How does UT recruit a 5 star player?

#51
#51
Troy Fleming was asked this question on that Sunday night show he does with Swain and some other guys. Said it was incredibly difficult, and you have to use a sales pitch that doesn't resonate with everyone.

Say you're recruiting a guy who is also considering Alabama or some other elite program. You go and tell that kid that Alabama was good before he got there, will be good when he's there, and will be good once he's gone. Their success as a program won't have anything to do with him being there, and their failure won't have anything to do with him not going there. Be honest with him about the fact it is a football factory that churns out NFL players, but say that also means he can get lost in the shuffle rather easily, particularly if he struggles early. They'll just move on to somebody else. Tell them that at Alabama he'll be a number, and here he'll be a name. Don't sell just immediate playing time; sell the fact that he'll have a chance to be a vital reason this program gets turned around, and everyone will remember that long after he's gone.

It doesn't work on a lot of kids. But what else can you tell them? If they go to Alabama and crack the depth chart, they are virtually guaranteed to play in big games, win titles of some kind, and will get lots of NFL scout attention. They don't care that it is a football factory - that's the reason they're going there in the first place. They are going to get coaching that is the best of the best.

Needless to say, it's an uphill battle, but that pitch resonates with some kids, particularly ones who really want to "be somebody" at their school. A big fish in a small pond, if you will.

Admittedly, the "lost in the shuffle" pitch probably appeals to kids who don't like competition for their position, which as a coach I don't think is something you want. Saying you "won't get lost in the shuffle" is another way of saying "you won't really have to fight for your position," and let's face it, a lot of these highly-touted recruits like that.

Is Troy on a lot? If not, he definitely should be...
 
#53
#53
This sums it up:



Pruitt's reputation for developing NFL caliber players is huge. It's why he's been able to get guys like Quavaris Crouch and Henry To'oto'o.


This kind of backs up what I have been suspecting. This staff is doing its job. Yet it seems not all the players are.
 
#55
#55
How many kids has he coached who were not already NFL bound? I think it's something of a misnomer to say he's a great developer of NFL players when he's dealt with pretty much only the cream of the crop up to now. I just think that parents and handlers would easily see through that angle and opposing staffs would easily discredit it. The staff is reported as telling high profile prospects to wait and see what we do on the field before making a decision. So far, our performance hasn't given them much reason to come here.
Every player who plays in the nfl already had nfl talent [b/c talent is something you;re born with, you don't pick it up along the way due to coaching]. But every player with nfl talent doesn't make it to the nfl.
 
#57
#57
With the less than stellar performance of the 5 star guys over the last 10 years I would prefer that lessor touted guys be found. There are good players out there that could with heart alone outperform what we put on the field right now.
 
#61
#61
If I were a 5 star recruit how would you sell UT to me? And dont say I can play immediately....I can go to Arkansas and do that.
With the current situation in Knoxville how do you sell a kid into that?

At gunpoint?
 
#62
#62
If the player doesn't realize it you educate him that if you really want to be in the NFL and have that kind of talent where you go to school doesn't make that much of a difference. Tick off a list of players that went to small schools on NFL rosters. Then tick off a list of players than gradjuated from Bama and Clemson that are not on NFL rosters. Put that to bed first off.
 
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#63
#63
Yep.. I mean Saban doesn't have to do it as much now. In the beginning they were paying these dudes. It's why i don't respect him.. Now that he's won titles, put a bunch of guys in the league, he's built a reputation. It's dirty though, just like everything Alabama.


Cynical much? And we just got us another 5* QB to commit yesterday. But, back to reality. Playing time will always be a priority for these kids. So will the scheme you're running and then the prospect of getting coached up for the league.

In that QBs are transferring at the speed of light these days, the vols should have been on the receiving end of the transfer portal hot and heavy last off-season. Pruitt needs to invest wisely in kids that bring some college experience and past success to the team. Did you guys even take a hard look at Kelly Bryant or Nick Starkel?
 
#64
#64
It's not only winning and money... every 5 star wants to be in the NFL. Sometimes they develop chemistry with a coach/staff and that's enough. Fingers crossed. I'm sure they're also still leaning on the "Hey, look out our staff. Look at what we've accomplished. Come here now and, in a few years when we're competing for championships again, you can be a part of that." That appeals to some kids too.
 
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#65
#65
Cynical much? And we just got us another 5* QB to commit yesterday. But, back to reality. Playing time will always be a priority for these kids. So will the scheme you're running and then the prospect of getting coached up for the league.

In that QBs are transferring at the speed of light these days, the vols should have been on the receiving end of the transfer portal hot and heavy last off-season. Pruitt needs to invest wisely in kids that bring some college experience and past success to the team. Did you guys even take a hard look at Kelly Bryant or Nick Starkel?
Why don't you ask Cornbread.. I don't know the answer other than he probably should have. The reality of it is is you guys are dirty as hell and the whole broke azz state is in on it because it's a cash cow.
 
#66
#66
Playing time is big for most recruits. So is the relationships they make with their coaches. Keep the coaching staff in place and build those relationships.

But honestly, we don't need to be chasing stars. That's one major reason why Butch failed. Search for the best recruits that fit our system, regardless of ranking.
 
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#67
#67
Why don't you ask Cornbread.. I don't know the answer other than he probably should have. The reality of it is is you guys are dirty as hell and the whole broke azz state is in on it because it's a cash cow.


Such a lazy man's argument. If Bama is all that, so is Tennessee. Pruitt learned at coach Saban's knee. And much of Pruitt's staff has been around the SEC block, many, many, times. More likely you guys just aren't getting much bang for your buck. It's an orange problem.
 
#68
#68
Such a lazy man's argument. If Bama is all that, so is Tennessee. Pruitt learned at coach Saban's knee. And much of Pruitt's staff has been around the SEC block, many, many, times. More likely you guys just aren't getting much bang for your buck. It's an orange problem.
Better hope ole Phil don't start snooping around again.. May have been looking for more than just a coach when he hired Cornbread.
 
#69
#69
If I were a 5 star recruit how would you sell UT to me? And dont say I can play immediately....I can go to Arkansas and do that.
With the current situation in Knoxville how do you sell a kid into that?

I would explain that winning is over-rated, championship rings get rusty fast its really too much pressure on youth playing for a national title every year. Come to UT and screw off! You will get to meet and interact with a lot more coaches and learn different playing styles which will help your coaching career. Aight?
 
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#70
#70
Better hope ole Phil don't start snooping around again.. May have been looking for more than just a coach when he hired Cornbread.


That dog won't hunt. But these days I get where the past looks a lot more pleasant to the faithful than the thought of tomorrow. So, why not be like Phil, he believed it was time to get on the Crimson bandwagon. Isn't life kinda ironic?
 
#71
#71
That dog won't hunt. But these days I get where the past looks a lot more pleasant to the faithful than the thought of tomorrow. So, why not be like Phil, he believed it was time to get on the Crimson bandwagon. Isn't life kinda ironic?
That was strictly a business decision or was it? Phil loathes Alabama, make no mistake about that..
 
#72
#72
That was strictly a business decision or was it? Phil loathes Alabama, make no mistake about that..


I think all that loathing might just be your inability to get out of your own way these days. Given that misery does indeed love company, I appreciate the need you have to share though.
 
#73
#73
Tennessee may be down, but it is a national brand in athletics. The first thing UT must do is keep its stud high school talent from leaving the state. That’s a must, at least until it’s able to cherry pick outside the state. Next, they need to rob the JUCO ranks. A lot of these kids are already experienced and are talented. They are looking for a place to play immediately. Finally, scour the portal for some talent. Big programs that are stacked and crowded will force some players to go elsewhere. Most importantly, recruit a few impact players at key positions. That’s where a large part of the recruiting effort should be focused. UT doesn’t need to worry about 5* talent right now. To me, this is how you turn things around in the short term.
 
#74
#74
If I were a 5 star recruit how would you sell UT to me? And dont say I can play immediately....I can go to Arkansas and do that.
With the current situation in Knoxville how do you sell a kid into that?

 
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