Recruiting Forum Football Talk IX

[dmwvol12]

I feel like we didn't do enough amidst all the coaching chaos to raid some upgrades from other schools' classes.

I think we need the spots for the portal as we need more grown men that can play immediately. Most high schoolers will not be able to contribute immediately and we need immediate help. Just my opinion.

 

[Boo vols]

Hey I don't know if anyone has mentioned yet but Bey has not signed

Right Dec 5 is when he signs

 

[MarcoVol]

Fell off a cliff. Almost as if talent was masking his deficiencies

STEEP cliff

 

[Type Orange+]

Did Bey sign with OSU this morning?

 

[MarcoVol]

Did Bey sign with OSU this morning?

No

 

[Gilbert]

I really like this class but I’m not going to get too worked up about it, good or bad. It will have guys that transfer or never contribute. But it will also have guys that exceed expectations and a few that may be superstars. You just never know.

I’m more looking forward to portal season and how hard we go there and how much we spend. More known commodities there.

 

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

The well educated "ivy league" Vanderbilt grads should get their brains together and bombard the media with algorithms and stuff as to why Vandy deserves to be in the playoffs.

If it was 8 or 9 other SEC teams with the names switched on their Uniforms......there would be RIOTS as to their CFP ranking.

I'm not an SEC Homer and I can't stand Vandy, but give me a break? Did you hear the douchebag explanation as to why?

Freaking idiots running this stupid f'ing playoff system

I' hating college football more every day.

I actually agree. Vandy should be in. Their resume compared to Miami or some others is better.

 

[cncchris33]

It did improve every year until this year.

2023 we were 22nd(ish) total D
2024 finished 6th total D

2025
108th in total defense
108th in scoring defense
98th in third-down defense
59th in yards per play
57th in run defense

2023
27th in total defense
22nd in scoring defense
78th in third-down defense
17th in yards per play
20th in run defense

2022
84th in total defense
30th in scoring defense
46th in third-down defense
42nd in yards per play
22nd in run defense

2021
105th in total defense
97th in scoring defense
127th in third-down defense
61st in yards per play
65th in run defense

2023 was respectable
2024 was darn near elite
Every other year has been pretty bad.

When I say it hasn't improved, I mean to a sustained level. It's gotten better overall, but not to a sustained championship level, and then of course, this year was just embarrassing. If this year's defense had 2023-type numbers, I'd probably feel different.

Edit: I should not that thise 2025 numbers are from late October. They are likely worse, now.

 

[JMSqb11]

Agreed any SEC or BIG 10 team

That goes 10-2 with both losses on the road to two teams currently in the top 15 and one playing in the conference title game that has 4 wins over AP top 25 teams (at time of facing them) would usually be in the CFP

The fact a 3 loss Texas jumped them is the biggest BS.

Not a Vandy fan either, but their resume is better than Texas (2-3 on road), Miami (best win was ND to start the season), & Notre Dame (once again playing a soft schedule and still losing 2 toughest games of the year)

Texas beat Vandy head to head. Texas' best win was against an 11-0 #3 A&M..... Vandy's best win are a bunch of teams who are no longer ranked.

Also Texas lost by 7 to the #1 ranked team currently on the road. I'm sorry, but 9-3 Texas has a better resume of accomplishments than 10-2 Vandy.

That win against A&M + beating Vandy head to head trumps anything else that Vandy "accomplished" this year in their 11 other games.

Also I am on record that the AP and Coaches polling mean nothing. They are nothing more than fodder considering they have zero bearing or weighting on the actual playoff standings. So in totality, Texas resume only has 1 blemish and a LOT of accomplishments. Vandy not so much.

 

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

You always lean negative. Anytime anything remotely bad happens in recruiting you act like the sky is falling.

No he doesn’t lol

Stop attacking people who don’t share your same views or always overally positive.

 

[Type Orange+]

No

I know.
I was being facetious.
There were about 5 answers to that question in a row there.

 

[Weezer]

The class by position:

QB

Faizon Brandon - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Faizon BrandonQB - An elite, dual-threat quarterback poised to make a major impact at the college level … Possesses a high-powered arm with precision and has...

utsports.com

RB


WR

TK Keys - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

TK KeysWR - A blue-chip playmaker widely considered the top wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2026 … Exceptional catch radius with an ability to go up, ...

utsports.com

Tyreek King - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Tyreek KingWR - Polished, explosive wide receiver with elite vertical speed and proven big-play production … Homegrown signee who starred for Knoxville Catho...

utsports.com

Legend Bey - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Legend BeyWR - Dynamic athlete who played quarterback for North Forney High School in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and projects to be an elite playmaker a...

utsports.com

TE

Luca Wolf - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Luca WolfTE - Physically imposing international tight end who joins the Vols via the NFL Academy in London … Originally from Vienna, Australia … A consensus ...

utsports.com

OL

Gabriel Osenda - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Gabriel OsendaOL - Big-bodied, long and physically imposing offensive lineman out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee … Originally hails from Aird...

utsports.com

Ed Baker - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Ed BakerOL - Powerful and versatile offensive line prospect with impressive size and a big frame out of prep powerhouse St. Frances Academy in Baltimore … Is...

utsports.com

Kamari Blair - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Kamari BlairOL - Powerful, in-state offensive tackle whose multi-sport background and two-way experience underscore his upside and versatility … A consensus ...

utsports.com

DL

Dereon Albert - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Dereon AlbertDL - Wide, powerful tackle out of Jackson Academy in Mississippi … Is a four-star recruit according to 247Sports and ESPN, with a three-star rat...

utsports.com

Kedric Golston II - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Kedric Golston IIDL - Long, lean edge rusher with quick burst out of Stone Bridge High School in Virginia … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to 24...

utsports.com

Darryl Rivers - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Darryl RiversDL - Powerful, big tackle with long arms out of McEachern High School in Georgia … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to Rivals, 247Spo...

utsports.com

Nuk Simmons - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Nuk SimmonsDL - Stout defensive tackle whose combination of strength, leverage and finishing power produced one of Georgia’s most productive senior seasons u...

utsports.com

Hezekiah Harris - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Hezekiah HarrisDL - Long, athletic edge rusher from with natural pass-rush instincts, proven disruption and effectiveness at the point of attack … A four-sta...

utsports.com

Zach Groves - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Zach GrovesDL - In-state defensive playmaker with verified speed off the edge and a dominant track record of generating negative plays … A four-star prospect...

utsports.com

Carter Gooden - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Carter GoodenDL - Explosive, versatile big man from Tabor Academy in Massachusetts … Is a consensus four-star recruit according to Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN...

utsports.com

CJ Edwards - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

CJ EdwardsDL - Relentless, high-motor edge defender whose athleticism, competitiveness and pursuit fuel consistent backfield disruption … Consensus three-sta...

utsports.com

LB

Brayden Rouse - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Brayden RouseLB - Versatile and athletic two-way player at Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia, who has developed into one of the nation’s elite linebacker...

utsports.com

TJ White - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

TJ WhiteLB - Versatile, powerful and explosive linebacker prospect out of Jackson Academy in Mississippi … Is a consensus four-star recruit according to 247S...

utsports.com

DB

Joel Wyatt - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Joel WyattDB - Elite, instinctive playmaker from the Volunteer State who is one of the best athletes in the nation … Can play nearly every position but proje...

utsports.com

Luke Thompson - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Luke ThompsonDB - In-state, legacy defensive back with verified elite speed and proven two-way production, offering high-end athleticism and a strong develop...

utsports.com

Jamyan Theodore - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Jamyan TheodoreDB - Talented defensive back out of Baylor School in Tennessee … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN … R...

utsports.com

Jowell Combay - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Jowell CombayDB - Instinctive and athletic two-way player at Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia, who projects as a potential impact safety at the college ...

utsports.com

KJ McClain - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

KJ McClainDB - Talented three-star defensive back out of New Jersey who is expected to play safety at the next level … Rated the No. 10 prospect in his state...

utsports.com

Javonte Smith - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Javonte SmithDB - Athletic, playmaking defensive back out of North Side High School in Tennessee … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to Rivals, 247...

utsports.com

Zay Anderson - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Zay AndersonDB - Dynamic, explosive multi-sport athlete out of Greeneville High School in the Volunteer State … Is a four-star recruit according to 247Sports...

utsports.com

P

Logan Foley - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Logan FoleyP - Outstanding international punter who hails from Melbourne, Australia … A product of a Prokick Australia program that produced current Tennesse...

utsports.com

 

[GVol1966]

Agreed any SEC or BIG 10 team

That goes 10-2 with both losses on the road to two teams currently in the top 15 and one playing in the conference title game that has 4 wins over AP top 25 teams (at time of facing them) would usually be in the CFP

The fact a 3 loss Texas jumped them is the biggest BS.

Not a Vandy fan either, but their resume is better than Texas (2-3 on road), Miami (best win was ND to start the season), & Notre Dame (once again playing a soft schedule and still losing 2 toughest games of the year)

Must be some closet volnation members on the committee.

You know, the ones that thought just because it’s Vandy we were going to beat them by 2-3 touchdowns.

The record has to be a fluke, it’s Vandy.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Also something that really annoys me...

Jeremiyah Love for ND, 1372 rushing yards and 18 TDs and EVERYONE has him as a Heisman Finalist.
Dylan Sampson for Vols, 1491 rushing yards and 22 TDs and NO ONE had him in the top 10...

There are 3 RBs with more total yards than Love right now and 2 RBs with more TDs than him as well and he's not even leading in total scrimmage yards (3rd there as well).

If any RB should be a finalist it should be Caleb Hawkins from North Texas, a team that is playing for their conference championship and his 26 total TDs and over 1500 yards from scrimmage is a big reason why.

 

[Vol423]

No he doesn’t lol

Stop attacking people who don’t share your same views or always overally positive.

Yes he does. I'm not "attacking" anybody. Even he said in another thread he's "pissy". It's nothing new for him.

 

[Blake25p]

*whispers*

You dont have to bump and boom evrry player thread just for them signing

It’s signing day, you absolutely have to bump and boom.

 

[Vol423]

The class by position:

QB

Faizon Brandon - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Faizon BrandonQB - An elite, dual-threat quarterback poised to make a major impact at the college level … Possesses a high-powered arm with precision and has...

utsports.com

RB


WR

TK Keys - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

TK KeysWR - A blue-chip playmaker widely considered the top wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2026 … Exceptional catch radius with an ability to go up, ...

utsports.com

Tyreek King - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Tyreek KingWR - Polished, explosive wide receiver with elite vertical speed and proven big-play production … Homegrown signee who starred for Knoxville Catho...

utsports.com

TE

Luca Wolf - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Luca WolfTE - Physically imposing international tight end who joins the Vols via the NFL Academy in London … Originally from Vienna, Australia … A consensus ...

utsports.com

OL

Gabriel Osenda - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Gabriel OsendaOL - Big-bodied, long and physically imposing offensive lineman out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee … Originally hails from Aird...

utsports.com

Ed Baker - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Ed BakerOL - Powerful and versatile offensive line prospect with impressive size and a big frame out of prep powerhouse St. Frances Academy in Baltimore … Is...

utsports.com

Gabriel Osenda - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Gabriel OsendaOL - Big-bodied, long and physically imposing offensive lineman out of the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee … Originally hails from Aird...

utsports.com

DL

Dereon Albert - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Dereon AlbertDL - Wide, powerful tackle out of Jackson Academy in Mississippi … Is a four-star recruit according to 247Sports and ESPN, with a three-star rat...

utsports.com

Kedric Golston II - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Kedric Golston IIDL - Long, lean edge rusher with quick burst out of Stone Bridge High School in Virginia … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to 24...

utsports.com

Darryl Rivers - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Darryl RiversDL - Powerful, big tackle with long arms out of McEachern High School in Georgia … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to Rivals, 247Spo...

utsports.com

Nuk Simmons - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Nuk SimmonsDL - Stout defensive tackle whose combination of strength, leverage and finishing power produced one of Georgia’s most productive senior seasons u...

utsports.com

Hezekiah Harris - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Hezekiah HarrisDL - Long, athletic edge rusher from with natural pass-rush instincts, proven disruption and effectiveness at the point of attack … A four-sta...

utsports.com

Zach Groves - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Zach GrovesDL - In-state defensive playmaker with verified speed off the edge and a dominant track record of generating negative plays … A four-star prospect...

utsports.com

LB

Brayden Rouse - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Brayden RouseLB - Versatile and athletic two-way player at Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia, who has developed into one of the nation’s elite linebacker...

utsports.com

TJ White - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

TJ WhiteLB - Versatile, powerful and explosive linebacker prospect out of Jackson Academy in Mississippi … Is a consensus four-star recruit according to 247S...

utsports.com

DB

Joel Wyatt - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Joel WyattDB - Elite, instinctive playmaker from the Volunteer State who is one of the best athletes in the nation … Can play nearly every position but proje...

utsports.com

Luke Thompson - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Luke ThompsonDB - In-state, legacy defensive back with verified elite speed and proven two-way production, offering high-end athleticism and a strong develop...

utsports.com

Jamyan Theodore - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Jamyan TheodoreDB - Talented defensive back out of Baylor School in Tennessee … Is a consensus three-star recruit according to Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN … R...

utsports.com

Jowell Combay - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Jowell CombayDB - Instinctive and athletic two-way player at Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia, who projects as a potential impact safety at the college ...

utsports.com

KJ McClain - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

KJ McClainDB - Talented three-star defensive back out of New Jersey who is expected to play safety at the next level … Rated the No. 10 prospect in his state...

utsports.com

P

Logan Foley - Football - University of Tennessee Athletics

Logan FoleyP - Outstanding international punter who hails from Melbourne, Australia … A product of a Prokick Australia program that produced current Tennesse...

utsports.com

Osenda is such a big boy, he takes up two positions.

 

[Weezer]

Waiting on these kids to make up their minds has left me bored.

 

[Carp]

You mean the guy with the 2nd highest percentage of kicks made in our history? Doing so as only a freshman and sophomore? That guy? Oh, I get it, he hasn’t made them all.

Dude, he was a problem this year. No way around it.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

*whispers*

You dont have to bump and boom evrry player thread just for them signing

 

[JMSqb11]

Texas is 2-2 against Top 10 ranked teams after a full regular season schedule. That record would be 2-1 if Texas chose to not schedule a cupcake instead of Ohio State.

Meanwhile, Vandy doesn't have a single win vs any team ranked in the playoff standings after a full 12 game season.

There is no sane person that can make any defense of Vandy being ranked ahead of Texas given Texas' 2 wins against current Top 10 playoff ranked teams and the Head to Head win over Vandy.

1 bad loss doesn't trump 2 wins over #7 and #8 ranked teams. Vandy doesn't have any bad losses, but they don't have any good wins to the caliber of Texas'

 

[Jimmy Football]

Bey signing today?

 

[Weezer]

Osenda is such a big boy, he takes up two positions.

Fixed

 

[Type Orange+]

*whispers*

You dont have to bump and boom evrry player thread just for them signing

You've been here long enough to know better than that.
It's a moral imperative to BOOM on ESD.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Texas beat Vandy head to head. Texas' best win was against an 11-0 #3 A&M..... Vandy's best win are a bunch of teams who are no longer ranked.

Also Texas lost by 7 to the #1 ranked team currently on the road. I'm sorry, but 9-3 Texas has a better resume of accomplishments than 10-2 Vandy.

That win against A&M + beating Vandy head to head trumps anything else that Vandy "accomplished" this year in their 11 other games.

Also I am on record that the AP and Coaches polling mean nothing. They are nothing more than fodder considering they have zero bearing or weighting on the actual playoff standings. So in totality, Texas resume only has 1 blemish and a LOT of accomplishments. Vandy not so much.

Texas has an extra loss and easily getting beat at Florida by 8 is the worse loss of any team in the top 15.

Vandy beat LSU (7-5), Missouri (8-4), and at TN (8-4). Texas' best 2 wins were home games that had they been played on the road they would have lost. To me it comes down to which team has less losses and which team plays best away from their home stadium because both will be on the road for the CFP. And it's Vandy without question.

If head to head was all that mattered then why isn't Bama above Georgia? Or why isn't Texas ahead of 10-2 OU (same record as Vandy

The highest ranked 2 loss SEC team should be Bama, because they're playing in the title game. No 3 loss team should be top 15 imo because that 3rd loss matters. USC and Michigan both aren't rewarded. And USC's 3 losses are all on the road and every team won at least 8 games with 2 of their losses being to 10 win teams.

Losing to 4-8 Florida is enough to put Texas firmly behind every 2 loss team in the SEC regardless of head to head when playing at home.