According to Tony Basilio, we met with a QB

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I think for Heupel to be clean in this one he had to let Nico kind of show his true nature to the fans. Fans and the collective have invested a lot in Nico.

I agree and any back channel gauging of interest from other QBs around the country needed to be done discreetly.

I find it hard to believe the staff hadn't explored the possibility Nico might walk at least since the Lanning call and probably before.

If Heupel and the staff had no "who we would like if Nico leaves" list, I'd be very surprised and disappointed.

 

[VolInNW]

I think Heupel should have been proactive the MOMENT he knew of an issue. When that was and what Heupel did will become clearer as the weeks unfold. I suspect Heupel made moves as soon as he had an idea of what Big Nic was up to. Heupel does not strike me as passive.

"Disaster" seems a bit strong. Can't imagine Merk could do much worse than three passing touchdowns against Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Oklahoma combined (as Nico did). Those results sound like a recipe for disaster, but turned out not to be.

We had a championship level defense last year. We have a solid D this year, but we got into the playoffs based on that D, IMHO. You take that out of the mix and last season would have been rough, too.

 

[ankh83]

 

[LittleVol]

Take off of hair alone.

And he’s fast but the hair is enough

 

[SpookyAction]

I didn't even watch him last season. Should I be concerned about his completion percentage?
I do love his rushing stats.

 

[ankh83]

I didn't even watch him last season. Should I be concerned about his completion percentage?
I do love his rushing stats.

Crude but twitchy baller. I find the 10 interceptions more concerning. He would provide competition in the room, but I think Merk's time in the system would win over Avery's game experience. Personally I want to see us throw a big bag at Demond Williams Jr.

 

[utchs81]

Well, something is coming, it’s just a matter of what it looks like and if it sticks. Congress will have to do something really make a change. I try to stay out of the details as much as so can and just see who is in orange on game days and just watch sports.

At what point in history has congress done anything to fix a problem? They are much more adept at worsening or creating problems than fixing them.

 

[ForMyLosses]

At what point in history has congress done anything to fix a problem? They are much more adept at worsening or creating problems than fixing them.

Someone will end up filibustering on the senate floor. Turn it into a race/gender issue while nothing positive comes out of it. Will become a 2028 election debate issue.

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

Tennessee is willing to pay $4 million for a QB. And UT reps met with a potential QB today according to
@TonyBasilio

Arr we openly tampering now?

 

[OrangeInKy]

At what point in history has congress done anything to fix a problem? They are much more adept at worsening or creating problems than fixing them.

I didn’t do it, Im repeating what’s been said.

 

[NCFisher]

Arr we openly tampering now?

I don't think it's tampering if the targeted QB's school is notified of our interest.

 

[Volhoops]

I don't think it's tampering if the targeted QB's school is notified of our interest.

Is it tampering if it is not someone directly associated with the University or Football program making the contact? There are other ways to make contact with players.

 

[FanDude]

Merk has been respected all this time, but now I am seeing peeps post like he is boneheaded, shiftless, and no-account, with a bad back and weak strings in his arms and legs. What in Tar Nation is that all about?

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

You believe that Spyre made the call that Nico was worth $8M and not Josh Heupel?

You think Heupel gives them a shopping list of who he'd like and they decide who is worth what and that's who UT ends up with?

I don't think either made the decision in a vacuum. CJH probably thought he was, but Spyre still wrote the check. My question now is if they had a contract and if they have any recourse. It's love it if they could sue his ass.

 

[NCFisher]

Is it tampering if it is not someone directly associated with the University or Football program making the contact? There are other ways to make contact with players.

I'm wrong; it would be considering tampering by the school if contacting before player submits to the portal. Not sure about non-representatives of the school, but everyone agrees tampering is occurring in some form or another.

 

[butchna]

Merk has been respected all this time, but now I am seeing peeps post like he is boneheaded, shiftless, and no-account, with a bad back and weak strings in his arms and legs. What in Tar Nation is that all about?

Tuesday on VN.

 

[guesscrazy]

Someone will end up filibustering on the senate floor. Turn it into a race/gender issue while nothing positive comes out of it. Will become a 2028 election debate issue.

Then we need some protections for the trans community for equity purposes.

 

[Arrested Devolopment]

It can be necessary without being good. I hate to say this, but I’m asking myself what other teams would do. Would they refrain from seeking the best player they could get just to keep from pissing off two kids with a combined 16 months in the program?? I’m not sure that’s what we should do.

I'm afraid there's no going back, but going forward salary caps could keep things from going full NY Yankees.

 

[Wezcoast]

Merk has been respected all this time, but now I am seeing peeps post like he is boneheaded, shiftless, and no-account, with a bad back and weak strings in his arms and legs. What in Tar Nation is that all about?

He didn't set the world on fire in the spring game so naturally he "aint gonna get it done" .

 

[Orangecrush#27]

I didn't even watch him last season. Should I be concerned about his completion percentage?
I do love his rushing stats.

He is explosive. He has some dobbs like highlights but has a gunslinger mentality. Huep could do him wonders

 

[papatomany]

I think Heupel should have been proactive the MOMENT he knew of an issue. When that was and what Heupel did will become clearer as the weeks unfold. I suspect Heupel made moves as soon as he had an idea of what Big Nic was up to. Heupel does not strike me as passive.



We had a championship level defense last year. We have a solid D this year, but we got into the playoffs based on that D, IMHO. You take that out of the mix and last season would have been rough, too.

We had the defense I've been expecting, and DO expect, from Tim Banks. I actually think we can be even better. Just need him to STAY aggressive.

 

[carolinaviking]

I don’t think Merk or GM was thinking about being the starting QB in 2025 when they signed here

Sure they were. Back-up players must always be aware that they could replace the starter at any moment due to injury. That's kinda the whole point of being a back-up. They're training to be starters if needed.

 

[BruiserVol]

He didn't set the world on fire in the spring game so naturally he "aint gonna get it done" .

Well we also go to see him against Kent state. I recall after Moore was in thinking, “ man at this point we’ll even get to see what Merklinger has to offer” I was stoked to get a glimpse. Then, he played and I wished I had never seen it lol. It was like a lost deer in the headlights. I know, another year in the system since then. Some guys are ballers. He isn’t lol

 

[Hurley Mooncalf]

Crude but twitchy baller. I find the 10 interceptions more concerning. He would provide competition in the room, but I think Merk's time in the system would win over Avery's game experience. Personally I want to see us throw a big bag at Demond Williams Jr.

First thing I thought I saw when I read your post was that was the son (Demond Wilson) from Sanford and Son's kid.

If that was the case, I would be fully on board with the hopes Fred Sanford would be on the sidelines yelling "you big dummy" when he messed up.

 

[ArdentVol]

Plastered