Realistic expectations for UT program

[Boca Vol]

1998. Better part of a generation ago.

That's what a lot of fans/ posters don't quite grasp.

The last time UT won the SEC (1998) this incoming class was in diapers.

It's similar to the whole Bama/Kiffin thing. Who is left on the squad (players and coaches) that would care? None! Zero! Zilch! Nada!

The point is, fans hang onto to things for a long time. Point is, this current crop has never really known UT as the elite program we witnessed in the '90's (as they were toddlers).

 

[sjt18]

By your analysis, I would suspect that you are fairly young. PSU is in one of the best HFB recruiting areas of the country. Miami's success, and population of quality recruits, is very, very recent.

I'm not saying that a program can't rise every once in awhile with recruits from our of their close geographic recruiting base. But if you look at the past 15 NCs, they all have two things in common. Strong local HS football, and ability to leverage that with recruiting outside that base. UT could build a championship team. But the idea of a dominating program, which is the recent theme of this thread, won't happen, IMHO, until the quality of HS football in the state improves dramatically.

While still true to an extent, it is less true than it even was 5 years ago. As states go, AL doesn't produce that many blue chip players. Oregon doesn't. Neither Oklahoma nor Nebraska ever have. Michigan doesn't as much as most people would imagine.

Travel, internet, and tv have changed the landscape some. A generation of people who were more transient than any of the generations before them has produced more kids without instate allegiance. Again, there IS some truth left in what you said but not as much as before. The right coach with the right kind of support CAN build a powerhouse now.

 

[tm3]

Where the FBS players come from

https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1470883

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

By your analysis, I would suspect that you are fairly young. PSU is in one of the best HFB recruiting areas of the country. Miami's success, and population of quality recruits, is very, very recent.

I'm not saying that a program can't rise every once in awhile with recruits from our of their close geographic recruiting base. But if you look at the past 15 NCs, they all have two things in common. Strong local HS football, and ability to leverage that with recruiting outside that base. UT could build a championship team. But the idea of a dominating program, which is the recent theme of this thread, won't happen, IMHO, until the quality of HS football in the state improves dramatically.

Wrong.

 

[knoxvols11]

That's what a lot of fans/ posters don't quite grasp.

The last time UT won the SEC (1998) this incoming class was in diapers.

It's similar to the whole Bama/Kiffin thing. Who is left on the squad (players and coaches) that would care? None! Zero! Zilch! Nada!

The point is, fans hang onto to things for a long time. Point is, this current crop has never really known UT as the elite program we witnessed in the '90's (as they were toddlers).

I have to add

I have to add that because of this and the lack of in-state talent alot of players the past decade haven't gave their all for Tennessee!

 

[Sarms58]

It's reasonable to expect a bowl game...we have a tough schedule but need to find a way to win at least 6...we need some ugly wins instead of playing people close...