TNHopeful505
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While I know we're still a week away, I just wanted to make these observations.
1. Twitter/Instagram/Vine/Facebook have made recruiting more amazing than ever before. And the thing I love about this class, is that we've got to see them each recruit the others, and then we've got to see that bond they've formed. I love how it seems like these guys genuinely want to be together and play together. They really do seem like a family. You have got to put that on Butch's shoulders, and be proud of that. Credit Hurd, Todd Kelly, and Victor Wharton for really being the three headed monster on this one. After seeing so much attrition over the past few years, I really believe that even in a huge class like this, these kids will still be here in 3-4 years.
2. One stat that I REALLY would like to see? How many of these kids have won state championships at a high school level? I know Hurd has. I know the Berry brothers have. I know that Scott has won 3 of 4. Would be interested to hear about how many of them were on state championship winning teams. I think that's an important thing, because you want kids who were in winning programs, because they have a winning attitude. That's why I ultimately think Riley Ferguson will be our quarterback. Kid has lost 2 games as a starter in his career. He doesn't know how to lose. We need to get that winning attitude back at UT. Classes like this will do that.
3. I also like the fact that we had so many EE's in this class. That tells me that we have some good students in this class. Academic attrition is something that has to be avoided. You dont become an EE unless you have good grades and serious work ethic. Seeing that so many of these kids were EE's, and then some of them had to be left out (Henderson) though they could have been, is a positive sign. Nobody ever talks about that. We talk about how it's good that they can get the practice and workouts, and acclimated to college life, but we don't ever talk about how hard it is to do. We need kids who are going to succeed in the classroom as well. I think the only one who may be a question is Bryant, correct me if I'm wrong.
4. This class really helped to undo a lot of damage that has been done in years past. Meaning, we are restocking the bare cupboard. When you look at our class this year, where is the emphasis?
DL, LB, and DB. When you consider our current numbers, if we add Sawyers, that's 20 of 34 commits on the defensive side of the ball. That's exactly what we have been needing: depth and speed on the defensive side of the ball.
5. This class has well placed JUCOs. We targeted Blair to fill Tiny's role. That is a role that only a JUCO could fill. Nobody on our current roster was gonna step into that one. Smart move. Williams filled Couch's spot. Pearson was just a freak we couldn't afford to not take. Weatherd is going to make for a SICK LB Corp with Johnson and Maggitt. And meanwhile, these young guys are growing up, and in two years, we'll be at the point where JUCO's are only brought in when we find a stud (Like a CP or a Pearson) that we can't afford to not look at. That's how a program is supposed to be.
6. Kansas, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, California, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Texas. Those were all the states this class has been pulled from. It's good to see those states opening back up to us. I'm waiting for us to get back into South Carolina. I'm expecting to see that happen very soon.
7. Best thing about this class? 9 kids in-state, 10 if Sawyers signs. 2 5*s and multiple 4*s. Gotta love the way that Tennessee High School talent is getting better. It really could not have happened at a better time. UT is always going to have to look outside of the state for talent. We're not Florida or Bama or Texas. But, if we can't lock down what's in our state, we're going to have a hard time being competitive.
8. This class really seems to help us define what Butch wants his team to look like. OL that are big but quick (I think there's a reason that he didn't focus heavy on OL. I think he likes what he already has). DL that are explosive coming off the ball, not huge and space takers like McCullers (no offense, he just wasn't the DT we needed). And for LB and DB's, it looks like he just wants guys who will knock the piss out of people. I've never seen someone who loves to hit as Gaulden does. The Berry brothers and TKJr just have an incredible instinct for the ball. I just feel something about this class. It's not about size and strength. It's about speed and agility. It's going to produce a noticeable difference almost immediately.
I am so freaking excited about this class. I'm excited about the maturity they each seem to have. I'm excited about the chemistry they seem to have. I'm excited about the work ethic they seem to have. I'm excited about the speed and talent and athleticism they seem to have. I'm excited about the fact that we've got a huge jump on 2015, and even 2016. I think from this point on the staff gets to be VERY selective on who gets in 2015. It's going to be a great future.
Peyton said it well. Tennessee football is coming back. THIS is the way you rebuild a program.
1. Twitter/Instagram/Vine/Facebook have made recruiting more amazing than ever before. And the thing I love about this class, is that we've got to see them each recruit the others, and then we've got to see that bond they've formed. I love how it seems like these guys genuinely want to be together and play together. They really do seem like a family. You have got to put that on Butch's shoulders, and be proud of that. Credit Hurd, Todd Kelly, and Victor Wharton for really being the three headed monster on this one. After seeing so much attrition over the past few years, I really believe that even in a huge class like this, these kids will still be here in 3-4 years.
2. One stat that I REALLY would like to see? How many of these kids have won state championships at a high school level? I know Hurd has. I know the Berry brothers have. I know that Scott has won 3 of 4. Would be interested to hear about how many of them were on state championship winning teams. I think that's an important thing, because you want kids who were in winning programs, because they have a winning attitude. That's why I ultimately think Riley Ferguson will be our quarterback. Kid has lost 2 games as a starter in his career. He doesn't know how to lose. We need to get that winning attitude back at UT. Classes like this will do that.
3. I also like the fact that we had so many EE's in this class. That tells me that we have some good students in this class. Academic attrition is something that has to be avoided. You dont become an EE unless you have good grades and serious work ethic. Seeing that so many of these kids were EE's, and then some of them had to be left out (Henderson) though they could have been, is a positive sign. Nobody ever talks about that. We talk about how it's good that they can get the practice and workouts, and acclimated to college life, but we don't ever talk about how hard it is to do. We need kids who are going to succeed in the classroom as well. I think the only one who may be a question is Bryant, correct me if I'm wrong.
4. This class really helped to undo a lot of damage that has been done in years past. Meaning, we are restocking the bare cupboard. When you look at our class this year, where is the emphasis?
DL, LB, and DB. When you consider our current numbers, if we add Sawyers, that's 20 of 34 commits on the defensive side of the ball. That's exactly what we have been needing: depth and speed on the defensive side of the ball.
5. This class has well placed JUCOs. We targeted Blair to fill Tiny's role. That is a role that only a JUCO could fill. Nobody on our current roster was gonna step into that one. Smart move. Williams filled Couch's spot. Pearson was just a freak we couldn't afford to not take. Weatherd is going to make for a SICK LB Corp with Johnson and Maggitt. And meanwhile, these young guys are growing up, and in two years, we'll be at the point where JUCO's are only brought in when we find a stud (Like a CP or a Pearson) that we can't afford to not look at. That's how a program is supposed to be.
6. Kansas, Maryland, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, California, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, Texas. Those were all the states this class has been pulled from. It's good to see those states opening back up to us. I'm waiting for us to get back into South Carolina. I'm expecting to see that happen very soon.
7. Best thing about this class? 9 kids in-state, 10 if Sawyers signs. 2 5*s and multiple 4*s. Gotta love the way that Tennessee High School talent is getting better. It really could not have happened at a better time. UT is always going to have to look outside of the state for talent. We're not Florida or Bama or Texas. But, if we can't lock down what's in our state, we're going to have a hard time being competitive.
8. This class really seems to help us define what Butch wants his team to look like. OL that are big but quick (I think there's a reason that he didn't focus heavy on OL. I think he likes what he already has). DL that are explosive coming off the ball, not huge and space takers like McCullers (no offense, he just wasn't the DT we needed). And for LB and DB's, it looks like he just wants guys who will knock the piss out of people. I've never seen someone who loves to hit as Gaulden does. The Berry brothers and TKJr just have an incredible instinct for the ball. I just feel something about this class. It's not about size and strength. It's about speed and agility. It's going to produce a noticeable difference almost immediately.
I am so freaking excited about this class. I'm excited about the maturity they each seem to have. I'm excited about the chemistry they seem to have. I'm excited about the work ethic they seem to have. I'm excited about the speed and talent and athleticism they seem to have. I'm excited about the fact that we've got a huge jump on 2015, and even 2016. I think from this point on the staff gets to be VERY selective on who gets in 2015. It's going to be a great future.
Peyton said it well. Tennessee football is coming back. THIS is the way you rebuild a program.
