Better jump on the 2015 class train or you will be left behind

Years past we lost a lot of recruits to arrests and just dumb BS at times. With the new staff focused on higher character kids, I doubt we see as much turnover because of it. How many kids been arrested since Butch was hired? The "bad news" media breaking does seem to have been a lot less.

I agree. But Butch needs to get the depth to be SEC quality as fast as he can and that means signing as many as he can in '15. He's not going to cut kids who are doing all the right things but if a career special teams guy is slacking just a little, he better watch out this year.

'14 was Butch's most important class and '15 isn't far behind, he has to get this roster ready to win the SEC anyway he can. If a few non productive bodies have to transfer to UTC, so be it. Now after '15 I'm sure it won't be as cut throat as all 85 will be Butch's guys but that's not the case right now.
 
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Years past we lost a lot of recruits to arrests and just dumb BS at times. With the new staff focused on higher character kids, I doubt we see as much turnover because of it. How many kids been arrested since Butch was hired? The "bad news" media breaking does seem to have been a lot less.

Those kids will also see the writing on the wall... Just like any other kid.
 
Saw in another thread that Butch mentioned today that 22 of 23 (somewhere around there) will have their degree at the end of the upcoming fall semester. Does that allow us to take any extra EEs for the next class?
 
I mentioned this kid a couple weeks ago and curious what others think.

Jamal Jones, RB Memphis TN

He is listed as 5'8 180 and rushed for 1800 yards and 22TDs last year. He has UOV to UT, but no offer. Watch the video and let me know what you think. IMO he looks legit.

Jamal Jones - Highlight Videos, Schedule & Roster - Hudl

Damn!!! Kid has the potential to be something special. Great balance, great stiff arm, & seems to give 110% on every play. I would say CBJ will have this kid on his radar. His 40 time could improve a little, other than that, he seems to be squared away.
 
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These players will make up 98% of our 2015 class. Though it will take 12 months to solidify, this will be a pretty boring year to follow recruiting. I know a lot could change, but this will be the bulk of our class. If we sign 25, 14 of these guys will find homes elsewhere. We need to go heavy on the O-line. I think we will sign five. Number in parentheses is how many we take. I am only listing 23 due to numbers crunch for next year. If we can sign 25 that is even better. I think there will be only one more WR added, two more LBs added and two more OL added (assuming Richmond is already a part of this class). These positions, the coaches will be very picky with those final spots. Some players may not get a spot in this class, especially the Tenn boys who play LB. If we get DeBerry at LB (and Dews is at LB), that will leave not many spots? There is a possibility that we only take 4 OL, so that would give us one more spot. Here's hoping we can sign 25, because we could use the extra talent.
If you have an offer and you want to play for UT you better not wait. This train will load up quickly. This is a good problem to have.
Besides some natural attrition and I have not done the research, but if we can get some fifth year seniors to graduate in Dec, maybe we can sign 25.
Bold are already in the fold
TEs (1)
Hale Hentges
Will Gragg
Jackson Harris

Safety (1)
Jauan Jennings

RBs (1)
Jaason Lewis
Nick Gibson
Eric Swinney

WRs (2)
Calvin Ridley
Preston Williams

O-Line (5)
Chuma Edoga
Austin Clark
Tyree St. Louis
Jake Fruhmorgen
Drew Richmond
Jack Jones
Zach Stewart

QBs (1)
Torrance Gibson
Zach Gentry
Jarrett Stidham

DTs (3)
Kahlil McKenzie
Tim Settle
Shy Tuttle
Trenton Thompson
Sterling Johnson

DEs (4)
Joshua Alabi
Kyle Phillips
Darian Roseboro
Andrew Butcher
Dylan Jackson

LBs (3)
Cecil Cherry
Keaton Anderson
Jerome Dews
Ricky DeBerry
Joshua McMillon
Brant Mitchell
Josh Smith

CBs (2)
Mark Fields
Jaylond Woods
Ugo Amadi

If I'm coach I always make sure I'm deep at OL/DL/LB
 
Fortenberry said he thinks they'll take around 22-23 in '15. I thought that might help LV's blood pressure a bit. :)
 
Fortenberry said he thinks they'll take around 22-23 in '15. I thought that might help LV's blood pressure a bit. :)

It's all lies and false propaganda to aid in selling subs for their website. It's just so obvious. With (7) already onboard, telling fans UT will sign 12 kids in 2015 just won't bring in the $$.

Possible subscriber: "Only (5) more, there is not much worth following".

"They may take 22-23". Cha-Ching!

I've got this all figured out.
 
So basically the answer is "because Hubbs said." Doesn't mean much to me. 22 would mean we lose at least 8, if I'm doing the math correctly. Does anyone know how many we lost this past year due to attrition?

The SEC average for all teams is that about 40% of your recruits do not stay for four years. This puts your average turnover easily within the 8-10 range per year. Attrition is due to everything from injury, to leaving early for the pros, to giving up football, to leaving for more playing time, to grades, to home sickness, to knocking over convenience stores, to taking money from agents.

You have to plan for about that much turnover if you don't want to be caught short. LWS has the figures.

People probably don't want to hear this but it would not surprise me if our turnover isn't on the upper end of the scale since we are still in transition. We also just brought in a huge number of players. Some will see that they have been beaten out for a spot and will not want to play behind someone in their own class. It is different when you are waiting behind an upperclassman and believe you will have your turn.

Thinking you are only going to lose 4 players or so a year is not realistic.
 
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