Kiffin's Judgment?

#1
perico

perico

"Thenneshee willsh be bath..."- Dr. Lou Holtz
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#1
Let me say that I've been pleased overall with how things are going so far, but I'm starting to notice a trend...

Surging Smith: One of the most intriguing prospects in the Under Armour All-American Game is Petey Smith from Armwood High in Seffner, Fla. Smith suffered an injury as a junior causing him to miss most of the 2007 season and gain some weight.

The stocky 6-foot middle linebacker said this week that he is at 250 pounds, which is a bit suspect. Smith has great instincts at linebacker but could easily grow into an interior defensive lineman.

UT had an inside track with Smith with running backs coach Stan Drayton, who recruited Smith while coaching at Florida before coming to UT in January 2008. Drayton continued to recruit Smith from Knoxville.

"We had a pretty good relationship," Smith said.

Kiffin evaluated Smith last month but apparently came away unimpressed.

"They just kind of fell off me," Smith said. "I lost contact. Then I just really threw them out of the picture. I didn't worry about it. I just kept moving on."

Smith's stockiness, either at linebacker or nose guard, may make him a better fit in a 3-4 defense, such as Alabama's. UT is expected to run a 4-3 under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Smith is deciding between offers from Alabama and Auburn.
Click to expand...

For defensive tackle Adams, timing was issue for Vols : Football Recruiting : GoVolsXtra.com


Turning away recruits, at this point, seems like a mistake. It's not so much that I think that Kiffin feels this type of player won't fit his system, but that we're losing recruits and we can't afford to, or the cupboard will be more bare than it is now come next year.

I'm not trying to be negative about Kiffin at all. I like the guy, but at this point, we're not USC and we don't play in the PAC 10. This is the 2nd kid who will play in an All American HS game that either stayed commited or didn't lose interest in us despite the fact that we fired the head coach that recruited them. That tells me that they wanted to be a Volunteer, and top ranked kids like this don't just fall into your laps in the SEC.

This is starting to bother me.
 
#2
#2
Wouldn't shock me if he asked Monte for an evaluation. Either way, Kiffin has been around some pretty freaking good linebackers in his day. I'll trust his judgment.
 
#4
#4
It's not so much his judgment but that I'm starting to wonder if he realizes that recruiting in the SEC is not the same, no matter how much better the facilities are, than recruiting in the PAC10. He's not recruiting against Ty Willingham anymore.
 
#5
#5
Well, if he wastes scholarships on kids like this who he doesn't feel will fit his system/buy into his system, then he won't ever be able to get the program TO the level that he wants it to be at. I know you keep saying "we are not usc" but you have to start somewhere to get there.

I trust him and have no problems with him turning some kids away. Just because they are playing in an all-america game does not mean they will be superstuds.
 
#7
#7
No need for Kiffin to "waste" schollies on those who won't fit in his grand plan. He could undersign this year and have extra scholarships at the ready for a monster recruiting class next year.
 
#8
#8
Hooker has no facts, material, or information. He is an ass clown and wrote that article out of his (and the rest of the KNS/ radio hacks) frustration.

Nothing more than an attention piece for Hooker to stir it up...
 
#9
#9
vtvol98 said:
No need for Kiffin to "waste" schollies on those who won't fit in his grand plan. He could undersign this year and have extra scholarships at the ready for a monster recruiting class next year.
Click to expand...

:good!:
 
#10
#10
it has been noted by many people around the football world that Lane Kiffin is one of the best talent observers in the game today
 
#11
#11
He said he was not going to recruit players just to help out our recruiting rankings so they could come in and ride the bench for 4 years. If they don't fit our system it is a waste of a scholly. I trust the man.
 
#13
#13
Kiffin will be fine.. If he doesnt want the kid.. The obviously there is a reason..

He has to get the kids he wants to buy into his system in order to bring us the championships..
 
#14
#14
Fact is, it is his job to hire and recruit what he wants. It does not look like UTAD is standing in his way of hiring whoever he needs. So if he gets everything the way he wants it(that includes the players he wants), he has no excuses. I think he wants it that way.
 
#15
#15
Plus this 'critiquing' of prospect adds weight when tennessee DOES come calling for a kid they really want. i can't really see questioning Lanes evaluating. . .hes obviously come in with a total package plan.
 
#16
#16
I love it though. Because anymore it seems like coaches say "oh you have how many stars next to your name son? well in that case we want you". you gotta find the players that fit what you're doing
 
#17
#17
Agree with Beecher on this. Kiffin obviously came in with a detailed plan (Hamilton acknowledged as much) and I think Kiffin is determined to follow that plan from start to finish.
 
#18
#18
Regardless if he was recruiting against Ty willingham or not he got the best players to go to southern cal. He didnt care who he was recruiting against
 
#19
#19
Like it or not, we know absolutely NOTHING about these prospects, except their measurables and stats. There could have been something personality wise, work ethic wise....who knows. The coaches that meet with and recruit this kids know them better than we ever will. Lane may just refuse to take in the type player that is going to get arrested in the off season, and give people more ammo to make fun of our program as a half way house, like the previous coaching staff. To turn down a 3-4* recruit at a position of need there HAS to be a good reason.....these guys arent stupid. Until I have a reason not to, I trust he and his father's judgement.
 
#20
#20
perico said:
It's not so much his judgment but that I'm starting to wonder if he realizes that recruiting in the SEC is not the same, no matter how much better the facilities are, than recruiting in the PAC10. He's not recruiting against Ty Willingham anymore.
Click to expand...

I am with you on this. In the SEC you take whoever you can get regardless if you think they can play in your scheme or not. :birgits_giggle:
 
#22
#22
He weighs 250 pounds!!!! He won't fit monte's system at the LB position....also notice his final 2 choices if he was better more schools would be after him
 
#23
#23
perico said:
It's not so much his judgment but that I'm starting to wonder if he realizes that recruiting in the SEC is not the same, no matter how much better the facilities are, than recruiting in the PAC10. He's not recruiting against Ty Willingham anymore.
Click to expand...

USC was able to recruit on a national level. They stole big time prospects out of Tennessee, Michigan, and Louisiana to name a few.
 
#24
#24
sMi.Spite said:
Well, if he wastes scholarships on kids like this who he doesn't feel will fit his system/buy into his system, then he won't ever be able to get the program TO the level that he wants it to be at. I know you keep saying "we are not usc" but you have to start somewhere to get there.

I trust him and have no problems with him turning some kids away. Just because they are playing in an all-america game does not mean they will be superstuds.
Click to expand...


Agreed, I feel he is setting things up for next year. He has a game plan and following it to a T. :rock:
 
#25
#25
Kiffin is going to consult with Monte, now that he is here, and evaluate prospects. They are not going to waste a scholly on guys that don't fit the system. Monte is going after 5* LB Jelani Jenkins, a highly touted player. I don't think they are too worried about this kid.
 
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