Recruiting Forum Football Talk IX

[Dadof2Vols]

The pendulum has kind of swung for me. If the answer is such that I suspect they copied and rehearsed it, I'm less likely to hire them. It's a fine dance, but I find myself evaluating the experience and personality more than the interview itself now.

My favorite 2 questions to ask are what is your weakness and what’s the largest or most expensive screwup you have had in your professional life.

 

[GiggerVol]

I missed the live announcement on radio but this is awesome. My prediction, Mike Keith and Jayson Swain will be as beloved as (the irreplaceable) John Ward and Bill Anderson. Good times incoming.... I can't wait.

View attachment 846489*I liked Ramon Foster but Jayson Swain has been my pick for the color analyst for years. He's my favorite WNML radio show host, he loves the VOLS, and hates the gumps.


GO VOLS

I hadn't heard Ramon was leaving or giving up the position. What happened there?

 

[UTvol1fn]

To everyone who gave prayers and advice, thank you. That was by far the best interview I have ever had. If I do not get chosen, I know it was not due to my performance today. I will be satisfied either way.

My man!

 

[ENGRVOL]

Buckeye fans have been telling us these players choosing the vols over them are all about the money. Wonder if any of their players make such a large donation?

 

[all_volz]

Ryan Day buys Tampons for himself

Ryan Day buys used gerbils from Richard Gere

 

[SagginVawls]

Buckeye fans have been telling us these players choosing the vols over them are all about the money. Wonder if any of their players make such a large donation?

Great kid

 

[Volnut]

I hadn't heard Ramon was leaving or giving up the position. What happened there?

He's going to the same position with the Titans.

 

[Enki_Amenra]

 

[UpstateVol613]

 

[Orange.]

I have to admit what Cigneti says there in conclusion, that "we don't cry a river and whine and complain" [or "run a hype machine" for our team on ESPN] does very much remind me of Nick Saban and his Alabama sports culture.

"Aight! , Cignetti concludes. "And that's why we're the best."

 

[SagginVawls]

10-2

 

[WesTnVol]

Can’t remember where I saw it but a CFB “expert” said “Tennessee going 5-1 through the first half of the season was possible” It’s the back half that people think is 3-3.
Hopefully we can do 5-1 then steal one and go 4-2, borderline playoff, maybe

 

[Fun coupon VOL]

Bishop stays healthy, we will pound the rock this year on everyone.

 

[Jackcrevol]

My favorite 2 questions to ask are what is your weakness and what’s the largest or most expensive screwup you have had in your professional life.

yes

 

[barrylee]

When guys that have been in a college S&C program for 4+ years are making these kinds of gains, should tell you all you need to know about Coach DO.

This and maybe tells you a lot about who we used to have here..

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Everything Tennessee strength coach Derek Owings said exiting summer work​

When I look on Instagram and all that, we see those before and after photos of different players. For all the metrics that we read about, like a before and after photo of a player and how they developed, I feel like is the easiest way to communicate that to just the common person. We can see it. Have you always done that, or is there a time in the past where you, you thought, “This, this is gonna make sense to communicate that to people?

Everything Tennessee strength coach Derek Owings said exiting summer work

Tennessee's football director of sports performance Derek Owings met with the media on Wednesday as the Vols concluded their summer program.

www.on3.com

Edit: Only real noteworthy thing (IMO) was DO saying at Tennessee he's got the most physically gifted athletes he's ever worked with.

Gonna be real interesting to see how that translates on the field.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Some people on the forum mocks the "star gazers" but deep down we all are. Asa Barnes is a 3 star and his thread is 17 pages. DGG is a 5 star and his thread is 254 pages.

So can we all stop pretending we're not all star gazers?

Thanks,

Mgmnt

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Everything Tennessee strength coach Derek Owings said exiting summer work​

When I look on Instagram and all that, we see those before and after photos of different players. For all the metrics that we read about, like a before and after photo of a player and how they developed, I feel like is the easiest way to communicate that to just the common person. We can see it. Have you always done that, or is there a time in the past where you, you thought, “This, this is gonna make sense to communicate that to people?

Everything Tennessee strength coach Derek Owings said exiting summer work

Tennessee's football director of sports performance Derek Owings met with the media on Wednesday as the Vols concluded their summer program.

www.on3.com

Edit - nevermind, just saw the notification. Not sure it is a copyright issue, but I digress.

 

[franklinpence]

My favorite 2 questions to ask are what is your weakness and what’s the largest or most expensive screwup you have had in your professional life.

1. I’m still learning when to speak up and when to stay quiet.

2. I spoke up at the wrong time.

 

[Vol423]

Was his daughter not attending UT at the time or am I misremembering?

I don't think so.

 

[Ten_Titans]

My favorite 2 questions to ask are what is your weakness and what’s the largest or most expensive screwup you have had in your professional life.

I personally don't care for the "what is your weakness" question. That's really not for the candidate to say. They are there to get a job, not talk themselves out of one.

If you know the role, you've got their CV, and you've talked with them for 20 minutes, you can probably infer their weaknesses. "So based on what you've told me it seems like *this aspect of the role* could be a challenge for you. What do you think?" is good imo.

 

[Vol423]

Some people on the forum mocks the "star gazers" but deep down we all are. Asa Barnes is a 3 star and his thread is 17 pages. DGG is a 5 star and his thread is 254 pages.

So can we all stop pretending we're not all star gazers?

Thanks,

Mgmnt

There was a much bigger recruiting battle for DGG too. That also leads to much longer threads.

 

[tnhunter 10]

 

[tnhunter 10]

 

[Sandman Vol]

Tennessee position preview: The defensive line​

There are many questions surrounding the Tennessee defense in 2026 with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. It’s a new scheme. It’s a revamped secondary and it’s a young defensive front that simply has no time to be young.

Sophomores like Ethan Utley, Isaiah Campbell, and Mariyon Dye have to take real steps this year. Tennessee must also get impact from their portal additions in Jordan Norman, and Xavier Gilliam. Gilliam had a fantastic spring.

Daevin Hobbshas all the talent in the world and could play both inside and outside on the defensive front. But in order to do so, he has to stay healthy which has been an issue. It is a contract year for the senior. He needs to thrive.

Nathan Robinson has had a good off-season and he needs to be a core guy anchoring the middle. Being healthy this off-season has helped his game and allowed him to lead.
Then the question is the youth. Tennessee went heavy in the high school ranks last year in defensive line recruiting with nine signees. Can any of them help especially off the edge rushing the passer where Tennessee is replacing Joshua Josephs, Tyre West, Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring. Can Rodney Garner find some disruption off the edge?
That is the million dollar question.
(Insert Video)

Last season​

The Tennessee defensive front got off to a really good start in 2025. At one point they were leading the nation in sacks, but those numbers tapered off as the season went along and it was a defensive front that didn’t play the run well inside or outside on the edge.

Tennessee’s defense gave up 152 yards a game on the ground. That is not all on the defensive front, but they were not as consistent as they needed to be. It’s a group that did recored 51 TFL’s but there was too much feast and famine in defending the run
They simply gave up too many yards.

By the numbers​

3	Number of sacks by Daevin Hobbs last season. That’s the highest returning number of defensive lineman. Nathan Robinson is second with 1.5 sacks a year ago.
51	Number of tackles for loss by the DL a season ago.
152	Average yards rushing allowed per game last season, the highest of the Heupel era

The room​

Xavier Gilliam — R-So, 6-2, 305
Daevin Hobbs — Sr, 6-4, 290
Mariyon Dye — So, 6-5, 270
Ethan Utley — So, 6-4, 287
Tyree Weathersby— R-Jr, 6-5, 268
Nathan Robinson— R-Jr, 6-7, 295
JJ Finch— Fr, 6-3, 293
Jordan Norman — R-Jr, 6-4, 265
Carson Gentle — R-So, 6-3, 265
Carter Gooden — Fr, 6-4, 267
Kedric Golston — Fr, 6-3, 243
Darryl Rivers — Fr, 6-5, 287
Christian Gass — R-Fr, 6-3, 245
Isaiah Campbell — So, 6-4, 295
Zach Groves— Fr, 6-4, 250
Dereon Albert — Fr, 6-1, 309
CJ Edwards — Fr, 6-3, 230
Nuk Simmons — Fr, 6-3, 300
Breeze Carter — Fr, 6-3, 255
Hezekiah Harris — Fr, 6-6, 248
Charles House — R-Fr, 6-3, 290
Isaiah Inge — R-So, 6-1, 280
Mike Bethea — R-Sr, 6-1, 221

I’m callin it. Marion dye will be our best player on the DL this fall.