Landing Nico is great, but…

#1
Volizona

Volizona

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#1
Are we more excited that we landed a 5 star QB or that we actually pulled the trigger on a big time NIL deal? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that we got Nico and I have no doubt he’ll be a difference maker. However, we have had some 5 stars and highly rated players over our 15 year decline that were not able to single handedly change our program. Just wondering if all of the excitement and comments stating that we ‘are back’ is more about Nico or just as much about UT finally stepping up to spend some money and aggressively compete with other schools? Is there some shock that we were finally willing to get in the game and not wait until it’s too late on this one? (Example, never spending money to proactively hire a top 5 coach). Maybe we are just as excited to realize that UT really DOES have deep pockets after all and we are now willing to put it to use.
 
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#2
#2
Just posted this in another thread. Probably fits better here:

How does a team recruit a quality qb in ‘24 25’or 26’? How does a team keep a quality 22’ qb? This is going to take some massive coaching and not just with the qb position. If Nico gets the nod in 24’ who takes over if he (god forbid) is injured? The transfer portal and the NIL hitting almost simultaneously is not going to be good for the sport. I’m excited we landed him but it seems cheap and fragile
 
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#3
#3
Tennessee offered James Franklin the moon and he turned it down. They made him say no to a second offer as well. Not saying he’s elite or not but likely he would’ve been top five money before everyone lost their minds this year in the hiring carousel.
 
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#4
#4
tim said:
Just posted this in another thread. Probably fits better here:

How does a team recruit a quality qb in ‘24 25’or 26’? How does a team keep a quality 22’ qb? This is going to take some massive coaching and not just with the qb position. If Nico gets the nod in 24’ who takes over if he (god forbid) is injured? The transfer portal and the NIL hitting almost simultaneously is not going to be good for the sport. I’m excited we landed him but it seems cheap and fragile
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This doesn’t even make sense to me. Why in the heck would it run off QBs? Pretty much this nil establishes one thing, being the starting Qb for Tennessee could be very lucrative for whoever plays themselves into the position. Heupel has no affiliation with the nil; he will play the best guy regardless.
 
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#8
#8
DaddyChad said:
Tennessee offered James Franklin the moon and he turned it down. They made him say no to a second offer as well. Not saying he’s elite or not but likely he would’ve been top five money before everyone lost their minds this year in the hiring carousel.
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Forgot about him. Good point.
 
#9
#9
Volizona said:
Forgot about him. Good point.
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Also tried to get Mullen and had him before Florida got him. Not saying he’s an elite coach but he was thought of as one of the best available at the time. We also tried to get Campbell from Iowa State; it went absolutely no where but inquiries were made.
 
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#10
#10
DaddyChad said:
This doesn’t even make sense to me. Why in the heck would it run off QBs? Pretty much this nil establishes one thing, being the starting Qb for Tennessee could be very lucrative for whoever plays themselves into the position. Heupel has no affiliation with the nil; he will play the best guy regardless.
Click to expand...
You think the portal being what it is that players will stick around and compete? Now add NIL. If your son is a 24 qb and TN just signed this guy he should look at UT? Heupel will be under tremendous pressure to start this qb immediately, don’t kid yourself. Not pressure from the agency, from the fans. Any qb starting over him would be under so much scrutiny.
 
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#11
#11
TnVol! said:
OMG!!! This thread is pitiful.
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How so. Just asking for an honest assessment of your excitement. Is it just because we grabbed a 5 star (something we have done before during our so called down era) or is at also because we showed that we are not afraid to our an NIL deal to use? I’m thrilled that we got him. I said that. Just curious If all of the comments about him single handedly turning us into a top 5 program are about him or also the realization that we won’t hesitate to use NILs. Again, I’m as happy as anyone that we landed him. It’s great news.
 
#12
#12
Volizona said:
Are we more excited that we landed a 5 star QB or that we actually pulled the trigger on a big time NIL deal? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that we got Nico and I have no doubt he’ll be a difference maker. However, we have had some 5 stars and highly rated players over our 15 year decline that were not able to single handedly change our program. Just wondering if all of the excitement and comments stating that we ‘are back’ is more about Nico or just as much about UT finally stepping up to spend some money and aggressively compete with other schools? Is there some shock that we were finally willing to get in the game and not wait until it’s too late on this one? (Example, never spending money to proactively hire a top 5 coach). Maybe we are just as excited to realize that UT really DOES have deep pockets after all and we are now willing to put it to use.
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We never spent the money to get a top 5 coach because we kept shooting ourselves in the foot and no one of that caliber wanted to come here, not because we weren't willing to spend money for em.
 
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#13
#13
tim said:
You think the portal being what it is that players will stick around and compete? Now add NIL. If your son is a 24 qb and TN just signed this guy he should look at UT? Heupel will be under tremendous pressure to start this qb immediately, don’t kid yourself. Not pressure from the agency, from the fans. Any qb starting over him would be under so much scrutiny.
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Coaches are always under pressure from fans to start this guy or that guy. Doesn’t matter. And yeah if I’m a parent of a 24 QB why wouldn’t I want him at Tennessee, he can compete to win the starting position and possibly get paid while he’s trying to win the starter’s position.
 
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#14
#14
tim said:
You think the portal being what it is that players will stick around and compete? Now add NIL. If your son is a 24 qb and TN just signed this guy he should look at UT? Heupel will be under tremendous pressure to start this qb immediately, don’t kid yourself. Not pressure from the agency, from the fans. Any qb starting over him would be under so much scrutiny.
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AL seems to sign a top QB every year. Yes, some leave, but they can be replaced though the portal. Having more talent is a “problem” that would be (or will be) nice to have.
 
#16
#16
DaddyChad said:
This doesn’t even make sense to me. Why in the heck would it run off QBs? Pretty much this nil establishes one thing, being the starting Qb for Tennessee could be very lucrative for whoever plays themselves into the position. Heupel has no affiliation with the nil; he will play the best guy regardless.
Click to expand...
You nailed it
 
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#18
#18
Volizona said:
Are we more excited that we landed a 5 star QB or that we actually pulled the trigger on a big time NIL deal? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that we got Nico and I have no doubt he’ll be a difference maker. However, we have had some 5 stars and highly rated players over our 15 year decline that were not able to single handedly change our program. Just wondering if all of the excitement and comments stating that we ‘are back’ is more about Nico or just as much about UT finally stepping up to spend some money and aggressively compete with other schools? Is there some shock that we were finally willing to get in the game and not wait until it’s too late on this one? (Example, never spending money to proactively hire a top 5 coach). Maybe we are just as excited to realize that UT really DOES have deep pockets after all and we are now willing to put it to use.
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You have a valid point of concern BUT the question is this when was the last time or have we ever had a offensive scheme that fit a QB so well that it was almost a perfect marriage? Can't nobody ignore the fact of all the talent that we have gotten over the last decade or so and it has not lived up to the hype that much is clear. If he would have been recruited and signed under any of the other coaches outside of Kiffin yes you could say there is a possibility that he would be no different than any other 5* we have had but because of CJH offense and what Hooker was able to do last year and then you look at Nico film there is a legit reason to believe it's going to be different this time.
 
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#19
#19
I'm excited about the kid's potential but even more by his potential as a recruiter for UT. He said he committed early so he could help pursue other top players. That's what UT needs. Not just a class with a headliner but a class with high quality depth.
 
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#20
#20
tim said:
You think the portal being what it is that players will stick around and compete? Now add NIL. If your son is a 24 qb and TN just signed this guy he should look at UT? Heupel will be under tremendous pressure to start this qb immediately, don’t kid yourself. Not pressure from the agency, from the fans. Any qb starting over him would be under so much scrutiny.
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I don’t think this necessarily a bad thing. Having pressure just means people expect something from you because they already believe in it.
We as fans are just gonna have to hope and pray that nico ends up being the guy we need.
 
#21
#21
tim said:
You think the portal being what it is that players will stick around and compete? Now add NIL. If your son is a 24 qb and TN just signed this guy he should look at UT? Heupel will be under tremendous pressure to start this qb immediately, don’t kid yourself. Not pressure from the agency, from the fans. Any qb starting over him would be under so much scrutiny.
Click to expand...
The portal is a 1 time freebie so you don't want to blow it and I see the NCAA making some tweaks to it in the future so jumping ship won't be as easy, also another thing to consider is that a player won't be the only highly touted player to enter the portal, he'll have competition to get picked up.
As for the 24 QB depends on what NIL TN is offering and if TN really is the new kid on the block. Talented players have sat behind other talented players for years. Don't see Bama having an issue with 5 Star QB's coming there to play
 
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#22
#22
we just happy this school FINALLY landed a player that has more than three stars....we didn't even know about the other stuff lol
 
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#24
#24
Vol fans love to always concentrate on the negativity of all issues................for example.........the main thing the majority of Tenn fans want to remember about Peyton Manning is the fact .........He Never Beat Florida ! And they talk about how great our fan base is ??? Makes me wonder and I am 75 years old. Been a Vol fan since age 12 !
 
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