How much difference do 5* early enrollees make?

[Gandalf]

Well it seemed to be the final tipping point for flipping 4* DT Michael Sawyers - as per VQ

Malone hosted Sawyers and told the athletic defensive tackle that part of what had most impressed Malone about the Vols' coaches since his arrival on campus in early January was how they had not changed from their recruiting approach.

"When I was up there last weekend with Josh Malone, my tour was amazing. I asked him some stuff because we had worked out together and done some training together with Playmakers Academy, so I knew he'd tell me what UT brought to the table.

"It was a huge factor (with all the Midstate guys). Rashaan (Gaulden), Jalen (Hurd), Josh and just all the guys. The fact that I'm just playing with those guys, not just the guys from in-state, is going to be huge. We're trying to turn it around and show a lot of things. I feel like we're getting Tennessee back. It's about to be the University of Tennessee's state again, and I'm really excited about it. It's going to be a fun time changing Tennessee back to the old traditions."

I wonder how many others we kept or got due to team Butch getting them in early so they would be there for the last few visits? Especially the job they did just completely locking down the state of TN.

So much in football and recruiting depends on momentum and getting into that virtuous cycle of each small success feeding the next larger ones. Definitely, brick by brick. :yahoo:

 

[engineerVOL]

Good point.

 

[deezvols]

I can't wait to see how much of a difference these 5* EE's make come August!!

 

[VolSinceIwasborn]

believe it or not I don't think Hurd or Malone will be the biggest contributing freshman this year. I doubt Malone starts over Pig North and the JUCO WR we signed. I think were going to see alot of Lane with Scott as a change of pace back. If Paulk doesn't grey shirt he will red shirt.

 

[Roustabout]

Heard one pundit say that if this weren't such a deep year for WR, that Malone would have been the #1 overall receiver in a normal year.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

believe it or not I don't think Hurd or Malone will be the biggest contributing freshman this year. I doubt Malone starts over Pig North and the JUCO WR we signed. I think were going to see alot of Lane with Scott as a change of pace back. If Paulk doesn't grey shirt he will red shirt.

I disagree. Malone has all the tools to be a program changer. I could see him getting plenty of snaps this season.

 

[Gandalf]

I dont know if he will start but I would bet money Malone gets some decent playing time - he is too good for them not to give him some snaps.

 

[ClearwaterVol]

I think that Butch will find ways to get North, Malone and Pearson on the field at the same time.