The Sleeper Class

[Escape Goat]

I look at our 2017 class thus far, and I see a whole dirty mountain... with diamonds underneath.

Fast QB
Playmaking WRS
Hello lineman!!
And a super underrated in-state haul thus far

And we're not done yet...

We end up with the number 10 ranked class probably. Just inside where we need to be.

But this class is going to WAKE you up to Butch's talent evaluation.

He got big eyes for talent. BIG BUTCH
EYES!!

I see this as one of the worst classes I have ever seen so far. Especially with so many saying this will be one of the best classes UT has ever had.

I'm glad some of you are happy. I for one am extremely, extremely concerned to say the least.

 

[HoptownVol]

It seems like we are taking more grade risks this year than in any before. Looks like the title IX lawsuit hurt our image more than any of us wearing orange shades realized. We have given offers to top recruits and they have turned us down. Butch isn't getting who he wants, he's getting who will come here. He sold immediate playing time these past 3 years, can't sell that anymore. He has to sell championships and NFL draft picks after this season to remain an elite recruiter

OY!

 

[bigl3327]

Ok people who are crying about the class so far.....this happens almost every year at this time. We have folks question CBJ about commits. 1) The past 2 classes looked very different on signing day than they did in July. 2) The title IX has been a huge negative recruiting tool for other schools, that will become a non factor by signing day and will be a tactic that backfires on the staffs that used it to sway recruits. 3) the '14 class was the one that most of VN was happiest about at this time of year and ended with a bunch of highly rated cry babies that transferred after one semester (not referring to the entire class). I trust the coaches and their evaluations, and strongly believe that this class will look very different by signing day. I believe there could be as many as 10 current commits that will be different come February.

 

[rockytop247]

What are the fans take on my nephew DT C/018 D'Andre Litaker!!!!!

 

[VolBricks]

Ok people who are crying about the class so far.....this happens almost every year at this time. We have folks question CBJ about commits. 1) The past 2 classes looked very different on signing day than they did in July. 2) The title IX has been a huge negative recruiting tool for other schools, that will become a non factor by signing day and will be a tactic that backfires on the staffs that used it to sway recruits. 3) the '14 class was the one that most of VN was happiest about at this time of year and ended with a bunch of highly rated cry babies that transferred after one semester (not referring to the entire class). I trust the coaches and their evaluations, and strongly believe that this class will look very different by signing day. I believe there could be as many as 10 current commits that will be different come February.

I totally agree with you that the class will look totally different come signing day. Some of these recruits will become another star higher, some will be replaced with other recruits that are higher * ratings. It happens every year. I do not like it that we have taken so many 3*'s right now but I trust this staff to have a solid class come signing day.

 

[SoMissVol]

What are the fans take on my nephew DT C/018 D'Andre Litaker!!!!!

Welcome to VolNation!

I want him and Emerson both. Would love to get him onboard early.

 

[vols 30]

I look at our 2017 class thus far, and I see a whole dirty mountain... with diamonds underneath.

Fast QB
Playmaking WRS
Hello lineman!!
And a super underrated in-state haul thus far

And we're not done yet...

We end up with the number 10 ranked class probably. Just inside where we need to be.

But this class is going to WAKE you up to Butch's talent evaluation.

He got big eyes for talent. BIG BUTCH EYES!!

He's just like any other coach. He has his share of misses too. This class has some potential, but here's 7 or 8 that hopefully end up somewhere else

 

[RollerVol]

Is this where "diamonds in the rough" come to mind? Time will always have the final say...2-3 years down the road...

GO VOLS!

 

[savannahfan]

I look at our 2017 class thus far, and I see a whole dirty mountain... with diamonds underneath.

Fast QB
Playmaking WRS
Hello lineman!!
And a super underrated in-state haul thus far

And we're not done yet...

We end up with the number 10 ranked class probably. Just inside where we need to be.

But this class is going to WAKE you up to Butch's talent evaluation.

He got big eyes for talent. BIG BUTCH EYES!!

Just because some very good players don't have the where-with-all to go to the camps or play in high profile programs and don't have "stars", does not mean they are not to notch players.

 

[millst987]

Yeah, we are all sleeping because this class is a yawn....

 

[KBVol]

VN -- help out a Junior Member here. Butch catches all the crap for a mediocre recruiting class. Aren't the coordinators involved in these decisions? In Shoop we trust?

The head coach, the guy in charge of the program and hiring the coordinators and asst coaches.....the guy that makes more money than all the others combined...he's ultimately the guy who rightfully catches the heat/criticism for the failures and shortcomings of the program. Those coordinators have a certain amount of autonomy, but don't have carte blanche with how they coordinate/coach nor do they with who they recruit....head coach approves/signs off on all of it.

 

[basspond]

Tucker
Locklear
Murphy
Labruzza
Jackson
Gaddy
Gaddy
Gray
Jackson
Henderson
Oceanside DT
Coleman

are all SEC caliber players just off the top of my head.

I wish we had

Gibbs
Stevens
Higgins
Akers
Chandler
Foster
T Smith

But Im okay with what we have. And we'll finish strong.

I think Cotman should be on the list. He flat out dusted anyone chasing him or running from him. That's SEC speed. At RB, WR, or DB ... speed kills.

 

[The Crimson Cried]

I trust Butch. That being said, this class is not as good on paper as any of his previous ones. I know it is July, but the class is filling up and the tale of the "on paper" class is at least somewhat correlated to the on field class. Go Vols.

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

What are the fans take on my nephew DT C/018 D'Andre Litaker!!!!!

My take?

I would love to see him a Vol. Kid is very talented. I'll also tell you how a lot of these situations play out, especially on here. Early on the instate guy gets huge attention, everyone says he's great and wants him in Knoxville. When it comes time to actually add them to the class you will see our fans do a quick 180 and try to explain why a lower rated guy from New Mexico or Delaware makes more sense than the local kid. Its tough to watch it unfold.

 

[AllforTenn]

I'm on the fence on a couple. I'd probably sign 12-13 of the current commits.

That's why you don't coach.:lolabove:

 

[OrangeIsLife]

I see this as one of the worst classes I have ever seen so far. Especially with so many saying this will be one of the best classes UT has ever had.

I'm glad some of you are happy. I for one am extremely, extremely concerned to say the least.

Escape Goat is extremely, extremely concerned. Butch Jones suspends recruiting!!!

 

[CrunchingTheVolz]

That's why you don't coach.:lolabove:

You do realize Butch may only sign 10-15 of them right? LOL

 

[sjt18]

The head coach, the guy in charge of the program and hiring the coordinators and asst coaches.....the guy that makes more money than all the others combined...he's ultimately the guy who rightfully catches the heat/criticism for the failures and shortcomings of the program. Those coordinators have a certain amount of autonomy, but don't have carte blanche with how they coordinate/coach nor do they with who they recruit....head coach approves/signs off on all of it.

IIRC, Jones says he personally approves and extends every scholarship offer.

 

[swchandler1988]

Just a reminder, one of the biggest reasons Kongbo signed with us was because he said "UT was interested in me from the beginning. Before all the stars, all the hype, etc." Butch getting on guys he sees talent in early like this will only help down the road. Like it's been said before, several of these players will get a bump up to a 4 star throughout their senior season, I would say at least 7 of them (Cotman, Henderson, Murphy, Labruzza, Bumphus,Bennett and Jackson). Butch showing interest early could be the swing vote come next February.

 

[cali_vfl]

Right. Recruiting rankings only matter when UT is ranked high.

Look, maybe Jones hits on a few of these. Maybe he hits at a better than average clip. But UT so far has missed out on the top shelf players... including at least one critical instate target.

You forgot to mentioned Cam Sutton. No 3 star discussion can exist without mentioning his name.

 

[FïreBall]

Just a reminder, one of the biggest reasons Kongbo signed with us was because he said "UT was interested in me from the beginning. Before all the stars, all the hype, etc." Butch getting on guys he sees talent in early like this will only help down the road. Like it's been said before, several of these players will get a bump up to a 4 star throughout their senior season, I would say at least 7 of them (Cotman, Henderson, Murphy, Labruzza, Bumphus,Bennett and Jackson). Butch showing interest early could be the swing vote come next February.

Also.. Pay attention to see if other top programs come calling on any of these recruits before NSD.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Also.. Pay attention to see if other top programs come calling on any of these recruits before NSD.

I expect that Clemson will continue to scan Tennessee's recruits and offer some more of them scholarships. Many of their commits are players Tennessee offered before they became interested in them. Butch and his staff seem to be a much better evaluators of talent than any of the current recruiting services.

 

[walkenvol]

What are the fans take on my nephew DT C/018 D'Andre Litaker!!!!!

Speaking for all the VOL fans that matter - D'Andre appears to be an outstanding football prospect. We fully expect you to guide him to UT as an early commit who will then become a peer recruiter for UT. Also, you are responsible to make sure he takes care of his grades and continues to develop his game. Being an uncle is hard work! :good!:

Anyone who says different is a troll, probably a poser from another school who wants to make UT look bad so that D'Andre would consider attending their university.

 

[Evet Vols]

I see this as one of the worst classes I have ever seen so far. Especially with so many saying this will be one of the best classes UT has ever had.

I'm glad some of you are happy. I for one am extremely, extremely concerned to say the least.

Relax - We will have a couple 5 stars before it is over and some rankings of some will rise which will help the stargazers.

 

[norrislakevol]

Tucker
Locklear
Murphy
Labruzza
Jackson
Gaddy
Gaddy
Gray
Jackson
Henderson
Oceanside DT
Coleman

are all SEC caliber players just off the top of my head.

I wish we had

Gibbs
Stevens
Higgins
Akers
Chandler
Foster
T Smith

But Im okay with what we have. And we'll finish strong.

If I were to bet on it I think we end up with Gibbs, Akers, Chandler, and Smith from that list. That means that some commits would have to be asked to look elsewhere.