What do you mean, what changed? First off, I dont count the '21 class against any of our coaches, those that are still here or those that have left; considering they had about 15 minutes to keep/put it together, as the NCAA got deeper and deeper in our ass. They pieced it together the best they could, as the program was burning to the ground.
The '22 class, I feel the same way as I do about the '21 class...we were still recruiting with both arms tied behind our back. Investigation, limited scholarships, self punishment, and still the stench of absolutely sucking for over a decade. Still, Elarbee was able to land Addison Nichols, the 2nd highest recruit we landed in '22...he was a Top 200 player, #8 at his position. Also landed Gerald Mincey in the portal; say what you will about Mincey's last season as a Vol and his time at Kentucky, but his first season with us, he played pretty well.
'23 class...still under investigation, still limited scholarships and reduced official visits (this penalty cannot be understated...it was HUGE!!!). Elarbee landed 4* Sham Umarov. He was a Top 115 prospect in the nation, #4 at his position, and the 5th highest rated prospect we landed in that class. Elarbee also landed John Campbell and Andre Karic in the portal, both of which played significant roles for us over the last two years.
'24 class: We found out our punishment from NCAA in February of '23, now on the backend of that firestorm. Now we can recruit with some resemblance of normality, even though we still had 12 more scholarships taken away (28 total; we self-imposed 16), and still on probation. What does Elarbee do with a bit of ease-up? He goes into Texas and lands Bennett Warren, the #80 prospect in the land, #7 at his position. But, not just Warren, he pulls Max Anderson out of Texas, too...a Top 300 prospect, #16 at his position. And, not just them two, he lands William Satterwhite out of Ohio, a Top 250 recruit, #12 at his position. And, he wasnt done with just them. He also landed Lance Heard in the portal.
I could go on; but, imo, that should suffice.
About development and on the field. In '21, our offense was the best we'd seen in forever. OLine paved the way for it. In '22, our offense was one of the best we've EVER seen in our history. OLine paved the way for it. In '23, led the SEC in rushing. OLine paved the way for it. '24...I know people love to shout about pass-blocking, and they're not wrong. Protection wasnt the best last year. Multiple factors for that: one, just a bad year for the OLine in that department, period...Lance Heard was fat and out of shape, looked terrible early, looked better late. John Campbell not only switched from left to right, he was also going on two bum knees. And, about the move from left to right...Taylor Lewan said about that move, it's like writing with one hand your entire life, then all of sudden having to switch hands. Another factor: a QB who held the ball long enough, one could read War and Peace by the time he got rid of it. Still, even in a "down" year, led the SEC in rushing AGAIN! We rushed for almost 3000 yards last year.
Last I'm going to say about it. Yes, I'm sure every coach/recruiter has been supplemented in some way to help them out...hell, Chop has been helping the great Rodney Garner out for the last couple of years. Yes, more money has been huge. But, people have been wanting to run Glen Elarbee off since he got here, and I think it's the dumbest sh!t in the world. I've been a fan since he walked onto campus.
I do have a question, however. I may have missed it...but, who else besides King, who is "familiar with the program and recruiting in general have also expressed their doubts about Elarbee's recruiting ability"? AP? Hubbs? Callahan? As I said, I may have missed it.
Also, King did say ask anyone in the building. Why not the main man?
. Someone gives you 170x your money, you should take it 
