Recruiting Forum Football Talk LVII

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#2,351
#2,351
chargervol said:
Not surprising that a powerful and wealthy family is still so power hungry. What is surprising is their focus on athletics.

Most power mongers focus on something they're at least half way decent doing. Those boys suck at footballing at unprecedented levels, yet just can't keep their grubby little paws off.
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Money talks. One of the biggest problems is if the Haslams pulled their funding for athletics, UT is screwed unfortunately.
 
#2,352
#2,352
More on Byrd and Fils-aime:

Tyler Byrd was an All-America cornerback when he signed with Tennessee two years ago out of Naples (Fla.) High School, but Butch Jones liked Byrd’s speed and athleticism so much that he moved him to wide receiver.

After making 18 catches in two seasons, he’s back on defense, where many felt like he always belonged.

“He is definitely a defensive back, definitely,” said Bill Kramer, Byrd’s high school coach at Naples.

First-year coach Jeremy Pruitt is also trying Byrd’s former high school teammate, fellow junior Carlin Fils-aime, at defensive back this spring.

Fils-aime is practicing at cornerback, while Byrd has taken reps at cornerback and safety. Fils-aime is a converted running back who tallied 215 yards as UT’s No. 3 back last year.

“They are both good competitors. They have toughness,” said Pruitt, who added that “both of them have the skills set to contribute back there.”

Pruitt said at the onset of spring practice that Byrd and Fils-aime would spend the first half of the spring at their new positions. Then the staff will decide whether to leave them on defense or move them back to offense.

What’s Byrd’s potential on defense?

Byrd played offense and defense at a Naples, a rarity for the Class 6A school.

“Tyler was one of two to ever do it,” said Kramer, Naples’ coach for the past 20 seasons.

Byrd made five career interceptions as a prep star before adding another interception in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

“He’s an NFL corner,” Kramer said. “He’s that body type, the size, the frame. He’s obviously a tremendous athlete. … He’s very strong. He has terrific hips.”

At 6-feet, 195 pounds, Byrd has the size to play anywhere in Tennessee’s secondary. The Vols lost starting cornerbacks Justin Martin and Emmanuel Moseley, plus Shaq Wiggins, a top reserve. And starting nickelback Rashaan Gaulden declared for the NFL draft after his junior season.

At safety, Tennessee returned starters Nigel Warrior and Micah Abernathy.

Pruitt said it can be more natural to move a player who had been at wide receiver to safety, because both positions are accustomed to watching the quarterback.

“Tyler has really good ball skills. He has toughness to him,” Pruitt said. “We just thought after two days, it might be his best position to actually play safety because you play with a lot of vision on the quarterback and he can use his natural ball-catching ability.”

What skills might help Fils-aime’s transition?

Fils-aime wanted to join Byrd in playing on both sides of the ball at Naples.

“He always begged me to play on the defensive side, constantly,” Kramer said. “It was a constant conversation.”

But Kramer couldn’t afford to have his star running back playing defense, too.

Fils-aime racked up 2,624 yards and 41 touchdowns at Naples.

Fils-aime showed his value as a running back last season, when his 6.9 yards per carry led the team. He shuffled up one spot on the depth chart against Kentucky. John Kelly was suspended for that game, moving Ty Chandler into the starting role and Fils-aime into the backup spot. Fils-aime rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries against the Wildcats.

A lot of the assets that came in handy for Fils-aime as a running back can help him during his transition to defense.

“He’s really fast-twitch,” Kramer said. “He has tremendous leaping ability. His peripheral awareness and balance are remarkable. I mean, remarkable.”

Pruitt might decide that Fils-aime’s best value remains on offense, but if not, “I can tell you that Carlin is going to do everything he can to prepare and be ready to help his team,” Kramer said.
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What’s the potential for Tyler Byrd, Carlin Fils-aime on the Tennessee Vols defense? | USA TODAY Sports
 
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#2,354
#2,354
BigOrangeTrain said:
Money talks. One of the biggest problems is if the Haslams pulled their funding for athletics, UT is screwed unfortunately.
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Never advocated for them to drop donations or even lose their overwhelming voice on the board.
Just allow people better at athletics to do their jobs.

At some point even their stupidity has to realize that they suck at this and winning brings in revenue.
 
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#2,356
#2,356
chargervol said:
Never advocated for them to drop donations or even lose their overwhelming voice on the board.
Just allow people better at athletics to do their jobs.

At some point even their stupidity has to realize that they suck at this and winning brings in revenue.
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I’m advocating we cut ties with them completely. We would be better off.
 
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#2,367
#2,367
BigOrangeTrain said:
Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. The only way we wouldnt be in serious trouble is if another billionaire stepped in and picked up the slack. I am sure they are really easy to find right?
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Doesn't Tennessee have like 3 or 4 billionaires that are donors?
 
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#2,369
#2,369
Hey guess what guys..... we operate on a profit without their donations!

Let’s quit building castles and start investing in winning and tell the Haslam family to piss off.

$$$$$$ will pour in.
 
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#2,370
#2,370
BigOrangeTrain said:
Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. The only way we wouldnt be in serious trouble is if another billionaire stepped in and picked up the slack. I am sure they are really easy to find right?
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I'd say Ergen can carry the load. Thunder Thornton and Charlie Anderson are no slouches either.
 
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