Someone asked about this so I figured I would do what I could do in a few hours. I did as many as I could find that had UT related posts about the recruiting and the state of UTs program. I apologize that I didnt "quote" any of it to make it easier to read, there was a little too much and I have to get back to work (from home) lol
Alabama
-They've got commitments from two 5 star linebackers recently. Looks like JP is going to build a defense. I still wish him well...just not well enough to beat Bama!
-I'm far removed from being any kind of expert...but I think he'd be a fine successor to CNS whenever the time comes...no rush...
-They are on fire right now for sure. 3rd in the nation right now. I know it's May 1st and things can and will change but I think they definitely end up with a top ten class when the dust settles. Pruitt will have them back competing with UGA and Florida really soon for the East title in my opinion.
-I agree. I really hope they beat UGA this year or next year. I like Pruitt. He or Cristobal would be a good replacement whenever it is time (if Dabo declines) .
I know Pruitt is a good recruiter, but I am sure these players verbally committing to TN now know they can get more play time or immediate play time at TN than at Bama or UGA. That is one advantage TN has in recruiting right now. Plus, Pruitt knows how to implement the "process" and philosophy of Saban.
I think Bama still wins at TN this season (if there is a season), but it will not be a cakewalk. It will be very competitive.
-I hope the Vols lose every 5 star and every game. Nothing against Pruitt, but we’re talking about the Vols. The hatred runs deep and forever.
-If UGA loses to UT, Athens will melt down...……....If he has multiple successful seasons, he will likely be neck and neck with Dabo for the Bama job someday
-I hate Tennessee too much to wish him well. The Streak isn't high enough for me. But that Donkey Kirby is making me wish Tennessee would go 1-11 if that 1 is UGA.
-I wonder if they're nervous/fearful? If they apply their same beliefs that BAMA cheats to get great recruits, they can't help but be.
Auburn
They really wanted Brown the RB.
-UT go something working cause they also got 4 CB's for the #1 OLB / #10 on 247, 5* Terrence Lewis
-Something smells like funny activity going on with the Vols.
-I just wonder if pruitt is protected like kirby and saban are. It becomes a little more complicated since he's on saban's schedule every year. Didn't work out so well for Freeze in Oxford, but he didn't know where saban's bodies are buried.
-Tennessee has been a dormant giant waiting to happen. It has a rich football history a rabid fan base it has almost 7 million people it shares a border with many solid football recruiting areas North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas. It has needed a Head Coach who is a dominant recruiter to take advantage of that with Pruitt they now have that. We have to be careful in what we wish for yes strong Tennessee team and a strong Florida team will hurt Georgia but both will also impact our recruiting as we have started to see in last couple of years. In the past we basically had to look out for Georgia, Alabama and the Florida teams but things have gotten tougher with the emergence of Clemson and what appears to be the emergence of Tennessee. We have very good recruiters and they work hard but we are going to have to buckle on our helmets and work harder as we are seeing with Cody Brown now and maybe Gooch. I believe it is one of the reasons we have started recruiting more in Texas and Mississippi to compensate for the players we may lose in Georgia, Alabama, Florida to our competitors.
-I’m not sure Kirbys protected. Saban could get him bit and there are people at the University Of Georgia who do not like his tactics.
-Does UT getting the #1 JUCO RB today and already having 2 other RB’s in their class hurt them with Brown possibly and help us?
-Hearing from a Tenn fan he thinks they get him today. I’m calling cap on this.
-Whelp the bribers got another one. Tennessee commit.
-I knew it was a possibility but not on that day when there was absolutely no chatter about him announcing yet.
I'm dead serious the NCAA should be scratching their heads a little right now.
-It’s definitely spooky. Doesn’t matter how good their virtual recruiting is, something ain’t right
-They have the #3 class in the country and UNC has the #2 in the country. Pruitt and Brown are spending a lot during these uncertain times.
Meanwhile we're at #45.
Florida
-UT was ahead of UF even before Brashard decommitted. They jumped UF when the unranked JUCO RB committed to them. Amazingly he was ranked within a few hours of committing then they jumped UF. Black and Hammond still sitting out there unranked (0 points to UF total).
To finish Top 10 they are going to need around 265 points (perhaps 270+).
There are 5 decent prospects that they possibly look good for now with their new found momentum. Cody Brown, Kayden Salter, Aaron Willis, Jamon Dumas Johnson, and Katron Evans. That brings them to Low 250's. Could this new momentum lead to others looking at them? Sure.
Even if both Lewis and Wilcoxson stick (we'll see) they are both probably in a for a rankings drop. This network had Kamar choosing between Bama and Ohio State 2 weeks ago. It's clear he is not the level of prospect many thought he was. Ignore Lewis' offer sheet, it's irrelevant. All you need to know is that before Tennessee started pressing him in April is that Nebraska and A&M were at the top of his list. UF, Miami, Clemson, Bama, UGA and others not touching him. The inclusion of Nebraska was a red flag that should have made everyone aware something was going on. The kind of stuff we've seen others stock tank because of. The fact things moved so fast with UT and Lewis during the lockdown leads me to question the current level of A&M interest. Lewis has been to UT 1 time that was back in June 2019. He visited Texas A&M in July 2019 and at that point A&M led, so that June visit is not much of a factor here.
My biggest problem with the UT class are not the most recent takes, it's 9-10 takes that preceded the recent ones. That's not an insignificant amount. Add a depleted in-state list of options and a limited CB presence and its not typically a recipe for success.
UT CB's I say typically because momentum shifts and with that so do CB's, but like momentum CB's can change
Going back just 2 weeks, Tennessee's recruiting was on life support. Then they focused on high profile guys falling through the cracks. It's not to unlike UF recruiting in past years of getting highly ranked players without necessarily fighting for them. They seem to be taking advantage of the cross section of recruits concerned with wanting a want a spot to land and recruits who had many offers that were not necessarily committable. Quality guys but not ones the big dogs want to take RIGHT NOW. UT is pouncing in this open spot.
-My biggest problem is UT is a dumpster fire ran by an insufferable prick
-And for the record the only teams they beat last year were bigger **** shows than them that happened to get caught in the back end of their schedule...this year they’re gonna lose by 3 tds to 4/5 teams
-I'm prepping for Evans to join them at this point.
-I feel disappointed for our own level of recruiting right now because I know we all expect more as fans, but I'm not for a split second worried about what UT is doing no matter what kind of 5* players they're bringing in because they will ultimately just roll over and let us drop 30 on them when it's time to play anyway. Let's worry about ourselves, cause they aren't going anywhere for like the next 20 years unless it back home with an L.
-We’re not getting anybody that means anything nationally and I’m resigned to that...UT will creep up and start beating us because they’re gonna be so far ahead in talent level...if we lose in the Evans sweepstakes and get another 10-12 ranked class I’m officially off the Mullen train as hoping we’ll ever get anywhere near the playoffs
-Relax. Of their 15 commits, 11 are 3*. Past that they have 2 each of 4* and 5*.
-If you really think that we shouldn’t be worried about being 3rd in the East go ahead and stick your head in the sand man...this staff is underperforming on the trail...great game day coaches and developers of talent...but you can’t do great work without the right tools
-Said it in another thread, brooks is the only head scratcher. The other two were Overrated goldfish in a leaky bag.
Tenn got desperate and we got selective.
Smith was all aboard but got bored during the rona.
-Manufactured momentum. They’ll finish this year with a class our board would be melting down over if it was ours, and somehow those same people will be freaking out about how good Tennessee is doing.
-Which is how it should be.. they haven't done anything of relevance for 15 years or so and have had barely winning seasons, so what they are doing is ok for the state of their program. We should absolutely melt if we have their class cause we've had 2 new years 6 bowl wins and an "offensive guru " as a head coach..
I think the freak out is not sprouting out of a thought process that Tennessee could be better than us in recruiting, rather our lack of commits and negative info and lacklustre recruiting.
As mercy mentioned earlier, chain of events leading to the fan freak out..
-Same could be said for Dabo Sweeney his first few years....It took him a long time to get his recruiting to where it is today. I think Dan can get us there we just need a couple years. I believe our talent level is slowly improving every year...just not overnight like everybody wants.
-Just like EH said, they're taking advantage of recruits that are plan B and C for all the top tier schools. They're willing to take them now instead of waiting to see where the top guys commit and then targeting their backups. Kinda the reverse of the the elite programs.
They either know they're not going to land the top guys or they plan on shedding a bunch of commits if their top targets actually want in down the road. DaShawn Rucker, for example, which is expected to commit to them if he decides soon, probably isn't a take for some of the top schools that have offered him but he might be down the road after they wiff on their big fish. I don't know if Rucker would be a take for UF right now but I feel like he's mixed in with a long list of safety's that they're trying to prioritize behind Collier and Arnold.
Kentucky
-Of course, he may flip to another team but that's at least 2 they've gotten commitments from. Not sure what their coach is selling but I think we better beat them now before he gets them on the right track. On paper, we should've won half the games the past 5 years but somehow manage to let them slip through our fingers. This year, we should have a decided advantage and we need to handle our business. We're even with them in the conference, imo, despite our head-to-head record and we need creep past them and stay ahead of them.
-They had a pretty solid defense last year but their offense was atrocious. Theyve had sone guys and have just wasted them. Regardless, Tennessee is always #1 on the shitlist. Losing to them 2 yrs ago was flat out inexcusable. Last year Lynn getting stopped at the goalline was heartbreaking but it was one you can live with when you know we did what we could. Shame we didnt have them at the end of the year when Lynn had the offense really rolling.
-Dont leave off Mississippi State.
Toss Florida in there too....I 100% believe with Terry under center we beat all 4 of UF, State, SC and UT last season. Gotta play the hand we are dealt. Lets be honest, the offense looked like crap the first two weeks...Arkansas and UT. I was a vocal doubter. The light went off for Lynn. Now Im not sure if I wanna see us throw the ball again! i loved watching us demoralize the other team on LOS and just run it down their damn throat. Eddie Gran still hasnt gotten enough praise for the job he did.
----In response to the game 2 years ago that they apparently should have won
-Hangover game. You wouldn't know, because Tennessee hasn't played in a relevant football game in a long time. Thanks for that rent free space though.
Georgia
-Tennessee is getting pretty uppity about their 89 avg rating
-Holla at me when it's NSD and when the season is over and they've lost 5-6 games. See if them kids still sticking by them lol
-I kinda think that’s the way this goes. To an extent at least. This is a better class than they are used to, but I see 89 as pretty average. Ho hum Gus/Richt/Mcelwain style recruiting.
But in fairness they are pretty much used to 7-5. Hell they are basically .500 since 2010. 8-4 is exciting as hell (to them).
-CJP knows the game and is doing a good job at Tenn. recruiting overall needs to improve. The are a better team than when he arrived
-I agree with this. Pruitt was a much better hire than MuLLLen at UF if you’re talking about turning a program around. Pruitt can recruit (not at Kirby’s level but not many can) and he’s really good at spotting tallent in low rated players. It wouldn’t surprise me in the next couple of years if they get back to 2nd I. The East but they will have to catch lightning to win the East
-I could definitely see them go 8-4 next year. Don’t expect them to beat Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, or Alabama but every other team on their schedule they should be favored. They need to figure out QB, but they should have a strong run game behind one of the better OLs in the conference.
-I agree with every word. Strong run game. Questions in the pass game on both the WR/TE and The QB frankly benefited a ton by just being able to Toss it up to JJ and Calloway.
And defense they lose quite a bit too if I remember. Their pest pass rushers and 4 year starter at S. Pruitt does tend to make chicken salad outta chicken $hi! so I do think they will be decently good there.
Your handle named after the Outkast song?
-****** was not playing Kirby or Mullen at FL. They are a better team now. The QB is a disaster and the freshman is not good enough. I think they go 9-4 or10-3. Solid OL and RB, solid D.
-Strong run game, ey? Why?
Same RBs and basically same OL.
Last year they were 84th in the nation in rushing and 111th ranked OL.
3 ‘coaches’ tried fixing the OL woes last year. As long as they have 3 guys meddling, it’s not getting better. Friend needs to tell Fulmer (yes, he tries to still coach them, been busted twice) and Chaney (Pruitt saud he was helping) to find something else to do.
Only 4 guys ranked higher than 91 on recruiting, that’s BELOW Butch. Worse than the last two classes for TN as well. Why the excitement? Bc he had them all commit at once? Even Sentell was laughing at them. He said yesterday that no one wanted Lewis (hide yo women) and Brooks probably flips if AU/UA press hard. That leaves them below Ky.
So far, Butch was better. Better in recruiting and on field.
Edit: My bad, TN has only TWO players over 91.
-It’s very possible they have a good ground game. Eric Gray was a freshman last year who was barely used outside of 2-3 games last year. Bet he’s the lead back next year with Chandler’s ball control concerns.
The OL might be one of the best in the SEC. Trey Smith can make an argument for the best returning OL in the conference and Wright, Morris, and Mays are all future NFL draft picks. Morris and Wright will no longer be freshmen.
USC (I couldn’t find any board that had UT recruiting/material on it)
