'26 MS WR Tristen Keys (Tennessee commit)

[Jackcrevol]

Dick bomb


Yes I know who rgw is btw

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Fwiw Michigan does have a #1 QB of their own in Bryce Underwood

And paid like $13 million for him or something like that?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Dick bomb


Yes I know who rgw is btw

Gotta give West an A+ for he troll game. It’s top notch.

 

[VolDC]

We are winning battles at the most important positions. DE, OT, and QB. 2 of the 3 of those are the highest paid positions in the NFL. We brought in a 5 star WR last year, and this offense has shown that it can develop much less talent at that position. There is a new model for roster building, and we are doing it like a pro team.

You can spin it how you want. Garner is the reason for anything DLine. Please explain this hot OLine recruiting and DEVELOPMENT you're alluding too? The last oline drafted was Wright in 03 and Pruitt brought him in. Huepel is 100% the reason for QB. I am fine with 8-10 wins a year. I'm not going to act like we will have more than and outside chance at winning a SEC Championship or National Championship recruiting like this. You can't have a 10-20 ranked class every year and be more than that. Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas are more than willing to open up the check book to name a very few. That $20 million team dismantled us last year. My season tickets have almost doubled in 3 years. I don't see the results supporting that. We darn sure aren't feilding $20 million dollar teams. We are being charged for it though. I personally think our NIL has been ridiculously ineffective. Borderline incompetent to this point. I think that's why the University bumped ticket prices 10% this year openly stating that this increase would be given directly to the athletes. Is that not the absolute definition of a failed NIL?

 

[VolGee4]

You can spin it how you want. Garner is the reason for anything DLine. Please explain this hot OLine recruiting and DEVELOPMENT you're alluding too? The last oline drafted was Wright in 03 and Pruitt brought him in. Huepel is 100% the reason for QB. I am fine with 8-10 wins a year. I'm not going to act like we will have more than and outside chance at winning a SEC Championship or National Championship recruiting like this. You can't have a 10-20 ranked class every year and be more than that. Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas are more than willing to open up the check book to name a very few. That $20 million team dismantled us last year. My season tickets have almost doubled in 3 years. I don't see the results supporting that. We darn sure aren't feilding $20 million dollar teams. We are being charged for it though. I personally think our NIL has been ridiculously ineffective. Borderline incompetent to this point. I think that's why the University bumped ticket prices 10% this year openly stating that this increase would be given directly to the athletes. Is that not the absolute definition of a failed NIL?

It is quite simple. Don’t renew them, and one of the 15,000 people on the waiting list will get them.

Prices go up when demand is high. Simple economics. We are in the best run in 20 years and hit 10 and 11 wins in 4 years. Heupel’s first year was great that we won 7.

I’m not spinning anything. We are recruiting like an NFL team pays players. We paid for the top OT recruit last year and took the top OT transfer the year before. We struggled last year in pass protection for a few games because of injuries. We’ve run for a million yards since Heupel has been here.

There is nothing incompetent about what our athletic department has done the last 3 years. Absolutely nothing. That’s asinine.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Gotta give West an A+ for he troll game. It’s top notch.

It used to be an A+ until people who realized he was a troll actually started buying into him as a true insider and now post his predictions as gospel instead of a joke lol.

 

[LittleVol]

You can spin it how you want. Garner is the reason for anything DLine. Please explain this hot OLine recruiting and DEVELOPMENT you're alluding too? The last oline drafted was Wright in 03 and Pruitt brought him in. Huepel is 100% the reason for QB. I am fine with 8-10 wins a year. I'm not going to act like we will have more than and outside chance at winning a SEC Championship or National Championship recruiting like this. You can't have a 10-20 ranked class every year and be more than that. Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas are more than willing to open up the check book to name a very few. That $20 million team dismantled us last year. My season tickets have almost doubled in 3 years. I don't see the results supporting that. We darn sure aren't feilding $20 million dollar teams. We are being charged for it though. I personally think our NIL has been ridiculously ineffective. Borderline incompetent to this point. I think that's why the University bumped ticket prices 10% this year openly stating that this increase would be given directly to the athletes. Is that not the absolute definition of a failed NIL?

You’re fine with 8-10 wins but you believe our recruiting NIL etc is failed??

Sir, you are entirely confused.

 

[deatojl]

You’re fine with 8-10 wins but you believe our recruiting NIL etc is failed??

Sir, you are entirely confused.

Additionally confusing is the assertion that the ceiling is 8-10 wins under Heupel when he won 11 his second season.

 

[MarcoVol]

You can spin it how you want. Garner is the reason for anything DLine. Please explain this hot OLine recruiting and DEVELOPMENT you're alluding too? The last oline drafted was Wright in 03 and Pruitt brought him in. Huepel is 100% the reason for QB. I am fine with 8-10 wins a year. I'm not going to act like we will have more than and outside chance at winning a SEC Championship or National Championship recruiting like this. You can't have a 10-20 ranked class every year and be more than that. Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas are more than willing to open up the check book to name a very few. That $20 million team dismantled us last year. My season tickets have almost doubled in 3 years. I don't see the results supporting that. We darn sure aren't feilding $20 million dollar teams. We are being charged for it though. I personally think our NIL has been ridiculously ineffective. Borderline incompetent to this point. I think that's why the University bumped ticket prices 10% this year openly stating that this increase would be given directly to the athletes. Is that not the absolute definition of a failed NIL?

This entire post is asinine but I’d like to point out that Michigan, OSU, and TX are willing to open up the NIL checkbook bc they have more NIL money than UT. It’s not that complicated.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

Dick bomb


Yes I know who rgw is btw

I know I should know better by now but I'm ready to be hurt again. VOL TIL HE AIN'T.

 

[Go Fight Win]

Gimme

 

[swchandler1988]

You can spin it how you want. Garner is the reason for anything DLine. Please explain this hot OLine recruiting and DEVELOPMENT you're alluding too? The last oline drafted was Wright in 03 and Pruitt brought him in. Huepel is 100% the reason for QB. I am fine with 8-10 wins a year. I'm not going to act like we will have more than and outside chance at winning a SEC Championship or National Championship recruiting like this. You can't have a 10-20 ranked class every year and be more than that. Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas are more than willing to open up the check book to name a very few. That $20 million team dismantled us last year. My season tickets have almost doubled in 3 years. I don't see the results supporting that. We darn sure aren't feilding $20 million dollar teams. We are being charged for it though. I personally think our NIL has been ridiculously ineffective. Borderline incompetent to this point. I think that's why the University bumped ticket prices 10% this year openly stating that this increase would be given directly to the athletes. Is that not the absolute definition of a failed NIL?

You can’t tell me this a solid o line haul over the last two cycles

2025:
David Sanders #1 OT
Nic Moore #198 overall
Sam Pendleton 4* transfer

Wendell Moe 3* transfer
Antoni Ogumoro high 3*

2024:
Bennett Warren #80 overall
William Satterwhite #184 overall
Max Anderson #284 overall
Lance Heard #3 OT transfer

Jesse Perry .88 3*
Jeremias Heard .88 3*
Gage Ginther .87 3*

And the #3 OT (5*) in Gabriel Osenda in the boat for 2026 and leading for the #1 IOL in Darius Gray

 

[LaagerVol]

You can’t tell me this a solid o line haul over the last two cycles

2025:
David Sanders #1 OT
Nic Moore #198 overall
Sam Pendleton 4* transfer

Wendell Moe 3* transfer
Antoni Ogumoro high 3*

2024:
Bennett Warren #80 overall
William Satterwhite #184 overall
Max Anderson #284 overall
Lance Heard #3 OT transfer

Jesse Perry .88 3*
Jeremias Heard .88 3*
Gage Ginther .87 3*

And the #3 OT (5*) in Gabriel Osenda in the boat for 2026 and leading for the #1 IOL in Darius Gray

This isn’t true. No way we signed all those guys. I was told our recruiting is RIDICULOUSLY ineffective and borderline incompetent.

 

[Jackcrevol]

This isn’t true. No way we signed all those guys. I was told our recruiting is RIDICULOUSLY ineffective and borderline incompetent.

I think AP and Hubbs have a good point. Had we gotten a QB and WR in Dec porthole, would be a more mellifluous tune.

Think just the Nico deal in how staff was blindsided (so we think) coupled with perceived lack of consistent recruiting results on OL and def WR have stoked the flames of doubt.

Yes worry about the one's we get. But we can def do better. We host a TON of big time prospects, who love TN. Gotta close more.

I am hopeful that that will happen this year.

 

[LaagerVol]

I think AP and Hubbs have a good point. Had we gotten a QB and WR in Dec porthole, would be a more mellifluous tune.

Think just the Nico deal in how staff was blindsided (so we think) coupled with perceived lack of consistent recruiting results on OL and def WR have stoked the flames of doubt.

Yes worry about the one's we get. But we can def do better. We host a TON of big time prospects, who love TN. Gotta close more.

I am hopeful that that will happen this year.

Imo, your first sentence is perfectly fair and reasonable.

Second sentence starts off perfectly fair and reasonable. After that you lost me.

I’ve said this over and over. This program was a dumpster fire. It took a minute to get a foothold in recruiting and become a desired destination rather than a program that was made fun of for a while.

The last 2 classes of OL and WR have been fantastic (on paper). So far this years class of each of those positions is looking to be great as well. So no, OL and WR recruiting haven’t been “inconsistent”, it just took a minute to get rolling.

Flames of doubt? We’ve averaged 10 wins a season for the last 3 years after wandering in the wilderness for almost 2 decades. Doubt what???

I think reasonable discussion and concern is one thing. I’m concerned that the WR room being so young and thin has potential to derail the season. But that doesn’t mean I doubt WR recruiting moving forward. Because I recognize where we were and how far we’ve come.

Phrases that others have used like “recruiting is spiraling”, “ridiculously ineffective”, and “borderline incompetent”, are completely asinine and representative of a severe lack of common sense

 

[WillisWG]

Keys was supposed to take an official visit to Alabama this weekend, but he has since canceled the trip. That's good news for LSU, as the Crimson Tide Volunteers are were viewed as the biggest threat to flip Keys. "heads straight to Baton Rouge on the final official visit weekend is a key development for the Tigers,"

 

[knoxvol52]

Keys was supposed to take an official visit to Alabama this weekend, but he has since canceled the trip. That's good news for LSU, as the Crimson Tide Volunteers are were viewed as the biggest threat to flip Keys. "heads straight to Baton Rouge on the final official visit weekend is a key development for the Tigers,"

LSU getting final visit is huge. That's what the experts on this site State when Vols are getting last visit..

 

[MemphisVol3]

LSU getting final visit is huge. That's what the experts on this site State when Vols are getting last visit..

Yeah I think it'll be a dog fight between us and them until he signs.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Keys was supposed to take an official visit to Alabama this weekend, but he has since canceled the trip. That's good news for LSU, as the Crimson Tide Volunteers are were viewed as the biggest threat to flip Keys. "heads straight to Baton Rouge on the final official visit weekend is a key development for the Tigers,"

I'm fairly optimistic here mostly bc of relationship between he and Faizon. He obviously likes Tennessee. But, that is emotion & hope.

Rational and logical side understands this is a business, with a kid who is likely NFL bound. The 'we prepare you for the NFL' pitch worked first time despite us having a substantial lead.

Hard to think it wont work second time. Long way to go to December. Great job by the staff etc etc. Gotta be able to overcome that negative sales pitch from other programs at some point.

 

[DaddyChad]

I think AP and Hubbs have a good point. Had we gotten a QB and WR in Dec porthole, would be a more mellifluous tune.

Think just the Nico deal in how staff was blindsided (so we think) coupled with perceived lack of consistent recruiting results on OL and def WR have stoked the flames of doubt.

Yes worry about the one's we get. But we can def do better. We host a TON of big time prospects, who love TN. Gotta close more.

I am hopeful that that will happen this year.

Idk that the staff was “blindsided”. I think Heupel was ready for him to go. Several have told me even if he was to stay he was gone after this year one way or the other. I think at a time Heupel thought it might work out and the kid might be maturing and heading in the right direction. Just didn’t happen.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Idk that the staff was “blindsided”. I think Heupel was ready for him to go. Several have told me even if he was to stay he was gone after this year one way or the other. I think at a time Heupel thought it might work out and the kid might be maturing and heading in the right direction. Just didn’t happen.

I don’t believe the staff thought he would walk away from our money, so a bit surprised, but I saw no attempts to keep him after he put it in play. My FEAR was another year of underperforming at a premium cost. Not a clue what range of success they see in play with the new guy/room. Doubt they expect a drop off.

I can see the potential of greater consistency on that side of the ball.

 

[DaddyChad]

I don’t believe the staff thought he would walk away from our money, so a bit surprised, but I saw no attempts to keep him after he put it in play. My FEAR was another year of underperforming at a premium cost. Not a clue what range of success they see in play with the new guy/room. Doubt they expect a drop off.

I can see the potential of greater consistency on that side of the ball.

He explored his options during and after the season last year. Refused to show at numerous events, left early from the ones he did show at, refused a lot of offers that were hundreds of thousands more in NIL opportunities. They were very aware he was going to be gone after this season and ready for him to be gone. They didn’t think he would jump when he did though.

How our Oline does will tell us a lot this year. Qb1 may be ready, nor ready, whatever; we have to pass protect better and WRs have to catch the ball when it comes their way. I think maybe this is a better offense at the end of the year; think it may be bumpy at the beginning.

 

[PA Vol]

Keys was supposed to take an official visit to Alabama this weekend, but he has since canceled the trip. That's good news for LSU, as the Crimson Tide Volunteers are were viewed as the biggest threat to flip Keys. "heads straight to Baton Rouge on the final official visit weekend is a key development for the Tigers,"

It’s dumb, but this write up kinda pisses me off. He just visited here, we presumably finished second the first time, but Bama, who he just canceled his trip to, is the threat.

Saban isn’t there anymore, time to move on and recognize they’re just like everybody else now.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

He explored his options during and after the season last year. Refused to show at numerous events, left early from the ones he did show at, refused a lot of offers that were hundreds of thousands more in NIL opportunities. They were very aware he was going to be gone after this season and ready for him to be gone. They didn’t think he would jump when he did though.

How our Oline does will tell us a lot this year. Qb1 may be ready, nor ready, whatever; we have to pass protect better and WRs have to catch the ball when it comes their way. I think maybe this is a better offense at the end of the year; think it may be bumpy at the beginning.

Yeah, the OLE chemistry variable is in major play this year within the OL room, and between our QBs and RBs at mesh point, and QBs and both receiver rooms with all the option routes. Hitting the holes on time and creating windows for the QB to throw into in step can work wonders and make our schemes look like the Hooker year. It seems to me our composite talent in these rooms can be productive.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

I think AP and Hubbs have a good point. Had we gotten a QB and WR in Dec porthole, would be a more mellifluous tune.

Think just the Nico deal in how staff was blindsided (so we think) coupled with perceived lack of consistent recruiting results on OL and def WR have stoked the flames of doubt.

Yes worry about the one's we get. But we can def do better. We host a TON of big time prospects, who love TN. Gotta close more.

I am hopeful that that will happen this year.

Nico absolutely screwed us hard core.