'16 AZ DE Jonathan Kongbo UT Signee 2/3/16

[BruinVol]

Yep, the sales pitch is going to have to evolve into the "come play for us and you will win championships" pitch if we want to keep raking in top classes.

That along with a long list of NfL high draft picks. This staff has much much less of that than our compition. This years draft class isn't going to help with that either.

That's another thing that changes next year

 

[engineerVOL]

That along with a long list of NfL high draft picks. This staff has much much less of that than our compition. This years draft class isn't going to help with that either.

That's another thing that changes next year

I've wondered if Butch might be pushing Cam or JRM to go pro to bolster the cred for recruiting purposes. Of course you lose an ALL-SEC lineba.... Oh wait... Not. Those Bastards.

 

[G0V0LS33]

We cannot lose this kid. He is the only true DE commit left

 

[unioncityvol]

I've wondered if Butch might be pushing Cam or JRM to go pro to bolster the cred for recruiting purposes. Of course you lose an ALL-SEC lineba.... Oh wait... Not. Those Bastards.

Might be pushing Maggit. Processing by advancement. Like Bajakian.

 

[sonofUT62]

Might be pushing Maggit. Processing by advancement. Like Bajakian.

Man that's dumb. If C Maggit leaves because it's good for him then by all means. But there is no way this team "advances " by any metric with him leaving. His production on the field is only exceeded by his value as the emotional leader of the D. How do you compare his value to Bajakian?

 

[unioncityvol]

Man that's dumb. If C Maggit leaves because it's good for him then by all means. But there is no way this team "advances " by any metric with him leaving. His production on the field is only exceeded by his value as the emotional leader of the D. How do you compare his value to Bajakian?

Joke dude

Butch is notorious for processing players he doesn't want. I was saying he wouldn't nudge JRM and Cam to NFL but he might Curt to process him out like he did Bajakian to the Buccaneers. Obviously it wouldn't be advancing our team, it would be a form of processing by advancing from UT to NFL.

 

[Mullins2010]

Coach Strip stopped by yesterday

 

[kw3953]

If Kongbo decommits, the Tennessee football program will never recover and become a NAIA school. Please Kongbo, stay true! 🙄😂

 

[GLDunlap]

Coach Strip stopped by yesterday

Strip is a badass but.......where's the orange?

 

[bonavol]

Yep


Jones needs to adjust the sales pitch. The monster year next year we are going to have will help make that transition easier

First, I don't think that next year is going to be as great as everyone seems to think. Some of the tn 17 recruits are already looking at other teams. Second, the 16 class is not that bad. I count 10 four star players from tn. The problem is we only have commitments from two of them. This is a big problem. We are a good team now, and were getting better. But until recruits see us as a winning team year in year out were just another team. This will take a few years. Brick by brick.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

First, I don't think that next year is going to be as great as everyone seems to think. Some of the tn 17 recruits are already looking at other teams. Second, the 16 class is not that bad. I count 10 four star players from tn. The problem is we only have commitments from two of them. This is a big problem. We are a good team now, and were getting better. But until recruits see us as a winning team year in year out were just another team. This will take a few years. Brick by brick.

The 16 in-state class sucks. Don't let the stars fool you. There is a reason we didn't seriously recruit half of them. 17 is world's better. And so is 18.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

Coach Strip stopped by yesterday

That's promising.

 

[BruinVol]

First, I don't think that next year is going to be as great as everyone seems to think. Some of the tn 17 recruits are already looking at other teams. Second, the 16 class is not that bad. I count 10 four star players from tn. The problem is we only have commitments from two of them. This is a big problem. We are a good team now, and were getting better. But until recruits see us as a winning team year in year out were just another team. This will take a few years. Brick by brick.

I was saying the monster year we are going to have on the field will help transition to another sales pitch

IMO we are now in a place were the fate of our program doesn't lie in within the individual threads of these recruits. No worries at all from me in this department

 

[volssam]

Strip looks like dana white in about 20 years

 

[DaddyChad]

This one will be a fight but I think we can hold on.

 

[sanddune50]

First, I don't think that next year is going to be as great as everyone seems to think. Some of the tn 17 recruits are already looking at other teams. Second, the 16 class is not that bad. I count 10 four star players from tn. The problem is we only have commitments from two of them. This is a big problem. We are a good team now, and were getting better. But until recruits see us as a winning team year in year out were just another team. This will take a few years. Brick by brick.

We have 2 5 stars for 2017 and lead for quite a few other highly rated players. 2016 is not over. We have better recruits than the one's we dropped or decommitted. We are in on Velus Jones and Conley at WR. Derrick Brown at DT. Possibly have Jeffery Simmons coming in for an OV in January. That's not to mention guys like Nigel Warrior, Landon Dickerson, or Mecole Hardman that we have valid shots for. I would rather lose a kid now as opposed to January. At least now the coaches can adjust and find some recruits to fill the void. I still contend if we slap around Northwestern, we will start to see some commitments roll in.

 

[sjt18]

The 16 in-state class sucks. Don't let the stars fool you. There is a reason we didn't seriously recruit half of them. 17 is world's better. And so is 18.

You really can't deal with bad news, can you? You immediately go into denial and excuse mode.

I'll just cut through the crap for you. It doesn't matter whether one year or another is good/bad for instate recruiting. It doesn't matter why a recruit chooses another school over UT in all reality. All that matters is that if Jones is going to build the depth he claims is needed before UT can be expected to win at a high level (McElwain has to be a bit of an embarrassment for him trying to sell that idea now) then he MUST get good recruits who become high level contributors in EVERY CLASS. He can't waste scholarships and get there. Frankly, he can't try to model the Mizzou method... they were never competitive in a championship game.

All that ultimately matters is the roster that shows up on game day. Right now, attrition is still an issue that could sink Jones... and especially in that context he cannot afford an off year in recruiting.

It is NOT good that this class isn't strong and does not appear to be getting stronger. Hopefully Jones pulls off some magic... but stop trying to pretend that it won't be a big hit if he can't.

 

[BowlBrother85]

First, I don't think that next year is going to be as great as everyone seems to think. Some of the tn 17 recruits are already looking at other teams. Second, the 16 class is not that bad. I count 10 four star players from tn. The problem is we only have commitments from two of them. This is a big problem. We are a good team now, and were getting better. But until recruits see us as a winning team year in year out were just another team. This will take a few years. Brick by brick.

So? Jalen Hurd, TK Jr and Josh Malone looked at other teams along the way. That's what the best players tend to do. '17 is light years better than '16 and should be a great class for Tenn.

 

[butchna]

You really can't deal with bad news, can you? You immediately go into denial and excuse mode.

I'll just cut through the crap for you. It doesn't matter whether one year or another is good/bad for instate recruiting. It doesn't matter why a recruit chooses another school over UT in all reality. All that matters is that if Jones is going to build the depth he claims is needed before UT can be expected to win at a high level (McElwain has to be a bit of an embarrassment for him trying to sell that idea now) then he MUST get good recruits who become high level contributors in EVERY CLASS. He can't waste scholarships and get there. Frankly, he can't try to model the Mizzou method... they were never competitive in a championship game.

It is NOT good that this class isn't strong and does not appear to be getting stronger. Hopefully Jones pulls off some magic... but stop trying to pretend that it won't be a big hit if he can't.

This time last year, the usual suspects were cutting their wrists over Butch using two spots on a longsnapper and punter. Phillips looked like a pipe dream, Richmond was a fool's fantasy, Martin was shaky et al. We were a few months away from shutting down after "losing" players that were never going to play for us (Peterman and Wharton) and you were...YOU. I don't want you to change your tired philosophy...your whining is a good luck charm for us Vol fans. :salute:

 

[BowlBrother85]

You really can't deal with bad news, can you? You immediately go into denial and excuse mode.

I'll just cut through the crap for you. It doesn't matter whether one year or another is good/bad for instate recruiting. It doesn't matter why a recruit chooses another school over UT in all reality. All that matters is that if Jones is going to build the depth he claims is needed before UT can be expected to win at a high level (McElwain has to be a bit of an embarrassment for him trying to sell that idea now) then he MUST get good recruits who become high level contributors in EVERY CLASS. He can't waste scholarships and get there. Frankly, he can't try to model the Mizzou method... they were never competitive in a championship game.

All that ultimately matters is the roster that shows up on game day. Right now, attrition is still an issue that could sink Jones... and especially in that context he cannot afford an off year in recruiting.

It is NOT good that this class isn't strong and does not appear to be getting stronger. Hopefully Jones pulls off some magic... but stop trying to pretend that it won't be a big hit if he can't.

That is a reach considering that as of now, Dewayne Hendrix is still the only potential starter that has either transferred or been dismissed (excluding Pig who wasn't signed by Jones)... and how big a deal does that even look like with what we could have at DE next year?

 

[sjt18]

This time last year, the usual suspects were cutting their wrists over Butch using two spots on a longsnapper and punter. Phillips looked like a pipe dream, Richmond was a fool's fantasy, Martin was shaky et al. We were a few months away from shutting down after "losing" players that were never going to play for us (Peterman and Wharton) and you were...YOU. I don't want you to change your tired philosophy...your whining is a good luck charm for us Vol fans. :salute:

Honestly it isn't that I'm assuming the wheels are falling off. I'm just responding to the knee jerk reactions of some folks who claim bad things happening aren't bad and potentially damaging to Jones' prospects for success.

I have seldom commented on recruiting for the past couple of years. I predicted Peterman would leave long before he did along with many people. The only concern there was the prospects of an injury to Dobbs. In fact, if you search my posts on NP... you'll find that I didn't think he had the composure to start for UT. Wharton hurt. Whether you admit it or not, he was either a wasted scholarship that could have gone to someone would become a contributor or he was a guy who could have helped at WR this year considering the injuries.

I never said anything about him signing a long snapper or punter. But since you bring it up, it would have been nice to have signed another safety prospect instead of a punter who was beaten out by a walk on Soph.


IMHO, quality is more important than quantity in this class. Right now UT is tied for 3rd in the SEC according to Rivals in terms of average stars.... .08 behind Bama. If he can keep that then the class will be fine.

Again, those who are knee jerk optimists are just as irrational (and irritating) as those who are knee jerk pessimists.

 

[butchna]

Honestly it isn't that I'm assuming the wheels are falling off. I'm just responding to the knee jerk reactions of some folks who claim bad things happening aren't bad and potentially damaging to Jones' prospects for success.

I have seldom commented on recruiting for the past couple of years. I predicted Peterman would leave long before he did along with many people. The only concern there was the prospects of an injury to Dobbs. In fact, if you search my posts on NP... you'll find that I didn't think he had the composure to start for UT. Wharton hurt. Whether you admit it or not, he was either a wasted scholarship that could have gone to someone would become a contributor or he was a guy who could have helped at WR this year considering the injuries.

I never said anything about him signing a long snapper or punter. But since you bring it up, it would have been nice to have signed another safety prospect instead of a punter who was beaten out by a walk on Soph.


IMHO, quality is more important than quantity in this class. Right now UT is tied for 3rd in the SEC according to Rivals in terms of average stars.... .08 behind Bama. If he can keep that then the class will be fine.

Again, those who are knee jerk optimists are just as irrational (and irritating) as those who are knee jerk pessimists.

Showed foresight to sign vital positions BEFORE they're needed. Ask Jack Del Rio about not needing a longsnapper...had to go for two last night. Lovingood and Townsend were able to redshirt and Riley gets to take over next year while Tommy backs up potentially one of the best punters in Tennessee history. We get to whine if things don't work out. If they do? Butch is just doing what he's supposed to. :loco:

 

[Bms4880]

Second, the 16 class is not that bad. I count 10 four star players from tn.

But where are those four stars falling in the actual rankings?

Daniel Bituli, the top-ranked 2016 player in Tennessee on 247, is ranked just #172 nationally. Joejuan Williams, the top-ranked player in Tennessee on Rivals, is just #164 nationally.

So, there are no 2016 players in Tennessee ranked in the top 150 nationally on either 247 or Rivals. There are six 2017 instates ranked in the top 150: Maleik Gray (#32), Tee Higgins (#35), Jacoby Stevens (#45), Trey Smith (#62), Ty Chandler (#116), and Cordarrian Richardson (#143). Amari Rodgers, currently at #240, will likely enter the top 150 at some point.

 

[sjt18]

That is a reach considering that as of now, Dewayne Hendrix is still the only potential starter that has either transferred or been dismissed (excluding Pig who wasn't signed by Jones)... and how big a deal does that even look like with what we could have at DE next year?

Wharton and Jenkins both played extensively vs Iowa last year. Would more depth at WR be a bad thing right now? UT has struggled to field enough healthy WR's since Jones arrived. Scott would have provided additional depth at RB. Helm would have been one of the top two TE's if not a starter.

Two years ago Jaylen Miller got PT as a Fr then left the program. Lemond Johnson played all 12 games on ST's and left.


UT has had the highest attrition in the SEC under Jones. That... is a fact. It is also a fact that you can't build the depth that we constantly hear as an excuse while losing so many players. It doesn't matter if they left because they miss mommy... or were talked to mean... or weren't any good... couldn't cut it academically... or whatever. Each one was a valuable scholarship spot in a recruiting class that left before attaining the experience and development that Jones says is required for a team to win. Each one was a hit on "depth".

 

[Bms4880]

You really can't deal with bad news, can you? You immediately go into denial and excuse mode.

If you prefer whiners who immediately go into sky-is-falling mode, you would be much happier in the FF.