Those who have followed recruiting, I have a question

[vollygirl]

I realize things like twitter have changed the game somewhat, in reference to what we know a person is thinking.

But since I haven't followed recruiting closely, is what we're seeing now with Wharton and Kelly,Jr et al typical of what's happened in the past? Is it the norm for commits to go as hard after other potential Vols the way we're seeing it now?

Obviously I want to believe something special is happening. But maybe it's like this every year and I just haven't been privy, or haven't noticed, it happening?

 

[amazingGRACE]

I realize things like twitter have changed the game somewhat, in reference to what we know a person is thinking.

But since I haven't followed recruiting closely, is what we're seeing now with Wharton and Kelly,Jr et al typical of what's happened in the past? Is it the norm for commits to go as hard after other potential Vols the way we're seeing it now?


Obviously I want to believe something special is happening. But maybe it's like this every year and I just haven't been privy, or haven't noticed, it happening?

Honestly I've never seen a group of kids publicly recruit for their school as hard as TK, Hurd, Vic, Ryan Jenkins, Neiko, Coleman Thomas, & even some current players like B Moore, C Miller and others have this year.


Obviously has a lot to do with coach Jones and all of the energy and positive attention he's brought to the school..but I think a lot of it is that these kids just bleed orange and are really that passionate about UT.

 

[keckjm]

I realize things like twitter have changed the game somewhat, in reference to what we know a person is thinking.

But since I haven't followed recruiting closely, is what we're seeing now with Wharton and Kelly,Jr et al typical of what's happened in the past? Is it the norm for commits to go as hard after other potential Vols the way we're seeing it now?

Obviously I want to believe something special is happening. But maybe it's like this every year and I just haven't been privy, or haven't noticed, it happening?

I've followed recruiting closely since 2009 and this showing by Vic and TKJr is nothing short of amazing. So, to your question, no it's not been the norm for us the last few years to see committed players recruit other players this hard. Speaks volumes to CBJ and staff that these kids believe in TN this much after two 5 game winning seasons in a row.

 

[smashmouth98]

It makes it visible. Recruits would do it in the past, but not as frequent(Call on home phone). Twitter makes is much more convenient and easy.

TKjr & Vic, BMoore, Hurd. etc have helped with their passion & love for UT!! CBJ has changed the culture

 

[butchna]

Nothing like this volly...ever. There's an inclusive nature under Butch, where he's in charge but these commits are hard charging on their own...all this is growing with an infectious energy. This is so early in the process it makes me excited what a full year in this environment will bring
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[vollygirl]

It really makes me feel like something is happening. These kids (those who already Vols and those who are soon to be) want to be part of something. It is amazing to watch it unfolding! I am so happy to be a Vol fan right now!!

 

[Volosaurus rex]

I certainly don't qualify as an "insider" recruitnick, but I do believe that this is somewhat predictable on one level. Butch is an absolute vortex of positive energy but he has also been fortunate, indeed blessed, to have a bumper crop of high-quality legacy prospects this year, young men who long ago were dipped in the sacred waters of Big Orange country. Their recruitment is a classic case of "preaching to the proverbial choir." To those who may be offended by a biblical analogy, I apologize in advance, but these young men will serve Butch well as apostles for the University of Tennessee.

 

[tnvols106]

I think it has a lot to do with the legacies, as if they look at it as there job to turn this ship around along with the fact that this can be a killer class in 14. I think CBJ has lit a fire in the football program, the players have been really starving for the attention that CBJ is giving them. It has really helped with the legacies by CBJ treating all the former players as well "former players" and put new meaning into the term VFL and changed the meaning of life to more than 3-4 years. it will all have to shake out on the field and we will see how that goes, but seems like we have a coach that can motivate kids, and that is 100% improvement over the last 3 years. I can't wait until fall.

 

[Spirit_of_98]

Never seen anything like what Vic and Todd Kelly, Jr. are doing. They're really giving there all for Tennessee.

 

[ManningBerry#1]

I'm digging it!

 

[Escape Goat]

And Jalen

 

[ric1958]

Tweeter has made it easier, no doubt, and these guys are working it really hard. But we would be kidding ourselves to think that this is only happening here at UT. It`s happening at every school. And I seem to remember some tweets going around the last few years from our commits at the time recruiting other players trying to get them to come here. It happens more and more each year but this is not the first time we have had commits and current players recruiting for UT.

 

[Volunteer forever]

Lets not forget Jalen waving the big orange flag! That actions speaking louder than words!

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

This is the first time you have really seen players and recruits using social media to recruit for UT, and that is because of Butch Jones, and the energy he has brought to the program. This is one area I have fully bought in to what he is doing, because using social media is where the future of recruiting is now and for the foreseeable future.

 

[mmajaz12]

It really makes me feel like something is happening. These kids (those who already Vols and those who are soon to be) want to be part of something. It is amazing to watch it unfolding! I am so happy to be a Vol fan right now!!

I want my wife to be like you !!! She hates football...:loco:

 

[crparker21]

We havent had impact recruits early enough to talk with other recruits. These guys know ut and want to bring us back the top. I think you see other schools with 4 and 5 star recruits talking their school up, we just havent had that type of recruit commit early and also havent had nearly enough lately. It is a great time to be a vol and I hope butch can keep this excitement going with wins. GBO.

 

[tnwayback]

I think the energy was there but CBJ just let it happen. He is a great salesman and has a tremendous amount of energy. I sure like what is going on now and hope this translates to wins on the field.

 

[bigl3327]

I can't speak for other programs because I only follow UT, but I have never seen anything remotely like this. I've been devoutly following UT football since the early 90's. We could be witnessing something really special here. If we can pull 3 to 4 more high level commits before summer this could snowball into something nasty. I haven't seen this kind of excitement around the program since Kiffin, but CBJ is doing it the right way. And these kids are excited about UT football for the right reasons. They are a lot closer to the situation than us VN followers and they all see something really special on the horizon. Get ready people!

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Here's how I look at it from a player's perspective.

1). I can either hold out on making a commitment till late in the season (or signing day) and keep all the focus on me, or...

2.) I can commit early and try to get other talented players to join me as part of a great team.

Option one is selfish (though not knocking 17-18 year olds for wanting the spotlight) but more importantly also short lived... which is key. Whereas option two is team oriented and longer term focused.

Honestly...by the time these players leave what will the fans remember? That so and so was a great "get" on national signing day, or that these players were part of something special that performed on the field and won multiple championships, etc?

Or said another way, which players and event do you remember more fondly... the signing of Bryce Brown and David Oku or the 1998 NC?

 

[chavisut]

Here's how I look at it from a player's perspective.

1). I can either hold out on making a commitment till late in the season (or signing day) and keep all the focus on me, or...

2.) I can commit early and try to get other talented players to join me as part of a great team.

Option one is selfish (though not knocking 17-18 year olds for wanting the spotlight) but more importantly also short lived... which is key. Whereas option two is team oriented and longer term focused.

Honestly...by the time these players leave what will the fans remember? That so and so was a great "get" on national signing day, or that these players were part of something special that performed on the field and won multiple championships, etc?

Or said another way, which players and event do you remember more fondly... the signing of Bryce Brown and David Oku or the 1998 NC?

First and foremost, it's a decision for themselves not a team.

 

[VOLsince68]

I want my wife to be like you !!! She hates football...:loco:

My wife loves UT Football, but not to this level. Well, UT Sports in general. She would never follow recruiting and stuff like I do. She don't really want to hear all I have to say about it either as I gt excited when we get a new recruit, However, she becomes a crazy woman during the season when the games are being played!!! Love that about her.

 

[oldfartvol]

Here's how I look at it from a player's perspective.

1). I can either hold out on making a commitment till late in the season (or signing day) and keep all the focus on me, or...

2.) I can commit early and try to get other talented players to join me as part of a great team.

Option one is selfish (though not knocking 17-18 year olds for wanting the spotlight) but more importantly also short lived... which is key. Whereas option two is team oriented and longer term focused.

Honestly...by the time these players leave what will the fans remember? That so and so was a great "get" on national signing day, or that these players were part of something special that performed on the field and won multiple championships, etc?

Or said another way, which players and event do you remember more fondly... the signing of Bryce Brown and David Oku or the 1998 NC?

This!! Have long wondered why recruits, when they decide UT will be their choice, don't commit early and help build a stronger class for future success. :dunno:

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

First and foremost, it's a decision for themselves not a team.

I completely agree. And my point is that they can make their decision based on what may be a short term focus of what is best for them (exposure during recruiting), or a longer term focus of what is best for them and the team... which is also what's best for them.

 

[bullet20]

Tweeter has made it easier, no doubt, and these guys are working it really hard. But we would be kidding ourselves to think that this is only happening here at UT. It`s happening at every school. And I seem to remember some tweets going around the last few years from our commits at the time recruiting other players trying to get them to come here. It happens more and more each year but this is not the first time we have had commits and current players recruiting for UT.

I hear Twitter has too.

 

[Smokey49]

I completely agree. And my point is that they can make their decision based on what may be a short term focus of what is best for them (exposure during recruiting), or a longer term focus of what is best for them and the team... which is also what's best for them.

Just depends on the kid and how "far-sighted" they can be. I think it's pretty reasonable for them to enjoy the ride a bit but there's a limit to everything; hopefully they have someone with some wisdom in their ear. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity but, as you said, they also have a chance to setup their own (and team's) future success.