Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[rikberry31]

All of this Nico business is a cluster on the part of Nico's family. I think dad panicked.Believe me this is not a shock to the staff and behind the scenes "negotiation" has been going on since the end of the season. Nico's camp was told that their demands would not be met and dad decided to call their bluff in public. Nico didn't have a good spring, Merk did. Dad thought he was holding a pair of aces with a king high when he had a pair of twos and a 5 high.
I truly think the staff was surprised at the stupidity of this move but they had no recourse other than to let Nico go.
Nico's dad really f'd him over.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Is Avery Johnson really an option? Dude is a baller and would instantly make an impact. Is he really planning on entering the portal or is this all speculation?

Not really as far as anybody can tell...he was brought up because Heupel follows him on X.

But...it would be nice.

 

[Volsdeep4]

I appreciate that from everyone, I was kinda skeptical at first to post about him at VT in here lol. But it's truly appreciated

That’s a really thoughtful sentiment. Please post cam stuff here. as many have said on here the staff should have kept him at his natural position (wr). He might of stayed and guess what. We need WR’s haha.

 

[Orange_Crush]

If it's their culture then...I can see where he's too naive to know when to speak up. Ya know, if the dad is the grand patriarch that makes all the decisions and everyone is subservient to him.

Either way, it's all bs. And they should get over their Polynesian nonsense. They don't have to live in tribes anymore and figure out how to navigate the pacific ocean. You can be an individual Nico. You're an American.

I was thinking last night, I actually feel kind of bad for Nico in all of this. He bears his own responsibility and isn't without guilt, for sure, but at the same time, your family's ways are normal to you, even if they aren't normal. He's starting probably the first season of realizing that there has to be a different way than the toxic control, lies and manipulation that he's been presented as 'normal'. And it's a hard/expensive way to learn.

You have to hate seeing so much promise getting flushed.

 

[Volator]

A couple of interesting comments on RKW (104.5 the zone) this morning by Ramone Foster. He said GMac is the most accurate deep ball thrower and makes quick progressions to second and third options. Played in a Heupel style offense as a sophomore. Needs to add 20 lbs of good weight to his frame and once he does that he could be the starter. Ideally could add 12lbs between now and start of fall camp. Made the point that Meatchicken will be starting a 5* so why not the Vols. He has seen several scrimmages since he is MK’s booth analyst.

 

[Z06VolinWV]

What a sh!t show!
Been absent from VN for quite a while. Wanted to enjoy my sons sr season and work with as much as possible on recruitment, finding a college and enjoy his time at home. After dealing with recruiting, I began to have a true disdain for college football and the landscape of where it sits currently!!
My son finished his sr year with 2K yards on O, 1st team all state, and several honors. Found out after the season, he played the 2nd half of season on a broken fibula, tough kid!
He ended up with 14 offers to play in college, d2/3, couple naia, and couple of fcs offers. He committed to Glenville state over the winter on a nearly full scholarship. Very proud of his accomplishments, and they want him to compete right away, no RS. They’re also building a new $40+M football facility!!
What we learned during recruiting was incredibly, heart breaking, for lack of a better term. Had coaches tell us they won’t take kids from WV. Had coaches completely ignore him after putting on clinics to go gush over a kid that fell down 6 times running pads. Found out crootin is very “black and white”…
The 3 fbs schools we had the most traction with all had HC changes, Marshall, WVU, and Ohio. All hit the portal hard, flipped rosters, and the traction we had was lost. Marshall even visited him, essentially, suggested to stay in touch, they were very aware of him, but needed game day ready players.
Trying to keep it short here, but I have seen several kids hang their cleats up that easily would have gone to the next level 5+ years ago! Mine nearly did as well. Sad what football has become!!
Then, you throw **** like the Nico deal out there, and mediocre kids making 2.5M a year want MORE?!? Gtfoh!!! Pathetic, when’s there are literally 1000’s of kids that just want a chance!
Rant over. Hope Vols find their path and have a successful year!

If anyone is bored at work today and wants to see his sr film. 6’0, 190, 4.51 laser at 17 yo.

 

[DD4ME]

Lol this is my beef with Pate. He always acts like he knows best on all things football. I know they kind of all do in a way. He's ok, just not my cup of tea on the regular.

 

[DD4ME]

Just keeps getting sadder.

 

[DD4ME]

Masters laughs

 

[DD4ME]

Lol

 

[Jackcrevol]

I was thinking last night, I actually feel kind of bad for Nico in all of this. He bears his own responsibility and isn't without guilt, for sure, but at the same time, your family's ways are normal to you, even if they aren't normal. He's starting probably the first season of realizing that there has to be a different way than the toxic control, lies and manipulation that he's been presented as 'normal'. And it's a hard/expensive way to learn.

You have to hate seeing so much promise getting flushed.

Ive thought this from the get go.

How will your son grow up to become his own man? I'm ALL about preserving rich cultures and furtherance of that. At some point there needs to be self realization.

Its called narcissistic extensionism, clinically. Children of narcissists. You can blame Micronesian/Polynesian culture, or call it exactly what it is. A dude who wont let his children get out way of his own ego.

At some point Nico will have to have that aha moment. And either emotionally divorce his parents (happens sooner or later), or just continue on this tumultuous path.

 

[barrylee]

After hearing more and more I’m now glad Nico is gone! What a douche, the entire family!

I died at least 3 times yesterday with Rory! Never had so many ups and downs in a round of golf! It’s going to be interesting to see what happens with him now.

Does he relax now that he has the monkey off his back or does he free up and win a few more majors? Next one is at Quail Hollow and he’s won there 4 times already! He could go on a Tiger spree!

 

[Jackcrevol]

After hearing more and more I’m now glad Nico is gone! What a douche, the entire family!

I died at least 3 times yesterday with Rory! Never had so many ups and downs in a round of golf! It’s going to be interesting to see what happens with him now.

Does he relax now that he has the monkey off his back or does he free up and win a few more majors? Next one is at Quail Hollow and he’s won there 4 times already! He could go on a Tiger spree!

Careful now. Nico is still young enough, he can see the error of their ways. But yes not sure it could have been handled in a worse fashion.

 

[Orange_Crush]

...
Does he relax now that he has the monkey off his back or does he free up and win a few more majors? Next one is at Quail Hollow and he’s won there 4 times already! He could go on a Tiger spree!

That was my thought. The emotional release when he won was beautiful, and I think a major cathartic moment. I suspect he's worked through some mental blocks with that monkey gone, and we may see the best of him coming.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Here's the thing that's frustrating to me...that first big deal that Nico was offered was already based on potential and what Josh Heupel thought he'd become.

Year 1, take the time to learn the system and get up to speed we'll let you RS. ROI = 0
Year 2, the keys are yours no one else on the roster to compete with this is your show. ROI = mixed

Now in Year 3...the "put up or shut up" season where you can ball out and go make real money in the NFL draft or you can be mediocre again you choose to try and get paid based off what the market value is for better portal QBs.

Like by all means...I get the hate for Carson Beck, but objectively that dude EARNED his pay day.

2023 - 1st year as Georgia starter 72.4% 3941 yards, 24 TDs 6 ints
2024 - 2nd year as Georgia starter 64.7% 3485, 28 TDs, 12 ints

Like in a far more conservative system Beck put up huge numbers. Nico still hasn't hit 3k yards or 22 TDs in 18 games playing. But because of his dad's ego and greed wanted to demand to be paid like he was on the same level as Carson Beck.

 

[Glitch]

you just worry about mowing the rest of that yard with your beau @Glitch

No mowing for me for a while. Having the first of my hips replaced on Thursday, so I will be unable to complete my lawn care duties and responsibilities. Good news is, crocs are not forbidden in the recovery phase.



<insert joke>

 

[NMVol]

Here's the thing that's frustrating to me...that first big deal that Nico was offered was already based on potential and what Josh Heupel thought he'd become.

Year 1, take the time to learn the system and get up to speed we'll let you RS. ROI = 0
Year 2, the keys are yours no one else on the roster to compete with this is your show. ROI = mixed

Now in Year 3...the "put up or shut up" season where you can ball out and go make real money in the NFL draft or you can be mediocre again you choose to try and get paid based off what the market value is for better portal QBs.

Like by all means...I get the hate for Carson Beck, but objectively that dude EARNED his pay day.

2023 - 1st year as Georgia starter 72.4% 3941 yards, 24 TDs 6 ints
2024 - 2nd year as Georgia starter 64.7% 3485, 28 TDs, 12 ints

Like in a far more conservative system Beck put up huge numbers. Nico still hasn't hit 3k yards or 22 TDs in 18 games playing. But because of his dad's ego and greed wanted to demand to be paid like he was on the same level as Carson Beck.

I don't know. If he was always paid for potential what reason would he have to expect to be held to a standard strictly based on performance?

 

[Leeleesteeth]

No mowing for me for a while. Having the first of my hips replaced on Thursday, so I will be unable to complete my lawn care duties and responsibilities. Good news is, crocs are not forbidden in the recovery phase.



<insert joke>

Wife had one of hers done about 6 weeks ago. Used a walker for about 2 weeks. Done with therapy. Pretty much back to normal now.

 

[CABVOL]

I thought agents had to register with the state.

No idea. Probably so. Was just thinking he might be the agent bc he is always chiming in regarding Nico stuff.

 

[Jackcrevol]

No mowing for me for a while. Having the first of my hips replaced on Thursday, so I will be unable to complete my lawn care duties and responsibilities. Good news is, crocs are not forbidden in the recovery phase.



<insert joke>

aren't you fairly young? Hate to hear man. Hope procedure goes well and makes things easier on you.

 

[VFLCodyGBO]

Sparks is an idiot who was famously wrong about a million things last week. I think Sparks is trying to rebuild his cred and threw up a 50/50 here.

I could see Mike making the move because replacing Ward and being the voice of the Vols was his dream and maybe he's ready to go in a different direction now. Pretty sure his kids are all out of the house now, might even be in Knoxville. Calling Vols football could essentially be a retirement for him. Probably fewer day-to-day things.

Some reasons why he wouldn't is that he's from Nashville and the Titans job is a sweet gig. He's been THE voice of the Tennessee Titans and cemented his legacy there and within the NFL. He can do it as long as he wants and retire when he's ready.

I think Wilkerson will be the basketball caller to go along with baseball and he will be a good one.

Seems like this was a pretty big whiff on your end huh?

 

[MarcoVol]

“This baseball team just isn’t that good”

 

[Ten_Titans]

I was thinking last night, I actually feel kind of bad for Nico in all of this. He bears his own responsibility and isn't without guilt, for sure, but at the same time, your family's ways are normal to you, even if they aren't normal. He's starting probably the first season of realizing that there has to be a different way than the toxic control, lies and manipulation that he's been presented as 'normal'. And it's a hard/expensive way to learn.

You have to hate seeing so much promise getting flushed.

I would not say I feel very bad for Nico. Trusting your parents and doing what they say is not some unforgivable sin. Now whatever idiot told him to skip practice and he listened, that's on him. Very hard to come back from that one from an image perspective. Nico has been around team sports long enough to know that.

But the family of sociopaths angle... cmon'. It is much simpler than that. A polynesian family with zero ties to the area saw East TN as a check to be cashed. They did not care about the people here, the university, the football program as a whole, nothing. We saw the exact same thing happen with TooToo.

What you called "toxic control, lies, and manipulation" I would simply call a group of incompetent people barely qualified to tie their own shoes play-acting as agents. And they screwed up their kid's image. Not because of some Machiavellian angle, but because they were out over their skiis.

 

[Orange_Crush]

No mowing for me for a while. Having the first of my hips replaced on Thursday, so I will be unable to complete my lawn care duties and responsibilities. Good news is, crocs are not forbidden in the recovery phase.



<insert joke>

Prayers, man.

 

[volbeast33]

7 wins