2026 Board - Heading into February

#26
#26
But “most” kids don’t. At least not at Tennessee. That’s where we’ve gained a little ground on others. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, etc. have former 4* & 5* recruits transferring out every year. The guys we have transferring out are mostly former 3*s. We really don’t lose many compared to others. And we’ve kept our highest ranked recruits from transferring. This is where a 10th ranked class can become a top 5 class…because many of the guys who made the classes above you highly ranked transfer out before playing there, while you maintain your best recruits and cull out the bottom of the class. We’ve done that.
Well, I am not trying to be negative. But, the teams recruiting between 11-20 are definitely going to benefit from the portal more than the top 10. The top 10, espeically top 5, will lose more to portal when they have too many 4-5 stars on their roster. Probably about half of a star studded roster is going to see the field enough to get noticed. Studs don't want to sit on the sidelines watching others getting bigger NILs and better chances of nice NFL contracts and signing bonuses. If I were Heupel, I would rather have a team that gets less portals and keeps more than half of all the 4 and 5 star talent that my staff and I recruited just for the schemes my OC and DC have in place!!!

Think about it! Lots of guys that transfer once are going to transfer again because they don't have the skills, work ethic, good attitude, and mental drive to beat out other guys on a roster. So, it is likely they may not help your team either. I would rather have the studs that allow you to mold them and will work hard to beat out another player on my roster!
 
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#27
#27
Well, I am not trying to be negative. But, the teams recruiting between 11-20 are definitely going to benefit from the portal more than the top 10. The top 10, espeically top 5, will lose more to portal when they have too many 4-5 stars on their roster. Probably about half of a star studded roster is going to see the field enough to get noticed. Studs don't want to sit on the sidelines watching others getting bigger NILs and better chances of nice NFL contracts and signing bonuses. If I were Heupel, I would rather have a team that gets less portals and keeps more than half of all the 4 and 5 star talent that my staff and I recruited just for the schemes my OC and DC have in place!!!

Think about it! Lots of guys that transfer once are going to transfer again because they don't have the skills, work ethic, good attitude, and mental drive to beat out other guys on a roster. So, it is likely they may not help your team either. I would rather have the studs that allow you to mold them and will work hard to beat out another player on my roster!
That’s kind of my point. And I don’t think that’s a negative.

The portal equalizes because it takes more from a top 5 recruiting class than from an 11-20 recruiting class. Tennessee has done a great job of keeping its top recruits out of the portal, so the guys that “made their ranking” so to speak, actually stay and develop, whereas many who “made the ranking” of some of those top 5 classes have left, effectively bumping their quality down.

If Tennessee is losing Chas Nimrods to the portal, while Alabama is losing Caleb Downses to the portal, we’re gaining on them.

Look at Georgia’s and Alabama’s recruiting classes the last 4 years. How many 4-5 star recruits left after their 1st or 2nd seasons? A lot.
 
#28
#28
That’s kind of my point. And I don’t think that’s a negative.

The portal equalizes because it takes more from a top 5 recruiting class than from an 11-20 recruiting class. Tennessee has done a great job of keeping its top recruits out of the portal, so the guys that “made their ranking” so to speak, actually stay and develop, whereas many who “made the ranking” of some of those top 5 classes have left, effectively bumping their quality down.

If Tennessee is losing Chas Nimrods to the portal, while Alabama is losing Caleb Downses to the portal, we’re gaining on them.

Look at Georgia’s and Alabama’s recruiting classes the last 4 years. How many 4-5 star recruits left after their 1st or 2nd seasons? A lot.
Well said and I agree. It’s the “they can no longer stack talent like they used to” theory that is certainly playing itself out. We will (hopefully) get there eventually and in the meantime we need to be winning at a level that then allows us to get elite players at a “discount” like OSU/UGA are and Bama did with Saban.
 
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#31
#31
You can call BS all you want, I've said this before lol

I don’t care that much about HS recruiting anymore. Most kids will just transfer.
High school recruiting is very important. The portal is where you plug in your losses. We have signed 4 in the portal this year. You sign 25 or more on signing day. You can’t compete year in and out without good signing classes. Facts! GBO
 
#33
#33
That’s kind of my point. And I don’t think that’s a negative.

The portal equalizes because it takes more from a top 5 recruiting class than from an 11-20 recruiting class. Tennessee has done a great job of keeping its top recruits out of the portal, so the guys that “made their ranking” so to speak, actually stay and develop, whereas many who “made the ranking” of some of those top 5 classes have left, effectively bumping their quality down.

If Tennessee is losing Chas Nimrods to the portal, while Alabama is losing Caleb Downses to the portal, we’re gaining on them.

Look at Georgia’s and Alabama’s recruiting classes the last 4 years. How many 4-5 star recruits left after their 1st or 2nd seasons? A lot.

Just shows that our push for talent with character has worked so far. Name our blue chip portal loses after the immediate post Pruitt flight.
 
#34
#34
Just shows that our push for talent with character has worked so far. Name our blue chip portal loses after the immediate post Pruitt flight.
Depends what you consider “blue chip” Jordan Matthews, Cam Seldon, Nathan Leacock, Kaleb Webb, Chandavian Bradley, Tayven Jackson, and Addison Nichole were all composite 4 stars or better that left. Conyer, Jalen Smith, and Justin Williams Thomas were all ranked as a 4 star on at least one recruiting site too. I can name almost double that amount of recruits that didn’t or haven’t yet met expectations that could very well be gone by the spring portal window too. This staff simply hasn’t done a very good job at recruiting. They’ve signed some big time names and won some big recruiting battles, but outside of Dylan Sampson the DL is the only position group where we’ve been able to evaluate, sign, and develop players into NFL caliber talent. Boo flashed signs of potential and probably should be playing offense instead of defense, but he got absolutely abused in our two biggest games of the season, and likely won’t make some massive jump as a DB because he’s having to learn another position this offseason
 
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#35
#35
Depends what you consider “blue chip” Jordan Matthews, Cam Seldon, Nathan Leacock, Kaleb Webb, Chandavian Bradley, Tayven Jackson, and Addison Nichole were all composite 4 stars or better that left. Conyer, Jalen Smith, and Justin Williams Thomas were all ranked as a 4 star on at least one recruiting site too. I can name almost double that amount of recruits that didn’t or haven’t yet met expectations that could very well be gone by the spring portal window too. This staff simply hasn’t done a very good job at recruiting. They’ve signed some big time names and won some big recruiting battles, but outside of Dylan Sampson the DL is the only position group where we’ve been able to evaluate, sign, and develop players into NFL caliber talent. Boo flashed signs of potential and probably should be playing offense instead of defense, but he got absolutely abused in our two biggest games of the season, and likely won’t make some massive jump as a DB because he’s having to learn another position this offseason

How many departures were aggressively pursued to stay by our staff? Fit is fit. How many with blue chip level production next stop? Got to be some real losses I would think.

For sure we have had some portal pickups that provided serious value add. Bru, Pili, and McCoy for starters.

A total portal net would be an interesting study.
 
#36
#36
Depends what you consider “blue chip” Jordan Matthews, Cam Seldon, Nathan Leacock, Kaleb Webb, Chandavian Bradley, Tayven Jackson, and Addison Nichole were all composite 4 stars or better that left. Conyer, Jalen Smith, and Justin Williams Thomas were all ranked as a 4 star on at least one recruiting site too. I can name almost double that amount of recruits that didn’t or haven’t yet met expectations that could very well be gone by the spring portal window too. This staff simply hasn’t done a very good job at recruiting. They’ve signed some big time names and won some big recruiting battles, but outside of Dylan Sampson the DL is the only position group where we’ve been able to evaluate, sign, and develop players into NFL caliber talent. Boo flashed signs of potential and probably should be playing offense instead of defense, but he got absolutely abused in our two biggest games of the season, and likely won’t make some massive jump as a DB because he’s having to learn another position this offseason
Go touch some grass
 
#38
#38
With 2024 game/campus visits and now January 2025 UVs in the books, figured it was a good time to set the 2026 board for going forward. There's a roughly monthlong dead period that extends into early March after next weekend, so the next big visit weekends will come during spring practice. After that there will be Orange Carpet Day 2025, and then OVs.

Therefore this board is just a start and will be added to and further refined. But here's how I see it as of now. I'm sure I've left some guys off so please feel free to let me know.

IOL
Pupungatoa Gatoa (OV 6/20)
Should be "Katoa" right?

Also, where the starz at?! I only care about starz!
 
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#40
#40
That’s kind of my point. And I don’t think that’s a negative.

The portal equalizes because it takes more from a top 5 recruiting class than from an 11-20 recruiting class. Tennessee has done a great job of keeping its top recruits out of the portal, so the guys that “made their ranking” so to speak, actually stay and develop, whereas many who “made the ranking” of some of those top 5 classes have left, effectively bumping their quality down.

If Tennessee is losing Chas Nimrods to the portal, while Alabama is losing Caleb Downses to the portal, we’re gaining on them.

Look at Georgia’s and Alabama’s recruiting classes the last 4 years. How many 4-5 star recruits left after their 1st or 2nd seasons? A lot.
UT isn't gaining on any of the top 5-10 college teams by being out recruited every year allowing those teams to stock up with better players than UT. UT getting the ones that can't get on the field at other places isn't allowing UT to catch up with those teams talent wise. I don't know why you are anyone would think that is the case. Those top 5 recruiting classes that Bama, Georgia, and OSU has EVERY YEAR doesn't allow all their studs to get on the field. So, the ones that can't beat out the top studs go to the portal because they just pick up better studs yearly! While the teams outside of the top 5 or top 10 get the leftovers in the portal that can't help the teams above them in talent!
 
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#41
#41
Moved a few guys around (Jones and Johnson to DL from Edge) and updated some new OV dates (all OL so far, notably).
 
#42
#42
Per Callahan, we're in the best shape with Delaney (although he thinks he could be an OT or an IOL) and Brody Smith among the OTs. I think we'll try to sign minimum 2 depending on who we can get.

At IOL, thinks Kolojay (said he could also maybe be an OT), McWhorter, Katoa, Wise and Gray are currently Tennessee’s best bets. I think we'll try to sign 3, and Kolojay, Katoa and Gray have OVs set already.

Thinks Lamar or Walton are the best bets from the RB board - says that Hiter and Latimer are going to be tough pulls.

Flip targets include Oregon RB commitment Tradarian Ball, Ohio State WR commitment Chris Henry Jr, Texas A&M WR commitment Aaron Gregory, Auburn EDGE commitment Hezekiah Harris and Texas A&M EDGE commitment Jordan Carter, Alabama CB commitment Zyan Gibson. If any of those guys end up visiting here this spring I'll add them to the board (I have Harris because he was just here and Gibson because he's been here a ton and we're still trying hard there).
 
#43
#43
UT isn't gaining on any of the top 5-10 college teams by being out recruited every year allowing those teams to stock up with better players than UT. UT getting the ones that can't get on the field at other places isn't allowing UT to catch up with those teams talent wise. I don't know why you are anyone would think that is the case. Those top 5 recruiting classes that Bama, Georgia, and OSU has EVERY YEAR doesn't allow all their studs to get on the field. So, the ones that can't beat out the top studs go to the portal because they just pick up better studs yearly! While the teams outside of the top 5 or top 10 get the leftovers in the portal that can't help the teams above them in talent!
I mean we are one of those top 10 teams in the nation....so yeah. you are wrong.

you are assuming they aren't getting onto the field because they are bad. it could simply be there is a talented older player in front of them that they are going to have to wait to play. they could be just as good right now, or even better in the future, but don't want to wait to play.

if the best teams were always upgrading why aren't all the guys they bring in starting and pushing out more guys? Ohio State brought in 9 guys last year, only 3 started.

and while there is no hard cap on talent in CFP right now, there does seem to be a "soft cap". no one has been able to bring in and maintain over a certain level, this "soft" cap. the "best" of college football has remained at a consistent level. compared to that "soft" cap of the current best team, we are absolutely gaining on them. yeah we aren't doing it in 4 years, but that doesn't mean we aren't making noticeable progress.

any metric that I can think of, we have gotten better. on field results are better. star rating better, number of NFL draft picks, better. number of all conference team selection, better.

everyone is just being a spoiled brat, wanting instant gratification, thinking this is some Disney movie where we should go from the bottom to the top in two seasons just because they, the fan, want it to be.
 
#44
#44
Per Callahan, we're in the best shape with Delaney (although he thinks he could be an OT or an IOL) and Brody Smith among the OTs. I think we'll try to sign minimum 2 depending on who we can get.

At IOL, thinks Kolojay (said he could also maybe be an OT), McWhorter, Katoa, Wise and Gray are currently Tennessee’s best bets. I think we'll try to sign 3, and Kolojay, Katoa and Gray have OVs set already.

Thinks Lamar or Walton are the best bets from the RB board - says that Hiter and Latimer are going to be tough pulls.

Flip targets include Oregon RB commitment Tradarian Ball, Ohio State WR commitment Chris Henry Jr, Texas A&M WR commitment Aaron Gregory, Auburn EDGE commitment Hezekiah Harris and Texas A&M EDGE commitment Jordan Carter, Alabama CB commitment Zyan Gibson. If any of those guys end up visiting here this spring I'll add them to the board (I have Harris because he was just here and Gibson because he's been here a ton and we're still trying hard there).
Nothing on Tristan Keys? Great.
 
#45
#45
Per Callahan, we're in the best shape with Delaney (although he thinks he could be an OT or an IOL) and Brody Smith among the OTs. I think we'll try to sign minimum 2 depending on who we can get.

At IOL, thinks Kolojay (said he could also maybe be an OT), McWhorter, Katoa, Wise and Gray are currently Tennessee’s best bets. I think we'll try to sign 3, and Kolojay, Katoa and Gray have OVs set already.

Thinks Lamar or Walton are the best bets from the RB board - says that Hiter and Latimer are going to be tough pulls.

Flip targets include Oregon RB commitment Tradarian Ball, Ohio State WR commitment Chris Henry Jr, Texas A&M WR commitment Aaron Gregory, Auburn EDGE commitment Hezekiah Harris and Texas A&M EDGE commitment Jordan Carter, Alabama CB commitment Zyan Gibson. If any of those guys end up visiting here this spring I'll add them to the board (I have Harris because he was just here and Gibson because he's been here a ton and we're still trying hard there).
I'd be shocked if Jae Lamar doesn't go to Georgia personally
 
#46
#46
I mean we are one of those top 10 teams in the nation....so yeah. you are wrong.

you are assuming they aren't getting onto the field because they are bad. it could simply be there is a talented older player in front of them that they are going to have to wait to play. they could be just as good right now, or even better in the future, but don't want to wait to play.

if the best teams were always upgrading why aren't all the guys they bring in starting and pushing out more guys? Ohio State brought in 9 guys last year, only 3 started.

and while there is no hard cap on talent in CFP right now, there does seem to be a "soft cap". no one has been able to bring in and maintain over a certain level, this "soft" cap. the "best" of college football has remained at a consistent level. compared to that "soft" cap of the current best team, we are absolutely gaining on them. yeah we aren't doing it in 4 years, but that doesn't mean we aren't making noticeable progress.

any metric that I can think of, we have gotten better. on field results are better. star rating better, number of NFL draft picks, better. number of all conference team selection, better.

everyone is just being a spoiled brat, wanting instant gratification, thinking this is some Disney movie where we should go from the bottom to the top in two seasons just because they, the fan, want it to be.
247sports.com recruting ratings last 5 years, 11, 14, 10, 17, 22, average 14.8. That isn't the top 10 over the course of 5 years. Would still be about 12th average over the last three classes. So, UT doesn't have a top 10 roster when it comes to recruiting ratings. They have picked up some nice transfers. But, most of them have not been 4 or 5 star either. So, let's not act like UT has a top ten roster in talent according to the recruiting analysts. Get a clue before you start calling people wrong!

Also, don't put words in other peoples mouths or minds! I am not assuming players are bad that transfer from other programs. I am simply saying that MOST transfers that transfer from schools they originally signed with aren't getting on the field as much due to that particular team being stacked with talent! I never said they couldn't help UT and be great players at UT. The original poster acted like UT was making up ground on the teams that recruit in the top 5 every year. That isn't the case when UT and other teams get primarily their classes that aren't the stud 4-5 stars that are seeing playing time for those teams and getting those huge NIL deals! That is my point. Don't try to put words in someone's mouth and call them out when you don't even know the meaning behind my post in the first place!
 
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#48
#48
Per Callahan, we're in the best shape with Delaney (although he thinks he could be an OT or an IOL) and Brody Smith among the OTs. I think we'll try to sign minimum 2 depending on who we can get.

At IOL, thinks Kolojay (said he could also maybe be an OT), McWhorter, Katoa, Wise and Gray are currently Tennessee’s best bets. I think we'll try to sign 3, and Kolojay, Katoa and Gray have OVs set already.

Thinks Lamar or Walton are the best bets from the RB board - says that Hiter and Latimer are going to be tough pulls.

Flip targets include Oregon RB commitment Tradarian Ball, Ohio State WR commitment Chris Henry Jr, Texas A&M WR commitment Aaron Gregory, Auburn EDGE commitment Hezekiah Harris and Texas A&M EDGE commitment Jordan Carter, Alabama CB commitment Zyan Gibson. If any of those guys end up visiting here this spring I'll add them to the board (I have Harris because he was just here and Gibson because he's been here a ton and we're still trying hard there).
Chris Henry lol
 
#49
#49
247sports.com recruting ratings last 5 years, 11, 14, 10, 17, 22, average 14.8. That isn't the top 10 over the course of 5 years. Would still be about 12th average over the last three classes. So, UT doesn't have a top 10 roster when it comes to recruiting ratings. They have picked up some nice transfers. But, most of them have not been 4 or 5 star either. So, let's not act like UT has a top ten roster in talent according to the recruiting analysts. Get a clue before you start calling people wrong!

Also, don't put words in other peoples mouths or minds! I am not assuming players are bad that transfer from other programs. I am simply saying that MOST transfers that transfer from schools they originally signed with aren't getting on the field as much due to that particular team being stacked with talent! I never said they couldn't help UT and be great players at UT. The original poster acted like UT was making up ground on the teams that recruit in the top 5 every year. That isn't the case when UT and other teams get primarily their classes that aren't the stud 4-5 stars that are seeing playing time for those teams and getting those huge NIL deals! That is my point. Don't try to put words in someone's mouth and call them out when you don't even know the meaning behing my post in the first place!
you just said a Top 5-10 team. not a top 5-10 talented roster. those are two completely different issues. I care more about being a Top 5-10 team than I do about having a Top 5-10 roster according to some numbers.

if you want to focus on those numbers, I see improvement in those numbers you posted. especially if you look into the talent they represent our averages have increased quiet noticeably. so acting like we have been standing still while other teams continue to pass us is just wrong.

according to 247 composite
Bama is still the top on Average and overall composite talent. 93.79 and 1,018.28
we are 17th. with an average of 89.54 and total score of 858.67
difference of 4.25 and 159.61

obviously we don't need to be more talented than Bama to beat them.

Heupels first year in 2021:
Bama 94.18, and 1,001.89
UT 88.05, and 780.20
difference of 6.13 and 221.69

we have cut into their talent lead by a pretty noticeable amount. but yall want to act like the difference not being 0 means we aren't getting better.
 
#50
#50
just for some reference. Our average talent has gone from a player that would have been ranked #633, to #400.

to put some more reference to it. Our lowest rated guy in the '25 class, is higher ranked than the AVERAGE of our class when Heupel started.

don't let people lie to you and say we aren't improving and gaining ground.

and the '26 class is continuing the trend of being better than the last.
 

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