Despite My Best Efforts....I'm Starting to Believe Again. Dammit!

[DiderotsGhost]

I also feel like the bigger story might be getting lost here because of the NIL money. Nico committed because he wants to play for Heupel.

Yes, the NIL money is certainly a nice carrot --- but here's the thing --- Alabama, Georgia, Florida, A&M, Ohio State, Michigan, and Texas can all match or produce similar NIL money. It is true that Tennessee has some advantages here, but it's more of an advantage over schools like Florida State, Miami, Michigan State, and UCLA than Bama, Georgia, or Ohio State. Nico's reasons for coming to UT are bigger than the money.

 

[ClearwaterVol]

I also feel like the bigger story might be getting lost here because of the NIL money. Nico committed because he wants to play for Heupel.

Yes, the NIL money is certainly a nice carrot --- but here's the thing --- Alabama, Georgia, Florida, A&M, Ohio State, Michigan, and Texas can all match or produce similar NIL money. It is true that Tennessee has some advantages here, but it's more of an advantage over schools like Florida State, Miami, Michigan State, and UCLA than Bama, Georgia, or Ohio State. Nico's reasons for coming to UT are bigger than the money.

Nico, from all accounts, I have seen is a high character kid. He's only been playing football for a couple of years and IMO, he has the most natural talent of any of the qb prospects in this years class. There is a reason the wide receivers really seem to gravitate towards him. He really slings the ball and gets it to his receivers in a hurry.

 

[ArdentVol]

OK....I have turned my GAF knob back to the low single digits when it comes to Tennessee football. It has made the games easy to watch, or miss for that matter, with mild disappointment when we lose, and decent levels of happiness with a win.

When Heupel was hired, I was less than blown away. In fact, I turned the GAF knob back a level and figured I'd settle into another slow burn debacle, albeit without Paycheck Phil looking self-satisfied with incompetence and Slingblade McGump murdering the English language with a sneer. I was happy that Heupel seemed to be a mellow guy, well-spoken, and from all accounts honest and ethical.

As the season progressed, I found myself beginning to care again, despite myself. I liked the offense, and was impressed how Heupel and his staff were able to create a spirited team from the Island of Misfit Toys they inherited. The Purdue debacle brough me back down a few notches, and I was convinced we had a good coach, a very decent and solid man, and likely a shot at mediocrity (7-5 or so) for the foreseeable future. I just didn't see Heupel as a recruiter, and it seemed like the University and boosters were thoroughly confused and outclassed in the NIL area.

I do NOT want to put too much stock in a single recruit, but how Nico's recruitment has gone down, and the coordinated effort by all hands to land him here has me actually dialing the knob back up a bit. Heupel has consistently surprised and impressed me, and this has done nothing but continue that. He may be a much better recruiter than I thought. If Nico is in fact the QB the Athletic story was about, then the boosters and AD have quickly figured this system out and are moving forward.

I have hope again. I am starting to believe we can possibly compete with and beat Bama, UF, and other relevant schools in the future. Dammit. Just hope that Cup Check Moment #4,239 isn't headed down the pike at us.

that last paragraph best describes my hopes

 

[ArdentVol]

Nico, from all accounts, I have seen is a high character kid. He's only been playing football for a couple of years and IMO, he has the most natural talent of any of the qb prospects in this years class. There is a reason the wide receivers really seem to gravitate towards him. He really slings the ball and gets it to his receivers in a hurry.

listened to bham sports radio discuss nico
guy finished saying he wouldnt be surprised if he backs out of commiment

 

[ClearwaterVol]

listened to bham sports radio discuss nico
guy finished saying he wouldnt be surprised if he backs out of commiment

Their sports radio is more insufferable than knoxville's.

 

[lukeneyland]

Oh bless your heart, Karen.

12-0 or 0-12 I care about every game an irrational amount