WinginFlorida
The Struggle is Real
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Three quick counterpoints:
1) I don't tie up LSU & UGA's recruiting to their consistency of wins. They are the top teams in their respective talent-rich states. Both schools could probably field top 15 teams year in and year out with just in-state kids. Bama talent isn't bad either, but I think Saban does pull there.
2) I don't think all of this rides on a W/L vs Auburn. I agree that a win could really help solidify some things - but a decent showing vs Auburn and wins vs Vandy & Kentucky shouldn't scare away recruits.
3) One thing Tennessee has that Florida/USC/UGA/LSU/Bama doesn't - a real opportunity to start as a true freshman and play for 4 years. I think that gives UT a leg up on some of these kids who care about that kind of thing. But for a kid who does want to be on the field, you can't let a couple losses kill the deal - losses are the very reason you can start on day one.
I personally think it comes down to us winning out or not. If we lose to Auburn, we are struggling....AGAIN...just to try and make a bowl game. Not a ton of empirical evidence that this regime will indeed fare any better than Kiffin and Dooley's.
I am hopeful and I think CBJ will turn it around, but recruits don't necessarily see it that way. They want to see some real, verifiable evidence. That's why Bama, LSU and UGA have maintained Top 5-10 classes for the past 5yrs or more.
If we had beaten Mizzou and won out, then I feel like more than one BIG, BIG fish would've jumped into our boat...like Jackson and Garrett BIG. Maybe even another big name RB (like a Mixon or even Fournette).
Beating Auburn, along with the SC win, may still give some of those BIG fish, that evidence. If we lose to Auburn, we can kiss any chance of landing Jackson and Garrett....possibly Malone, too.
Three quick counterpoints:
1) I don't tie up LSU & UGA's recruiting to their consistency of wins. They are the top teams in their respective talent-rich states. Both schools could probably field top 15 teams year in and year out with just in-state kids. Bama talent isn't bad either, but I think Saban does pull there.
2) I don't think all of this rides on a W/L vs Auburn. I agree that a win could really help solidify some things - but a decent showing vs Auburn and wins vs Vandy & Kentucky shouldn't scare away recruits.
3) One thing Tennessee has that Florida/USC/UGA/LSU/Bama doesn't - a real opportunity to start as a true freshman and play for 4 years. I think that gives UT a leg up on some of these kids who care about that kind of thing. But for a kid who does want to be on the field, you can't let a couple losses kill the deal - losses are the very reason you can start on day one.
1) I really don't think UGA's having a talent-rich state to recruit from helps them nearly as much as their ability to be in the Top 10 at some point in the season, most years. Same goes for LSU, actually. Having some success in those states helps them get a lion's share of the instate talent.
CBJ's past success is helping him immensely to pull in the top talent in our state, too. This is why Dooley struggled mightily in TN, and Butch is not. I remember when LSU was a bottom feeder in the SEC for years and years. I think it only changed when Saban came along.
So, there is a symbiotic relationship between success and raking in the talent, instate.
2) I didn't say losing to Auburn would make our class fall apart...but after suffering 2 humiliating losses and then another at Auburn would communicate that the road back for Tennessee is longer than one might have expect. 6-6 or worse doesn't say "we've started to turn the corner."
A win against Auburn, Vandy and UK would communicate that there is already some tangible improvement, showing that CBJ can indeed turn this program around. Something like this is what I firmly believe is needed to pull guys like Adoree and Clifton Garrett. Malone might be right there, too. Could easily get his 5* when the rankings get updated next.
3) Starting as a true freshman might be one good selling point, but I don't think it offsets a dismal record. If we do no better than Dooley, record-wise, then again, CBJ has to ask the recruits to simply trust him...not what they see on the field. That doesn't work so well on those like Jackson and Garrett. They expect to see SOME improvement in his first season.
so 247 is predicting Florida. I understand it's been wrong a lot of times, but so has Volnation. Can anyone suggest any substantial evidence (other than guts) why Adoree will choose us?
You're trying to put words in my mouth. Where did I say we'd have a sh!tty class?The fact that we are currently the consensus number 2 class with 15 or 16 4 stars and a 5 star commit would seemingly contradict this post.
It might be for you, as a fan....but it ain't for a 5* recruit, that we have little chance to pull as it already is.