2027 Lady Vols Recruiting

[volsagain]

Way to much money for a player that's never played ONE minute of College Basketball...

I believe what most of these teams are doing is to sign at least one super star . If they can generate half as much fan support as Clark it will in help increase excitement and hopefully create more donors.

 

[RetroVol]

I think it is getting to the point where the top five maybe even the top ten are going to be 1 million dollar players. Oklahoma started that with the big NIL they gave third ranked in her class Chavez. It won't be all the players, but there will be three or four in the top ten that want a million. It has to be funded by outside sources no way Oklahoma has more NIL money than we do, but they have someone that is willing to pay the fee to gain any particular player.

Way to much money for a player that's never played ONE minute of College Basketball...

As I understand it:

1. ALL NIL money comes from outside sources. It's basically a sponsorship for advertising purposes. I'm sure athletic departments and coaches are encouraging those close to their programs to consider NIL spending, but they don't have control -- it's not their money. And, in some cases, it's completely independent from schools, such as whatever the deal is that Oliviyah Edwards has already signed with Adidas.

and

2. Whether it is too much or not is a decision for the sponsor and, to some extent, for the 3rd-party auditing group that is supposed to determine something like "fair market value." Though I'm not sure how that's going to work. It's like appraising a house -- means nothing if a willing buyer decides it's worth more to them. Lots of houses sell for more than appraised value.

and, finally,

3. I wonder how much we really know about amounts. I'm sure there are provisions in many of these deals not to discuss amounts.

It's a VERY different world than just a few years ago, and light years away from what existed before that. In some ways, I suspect we're mostly going to be guessing about what's going on for many years.

 

[Volfan2012]

As I understand it:

1. ALL NIL money comes from outside sources. It's basically a sponsorship for advertising purposes. I'm sure athletic departments and coaches are encouraging those close to their programs to consider NIL spending, but they don't have control -- it's not their money. And, in some cases, it's completely independent from schools, such as whatever the deal is that Oliviyah Edwards has already signed with Adidas.

and

2. Whether it is too much or not is a decision for the sponsor and, to some extent, for the 3rd-party auditing group that is supposed to determine something like "fair market value." Though I'm not sure how that's going to work. It's like appraising a house -- means nothing if a willing buyer decides it's worth more to them. Lots of houses sell for more than appraised value.

and, finally,

3. I wonder how much we really know about amounts. I'm sure there are provisions in many of these deals not to discuss amounts.

It's a VERY different world than just a few years ago, and light years away from what existed before that. In some ways, I suspect we're mostly going to be guessing about what's going on for many years.

What you are going to need to get the very top players. I think we could've gotten Trinity Jones others but I think we drew the line at a certain price which was exceeded by the other school.

 

[RetroVol]

What you are going to need to get the very top players. I think we could've gotten Trinity Jones others but I think we drew the line at a certain price which was exceeded by the other school.

Who is "we"? If a sponsor wants to pay NIL money to a player they can, right? At least, subject to the new and as yet untested 3rd party review. But the school doesn't have the final say, correct? The school controls revenue sharing, but not NIL. And, theoretically, there is no reason why sponsors couldn't step up to pay every player on a team a million dollars. Or have I got this all wrong?

 

[LV renaissance]

I’m trying to figure out what people want, do u just want players and just be an average team or do u want to win the Championship? Because in order to do that we will need the best players and not just anyone if we want to compete with the likes of USC next year.

Having three #1 recruits, while nice, doesn't guarantee anything. I think that there always could be a diva effect or too much competition for who gets the most NIL. The LVs are in rebuilding mode, and are doing very well in this process. Coach has been here for less than 2 years. I have a feeling that it will the LVs who will be getting the #1 2026 player after their senior year, not SC.

 

[LV renaissance]

That’s because Jersey is a wing, she should have never been in the paint to begin with. These coaches have tried to make her a post player her entire college career and it didn’t work. They have all failed her, by not letting her use her natural skill set.

Actually, Coach has mentioned wanting her to regain condlfidence in her 3 point shooting and using her in the top of the zone, but Jersey doesn't seem ready for much of anything yet. It is still early. I guess you can reassure yourself of this about your beloved USC early losses

 

[Volfan2012]

Who is "we"? If a sponsor wants to pay NIL money to a player they can, right? At least, subject to the new and as yet untested 3rd party review. But the school doesn't have the final say, correct? The school controls revenue sharing, but not NIL. And, theoretically, there is no reason why sponsors couldn't step up to pay every player on a team a million dollars. Or have I got this all wrong?

True they can, but most of the time it is to draw a player to a favored school. Sure they can have independent deals with no influence. I'm talking about the deals that influence recruiting. The AD usually can get money from contacts if they need it for any particular reason. I think Jones got her best deal from Clemson. When I say we I was saying we could've bid more if we had wanted to we didn't want to.

 

[Volfan2012]

I’m trying to figure out what people want, do u just want players and just be an average team or do u want to win the Championship? Because in order to do that we will need the best players and not just anyone if we want to compete with the likes of USC next year.

How many players do you think were away from being there? I think were like a couple players away.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Having three #1 recruits, while nice, doesn't guarantee anything. I think that there always could be a diva effect or too much competition for who gets the most NIL. The LVs are in rebuilding mode, and are doing very well in this process. Coach has been here for less than 2 years. I have a feeling that it will the LVs who will be getting the #1 2026 player after their senior year, not SC.

I always thought a program like the Lady Vols, would reload instead of rebuild. Ok so how long have they been rebuilding, since 2008?

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Actually, Coach has mentioned wanting her to regain condlfidence in her 3 point shooting and using her in the top of the zone, but Jersey doesn't seem ready for much of anything yet. It is still early. I guess you can reassure yourself of this about your beloved USC early losses

Of that’s what she wanted, she would have had her in the gym all offseason putting in her wing work, this isn’t something u can just talk about, when she hasn’t used these skills in 4 years.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

How many players do you think were away from being there? I think were like a couple players away.

We’re 2 truly elite players away, we have the supporting cast but not a true number 1. The 2nd player didn’t have to be the same caliber as the number 1 option but she needs to be elite. As an example UConn has Strong and Fudd. Now that’s if we want to win Championships, now if u want to be ok and make sweet 16’s, we can continue with what we’ve been doing.

I do think Big O can be one of those players, but I’ll want a wing to pair with her that’s elite. And just because u have a player putting up stats, that doesn’t mean they’re a number 1, because you’ll always have a player putting up stats on a team.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Imagine thinking in your head that Talaysia Cooper a future lottery pick and Janiah Barker a 2026 projected lottery pick aren’t true #1s.

 

[Volfan2012]

We’re 2 truly elite players away, we have the supporting cast but not a true number 1. The 2nd player didn’t have to be the same caliber as the number 1 option but she needs to be elite. As an example UConn has Strong and Fudd. Now that’s if we want to win Championships, now if u want to be ok and make sweet 16’s, we can continue with what we’ve been doing.

I do think Big O can be one of those players, but I’ll want a wing to pair with her that’s elite. And just because u have a player putting up stats, that doesn’t mean they’re a number 1, because you’ll always have a player putting up stats on a team.

I am assuming you don't think Cooper is a number one. I mean she is probably a first round draft pick. Hoping she stays and plays one season with Edwards I think they would be a top rated combo.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I am assuming you don't think Cooper is a number one. I mean she is probably a first round draft pick. Hoping she stays and plays one season with Edwards I think they would be a top rated combo.

We don’t have a number 1 in my opinion, like I said a player always gets stats on a team. I also think Janiah is the only one that will be drafted in the first round. But I have my own way of analyzing prospects for the next level.

 

[volforlife10]

We don’t have a number 1 in my opinion, like I said a player always gets stats on a team. I also think Janiah is the only one that will be drafted in the first round. But I have my own way of analyzing prospects for the next level.

if coop isn’t drafted in the first round, she will be back, so i’d be okay with that. no way coop isn’t drafted drafted in the first round. she’s playing so well this season. one of the best defenders in women’s college basketball IMO.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

In my opinion, I will take the words of a WNBA player over a message board critic who goes out of their way to discredit any TN player.
Alyssa Clark who announced the TN vs MTSU game raved about the LVs talent.
We have multiple WNBA players on this roster.
We have #1 options in Janiah Barker and Talaysia Cooper.
End of discussion.

 

[RetroVol]

When I say we I was saying we could've bid more if we had wanted to we didn't want to.

Thanks for the conversation! I'm really trying to understand this, but I'm still confused on who "we" is? Danny White? CKC? The head of Tennessee's NIL collective (I assume we have one; I really don't know about this.) The CEOs of sponsors not "closely associated" with the university who might have entered an NIL deal with a prospect, but chose not to? Who had control of a pot of money and just decided not to draw on it in order to meet the deal that a prospect who would have come to Tennessee but for a better financial deal offered at another school?

 

[RetroVol]

if coop isn’t drafted in the first round, she will be back,

And maybe even if she is, assuming the WNBA has a draft next year. If the money in the W is the way it was under the old agreement, it's very possible some top college players might make more staying in school than turning pro. However, I suspect, one way or another, through a new agreement between the players and the league, through Plan B, or some other way, the money post college for top women players will go up if interest in the league goes up. Caitlin gave the league a huge boost; we'll see if she or someone else can sustain that in 2026.

 

[Volfan2012]

Thanks for the conversation! I'm really trying to understand this, but I'm still confused on who "we" is? Danny White? CKC? The head of Tennessee's NIL collective (I assume we have one; I really don't know about this.) The CEOs of sponsors not "closely associated" with the university who might have entered an NIL deal with a prospect, but chose not to? Who had control of a pot of money and just decided not to draw on it in order to meet the deal that a prospect who would have come to Tennessee but for a better financial deal offered at another school?

AD's get it from boosters NCAA not really able to fight it anymore. Just asks for a direct donation and uses it for any purpose that he chooses. The million dollars that the softball pitcher got from TCU was from one person, He was also the one that got our third basemen to move to TCU. Rumor was that Danny got 2 million for womens basketball before the settlement.

I think were way past the collectives schools pay the players now and they get the money from the settlement, shoe contract, and donations.

There is a bidding war for the top players now and forever is seems.

 

[Volfan2012]

We don’t have a number 1 in my opinion, like I said a player always gets stats on a team. I also think Janiah is the only one that will be drafted in the first round. But I have my own way of analyzing prospects for the next level.

I'm hoping your right about the draft cause I want Coop and Edwards next season really bad.

 

[J-Dog 1313]

Imagine thinking in your head that Talaysia Cooper a future lottery pick and Janiah Barker a 2026 projected lottery pick aren’t true #1s.

Oh yes, Janiah is a top 10 WNBA pick. GBO.

 

[lfvol]

We don’t have a number 1 in my opinion, like I said a player always gets stats on a team. I also think Janiah is the only one that will be drafted in the first round. But I have my own way of analyzing prospects for the next level.

My view is that Cooper, now that she is somewhat more efficient, and Barker are capable of being one/two if you have a really strong support cast with a solid inside player and a couple of reliable 3 and D types. We are not nearly strong enough outside of those two right now though.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

My view is that Cooper, now that she is somewhat more efficient, and Barker are capable of being one/two if you have a really strong support cast with a solid inside player and a couple of reliable 3 and D types. We are not nearly strong enough outside of those two right now though.

Barker has the natural ability to be a number 1, but she’s not being used like one. She’s a matchup problem every night, I just don’t see the coaches utilizing her as they should.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Facts! GBO. All this talk going on in these threads about the team is a fallacy.
When Tennessee is on tv the game announcers no matter who they are will tell you the complete opposite. It’s times when Tennessee isn’t even playing and you’ll hear them mention in conversations due to the style of play, the recruiting of the 2025 freshmen class, transfer portal, and now the 2026 class.
This isn’t about just 1 or 2 players either.. Tennessee is loaded bottom line.

Oh yes, Janiah is a top 10 WNBA pick. GBO.

 

[lfvol]

Barker has the natural ability to be a number 1, but she’s not being used like one. She’s a matchup problem every night, I just don’t see the coaches utilizing her as they should.

100 percent this. She doesn’t get enough shots but is efficient.

If both Cooper and Barker are gone, we will need Edwards to be one of the two next year most likely.