2026 Lady Vols Recruiting

[jsiggy]

Maybe the recruiting momentum we thought we had is just that.......a thought? Unless of course we get Crittendon and Minus!?

 

[knoxvol52]

Maybe instead of a Fab 5 it turns into a solid 3...

 

[teamladyvols1997]

Maybe the recruiting momentum we thought we had is just that.......a thought? Unless of course we get Crittendon and Minus!?

Yea i believe it was just a thought. Crittendon is on a world tour. I feel like she is taking visits to schools she know she isn’t even interested in

 

[lvocd]

Earlier this year if someone had said to me privately, "Would you rather take 2 or 3 good players, or just one Oliviyah Edwards, which would you choose?", I'd have said there is NO WAY we're getting Edwards, so that's a dumb question." lol

But now that we have Edwards' commitment, I'd be fine only taking her this signing period because I feel like she's got tremendous potential to be practically unstoppable by her junior year at Tennessee. Hell, she may even be giving opposing coaches nightmares by the time she's halfway through her soph season.

If we only sign Edwards this time, of course it'll be some disappointing that she won't have a big class of her own age and experience to grow with. But the Tennessee Lady Vols will be fine, player-wise, as long as the staff keeps doing a tremendous job in the transfer portal.

 

[glv98]

Maybe the recruiting momentum we thought we had is just that.......a thought? Unless of course we get Crittendon and Minus!?

No offense but this is once again the collective memory of an gnat. Two years ago having a single a high school recruit put pen to paper, especially several top 10s, would be cause for great jubilation in the land.

If anything the "problem"may be overload. And lack of need. Both the prospects and the recruiters can see how loaded the program is right now with young talent. Also there's the portal to consider. Of course we want all the top players, but realistically roster management and balance, which was so missing in the past for the LVs, is very important.

IMO longterm momentum can best be maintained by putting a really good product on the floor this year.

 

[glv98]

delete

 

[PRG]

Yea i believe it was just a thought. Crittendon is on a world tour. I feel like she is taking visits to schools she know she isn’t even interested in

I don’t blame the recruits from taking many visits ! It used to be limited to five but now no limit ..,, more chances to help with the process …. Are the schools really interested in me as a person? How about teammates acceptance ? Educational needs ? Preparing for professional career ? Playing time ? Does it feel right ? Facilities? A lot of things to consider! This maybe the only time to have this experience… enjoy it ! JMO

 

[glv98]

I don’t blame the recruits from taking many visits ! It used to be limited to five but now no limit ..,, more chances to help with the process …. Are the schools really interested in me as a person? How about teammates acceptance ? Educational needs ? Preparing for professional career ? Playing time ? Does it feel right ? Facilities? A lot of things to consider! This maybe the only time to have this experience… enjoy it ! JMO

100%. You and your family have worked your butts off for years. Youve sold the records, so to speak, so go take that World Tour and enjoy! Its literally once in a lifetime. Just be honest with everyone along the way about your intentions or lack of them.

 

[Ulect]

Maaan I have to say it but if it wasn't for Candace Parker and Addidas, I think we would not had anybody committed...
Kim Caldwell is struggling to recruit this 2026 class as of recent...

 

[lvocd]

I don’t blame the recruits from taking many visits ! It used to be limited to five but now no limit ..,, more chances to help with the process …. Are the schools really interested in me as a person? How about teammates acceptance ? Educational needs ? Preparing for professional career ? Playing time ? Does it feel right ? Facilities? A lot of things to consider! This maybe the only time to have this experience… enjoy it ! JMO

I have a different take. I mean, sure it seems great these kids get to have unlimited fun visits to "make sure" even after they've long-since decided where they want to commit to.

But these "Just Having Fun Tours" are a tremendous drain on recruiting resources, from financial to time. Recruits may feel entitled to be shown the times of their lives over and over and over again, but those who already know and are just having fun with endless visits at the also-rans are just costing money that could have gone to recruiting players who are actually seriously considering going there.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to give players unlimited official visits. Unlimited UNofficials? Sure! But don't just make a game of wasting programs' money just because you can.

 

[glv98]

I have a different take. I mean, sure it seems great these kids get to have unlimited fun visits to "make sure" even after they've long-since decided where they want to commit to.

But these "Just Having Fun Tours" are a tremendous drain on recruiting resources, from financial to time. Recruits may feel entitled to be shown the times of their lives over and over and over again, but those who already know and are just having fun with endless visits at the also-rans are just costing money that could have gone to recruiting players who are actually seriously considering going there.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to give players unlimited official visits. Unlimited UNofficials? Sure! But don't just make a game of wasting programs' money just because you can.

I have a slightly different take. I also think unlimited visits is excessive , but as long as they're offered I think the recruits should take them. The recruiters have a certain budget for visits, and they're going to spend it in order to get at least that much next year. If I'm the recruit and I don't take that visi,t someone else will. All of this money is going to be spent on official visits so why not me and my family? I really feel it's a perk and at once in a lifetime learning experience these folks have earned.

 

[Volfan2012]

Bella Fleming from what I can determine has taken a visit to Baylor and Duke. I would figure they are her two leaders since I can't determine any other visits.

As far as the list goes still a lot of names to be determined and even if we don't get another one we got the best one and can close any gaps with the portal.

I believe we will get a couple more players, but the key players are post players and other than Crittendon and the Spanish player none on the list. We may sign one of the others, but post is the key players were losing just one returnee and one recruit for that position.

Signing day still a month away. Some may take visits all the way up until that last week. No need to panic were good either way.

 

[jsiggy]

No offense but this is once again the collective memory of an gnat. Two years ago having a single a high school recruit put pen to paper, especially several top 10s, would be cause for great jubilation in the land.

If anything the "problem"may be overload. And lack of need. Both the prospects and the recruiters can see how loaded the program is right now with young talent. Also there's the portal to consider. Of course we want all the top players, but realistically roster management and balance, which was so missing in the past for the LVs, is very important.

IMO longterm momentum can best be maintained by putting a really good product on the floor this year.

Its funny how people say "no offense" right before they know they gonna say something that is offensive!

 

[Volfan2012]

Maaan I have to say it but if it wasn't for Candace Parker and Addidas, I think we would not had anybody committed...
Kim Caldwell is struggling to recruit this 2026 class as of recent...

It would be her first struggle as number two class last season and number one portal class as well. We may very well not get anymore players certainly way to early to make that claim.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

This a coach, former player, fan from a program that Coach Caldwell has dominated in recruiting since stepping foot in Knoxville. You can tell when a poster is trying to hard and lying at the same time here’s that.
GBO.

I have to say it but if it wasn't for Candace Parker and Addidas, I think we would not had anybody committed...
Kim Caldwell is struggling to recruit this 2026 class as of recent...

 

[Ulect]

This a coach, former player, fan from a program that Coach Caldwell has dominated in recruiting since stepping foot in Knoxville. You can tell when a poster is trying to hard and lying at the same time here’s that.
GBO.

Nope nothing but facts as of right now... I'm not talking about the 2025 class and the portal, I am talking about this 2026 recruiting class as of right now. Knox you need to read posts before you post. READ!!!

 

[jsiggy]

Bella Fleming from what I can determine has taken a visit to Baylor and Duke. I would figure they are her two leaders since I can't determine any other visits.

As far as the list goes still a lot of names to be determined and even if we don't get another one we got the best one and can close any gaps with the portal.

I believe we will get a couple more players, but the key players are post players and other than Crittendon and the Spanish player none on the list. We may sign one of the others, but post is the key players were losing just one returnee and one recruit for that position.

Signing day still a month away. Some may take visits all the way up until that last week. No need to panic were good either way.

I don't blame players like her and Abii and Jones(if she doesn't choose Tenn) for goin elsewhere, LVs have alot of players like them that are coming back next year. i.e. Cooper,Civil,Prawl,Boyd,Pauldo twins! Just to name a few

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

You have no credibility. Never type in all caps at me. Be an adult and learn how to have dialogue. There’s no such thing as isolating recruting classes one year apart. And it certainly a weak argument when you factor in the No. 2 overall player in 2026 as an early recruiting period signee.
Anyone should understand that. Now you take it slow and think before responding.

Nope nothing but facts as of right now... I'm not talking about the 2025 class and the portal, I am talking about this 2026 recruiting class as of right now. Knox you need to read posts before you post. READ!!!

 

[jsiggy]

Nope nothing but facts as of right now... I'm not talking about the 2025 class and the portal, I am talking about this 2026 recruiting class as of right now. Knox you need to read posts before you post. READ!!!

Your not wrong. So hopefully she can close on 1 or 2 more. Even with that said, there is no doubt she and this staff can recruit. Like people have said there are alot more factors nowadays to consider when picking! Its not like 15-20, heck 10, years ago when it was all bout the name on the front and winning championships.Cause if that was the case UCONN and Tenn would be 1&2 every recruiting cycle!

 

[BruisedOrange]

No offense but this is once again the collective memory of an gnat.

Its funny how people say "no offense" right before they know they gonna say something that is offensive!

On behalf of my gnat brothers and sisters... thank you.

--posted by edict of His Royal Highness, King Cole

 

[BruisedOrange]

I don't blame players like her and Abii and Jones(if she doesn't choose Tenn) for goin elsewhere, LVs have alot of players like them that are coming back next year. i.e. Cooper,Civil,Prawl,Boyd,Pauldo twins! Just to name a few

Except that they're going to play almost the same number of minutes regardless of who else is on the roster.

I'm wondering if that momentum was broken* by some new round of negative recruiting.


* One of those recruits had been up front that she struggles with making big decisions, so I'm not surprised that she continues to make visits rather than commit now.
Life challenges. They only get harder, more complicated, or more consequential.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Maaan I have to say it but if it wasn't for Candace Parker and Addidas, I think we would not had anybody committed...
Kim Caldwell is struggling to recruit this 2026 class as of recent...

I disagree. It’s not as simple as Caldwell offering the best players. As mutual interest is shown, relationships develop and needs are negotiated. Once both parties get to know one another better, decisions are made. Caldwell knows what’s best for her team…and it’s not always the top tier players who are the best fits.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Kim Caldwell is struggling to recruit this 2026 class as of recent...

GTFO!

Okay, I get it. Yer just trolling KLU…

 

[chuckiepoo]

I disagree. It’s not as simple as Caldwell offering the best players. As mutual interest is shown, relationships develop and needs are negotiated. Once both parties get to know one another better, decisions are made. Caldwell knows what’s best for her team…and it’s not always the top tier players who are the best fits.

Thank you. Centered.

 

[LV renaissance]

delete

Shoot, is this the version you cussed in?