Nice job, Cat. A few quick notes regarding that list-
*Many on here acknowledge that Butch & Co are often the first staff to find many recruits. Yet some of those same people are the ones who complain that we shouldn't take an unproven kid like that so early in the process. Well this staff has set a trend the past few years of taking a kid they deem to have a lot of potential early, and if they at least continue to show that potential in their senior seasons, then we see those guys in orange on NSD. If they don't play up to what the staff expects, the staff will move on from them (the case for at least 3 of those 4 on that list). And a few months after NSD, the only ones whining and bashing the staff for cutting ties with a few commits are a few select people on boards like these that can't think of something else to talk about. No national writers are trying to make a story anymore about Butch cutting a few guys loose to get better guys. Probably because the Vols aren't the only ones that do it. Move on. Find another talking point. Or we'll get Butch to drop you and add someone that can contribute to this board.
*For the most part, the rankings associated with that list is what those players' star ratings ended up as on NSD (Brooks lost a star due to injury). So for those who are hoping half of our class gets bumped up a star or two, it's entirely possible that won't happen.
*While we all like to follow recruiting and rankings and stars and ratings, this staff has it's own recruiting board and profiles they look for. Personally, when I look at the 20 commits we currently have, I can't find more than 4 or 5 I personally disagree with. And I readily admit that I was wrong about Chance Hall and John Kelly, so what do I know. As for all the star-gazing whiners here, you are entitled to your opinion, but you should probably sit out for a bit if you want to get rid of Labruzza, P-Fant, Bennett, Jackson, Henderson, Bumphus, and there's more current 3 stars you can make the case for. These are good players that this staff seems very excited to add to the fold. Even if the recruiting services think they're only worth 3*. Of course the staff would like to add a few 5* guys like Higgins, Akers or Gibbs, but I'd be willing to bet it's more because they've evaluated those guys as great players that would make this team better, and not because some nerds for these recruiting sites that never played the game think they've got an unfailing eye for talent.
*All that to say, you can question in-game decisions, play-calling, or all the coach-speak that puts us all to sleep every press conference, but if there's one thing that Butch & staff have proven they're good at, it's recruiting. About 6 months til NSD. After what we all hope to be a good season this fall, it should be a fun few months watching more elite talent want to join Rocky Top. GBO.
