Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXVI

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#5,303
#5,303
Ron Swanson said:
No offense...but boo f'n hoo! Recruiting changes daily, it's a big picture sport as someone else just pointed out.

Expectations haven't been lived up to so far this cycle? That happens...change your expectations...deal with it...it's a wait and see game...let's see how the commit list looks in January after we have a big season...etc

Look, you're allowed to have your opinion, as am I and everyone else. But the problem sometimes is that it's stated over and over and over and over and it becomes this you against the other guys negative pissing match. What fun is that?

Recruiting changes constantly, good and bad, and Butch has shown he's really good at it...so why spend all of 2016 telling everyone how you're pissed off because expectations haven't lived up to the hype so far? I don't know man, I've been following this awhile now and I'm betting come NSD you and others will make posts like this..."I'm so glad I was wrong! Butch is the man!"

Or maybe not, maybe We finish 20th in recruiting, lose 5 games and the world ends. The point is that Butch is a badass, he's proven that in recruiting, and UT commitment lists in the Spring and Summer will look drastically different in February...enjoy the ride and stay positive!

Or maybe I'm just a posivol a-hole who needs to deal with the negavols and shut my mouth...

GBO
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Good points, Ron. I thought I would add a little depth to your post in order to hopefully shed more light on the current situation.

I think the "haven't been meeting expectations in recruiting this year so far" theme is based largely on three things. First, Tee Higgins chose a different school. Second, our current commitment list is loaded with 3 stars. Third, we went from Hunter Johnson to CJ Lewis.

It is no doubt that losing Higgins to Clemson hurts. Higgins is a huge talent, and it hurts from an in-state recruiting perspective since he is from Oak Ridge. On the other hand, if it is any consolation, UT has a healthy Preston Williams on the roster this year who is still early in his career. One could also hope that Josh Malone starts to show his potential more this year.

As to my second point, anyone who has followed recruiting knows that it is a very fluid process. It sucks for the current commits, but I think many of us know that several of the current commits will be replaced by others come February. It's only July, and for those that have followed recruiting the past 3 years know that, typically, this staff finishes recruiting classes strongly. Taking a look at the bigger picture, we are still in pretty good shape. UT is strongly in the race for several of its long-time top targets, including Trey Smith, Chandler, Akers, Gibbs, Justin Foster, and Eze.

As for my third point, UT is in the midst of a neck-and-neck race with tOSU for one of the two best 2018 QBs in Emory Jones, which would more than make up for missing on Johnson considering Guarantano just started his freshman year and will potentially redshirt dependent upon the health of Dobbs and productivity and progress of Dormady.

Although recruiting is inexplicably important to the success of a college football program, all UT fans should be more worried about on-field results this year than any other season in recent memory. There is no hiding behind the fact that this season's results will likely define the ultimate success of this staff at UT as well as recruiting moving forwards.

Long story short, I think many on VN are overwhelmed by the current commitment list. When you look at the bigger picture, UT is actually still in decent shape.
 
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#5,305
#5,305
vol2002 said:
Pull it together man. It's July. Get a hold of yourself. Stick your face in a bucket of ice water and shake off all this negativity!

And welcome to recruiting. It's pretty much like this every year, and the class at the end is never like the one in the summer.
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Thanks for the advice and the welcome. But, I've been on here for a long time, almost exclusively in the RF. Every year we hear about how many of our commits are under rated and the services will bump them up once the season plays out. Doesn't pan out.

Now the party line is that the class we have now will not look like the one in Feb. I realize that Butch's method is to take commitments from lower ranked players early and then recruit over them as the season progresses, but with 23 commits on board now, that means to reach the top 10, he'll have to gitshirt 10 - 12. I don't think that will happen. Do you? Do you believe that classes ranked 12 - 18 (6 - 8 in the SEC) will keep us competitive with Bama (1 or 2 nationally), GA (top 5), Fla (top 5 - 10)?
 
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#5,306
#5,306
SSVol said:
Don't want to wander too far into a faith discussion, but there do seem to be some faith themes at work during this recruiting cycle. If I were a minister...looking at you Ulysees...I would definitely be spending some time checking out my motivations.

The first theme I see is "hope deferred makes a heart sick", which simply means that when we see something within our grasp and then have it taken away, it tends to mess us up. Pretty evident that is going on with some people here, and it's making some folk downright mean.

The second theme I see is a bit darker. The more messed up we get from having our hope deferred, the greater the likelihood our hope was in something that has become an obsession to us. Nothing tends to piss us off more than when our idols fail us. That's not healthy.
Click to expand...
You are too intelligent for this place. It will mess you up. On second thought, post more often. lol.
 
#5,307
#5,307
Exiled said:
Thanks for the advice and the welcome. But, I've been on here for a long time, almost exclusively in the RF. Every year we hear about how many of our commits are under rated and the services will bump them up once the season plays out. Doesn't pan out.

Now the party line is that the class we have now will not look like the one in Feb. I realize that Butch's method is to take commitments from lower ranked players early and then recruit over them as the season progresses, but with 23 commits on board now, that means to reach the top 10, he'll have to gitshirt 10 - 12. I don't think that will happen. Do you? Do you believe that classes ranked 12 - 18 (6 - 8 in the SEC) will keep us competitive with Bama (1 or 2 nationally), GA (top 5), Fla (top 5 - 10)?
Click to expand...

I think 12-18 is a reasonable expectation with our current list. While I know Butch will fire up the exit escalator shortly, I agree he probably won't drop 10+. I think we had like 8 commits at OCD. Wonder if the staff makes it easy and has a GSD(git shirt day) to thin the herd.
 
#5,308
#5,308
Exiled said:
Thanks for the advice and the welcome. But, I've been on here for a long time, almost exclusively in the RF. Every year we hear about how many of our commits are under rated and the services will bump them up once the season plays out. Doesn't pan out.

Now the party line is that the class we have now will not look like the one in Feb. I realize that Butch's method is to take commitments from lower ranked players early and then recruit over them as the season progresses, but with 23 commits on board now, that means to reach the top 10, he'll have to gitshirt 10 - 12. I don't think that will happen. Do you? Do you believe that classes ranked 12 - 18 (6 - 8 in the SEC) will keep us competitive with Bama (1 or 2 nationally), GA (top 5), Fla (top 5 - 10)?
Click to expand...

Walk before you run. His two top 5 classes put them in contention for an SECCG. That's top 10. Proving the program is back puts them in the minds of elite recruits when they consider all UT has to offer. As they prove, recruiting follows. They have maxed out on selling the dream. Adjust your expectations.
 
#5,310
#5,310
Ron Swanson said:
No offense...but boo f'n hoo! Recruiting changes daily, it's a big picture sport as someone else just pointed out.

Expectations haven't been lived up to so far this cycle? That happens...change your expectations...deal with it...it's a wait and see game...let's see how the commit list looks in January after we have a big season...etc

Look, you're allowed to have your opinion, as am I and everyone else. But the problem sometimes is that it's stated over and over and over and over and it becomes this you against the other guys negative pissing match. What fun is that?

Recruiting changes constantly, good and bad, and Butch has shown he's really good at it...so why spend all of 2016 telling everyone how you're pissed off because expectations haven't lived up to the hype so far? I don't know man, I've been following this awhile now and I'm betting come NSD you and others will make posts like this..."I'm so glad I was wrong! Butch is the man!"

Or maybe not, maybe We finish 20th in recruiting, lose 5 games and the world ends. The point is that Butch is a badass, he's proven that in recruiting, and UT commitment lists in the Spring and Summer will look drastically different in February...enjoy the ride and stay positive!

Or maybe I'm just a posivol a-hole who needs to deal with the negavols and shut my mouth...

GBO
Click to expand...

LynxVol said:
Good points, Ron. I thought I would add a little depth to your post in order to hopefully shed more light on the current situation.

I think the "haven't been meeting expectations in recruiting this year so far" theme is based largely on three things. First, Tee Higgins chose a different school. Second, our current commitment list is loaded with 3 stars. Third, we went from Hunter Johnson to CJ Lewis.

It is no doubt that losing Higgins to Clemson hurts. Higgins is a huge talent, and it hurts from an in-state recruiting perspective since he is from Oak Ridge. On the other hand, if it is any consolation, UT has a healthy Preston Williams on the roster this year who is still early in his career. One could also hope that Josh Malone starts to show his potential more this year.

As to my second point, anyone who has followed recruiting knows that it is a very fluid process. It sucks for the current commits, but I think many of us know that several of the current commits will be replaced by others come February. It's only July, and for those that have followed recruiting the past 3 years know that, typically, this staff finishes recruiting classes strongly. Taking a look at the bigger picture, we are still in pretty good shape. UT is strongly in the race for several of its long-time top targets, including Trey Smith, Chandler, Akers, Gibbs, Justin Foster, and Eze.

As for my third point, UT is in the midst of a neck-and-neck race with tOSU for one of the two best 2018 QBs in Emory Jones, which would more than make up for missing on Johnson considering Guarantano just started his freshman year and will potentially redshirt dependent upon the health of Dobbs and productivity and progress of Dormady.

Although recruiting is inexplicably important to the success of a college football program, all UT fans should be more worried about on-field results this year than any other season in recent memory. There is no hiding behind the fact that this season's results will likely define the ultimate success of this staff at UT as well as recruiting moving forwards.

Long story short, I think many on VN are overwhelmed by the current commitment list. When you look at the bigger picture, UT is actually still in decent shape.
Click to expand...


Two very fine posts.
 
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#5,311
#5,311
Maybe I've gotten too wrapped up in all the real life turmoil that has been going on over the last few months but, man...some of y'all take recruiting as if it's life and death.

Chill.

I dunno, maybe it's just me...but the stuff that's really important pales in comparison to football. Take a step back and enjoy what's left of the summer. Go on vacation. Breathe. Everything will be ok. Football starts in 5 weeks and 3 days.
 
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#5,312
#5,312
orangeblood79 said:
Maybe I've gotten too wrapped up in all the real life turmoil that has been going on over the last few months but, man...some of y'all take recruiting as if it's life and death.

Chill.

I dunno, maybe it's just me...but the stuff that's really important pales in comparison to football. Take a step back and enjoy what's left of the summer. Go on vacation. Breathe. Everything will be ok. Football starts in 5 weeks and 3 days.
Click to expand...

This
 
#5,315
#5,315
KPT_VFL said:
Ron Swanson for President. Swanson2016
Click to expand...

I'd vote for him.

anigif_enhanced-buzz-32724-1372697749-28.gif
 
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#5,316
#5,316
VOL-uh-tile said:
Ok. This past season Dobbs was 5th in the SEC in passing yards. 10th in yds/att. 6th in TDs. 8th in passer efficiency. Guarnatano will have had a redshirt year after watching Dormady/Jones play, both of which I believe can be more successful than Dobbs. We haven't seen what Phillips/ Kongbo/ Tuttle/ McKenzie/ Berry/ Sapp/ Abernathy are consistently capable of yet. You can't assume that we will be worse in 2 years just because you don't know what we have. For those with short memories, 2 years makes a big difference.
Click to expand...

Wow.

Some of you will look so stupid in a few months for thinking Dobbs can be easily replaced.

I mean real stupid.
 
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#5,318
#5,318
Dobbs 4 Heisman said:
Wow.

Some of you will look so stupid in a few months for thinking Dobbs can be easily replaced.

I mean real stupid.
Click to expand...

I like Dobbs. We are not where we are without him. Can our offense be as good or better with QD or JG in there in 2017? Maybe. I actually think replacing Hurd and AK will affect the offense more than Dobbs. I think the passing yards are better in 2017. Maybe significantly better. Rushing yards probably slide a bit as a result and because of 2 stud backs leaving. It's not a shot at Dobbs, I just think a lot of weapons aren't utilized when Dobbs is under center. He takes a lot of it on himself. Luckily it's worked out for us.
 
#5,319
#5,319
"I think ultimately Tennessee is where Smith ends up based on the Intel today. Another college coach this AM projected Tennessee to Smith. Some people close to Smith are high on the Vols too."

-Steve Witfong on why he CBd Trey Smith to UT
 
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#5,320
#5,320
Had a very busy....wonderful weekend that in no way, shape or form had anything to do with Vols recruiting, Family reunion Saturday. I have a huge family and I got to visit with family I haven't gotten to see in years. Great time had by all. Got up early Sunday morning and took my wife and kids to Holiday World. Spent 10-11 hours enjoying my family, riding rides and playing in the water. Busy, busy weekend that I would not change for anything.

Imagine my surprise when I got up this morning to see that UT football had not shut down while I was away.

Take some time away folks. Enjoy your friends and family. UT football will still be here later for you to bit** and moan about. Summer is winding down way too quickly. Pro and Con of UT football. Pro....it's UT football. Con....it's time not spent (exclusively) with the ones you love. Spend that time with them now, while you can, It will be gone before you know it.

:hi:
 
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#5,321
#5,321
BaldBiker said:
Had a very busy....wonderful weekend that in no way, shape or form had anything to do with Vols recruiting, Family reunion Saturday. I have a huge family and I got to visit with family I haven't gotten to see in years. Great time had by all. Got up early Sunday morning and took my wife and kids to Holiday World. Spent 10-11 hours enjoying my family, riding rides and playing in the water. Busy, busy weekend that I would not change for anything.

Imagine my surprise when I got up this morning to see that UT football had not shut down while I was away.

Take some time away folks. Enjoy your friends and family. UT football will still be here later for you to bit** and moan about. Summer is winding down way too quickly. Pro and Con of UT football. Pro....it's UT football. Con....it's time not spent (exclusively) with the ones you love. Spend that time with them now, while you can, It will be gone before you know it.

:hi:
Click to expand...

How was holiday world? Planning to take my family there tomorrow actually
 
#5,322
#5,322
volssam said:
How was holiday world? Planning to take my family there tomorrow actually
Click to expand...

Great. Very hot and humid right now, so be prepared for that. We did a few regular rides, then spent a big chunk of the day in the water park. Went back to the regular rides in the evening. Take advantage of the Oasis's. That's where you get the free drinks. Also the free sunscreen.

May want to consider renting a locker for the day too. Large ones are $15.

Next time we go we're doing the two day package and getting a hotel nearby.


Edit: Also, if you have your tickets ahead of time (online), it will save you some wait at the gate. Get there right at opening too, it will save you a longer walk from the parking lot.
 
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