UT closing recruiting gap over UF fast. UT ranks currently 3rd on Scout's

[bornbleddinorange]

Wonder why Bray is a 3* on scouts

 

[utvolpj]

and we're thinking that our DT Montori Hughes (2*) will be our next great DT.

he did have a heck of a strip on Tebow's fumble. And I don't think he was even ranked on the recruiting services until UT grabbed him

 

[hohenfelsvol]

In related news, the talent gap will decrease. The fact TN doesn't have nor have a top flight QB commited will play a big part. Hopefully for TN sake, Bray is the answer. If not, more of the same can be expected IMO.

Having said that, you better hope your star backup doesn't turn out to be a bust either. Probably will be good but you don't know until you put him into pressure situations.

 

[FriendlyGator]

No kidding? Thats impressive, must have been because of his size...? Pretty rare for a 2* to become a bona fide stud. I think the Alabama LB Ryans was a 2* also... and we're thinking that our DT Montori Hughes (2*) will be our next great DT.

Recruiting has taken off in the past 10 years and is a HUGE moneymaker. Rivals continues to change stars based on commitments, etc. Another shocking stat: Those of you who follow recruiting and the star system will find this interesting. In the first 31 selections of the NFL draft there were THREE non rated players, NINE 2-star players, EIGHT 3-star players, SEVEN 4-star players and FOUR 5-star players.

 

[tnman2591]

UT will dominate florida in recruiting this year, like last year. Recruits want to play right away, not sit on the bench at florida.

Bold statements in September. We'll see.

if you look at what florida has coming, compared to what we potentially have coming, i cant possibly say i think we will dominate them. actually if i'm being logical, they are more likely to leap frog us. ronald powell will go there, he's a five star. they are in fairly good position to get sharrif floyd, jordan hicks, dominique easley, jeff luc, kenny shaw, chris dunkley, chaz green, christian jones, christian green, quinton dunbar, lynden trail, and i'm sure a few others. and as we all know, they have 10 four stars and a five star already. obviously i hope they dont get not one more commitment, but ut will dominate them in recruiting this year? dont think so.

 

[sjt18]

I'd trust Rivals over Scout for football recruiting rankings though. Basketball is another story.

That used to be true but Scout has done a good job of catching up over the past several years. You can get a pretty good impression of a player by comparing the opinions of ESPN (Scout, Inc), Scout.com, and Rivals then throw Lemming in there a little. None are perfect but a player is a decent bet if they all agree on them.

 

[sjt18]

Recruiting gap is closed, now to close the execution gap ...

After Saturday, I'd say you've got that reversed. UT had a better gameplan and in game coaching. The players executed the game plan with great effort and for most part to the best of their ability. The margin of difference is the depth and ability of the players.

 

[sjt18]

Unless a team just has one of those years like USC does once in awhile where they avg like 4.5 stars or something... the top 5 or 10 classes are relatively equal. It really does come down to how good the coaches are at finding the right players.

In fact, if you use a sliding scale you can more or less take any class separated by 10 places and assume that it is about as good as any other in that grouping. IOW's, the #12 could easily be better than #2 but also could be worse than #22... but not both. There's definitely some merit to the notion that the #1 class has better talent than #21.

So what does all that mean? If UT and UF both finish within ten spots of each other AND in the top ten then they're going to be pretty equal in raw talent. It then comes down to who develops and coaches better.

Since you can obviously only put 11 out there at a time... it only takes 2 great classes to "catch up"... but usually 3 years.

The question for UT next year is how much good can they get out of the '10 class and how much they can get out of the players they inherited.

 

[TOP]

Congrats. The gap between our programs is definitely becoming closer. As a Gator fan, I will say that I trust Meyer and his evaluation of talent. No one was really giving Brandon James a look, but Meyer saw something and look how he panned out (he was only a 2*). We'll see how this affects out games in the future. The SEC needs a stonger UT.

He has mostly played with Zook's recruit.

And...

Are you going to trust the new coach that replaces him?

I think he goes to Notre Dame or Dallas after this season. I'm sure Notre Dame's starters are comparable to Florida's back ups. Tebow and the entire defense is gone after this season. Don't be surprised when he leaves. His buyout is only 500K I believe. That's peanuts. You don't think it's weird he got a huge 6 year deal or whatever it was and such a low buyout? It's so Notre Dame can buy him out at the end of the year. They could have afforded it either way but Weis has a huge buyout and it's going to cost Notre Dame a pretty penny to fire him.

 

[rowsdower]

He has mostly played with Zook's recruit.

And...

Are you going to trust the new coach that replaces him?

I think he goes to Notre Dame or Dallas after this season. I'm sure Notre Dame's starters are comparable to Florida's back ups. Tebow and the entire defense is gone after this season. Don't be surprised when he leaves. His buyout is only 500K I believe. That's peanuts. You don't think it's weird he got a huge 6 year deal or whatever it was and such a low buyout? It's so Notre Dame can buy him out at the end of the year. They could have afforded it either way but Weis has a huge buyout and it's going to cost Notre Dame a pretty penny to fire him.

Hope against hope, right?

Meyer turned down ND when they had good talent and we're willing to shell out anything he wanted. Now they have average talent and the same money will probably be thrown at him. I just don't seem him leaving. Call me a homer or what have you but I guess it's every SEC fan's wet dream to see him leave or else they wouldn't be so quick to throw that in every UF fan's face.

 

[TOP]

Hope against hope, right?

Meyer turned down ND when they had good talent and we're willing to shell out anything he wanted. Now they have average talent and the same money will probably be thrown at him. I just don't seem him leaving. Call me a homer or what have you but I guess it's every SEC fan's wet dream to see him leave or else they wouldn't be so quick to throw that in every UF fan's face.

I could personally care less if he leaves. I just think he is going to. He knew what he had in Tebow. The cupboard was not left empty. I think Florida fans are kidding themselves that things will be the same with Brantley replacing Tim Tebow. Do you recall a 4 loss season following the National Championship? I think you can expect a few of those in a row after this season. Not to mention, winning one championship at Notre Dame puts you on a higher pedestal than winning two or three at Florida.

Urban Meyer has a huge ego. If he didn't, he would have gotten over Georgia dancing but he didn't. He took time outs. If he didn't have a huge ego, he would have let Kiffin's comments go. But he didn't and he wanted to run up the score but couldn't. He was so upset about it that he blamed Kiffin for not allowing Crompton to throw more interceptions. Than he had to reiterate that it was only close because his players had the flu and a win is a win anyways. The stepping stone from Florida to Notre Dame does more for your career than Bowling Green to Utah. He did that though.

You didn't answer my question though... why is his buyout so low? Fulmer's was 6 million. You think it's because the AD has faith in Meyer staying around? It's because that's what Meyer wanted. You don't give a guy that size of contract and not put a huge buyout clause in it. Sounds like Meyer opposed having a huge buyout in case he wanted out. The school is never going to fire him. Meyer and the AD both know this. He wasn't protecting himself from being fired and the school wasn't protecting themselves from losing him. They did what they had to do to keep him and he wanted the option of buying bought out by Notre Dame after they fire Weis.

For the record... I think Tennessee takes down Florida down next year after their entire defense enters the draft. You're sadly mistaken if you think I want Meyer to leave now. I want to see Kiffin beat him.

 

[rowsdower]

I could personally care less if he leaves. I just think he is going to. He knew what he had in Tebow. The cupboard was not left empty. I think Florida fans are kidding themselves that things will be the same with Brantley replacing Tim Tebow. Do you recall a 4 loss season following the National Championship? I think you can expect a few of those in a row after this season. Not to mention, winning one championship at Notre Dame puts you on a higher pedestal than winning two or three at Florida.

Urban Meyer has a huge ego. If he didn't, he would have gotten over Georgia dancing but he didn't. He took time outs. If he didn't have a huge ego, he would have let Kiffin's comments go. But he didn't and he wanted to run up the score but couldn't. He was so upset about it that he blamed Kiffin for not allowing Crompton to throw more interceptions. Than he had to reiterate that it was only close because his players had the flu and a win is a win anyways. The stepping stone from Florida to Notre Dame does more for your career than Bowling Green to Utah. He did that though.

You didn't answer my question though... why is his buyout so low? Fulmer's was 6 million. You think it's because the AD has faith in Meyer staying around? It's because that's what Meyer wanted. You don't give a guy that size of contract and not put a huge buyout clause in it. Sounds like Meyer opposed having a huge buyout in case he wanted out. The school is never going to fire him. Meyer and the AD both know this. He wasn't protecting himself from being fired and the school wasn't protecting themselves from losing him. They did what they had to do to keep him and he wanted the option of buying bought out by Notre Dame after they fire Weis.

For the record... I think Tennessee takes down Florida down next year after their entire defense enters the draft. You're sadly mistaken if you think I want Meyer to leave now. I want to see Kiffin beat him.

I guess so. But, while most of our defense is leaving, most of your offense is too as well as the better part of your defense. I think 2011 is going to be up for grabs but I don't see us losing in Knox next year. Opinion, of course.

As for Meyer leaving, the only people that would rate a championship in ND over one in UF are NBC and ND fans. I certainly wouldn't, of course. I just don't understand this line of thinking. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong. Help me out.

No, I don't think things will be the same after Tebow leaves. If people think it will then they're lying or just too much of a homer to see the truth. Florida fan or not, you have to give him props for what he's done. He's in a SUPER small minority that has accomplished similar to what he has. To say that anyone can come in and take over for what he has done is foolish.

I can't answer the buyout question just like I can't figure out why Mike Hamilton would put such a HUGE buyout on Fulmer's contract. What's the reasoning for that one? So he'd stay around for a while? Didn't happen. Maybe this is seen as more of a trust thing than, hey you can go wherever you want, were just going to make sure we don't have to pay you. Thanks. That seems super professional.

 

[RT1941]

There is obviously no correlation between recruiting rankings and winning....

Signed,
USC, LSU, Texas and Florida - Perennial top 5 recruiting classes and owners of the last 6 - SIX NC's.

 

[sjt18]

I guess so. But, while most of our defense is leaving, most of your offense is too as well as the better part of your defense. I think 2011 is going to be up for grabs but I don't see us losing in Knox next year. Opinion, of course.

As for Meyer leaving, the only people that would rate a championship in ND over one in UF are

That's supposed to be a negative? JC isn't the only underachiever on UT's O. McClendon came in as the next great UT OL.

I started to write a full response but I've already done that in one of your threads. Bottom line: Hardesty and Scott are big losses. UT has plenty of guys at WR and RB. QB probably won't get any worse and might get better. While UT must replace 4 starting OL's with players yet be developed/discovered... only one of those OL's is really high quality. Stocker at TE beat out the Sr Cottam but UT lacks depth there.

NBC and ND fans. I certainly wouldn't, of course. I just don't understand this line of thinking. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong. Help me out.

To many, ND is the pinnacle of college football with their tradition. It isn't all about the money but rather the prestige of being able to coach and win there.

Meyer IS a narcissist. If it feeds his ego then he'll go.

FTR, I think Kiffin is in his head and that should help keep him at UF. For my own part, I hope he does stay and CLK starts beating him regularly.

 

[rowsdower]

That's supposed to be a negative? JC isn't the only underachiever on UT's O. McClendon came in as the next great UT OL.

I started to write a full response but I've already done that in one of your threads. Bottom line: Hardesty and Scott are big losses. UT has plenty of guys at WR and RB. QB probably won't get any worse and might get better. While UT must replace 4 starting OL's with players yet be developed/discovered... only one of those OL's is really high quality. Stocker at TE beat out the Sr Cottam but UT lacks depth there.

To many, ND is the pinnacle of college football with their tradition. It isn't all about the money but rather the prestige of being able to coach and win there.

Meyer IS a narcissist. If it feeds his ego then he'll go.

FTR, I think Kiffin is in his head and that should help keep him at UF. For my own part, I hope he does stay and CLK starts beating him regularly.

Kiffin's in his head, no doubt. I'm not afraid to admit that. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing for UT is something we'll have to watch and see.

I understand the tradition of ND and all that surrounds it but it's really taken a back seat in the national landscape lately. I think Meyer would be more apt to go to an Ohio State or Michigan before ND, IMHO.

Either way, the rivalry is back and I'm glad, especially since I live in TN. It's no fun when all your friends and fans agree to the smack you're throwing out.

 

[penleydr]

Tennessee may "move up" the recruiting rannkings, but if you think theu're going to start blowing Florida away in that department, you're kidding yourself. And recruiting isn't everything. Just look at the Zooker and Charlie Weis.

Oh...and about the "Meyer mostly won with Zook players" comment...good lord man, how desperate are you??? This is Meyer's 5th year, and his first recruiting class was small and decemated by attrition within about a year and a half. The last two years have been all Meyer guys except for a very small number, under 10 total I would guess if you only count guys who were ever on the 2-deep.

Good luck getting a 6-7 QB to succeed. Heigth is great for a QB, but if history tells us anything, the really really tall ones struggle. I'd like to see how many great 6'6" or above QBs there have been. I've seen the tape on the kid, he can throw it a little, but you put that tall drink of water in pads and have him 5 or 7 step drop with some real defensive players hunting him down...shoot, he better have an absolute laser on that shoulder, because there won't be any scrambling going on with that frame.

 

[utvolpj]

Manning is 6'5" and Ainge was 6'6". Neither were any bigger than Bray and both started as freshmen. Pick another angle

 

[justingroves]

It wouldn't surprise me to see Meyer jump ship but I don't think he will.

Meyer constantly needs reminders as to how great he is. It's weird to see someone so good at what they do have such low self-esteem.

I want Urban to stay. Only good things can come if he does. UT-UF will be a must watch as long as Kiffin and Meyer are the respective head coaches. I think Monte dialed up something that scared Addazio (sp) to death. I think Tennessee's OL overpowered the Florida D. The only thing missing was a QB.

All the talk of recruiting and the talent gap is closing, there isn't near the gap that some people make it out to be.

 

[champyvol]

all that being said if we don't get a QB ready to play next year, we are in for another subpar year.

 

[crev]

Scouts recruiting rankings year after year are a joke. Never go by what scout.com says.

I usually try to combine rivals' and espn's rankings. The middle between those 2 sites are usually correct.

There are some other sites out there that are decent but you have to pay money, whats the point.

 

[crev]

I know it isn't the same but just take a look at their NFL draft rankings. DO you honestly believe all these guys are 5 stars? Hell no, not even 3/4s of them are. Scout does alot of over-rating.

Scout.com: 2010 NFL Draft Rankings


Every year i take a glance at scout.com and look at their recruiting rankings and ect and they are always off. They are wrong more than they are right.

 

[triadvolfan]

Recruiting has taken off in the past 10 years and is a HUGE moneymaker. Rivals continues to change stars based on commitments, etc. Another shocking stat: Those of you who follow recruiting and the star system will find this interesting. In the first 31 selections of the NFL draft there were THREE non rated players, NINE 2-star players, EIGHT 3-star players, SEVEN 4-star players and FOUR 5-star players.

I'd be curious to see the percentages although exact numbers would be tough to get at. What % of 3 star players become first round picks when compared to 5 star. My guess is the 5 star picks would win going away. Although this does show that plenty of unrated, 2 and 3 star players turn into college stars.

 

[sjt18]

I understand the tradition of ND and all that surrounds it but it's really taken a back seat in the national landscape lately.
.

See this is something I think would appeal to Meyer's ego. No one else has been able to resurrect ND lately. He would etch his name among a list of immortals if he could go to ND and win NC's. To a narcissist, there are few things more appealing than having others praise them or love them almost as much as they love themselves... almost mind you.

 

[VolsRule]

I'm hoping Weis loses 4 games, gets fired and ND quickly hires Meyer at $5 mil per year plus benefits!!!!

 

[NashVol11]

He has mostly played with Zook's recruit.

And...

Are you going to trust the new coach that replaces him?

I think he goes to Notre Dame or Dallas after this season. I'm sure Notre Dame's starters are comparable to Florida's back ups. Tebow and the entire defense is gone after this season. Don't be surprised when he leaves. His buyout is only 500K I believe. That's peanuts. You don't think it's weird he got a huge 6 year deal or whatever it was and such a low buyout? It's so Notre Dame can buy him out at the end of the year. They could have afforded it either way but Weis has a huge buyout and it's going to cost Notre Dame a pretty penny to fire him.

Spread option? NFL? ...Really?