Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[butchna]

Tennessee went to bat for him to get paid a record amount at the time for the opportunity to play here. To date, he's gotten a crap ton of money to sit one year and to be medicore another. The fact that he thinks he deserves more is delusional.

Had no problem with the money and return in his first season as a starter, with the expectation that he would WORK on the vital aspects of quarterbacking. But the earlier drama coupled with these self-defeating histrionics is the antithesis of working. If one has confidence in their skillset, they don’t do anything that would risk their pro prospects. Teams look at this and the “character” questions of Pearce come to mind. This is on the front of ESPN for all future GMs to peruse.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I wouldn't describe it like that. More of an oil/water type thing.

He just didn’t fit in with the southern culture. That’s my opinion

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Just doing some research

Wasn't Merk a 5* at one point? Seems like he was pretty highly thought of coming out of HS.

 

[DD4ME]

 

[Jackcrevol]

Yeah sometimes we make it too complicated. Imagine who you could poach for 4 mil.

I imagine Huep and company could poach even the most expensive of eggs.

 

[knoxvol52]

I'm not sure how well Nico was liked anyway.

I don't know about his teammates but the fans gave the Nico hell last season during football season. Oh, wait was that sarcasm you posted?. I didn't notice any Blue font.

 

[UTSuave’]

When ? I have NOT seen that, any where.

I lied…he hasn’t my apologies

 

[Volsdeep4]

JD Pickell mentioned UCLA as a team to watch. Damnit.

I thought I read somewhere months ago that ucla didn’t have any nil money? They lost Dante cuz of lack of nil. But now they have 4mil a year for nico?

 

[DD4ME]

Tyler Bray rn

 

[InVOLuntary]

He just didn’t fit in with the southern culture. That’s my opinion

I don't think it was a culture clash so to speak. It's well known Polynesians are very family oriented. It's hard to service two families at the same time.

 

[csprig9]

Our ceiling is higher with Nico for sure. We’re not going to win in the Swamp without him.

Done it before

 

[vol4eva]

SMH. After a playoff run? Calm down.

Yeah that was last season. We have a bunch of question marks heading into next season. A bad 2025 season could send things off the rail. I know that’s dramatic, but the 2005-2020 Tenn era taught me things can head south fast.

I hate how this Nico era is turning out. I really thought he’d excel here.

 

[DD4ME]

You catching this Nico - nah you didn't

 

[knoxvol52]

I think it was like last week or something

Former Tennessee Commit Explains Why Decommitted from the Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers have already been putting in work on their 2026 recruiting class with the headliner of the group being five-star quarterback Faizon Bra

www.si.com

That wasn't the QB.

 

[VolsFan-TX]

Wouldn't you think they may use it for Spring Portal guys needed at key positions?. Just a thought...

Or bump up the soon-to-be #1 QB in pay?

 

[VolGee4]

I think it was like last week or something

Former Tennessee Commit Explains Why Decommitted from the Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers have already been putting in work on their 2026 recruiting class with the headliner of the group being five-star quarterback Faizon Bra

www.si.com

That was Brandon Anderson, not Faizon Brandon lol.

 

[DD4ME]

The name is MercSlinger

 

[jpope9]

JD Pickell mentioned UCLA as a team to watch. Damnit.

lol talk about a step down

 

[UTSuave’]

Tennessee went to bat for him to get paid a record amount at the time for the opportunity to play here. To date, he's gotten a crap ton of money to sit one year and to be medicore another. The fact that he thinks he deserves more is delusional.

THIS COMMENT…is everything I’ve been stressing….thank you @Kristy*

 

[volinbama256]

We badly need Faizon to be that dude, because the BVS is almost back in force.

I haven't gotten on this board since the end of the season and my BVS has been great... best thing I've done... ever since I saw/realized Heup and Danny at the end of the season weren't willing to take the next step to truly compete for a championship and willingly or unwillingly fork over the money and play the game the other championship caliber competing teams were doing to reload our positions of need, I've backed off...

They just told the fanbase they and their hiked up prices were going to just be good with 7-8+ win seasons and going to a nice bowl was good enough, and I checked out... to get this close and not want to take the last step was all I needed to see. Glad I dropped from box seats to regular season tickets, to just hitting a few games this season... Still a VFL, two degree grad from TN, and have gone to three Basketball games and already one baseball game this season, but not going to wring my hands and get stressed over football, the players, recruiting, etc when we aren't as serious as other schools...

Jumping on and off this week finally because of this Nico $elfish garbage...

No team can now count on their same roster each season returning unless they pay the entire roster more each year. Now just a bunch of young football mercenaries going wherever they can make more money each season. Pathetic.

 

[UTK]

JD Pickell mentioned UCLA as a team to watch. Damnit.

Maybe but probably just a reach since it’s back “home”. I’m sure USC smoke would come out too if he does go in the portal

 

[DD4ME]

The avalanche

 

[highspeed]

I low key felt like Nico wasn’t as good as we had hoped, but I was still holding out for that year 2 starter jump. Now that he’s apparently on his way out, I’m honestly kind of enjoying this for the entertainment value.

 

[DD4ME]

Could ya'll imagine Dobbs in this damn offense. Lawd

 

[DD4ME]