Good energy all around

[LittleVol]

- The Knowles hire is huge. Banks was learning on the job and his growth was limited. I've come to the conclusion that he got fired on purpose. How could he not go after portal safeties or defensive tackles? Any normal coach would have done that. Knowles is perfectly comfortable being a DC and this is what Heupel wants. Stability.

- 2026 recruiting class was lights out. Enough said

- 2026 Transfer portal is already teaming with talent and even more kids (Jaylen McClain OSU) are just waiting for their playoffs seasons to be done to enter the portal. If we can get Barnes from Clemson and McClain form Ohio State then we're good at safety. Despite our leaky defense there is talent already there.

- Beat Illinois and up 9-4 and sign 6 impact guys from the Transfer portal and we are cooking into the Off-season.

- 5 star QB Faizon Brandon, and , 5 star WR Tristen Keys will be in campus later this month.

Add all these variables together and Tennessee is again an SEC Champion candidate and sure fire playoff contender for 2026.

 

[bpalmer28]

I’m legitimately thinking if we have a good portal season we’ll win a natty in 2 years

 

[Brandon88]

I think the defense recruits knew this was coming thats how we flipped some.

 

[Rocky Top T]

I’m legitimately thinking if we have a good portal season we’ll win a natty in 2 years

Slow down there

 

[Vol737]

I’m legitimately thinking if we have a good portal season we’ll win a natty in 2 years

Would be nice. Let’s just get back to the playoffs with an offense and defense that can compete with anyone. The rest will take care of itself, hopefully.

 

[LittleVol]

I’m legitimately thinking if we have a good portal season we’ll win a natty in 2 years

At some point the stars have to align for Tennessee for once.

Great offense but average defense in 2022
Great defense but average offense in 2024
2012 we get Cordarrell Patterson but our All-SEC WR from the previous year leaves the team in DaRick Rogers. TILL THIS DAY- I'm so upset we never got to see Hunter , Rogers , and Patterson play together

 

[sgtwebb1]

At some point the stars have to align for Tennessee for once.

Great offense but average defense in 2022
Great defense but average offense in 2024
2012 we get Cordarrell Patterson but our All-SEC WR from the previous year leaves the team in DaRick Rogers. TILL THIS DAY- I'm so upset we never got to see Hunter , Rogers , and Patterson play together

Me too brother.....

 

[bpalmer28]

Slow down there

with heupel there’s no reason to think the offense won’t be good enough and with knowles there’s no reason to think the defense won’t be good enough

the offense is loaded with talent. got some good pieces on defense. just need to fill a few holes and we’re good.

 

[sjt18]

- The Knowles hire is huge. Banks was learning on the job and his growth was limited. I've come to the conclusion that he got fired on purpose. How could he not go after portal safeties or defensive tackles? Any normal coach would have done that. Knowles is perfectly comfortable being a DC and this is what Heupel wants. Stability.

- 2026 recruiting class was lights out. Enough said

- 2026 Transfer portal is already teaming with talent and even more kids (Jaylen McClain OSU) are just waiting for their playoffs seasons to be done to enter the portal. If we can get Barnes from Clemson and McClain form Ohio State then we're good at safety. Despite our leaky defense there is talent already there.

- Beat Illinois and up 9-4 and sign 6 impact guys from the Transfer portal and we are cooking into the Off-season.

- 5 star QB Faizon Brandon, and , 5 star WR Tristen Keys will be in campus later this month.

Add all these variables together and Tennessee is again an SEC Champion candidate and sure fire playoff contender for 2026.

I don't hate the guy but honestly never saw signs he was learning.

UT was a young team this year. There's talent on the roster and a lot of guys will be ready to contribute next year. Knowles has in a lot of ways an clean slate with the ability to add the portal guys he wants. UT made a good hire but Knowles is walking into an excellent opportunity to look like a genius.

 

[LittleVol]

Marquiez Davis from Missouri.
Freshman RB out of Cleveland.

Another kid we recruited I’d love to see run with our 2nd team ALL-SEC “Speed” RB DeSean Bishop.

While I’d love for us to have 3 All-Conference DTs from the portal come to Tennessee- realistically that’s not what’s needed.
We need older guys that can hold their gaps for 20-30 snaps a game.

There’s some guys out there already in the portal at DT, but we should wait some till January.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

with heupel there’s no reason to think the offense won’t be good enough and with knowles there’s no reason to think the defense won’t be good enough

the offense is loaded with talent. got some good pieces on defense. just need to fill a few holes and we’re good.

For me it's a matter of "are you serious about winning." This hire shows they're serious. And UT is one of ten or so schools that when you really get serious and have the right people in place, success is going to come at some point.

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

So did this Knowles guy, did he coach during Penn State's UCLA game against Nico this year?

That's Neuheisel's kid for anybody that can't place that uncanny familial Hermy the Elf appearance.

 

[#1fulmerite]

Debbie Downer here but, do the powers that be have the $20 million to spend for a roster and, do (we) have the money to keep who we have?

 

[Volador]

I’m legitimately thinking if we have a good portal season we’ll win a natty in 2 years

The portal is so finicky, that you really need to win the Natty the year you have an outstanding portal, cuz many of the players in the portal are already juco's or veteran players.

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

Need both sides of the ball to click finally under this staff. Hopefully the defense improves and the offense doesn’t regress.

 

[LittleVol]

So did this Knowles guy, did he coach during Penn State's UCLA game against Nico this year?
View attachment 797603
That's Neuheisel's kid for anybody that can't place that uncanny familial Hermy the Elf appearance.
View attachment 797604

Nico had 5 TDs against Jim Knowles defense this past season.

 

[Vol865]

- The Knowles hire is huge. Banks was learning on the job and his growth was limited. I've come to the conclusion that he got fired on purpose. How could he not go after portal safeties or defensive tackles? Any normal coach would have done that. Knowles is perfectly comfortable being a DC and this is what Heupel wants. Stability.

- 2026 recruiting class was lights out. Enough said

- 2026 Transfer portal is already teaming with talent and even more kids (Jaylen McClain OSU) are just waiting for their playoffs seasons to be done to enter the portal. If we can get Barnes from Clemson and McClain form Ohio State then we're good at safety. Despite our leaky defense there is talent already there.

- Beat Illinois and up 9-4 and sign 6 impact guys from the Transfer portal and we are cooking into the Off-season.

- 5 star QB Faizon Brandon, and , 5 star WR Tristen Keys will be in campus later this month.

Add all these variables together and Tennessee is again an SEC Champion candidate and sure fire playoff contender for 2026.

I like the optimism but this is the kind of thing that sets up for a mob mentality around this time next year. Faizon is a True Freshman. That's a big ask.

 

[LittleVol]

I like the optimism but this is the kind of thing that sets up for a mob mentality around this time next year. Faizon is a True Freshman. That's a big ask.

Nah not really.

bring in a talented RB to pair with Bishop and run the ball. We could have had three 1,000 yards WRs this season. Only get two of those guys back right? So we won’t throw as much but Staley and Matthews can still eat good. All the while key Faizon grow up at his own pace. And it won’t take long.

The main thing is getting veterans safeties and DTs from the portal to add depth and competition at those two crucial spots.

Tim Banks would still be defensive coordinator and we would be in the playoffs right now had he done that this past offf-season.

 

[Vol865]

Nah not really.

bring in a talented RB to pair with Bishop and run the ball. We could have had three 1,000 yards WRs this season. Only get two of those guys back right? So we won’t throw as much but Staley and Matthews can still eat good. All the while key Faizon grow up at his own pace. And it won’t take long.

The main thing is getting veterans safeties and DTs from the portal to add depth and competition at those two crucial spots.

Tim Banks would still be defensive coordinator and we would be in the playoffs right now had he done that this past offf-season.

I'm just saying I'm not expecting the CFP quite yet. Its definitely possible, but I know how our fans can get and I can already see the "Faizon is a bust, Heupel can't evaluate QBs, fire him" talk after a True Freshman looks like a True Freshman. I hope you're right though.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Nah not really.

bring in a talented RB to pair with Bishop and run the ball. We could have had three 1,000 yards WRs this season. Only get two of those guys back right? So we won’t throw as much but Staley and Matthews can still eat good. All the while key Faizon grow up at his own pace. And it won’t take long.

The main thing is getting veterans safeties and DTs from the portal to add depth and competition at those two crucial spots.

Tim Banks would still be defensive coordinator and we would be in the playoffs right now had he done that this past offf-season.

Whoever replaces Brazzell at the 3rd WR spot will be very good. It'll be between Jackson, Smith, and Keys. I'm betting on Jackson. And he may be our best WR next year.

 

[VOLywood]

Great mindset OP. I see it the same way. Bringing in a proven DC is a confident move. Danny White and CJH know we have the pieces in place to be a perennial playoff team starting next season. I think we'll make the portal acquisitions to back that up. Get ready Volnation, this is going to be a heckuva ride!

 

[CAVPUT]

- The Knowles hire is huge. Banks was learning on the job and his growth was limited. I've come to the conclusion that he got fired on purpose. How could he not go after portal safeties or defensive tackles? Any normal coach would have done that. Knowles is perfectly comfortable being a DC and this is what Heupel wants. Stability.

- 2026 recruiting class was lights out. Enough said

- 2026 Transfer portal is already teaming with talent and even more kids (Jaylen McClain OSU) are just waiting for their playoffs seasons to be done to enter the portal. If we can get Barnes from Clemson and McClain form Ohio State then we're good at safety. Despite our leaky defense there is talent already there.

- Beat Illinois and up 9-4 and sign 6 impact guys from the Transfer portal and we are cooking into the Off-season.

- 5 star QB Faizon Brandon, and , 5 star WR Tristen Keys will be in campus later this month.

Add all these variables together and Tennessee is again an SEC Champion candidate and sure fire playoff contender for 2026.

A whole lotta hopium flowing in that post. Not sure how you can "add variables" and come to the conclusion that we're a playoff contender next year. The fact that there are "variables" implies unpredictability.

My counterpoints....

We don't know if Knowles is the choice or who he brings on the staff. No matter who the DC is, how quickly does he get his players? How long does it take the players to learn and get comfortable with his system. Let's be honest...there are college students and college athletes. Not the same animal.

HS recruiting is always a little unpredictable. No guarantees HS performance translates to the college field. I've seen it written that if you hit on 50% of your class, it's a very good year.

Heupel hasn't been all that aggressive in the portal so far. At least not to the level I suspect he'll need to be this year. How will they do? Will the funds be there?

Wouldn't guarantee our 5 stars are automatic successes especially in year 1. This is the SEC. Rough transition for any kid 5 star or not.

Would not bet the farm that we overcome the Nashville curse and actually beat Illinois. How excited will we be to be in Nashville? How many opt outs do we have? What would a loss do to our psyche going into a critical off season?

Don't get me wrong, I applaud folks on a hopium high. Enjoy it and you do you. Just pointing out that there's another side of the coin to consider because it can come up from time to time. Although, did UT win a single coin toss this year? Did we pull an O-fer there, too? No way. That would be such a UT thing would it not?

 

[orangemadam]

Total rebuild year next year. It'll take some time for the defense to get going
under a new DC. Everyone needs to calm down. 8-4 or 7-5 next season, but
at least a new DC keeps Heuple off the hot seat . Hopefully in '27 all these changes
and beefier roster will pay dividends, but it will require patience. Does VN have that?

 

[CAVPUT]

Total rebuild year next year. It'll take some time for the defense to get going
under a new DC. Everyone needs to calm down. 8-4 or 7-5 next season, but
at least a new DC keeps Heuple off the hot seat . Hopefully in '27 all these changes
and beefier roster will pay dividends, but it will require patience. Does VN have that?

We need to kill it with our hires and in the portal to even sniff 8 wins. Just don't see it. 7 wins max. 6 is the most likely win total.

 

[Rocky Top T]

with heupel there’s no reason to think the offense won’t be good enough and with knowles there’s no reason to think the defense won’t be good enough

the offense is loaded with talent. got some good pieces on defense. just need to fill a few holes and we’re good.

The offense wasn't good enough in 24. In 3 of the 4 losses this year, the offense wasn't very good. Of course the defense was terrible this year.