Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXVI

[catchnburn]

Let's also not forget than an evaluation is an ongoing process. Every single year we sign multiple 3 star players. We also drop multiple 3 stars and even some 4 stars. You take guys that you think could help your football team, continue to recruit and yes, evaluate your recruits, and then sign a class. Pretty simple really.

Exactly. I remember a time when Fulmer had the top class in the nation or top 3? They were duds and people complained. They said "Fulmer lost his job because he stopped evaluating, recruiting and started star gazing." Probably the same people complaining about Butch's evaluation of these 3 stars. To me, Butch has proven he can evaluate talent. I'd rather him work hard to evaluate and recruit than to rely on stars and recruiting services. I know this class doesn't allow us to brag at work but in our coaches opinion, it's what we need. That's good enough for me.

 

[LA Vol]

I have a different take on why this class shaped up as it did. I think we were counting on a big in-state haul, and that started going south. We were also counting on having an elite QB in the fold early. Elite players attract other elite players. Peer recruiting from top-ranked in-state recruits and an elite QB could have made us the "It" class. We all expected the dominos to fall our way.

But Hunter Johnson and Tee Higgins decommitted, in-state recruits didn't hop on board, and we were left with no recruits and a lot of upset fans. Highly rated recruits were reluctant to join an empty class, so CBJ started filling spots, hoping we could prime the in-state pump. But negative peer recruiting hurt us and schools like Clemson and UGA became the "It" classes, luring our top prospects and forcing us to look elsewhere.

IDT we have any bad players in this class. Some are underrated, and some will improve and develop. But I do think the class has players we wouldn't have taken if things had gone as hoped, and I do think that CBJ plans to recruit over some of them. We will sign a very different class than we have right now, IMO.

 

[Aesius]

Trey Smith committing soon would do a lot to ease some worries

 

[LA Vol]

Trey Smith committing soon would do a lot to ease some worries

Yep. Or Chandler, Gibbs, Akers or EJones. Only EJones has said he's committing soon, though.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

I have a different take on why this class shaped up as it did. I think we were counting on a big in-state haul, and that started going south. We were also counting on having an elite QB in the fold early. Elite players attract other elite players. Peer recruiting from top-ranked in-state recruits and an elite QB could have made us the "It" class. We all expected the dominos to fall our way.

But Hunter Johnson and Tee Higgins decommitted, in-state recruits didn't hop on board, and we were left with no recruits and a lot of upset fans. Highly rated recruits were reluctant to join an empty class, so CBJ started filling spots, hoping we could prime the in-state pump. But negative peer recruiting hurt us and schools like Clemson and UGA became the "It" classes, luring our top prospects and forcing us to look elsewhere.

IDT we have any bad players in this class. Some are underrated, and some will improve and develop. But I do think the class has players we wouldn't have taken if things had gone as hoped, and I do think that CBJ plans to recruit over some of them. We will sign a very different class than we have right now, IMO.

I think this is probably all true and a great point.

 

[volinbama256]

I have a different take on why this class shaped up as it did. I think we were counting on a big in-state haul, and that started going south. We were also counting on having an elite QB in the fold early. Elite players attract other elite players. Peer recruiting from top-ranked in-state recruits and an elite QB could have made us the "It" class. We all expected the dominos to fall our way.

But Hunter Johnson and Tee Higgins decommitted, in-state recruits didn't hop on board, and we were left with no recruits and a lot of upset fans. Highly rated recruits were reluctant to join an empty class, so CBJ started filling spots, hoping we could prime the in-state pump. But negative peer recruiting hurt us and schools like Clemson and UGA became the "It" classes, luring our top prospects and forcing us to look elsewhere.

IDT we have any bad players in this class. Some are underrated, and some will improve and develop. But I do think the class has players we wouldn't have taken if things had gone as hoped, and I do think that CBJ plans to recruit over some of them. We will sign a very different class than we have right now, IMO.

I think there is more truth to this than many realize...

 

[Dust10]

Can't disagree with anything LAVol said. The only thing I'd add is that if we have a playoff run, we will likely be the "IT" class again.

 

[BaldBiker]

I agree. I like to follow it because I'm fascinated with team building. I also like to know about the freshmen class and some of their stories and background. It enriches my experience when I'm watching the games.

I don't follow it so I can obsess over every recruit and where we are in the rankings. I might do that in February. But in July? Come on. It's just pointless.

Nicely said. :good!:

 

[LA Vol]

Can't disagree with anything LAVol said. The only thing I'd add is that if we have a playoff run, we will likely be the "IT" class again.

I think we'll see a change of sentiment after we beat the Gators. People are still questioning that and other coaches are telling recruits UT can't win the big games. Beat UF and UGA, and we're rolling.

 

[Chuckie]

I have a different take on why this class shaped up as it did. I think we were counting on a big in-state haul, and that started going south. We were also counting on having an elite QB in the fold early. Elite players attract other elite players. Peer recruiting from top-ranked in-state recruits and an elite QB could have made us the "It" class. We all expected the dominos to fall our way.

But Hunter Johnson and Tee Higgins decommitted, in-state recruits didn't hop on board, and we were left with no recruits and a lot of upset fans. Highly rated recruits were reluctant to join an empty class, so CBJ started filling spots, hoping we could prime the in-state pump. But negative peer recruiting hurt us and schools like Clemson and UGA became the "It" classes, luring our top prospects and forcing us to look elsewhere.

IDT we have any bad players in this class. Some are underrated, and some will improve and develop. But I do think the class has players we wouldn't have taken if things had gone as hoped, and I do think that CBJ plans to recruit over some of them. We will sign a very different class than we have right now, IMO.

Southeast, really.

 

[tonybologna]

Umm..I definitely never said that. You got me mixed up with somebody I quoted. I have maintained for awhile that there is no way we end up ranked top 5. I don't know where you got that.

I wouldn't count us out yet for a top 5 class. We get a player like Smith. Then, a player like Akers. Then, a player like Gibbs or Chandler(or both) for 2017 & we will end up right up there.

I don't see how we can finish top-10 since our class is almost filled up (nobody has more current verbal commitments than us [23] with the exception of Arizona's 24) and our average rating is pretty low (247 = 86.48; Rivals = 3.17).

Remember when Kentucky had one of the highest rated classes about this time a couple of years ago? The reason was that they had a ton of a lot of lower star guys. They wound up the season being ranked around 38th or something like that.

We'll be in the mid-teens unless something drastic happens.

We still have a few scholarship spots left for 2017. We get Trey Smith, Akers, Chandler, & possibly Gibbs there's no way we don't finish at least top 10 but probably top 5. We have about that many scholarships left for 2017 anyhow.

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.

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

2 really really great well thought out & stated posts. Way to go guys! :good!:

 

[Dooby15]

Getting Smith would be huge. I know to date this class isn't as hyped as others we've had, but Butch is building quality depth in the trenches and that is where the game is won and lost.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

Some really goods posts today. RF is getting back to interesting stuff.

I was never that surprised that Hunter didn't commit. With the signing of Guarantano, Hunter was facing a redshirt year plus at least one year, maybe two, of playing behind Dormady and then Guarantano. He wanted immediate playing time. Getting Jones in the 2018 class is much more important. I don't think we will miss Hunter. He's a good player, but we have good options.

 

[Vols4us]

Some really goods posts today. RF is getting back to interesting stuff.

I was never that surprised that Hunter didn't commit. With the signing of Guarantano, Hunter was facing a redshirt year plus at least one year, maybe two, of playing behind Dormady and then Guarantano. He wanted immediate playing time. Getting Jones in the 2018 class is much more important. I don't think we will miss Hunter. He's a good player, but we have good options.

Good post - spot on.

People need to remember that Dobbs was a project QB that sat 4th on the depth chart his freshman year. We see how that all worked out.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

This is not the same as the "defend Dooley at all cost" crowd that existed on this board a few years ago.

Guilty. I never realized how bad he had poisoned the HS coaching community during his tenure. I was soooooo wrong!!!! He was a piece of work!!

Edit: Also I was influenced by my past experience as a coach. You just supported your coach.

 

[tomq_123]

Some really goods posts today. RF is getting back to interesting stuff.

I was never that surprised that Hunter didn't commit. With the signing of Guarantano, Hunter was facing a redshirt year plus at least one year, maybe two, of playing behind Dormady and then Guarantano. He wanted immediate playing time. Getting Jones in the 2018 class is much more important. I don't think we will miss Hunter. He's a good player, but we have good options.

It will be much more interesting in 8 days.

 

[NannerPuddin]

Stopped by to see what everyone is saying. And dumpster fire here too.

 

[Batman1948]

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.

Damn, I was beginning to think I was the only one who thought like this. Grown ass men, on a message board, worrying about 18 year old kids decisions regarding college football. I wonder what their lives would be without a computer :}:}:}. Our coaches get paid millions of dollars and some dude working at a grocery store thinks he can make better decisions. It's really comical. Anyway, thanks for posting your thoughts.

 

[VAVolsFan2009]

I saw that Treon Harris was transferring from Florida. He was granted his release. For some reason, I thought he might stay and try to play WR. They come and go!!!

 

[FïreBall]

..meanwhile Rivals and 247 are working some OT to catch up on reevaluating UTs current commits.. CBJs crew has them wondering WTH is going on, they're digging through and watching all the tapes again, or for the first time..

That's my made up story and I'm sticking to it!

 

[seaofORANGE22]

Guilty. I never realized how bad he had poisoned the HS coaching community during his tenure. I was soooooo wrong!!!! He was a piece of work!!

Edit: Also I was influenced by my past experience as a coach. You just supported your coach.

Same here man. I was young and had just started following recruiting really closely then. I didn't even know what good recruiting looked like in hindsight.

And I still am the kind of fan that's going to support my coach no matter what. But I feel like I've gotten better at seeing what's important to worry about and what's not over the years.

Honestly I just love the Vols when it comes down to it. I'm never going to demand absolute perfection out of our coach. I'm glad he's got us in the position we're in right now and out of the hole we were in when he got here. For that, I'll be forever grateful no matter how the next couple years play out.

 

[seaofORANGE22]

This offseason has been brutal. But at least it's almost football season and we're about to start smashing everybody.

 

[tonybologna]

This offseason has been brutal. But at least it's almost football season and we're about to start smashing everybody.

Why has this offseason been brutal?

 

[Dust10]

All offseasons are brutal. Some more than others.

 

[Glitch]

:victory:

Perfect use of an Emoji! Flawless dismount as well!