously. This is old news.

 

[SeniorDrill]

Sorry, just ran across it and thought it interesting. I have not read 50 pages of the thread.

 

[Fingers]

Sorry, just ran across it and thought it interesting. I have not read 50 pages of the thread.

No big deal. It's a well known connection that has been discussed here and via multiple media outlets. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[sjt18]

Pretty simple....Bama Auburn and Oregon, Mizzou were losses any way you look at it.

UT had sufficient talent to give Mizzou a MUCH better game. Worley might have made a big difference though I won't throw stones at the O very much. The D is another issue. UT was badly outcoached by their OC.

UF was another potential win but I still respect Jones for taking a shot to see if Peterman could spark the O. Worley again might have done enough to give UT a chance. We'll never know.

The So Alabama game one could say he was out coached or that the staff was out coached, however it is could be said the talent saved the day...

They were outcoached. BADLY outcoached.

Bottom line: In spite of 3 5-7 seasons in a row He managed to bring in a Top 5 class...He must be doing something right. Culture is changing...

He's a good salesman. He's selling a "dream" right now. The problem is for that to work he has to win some games to validate the promises of better days ahead. I personally think this is a 6-8 win team this fall. Anything less IMO will be underachievement. But from a purely pragmatic standpoint... Jones NEEDS 6 wins this fall. He needs to be able to point to at least SOME improvement on the field to keep selling the "dream".

The caveat to this are the players who are leaving. There are a lot of sour grapes on here now... but NO ONE in their right mind wanted RF to leave the program. Many of the same folks are saying it doesn't matter than Brown and Carr are leaving or that they are just bad players or lack talent. Spin anyway you like it but when your QB position is still somewhat unsettled now but especially into the future... it isn't good when a talented RS Fr leaves. When you have a critical need for DL's, it isn't good when you lose a couple who have athletic talent. Alton Hill was classy as he left but at a minimum UT lost a solid ST's player.

What you do to get them... is usually what you have to do to keep them. Apparently these guys stopped believing in "the dream" or at least their future in it.

 

[1972 Grad]

UT had sufficient talent to give Mizzou a MUCH better game. Worley might have made a big difference though I won't throw stones at the O very much. The D is another issue. UT was badly outcoached by their OC.

UF was another potential win but I still respect Jones for taking a shot to see if Peterman could spark the O. Worley again might have done enough to give UT a chance. We'll never know.

They were outcoached. BADLY outcoached.

He's a good salesman. He's selling a "dream" right now. The problem is for that to work he has to win some games to validate the promises of better days ahead. I personally think this is a 6-8 win team this fall. Anything less IMO will be underachievement. But from a purely pragmatic standpoint... Jones NEEDS 6 wins this fall. He needs to be able to point to at least SOME improvement on the field to keep selling the "dream".

The caveat to this are the players who are leaving. There are a lot of sour grapes on here now... but NO ONE in their right mind wanted RF to leave the program. Many of the same folks are saying it doesn't matter than Brown and Carr are leaving or that they are just bad players or lack talent. Spin anyway you like it but when your QB position is still somewhat unsettled now but especially into the future... it isn't good when a talented RS Fr leaves. When you have a critical need for DL's, it isn't good when you lose a couple who have athletic talent. Alton Hill was classy as he left but at a minimum UT lost a solid ST's player.

What you do to get them... is usually what you have to do to keep them. Apparently these guys stopped believing in "the dream" or at least their future in it.

I have said this before , but you make way too much sense to be posting here.

 

[MWAVolfan]

I didn't follow his recruitment that close but Rivals and 247 show an offer from Bama. How much "better" do you want? If I understand correctly, RF has family ties to TN and had been a UT fan for a long time. There are lots of "actual good" QB's that sign with down programs or lower level programs.


You have no way of knowing that and haven't even provided a good argument for speculating that. But also you brought Dooley into it as if that tainted RF. It doesn't. Dooley didn't land enough good players but he did sign some.

I dont hate Riley Ferguson like some want to say about me. I do believe the evidence speaks for itself. I think it is very telling that one of the first things CBJ did when he took over was rush to go get Josh Dobbs to flip his commitment over to UT. I dont think CBJ was particularly impressed with Ferguson's skill or his attitude. And he Couldnt beat out Justin Worley for God's sake. He cant be that good. People on this board were so "high" on Ferguson mainly because he was the only QB that never got a chance to start last year and everyone was pinning their last best hopes on this kid. But CBJ didnt put him in, supposed injury or not.

Just because Alabama made him an offer doesnt mean they actively recruited him. How many other QBs did Bama offer?

The initial reports were that CBJ asked Ferguson not to come back. I dont think Ferguson was the initiator of the separation, even if he did have long standing doubts about competing for UT's QB position.

I believe CBJ is actively cleaning house. Dooley's players are realizing that this new staff actually can coach and know what good ballplayers look like. Its the end of the line for all these guys that UT recruited that had no business playing for Kentucky, let alone UT.

Did Dooley get a couple decent players? Yes. But even a blind squirrel gets a nut every once in a while. Especially when they coach for such a recognizable program.

 

[VolNExile]

...The initial reports were that CBJ asked Ferguson not to come back. I dont think Ferguson was the initiator of the separation, even if he did have long standing doubts about competing for UT's QB position...

What initial reports? :zeitung_lesen:

 

[lexkyvol]

I dont hate Riley Ferguson like some want to say about me. I do believe the evidence speaks for itself. I think it is very telling that one of the first things CBJ did when he took over was rush to go get Josh Dobbs to flip his commitment over to UT. I dont think CBJ was particularly impressed with Ferguson's skill or his attitude. And he Couldnt beat out Justin Worley for God's sake. He cant be that good. People on this board were so "high" on Ferguson mainly because he was the only QB that never got a chance to start last year and everyone was pinning their last best hopes on this kid. But CBJ didnt put him in, supposed injury or not.

Just because Alabama made him an offer doesnt mean they actively recruited him. How many other QBs did Bama offer?

The initial reports were that CBJ asked Ferguson not to come back. I dont think Ferguson was the initiator of the separation, even if he did have long standing doubts about competing for UT's QB position.

I believe CBJ is actively cleaning house. Dooley's players are realizing that this new staff actually can coach and know what good ballplayers look like. Its the end of the line for all these guys that UT recruited that had no business playing for Kentucky, let alone UT.

Did Dooley get a couple decent players? Yes. But even a blind squirrel gets a nut every once in a while. Especially when they coach for such a recognizable program.

good post! i think race played a factor in some folks wanting to see ferguson as well. especially over dobbs