Evaluating 2012 Recruiting Class

#1
OCIVol

OCIVol

the.oci.vol@gmail.com
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#1
Current Commits - Offense (8)
QB - Peterman
RB - Hill
RB - Watson
WR - Bowles
WR - Croom
WR - "Pig" Howard
WR - Redding
TE - Meredith

It is evident that there is an emphasis on defense in the '12 class. So far, only 8 out of the 23 current commits play offense. Staff is working to address the glaring need at RB. WR depth issues have been resolved with this class. Meredith was one of a handful of TEs that were takes in this class. We have a few more targets on offense (Patterson, and some RBs), but this class will really strengthen the defensive side of the football.

Current Commits - Defense (14)
DT - Jacobs (JUCO)
DT - O'Brien
DE - Sentimore (JUCO)
DE - Taylor
DE - Lewis
LB - Peters
LB - Santos
LB - King
LB - Henderson
CB - Crawley
CB - Gray
CB - Thomas
S - McNeill
S - Blanc

With needs across the board on defense, the current commits address needs on the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary. The bolstering of the defensive line is impressive. This class has some serious talent on defense. Interestingly, the 4 commits in this class flying under the radar (King, Henderson, Gray, Blanc) are all on the defensive side of the ball. This is what separates our staff from others, and it's talent evaluation. The staff is really excited about all 4 of these commits. The Tino Thomas situation bears watching. He will either be in Knoxville or elsewhere come January. For now, he's a part of this class. Staff is targeting another DB and a couple more DL to complete this class. Should be an exciting finish.

Current Commits - Special Teams (1)
K - Bullock (walk-on)

Bullock has a strong leg, and it will be interesting to see how his commitment is handled going forward. He is fully expected to end up at UT...the only question is when and on whose dime.
 
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#2
#2
OCIVol said:
Current Commits - Defense (12)
DT - Jacobs (JUCO)
DT - O'Brien
DE - Taylor
DE - Lewis
LB - Peters
LB - Santos
LB - King
LB - Henderson
CB - Crawley
CB - Gray
S - McNeill
S - Blanc

With needs across the board on defense, the current commits address needs on the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary. This class has some serious talent on defense. Interestingly, the 4 commits in this class flying under the radar (King, Henderson, Gray, Blanc) are all on the defensive side of the ball. This is what separates our staff from others, and it's talent evaluation. The staff is really excited about all 4 of these commits. Staff is targeting another DB and a couple more DL to complete this class. Should be an exciting finish.
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I agree with you, OCI... and you know a whole helluva lot more than I do regarding the entire process.

Every big program is going to be able to score some 4 star guys, maybe even some 5 stars... Finding the right guys, and finding the 3-stars that stargazers scoff at and turning them into players is key.

We are "rebuilding" the depth of this program that made it so that we were one of the biggest NFL factories for so, so long. And, sorry to some, that isn't done by getting 5 big fish at the start of February. It's done by finding gems who are brilliant on film and who you know will be in this program for 4 years.

I cannot wait.
 
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#4
#4
OCIVol said:
This class has some serious talent on defense. Interestingly, the 4 commits in this class flying under the radar (King, Henderson, Gray, Blanc) are all on the defensive side of the ball.
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What exactly have you heard about these guys? I have to admit that I have some doubts about a couple of them, myself. Are there any specific comments you can relay that you have heard from the staff about any of these four?
 
#8
#8
WesternKyVol said:
What exactly have you heard about these guys? I have to admit that I have some doubts about a couple of them, myself. Are there any specific comments you can relay that you have heard from the staff about any of these four?
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The under-the-radar commitments should be one of the most encouraging things about our staff and this class. It evidences the fact that the staff is putting in the hours evaluating hundreds of prospects, watching film, talking to their contacts, and leaving no stone left unturned. If we were simply signing 4-star after 4-star, then you should be worried. The staff chose Henderson, King, Blanc, and Gray over other 4-stars that were ready to commit. Staffs that worry about stars and recruiting rankings rarely experience success.
 
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#10
#10
OCIVol said:
The under-the-radar commitments should be one of the most encouraging things about our staff and this class. It evidences the fact that the staff is putting in the hours evaluating hundreds of prospects, watching film, talking to their contacts, and leaving no stone left unturned. If we were simply signing 4-star after 4-star, then you should be worried. The staff chose Henderson, King, Blanc, and Gray over other 4-stars that were ready to commit. Staffs that worry about stars and recruiting rankings rarely experience success.
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USC, Texas and Florida of last decade would argue against that.
 
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#11
#11
OCIVol said:
The under-the-radar commitments should be one of the most encouraging things about our staff and this class. It evidences the fact that the staff is putting in the hours evaluating hundreds of prospects, watching film, talking to their contacts, and leaving no stone left unturned. If we were simply signing 4-star after 4-star, then you should be worried. The staff chose Henderson, King, Blanc, and Gray over other 4-stars that were ready to commit. Staffs that worry about stars and recruiting rankings rarely experience success.
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Based on the names we have all read, I would assume that those stars were other DBs? Were there any linebackers that were ready to commit?
 
#12
#12
MrBamSeydu said:
USC, Texas and Florida of last decade would argue against that.
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It doesn't mean you CAN'T win... but those players fit a system, too.

Also, Texas and Florida won their national titles because of one dude... and wouldn't have won without them

VY and Timmy.
 
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#16
#16
OCIVol said:
The under-the-radar commitments should be one of the most encouraging things about our staff and this class. It evidences the fact that the staff is putting in the hours evaluating hundreds of prospects, watching film, talking to their contacts, and leaving no stone left unturned. If we were simply signing 4-star after 4-star, then you should be worried. The staff chose Henderson, King, Blanc, and Gray over other 4-stars that were ready to commit. Staffs that worry about stars and recruiting rankings rarely experience success.
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Completely agree. Dooley and his staff have done a great job to recruit guys who were "under-the-radar." Guys who they got blasted on the MB's for taking. But look at the guys now. Not all of them have become world beaters, but some of the lowest ranked guys CDD has taken have been:
- D. Sapp - 2*
- M. Rivera - 3* (5.5, which is the lowest 3-star ranking on Rivals)
- R. Crump - 2*
- A. Carson - 2*
- B. Downs - 3*
- V. Dallas - 3*
- B. Randolph - 3*
- J. Williams - 3*
- J. Worley - 3*
- D. Young - 3* (Also 5.5)

You don't recruit these guys thinking they are going to single-handedly turn around the program, but these are guys who have contributed despite their low Rivals ranking. Just goes to show you that you can't always go by Rivals. I'd much rather take who our coach thinks fits our program best. I'll take a 2* guy who is going to stay in the system and work his butt off over a 4* guy who doesn't buy into the program, gives minimal effort and leaves after 2 years.
 
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#17
#17
Aside from the awesome defensive class, I'm liking the addition of Croom and Bowles. I like that the coaching staff is going for the big physical recievers to match up with the small cornerbacks, and with those guys learning from Hunter and Da'rick they've got the makings to have very nice college careers!
 
#20
#20
OCI -

In your reference to "some RB," do you have knowledge of who that may be? Or are you just saying you expect the Vols to pick up another RB since they offered Watson?

Not asking for names or trying to get info out of you, just wondering what you meant by that.
 
#21
#21
I wonder how many other teams with a losing record had a top 10 recruiting class last year to go along with another likely top 10 class this year with similar record.
If I was a betting man I'd say zero.
This staff will get it done and I can't wait to say I told you so to all the haters.
GO VOLS!
 
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#22
#22
OCI,Jmoore,skeeter, or anybody else that knows for sure,

I have ask this question numerous times and never get an answer. Will Bullard and or Toney count against our 25 number? Seems to be said numerous times that Bullard would count if we put him on scholarship(per hubbs) so I guess that's true??? I have seen it mentioned Toney will be given scholarship which he deserves but will that count against our 25??

If giving a walk on counts against your 25 as well as the 85 then shame on the NCAA. That's an atrocity!
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#23
#23
If you allow recruiting services to evaluate the talent you go after you are killing yourself.

They will get some right but will get some wrong too.

And when you are rebuilding and trying to build a team you need to seriously evalute and be picky.
 
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#24
#24
BruinVol said:
OCI,Jmoore,skeeter, or anybody else that knows for sure,

I have ask this question numerous times and never get an answer. Will Bullard and or Toney count against our 25 number? Seems to be said numerous times that Bullard would count if we put him on scholarship(per hubbs) so I guess that's true??? I have seen it mentioned Toney will be given scholarship which he deserves but will that count against our 25??

If giving a walk on counts against your 25 as well as the 85 then shame on the NCAA. That's an atrocity!
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Click to expand...

i'm pretty sure the answer is no on all counts.
 
#25
#25
mchandl7 said:
i'm pretty sure the answer is no on all counts.
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Thanks for an answer. I have asked this question in other threads so much that I am beginning to believe I have made a lot of enemies in my short time here at volnation and been given the ignore button!
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