current 2027 recruiting class and tennessee's strategy

[savannahfan]

Most High School kids unless they’re ready to contribute from Day 1, aren’t coming to sit on the bench and wait their turn while they can easily transfer somewhere else for more playing time & money.

The Transfer Portal is basically free agency and you can invest in players that can contribute immediately.

The days of kids staying three-four years at the same school are completely done at this point.

That is unless they are diehard UT person (or any school) and are here for all things U of Tennessee and are good enough to play 4 years and oh yeah, wanting a degree from UT. (That is being a student athlete, not just a ball player) There likely are still kids out there like that.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I agree with what you say. However is Ind. considered a "richest" team? Or is what they did last year an anomaly?

1.) Huepel is not Cignetti

2.) I do not believe that Indiana will ever duplicate that success again. As teams will better prepare for them.

3.) I'm not so sure Indiana would have seen that level of success if they had to go through the meat grinder of an SEC schedule.

 

[AstonRoyal]

I agree with what you say. However is Ind. considered a "richest" team? Or is what they did last year an anomaly?

I think Indiana did something unique. I may be wrong but I think they brought in a lot of experienced upper classmen players, some of which had additional years due to covid years, as opposed to "superstars" which means they had players who had developed their skills over time and competition as well as players that were extremely discipline. I don't think there are many players with covid years left now. And I could be wrong but I don't know that they broke the bank. Fernandez was obviously the Heisman but I'm not sure they expected that out of him.

It makes me think of our defensive line a couple of years ago that was so dominate that we thought it was because of DC Tim Banks. If y'all remember, we had a lot of upper classmen d-lineman that had extra covid years.

 

[Carp]

I'm not concerned and as you point out, CJH has probably amended his personnel approach just as Barnes has.

5* recruits aside, HS recruiting has largely become a waste of time and effort under the current NIL and free-transfer rules. I think every team out there - including our Vols - will look at Indiana's success and try to emulate it.

Why invest millions of $$$ to develop unproven 18 year-old High School kids only to watch them flock to the portal to cash out when they finally become prospective starters? Look at all the talented kids that were huge recruiting wins for us previously that literally just walked out the door on us this year. SMH.

Sad but true, the new reality: Pillage the existing rosters of other schools and add immediate, proven starters who are 22 and 23 year-old men with years of college ball experience instead.

The tallest piles of cash win these days. Loyalty is out the door.

College ball is now NFL Jr. and those coaches who can accept this new reality are the ones who will succeed.

Hate to say it but the days of watching HS recruits grow and develop in our program are gone.

I think there are certain positions you pursue in the portal and certain positions in the HS Ranks.

JMO, but from the HS ranks I would prioritize WR, RB, OT, and DE. The top guys at those positions are super expensive in the portal and the ROI typically isn't great for what you're paying. Pay those guys out of HS, especially the ones you believe will be contributors early. I would probably add LB to this list as well.

We have gotten better ROI in the portal on G, DB, DT, and QB. WR has been a decent return on the lower rated transfers. But Thornton was effectively a bust considering he was a top 5 portal player in 2023. So I would continue identifying undervalued talent there, rather than splurging for the KC Concepcions.

Going forward I think I would pull my starting QBs from the portal and focus the HS recruiting on 4 star QBs that you think you can develop in 2 years. Marshall Manning may change that strategy a bit, but we'll cross that bridge if/when it gets here.

 

[LouderVol]

I think Indiana did something unique. I may be wrong but I think they brought in a lot of experienced upper classmen players, some of which had additional years due to covid years, as opposed to "superstars" which means they had players who had developed their skills over time and competition as well as players that were extremely discipline. I don't think there are many players with covid years left now. And I could be wrong but I don't know that they broke the bank. Fernandez was obviously the Heisman but I'm not sure they expected that out of him.

It makes me think of our defensive line a couple of years ago that was so dominate that we thought it was because of DC Tim Banks. If y'all remember, we had a lot of upper classmen d-lineman that had extra covid years.

I think people forget that every championship season is going to be a little unique. Saban changed that equation just because of how good he is. luck is the part of every championship. saban was so consistent that we forget that luck even matters.

imo its better for the sport to have fewer repeating champions or even playoff teams. that is a "healthier" sport than the same 5 or 6 teams just taking turns.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Yeah. What I’ve read and listened to all said they’re shifting their focus to more portal heavy and sprinkle in some highly rated HS recruits.

Doubt that will be every year. I do think it will be on a year to year basis depending on the needs of the team.

 

[MontyPython]

I think there are certain positions you pursue in the portal and certain positions in the HS Ranks.

JMO, but from the HS ranks I would prioritize WR, RB, OT, and DE. The top guys at those positions are super expensive in the portal and the ROI typically isn't great for what you're paying. Pay those guys out of HS, especially the ones you believe will be contributors early. I would probably add LB to this list as well.

We have gotten better ROI in the portal on G, DB, DT, and QB. WR has been a decent return on the lower rated transfers. But Thornton was effectively a bust considering he was a top 5 portal player in 2023. So I would continue identifying undervalued talent there, rather than splurging for the KC Concepcions.

Going forward I think I would pull my starting QBs from the portal and focus the HS recruiting on 4 star QBs that you think you can develop in 2 years. Marshall Manning may change that strategy a bit, but we'll cross that bridge if/when it gets here.

Great points.

I think your philosophy works hand in hand with what positions an incoming HS freshman can most easily start first year:

Running back
Wide receiver
Defensive back
Defensive end (if they're bigger and athletic)

As opposed to:

Quarterback
Linebacker
Center
Offensive line in general

 

[Vol8188]

so it's still a few months from signing day but looking at the recruiting class right now, outside of DGG decision, the class looks weak. 16 commits and the vast majority 3 star or less and there aren't a lot of uncommitted players in the 247 sports top 250.

Is this a tell or a sign that Huepel plans to go the route of pulling most of the 2027 class out of the portal? is he going to invest most of Tennessee's NIL money in more proven players with some age? I kind of hope he plans on hitting the portal hard (like Coach Barnes did this year).

what are your thoughts?

Would make sense given our young QB and roster this year, that next season could be the start of a window and time to go heavy portal.

 

[LWSVOL]

Tennessee needs to be shooting to land highly ranked blue chips and end with a top 15ish class. That still leaves a lot of funds for a strong transfer portal class. The days of wanting a top-5 class are dumb. That's just wasted NIL since most of the guys won't play as freshmen and then will leave after their one year on the bench. The idea should be to land strategic blue-chip talent and then fill in with elite transfers

the data does not support this statement at all.. Outside of coaching changes, the vast majority of 2025 freshman are still on rosters for SEC schools. Also, we have no idea how many transfers were coach initiated and not player.

Bama signed 21 and 1 has transferred
Georgia signed 28 and 1 has transferred
Mississippi St signed 27 and 8 have transferred.
Missouri signed 18 and 8 have transferred
Oklahoma signed 18 and 2 have transferred
Carolina signed 26 and 3 have transferred
Tennessee signed 25 and 3 have transferred
Texas signed 25 and 5 have transferred
A&M signed 25 and 0 have transferred
Vandy signed 13 and 1 has transferred

Now, if you change coaches (like when Saban left over 40 Bama players transferred) you will get a higher number of transfers. Again, how many are coach initiated??

Arkansas signed 25 and 15 transferred
Auburn signed 26 and 5 transferred
Florida signed 27 and 7 transferred
Kentucky signed 22 and 8 transferred
LSU signed 24 and 8 transferred
Ole Miss signed 23 and 6 transferred

even those from 2025 on coaches leaving were mostly not huge attrition.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

My only thought is that there's very little reason to following recruiting anymore.

could not agree more

 

[LWSVOL]

I think Indiana did something unique. I may be wrong but I think they brought in a lot of experienced upper classmen players, some of which had additional years due to covid years, as opposed to "superstars" which means they had players who had developed their skills over time and competition as well as players that were extremely discipline. I don't think there are many players with covid years left now. And I could be wrong but I don't know that they broke the bank. Fernandez was obviously the Heisman but I'm not sure they expected that out of him.

It makes me think of our defensive line a couple of years ago that was so dominate that we thought it was because of DC Tim Banks. If y'all remember, we had a lot of upper classmen d-lineman that had extra covid years.

the starting lineup for Indiana, AVERAGED, that is AVERAGED an age of 23 years old. Yes, they were a unique team.

 

[J C Higgins]

I am happy for commitments we have that the staff evaluate as valuable. But the Vols flat out need more 4/5* players if we are going to get back to the top of the SEC. Heupel is in year 6 and we still have a talent gap. Probably need to accept the fact that he is a solid recruiter, but not elite. Get him some help in that area. We seem to bounce back and forth between a very good offense paired with a weak/mediocre defense one season and the opposite the next season without putting quality units together on the same team. Granted, we have had some valid bad luck with talent busts, headcases and injuries. Bringing Knowles and Owings onboard looks like a huge plus for the program. Maybe a top-notch GM should be hired to coordinate recruiting and the roster management. On a side note, I still don't understand why we were not able to capitalize in a bigger way on the 2022 Orange Bowl/Top 10 season.

Re: Get him some help in that area.

$40-50 million dollars will help.

 

[cgrish]

I agree with what you say. However is Ind. considered a "richest" team? Or is what they did last year an anomaly?

I personaly think it was an anomaly. I think the way to go is recruit the best you can and if they are good then pay them to stay. I don't think relying on the portal every year will pan out successfully.

 

[DaddyChad]

Over half will be in the transfer portal in 2 years based on how college football is now

Exactly. I’d rather take guys with upside that actually want to be here than guys that will get laid a lot to sit on the bench then transfer.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

It’s not great and even though the portal is definitely where the focus should be, HS recruiting still matters. But Tennessee has done a great job there in the last 4 years. Our average recruiting ranking is 11th or so. Not worried about 1 so-so class as long as it isn’t a consistent trend, year over year.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

It’s not great and even though the portal is definitely where the focus should be, HS recruiting still matters. But Tennessee has done a great job there in the last 4 years. Our average recruiting ranking is 11th or so. Not worried about 1 so-so class as long as it isn’t a consistent trend, year over year.

That's not that good if your goal is to compete for championships. Especially when that average lands you in the bottom half of the SEC in recruiting. I could see your point about this year's class, if we had been averaging top 3 with crazy roster retention, but we haven't sniffed that level of recruiting under Huepel.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

That's not that good if your goal is to compete for championships. Especially when that average lands you in the bottom half of the SEC in recruiting. I could see your point about this year's class, if we had been averaging top 3 with crazy roster retention, but we haven't sniffed that level of recruiting under Huepel.

11th translates to a 9-3 record most years, I’d say.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

11th translates to a 9-3 record most years, I’d say.

So...not competing for championships.

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

So...not competing for championships.

Occasionally, but not consistently.

 

[perico]

so it's still a few months from signing day but looking at the recruiting class right now, outside of DGG decision, the class looks weak. 16 commits and the vast majority 3 star or less and there aren't a lot of uncommitted players in the 247 sports top 250.

Is this a tell or a sign that Huepel plans to go the route of pulling most of the 2027 class out of the portal? is he going to invest most of Tennessee's NIL money in more proven players with some age? I kind of hope he plans on hitting the portal hard (like Coach Barnes did this year).

what are your thoughts?

Have you seen Bamas class lately? Yesterday when I checked, none of the following were ranked in the Top 10: Georgia, Vols, LSU, Bama.

Bama is currently somewhere in the 60s.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

just saw where they signed yet another 3* from Florida St.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Have you seen Bamas class lately? Yesterday when I checked, none of the following were ranked in the Top 10: Georgia, Vols, LSU, Bama.

Bama is currently somewhere in the 60s.

Bama is 70th on 247

Ohio St is #12 when they are usually 1-3

I'm telling you something smells different this year. teams are going to be pouncing on the portal after what happened last year.

 

[Volador]

For years, I have not paid much attention to polls about recruiting classes. Instead, I was more concerned about the players showing up and registering for classes as a way of engaging a particular class. Now, with head cases like Chaz Coleman, arriving on campus doesn’t account for much either anymore. In essence, we have to wait for the first game to know who’s going to play for our beloved university of Tennessee volunteers.

 

[Heupel's Offseason Beard]

so it's still a few months from signing day but looking at the recruiting class right now, outside of DGG decision, the class looks weak. 16 commits and the vast majority 3 star or less and there aren't a lot of uncommitted players in the 247 sports top 250.

Is this a tell or a sign that Huepel plans to go the route of pulling most of the 2027 class out of the portal? is he going to invest most of Tennessee's NIL money in more proven players with some age? I kind of hope he plans on hitting the portal hard (like Coach Barnes did this year).

what are your thoughts?

Heard the same thing this time last year. Finished with #9 class in the country. Patience my friend.

 

[brockytop]

Chaz Coleman is an example of a very expensive portal player that is going to end up not here. Doens't matter if portal or a recruit, it’s all a crap shoot as far as will they pan out? you just never know.. Nico? Boo? Jakobe Thomas?? and the examples across college ball are huge.. many players have cost a lot and not panned out..

Coleman isn’t an expensive miss at this point based on how his contract was structured. He’ll cost TN very little if he doesn’t play for the Vols.