EastTNVol95
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"In Pope’s previous four years with the program, the Volunteers have generated an SEC-best 26 individual 100-yard receiving games and multiple first-team All-SEC recipients, while sending at least one player to the NFL every season. Tennessee’s four drafted wide receivers since the spring of 2022 ranks tied for second in the nation over the span."
I'm sorry but the Pope can't develop WR's narrative is a lame argument. If you want to say he has whiffed on some evaluations in recruiting in his earlier cycles that's fair but the truth is the talent in the WR room last year was simply not good.
Take a look at where all those guys ended up (Squirrel - Florida State, Leacock - Purdue, Webb - Maryland, Nimrod - USF.) None of them were SEC caliber recievers other than maybe Squirrel who was just too small to stay healthy in this conference.
People want to criticize coaches like Elarbee and Pope when they are just now getting their hands on elite SEC talent. Pope is currently ranked as the 11th best recruiter in the nation (2nd best WR coach behind Brian Hartline at OSU) this cycle and Keys is still a possibility, which would likely vault him into the top 5.
Whether these coaches can truly develop talent will be shown these next couple seasons. Have some patience people.
I'm sorry but the Pope can't develop WR's narrative is a lame argument. If you want to say he has whiffed on some evaluations in recruiting in his earlier cycles that's fair but the truth is the talent in the WR room last year was simply not good.
Take a look at where all those guys ended up (Squirrel - Florida State, Leacock - Purdue, Webb - Maryland, Nimrod - USF.) None of them were SEC caliber recievers other than maybe Squirrel who was just too small to stay healthy in this conference.
People want to criticize coaches like Elarbee and Pope when they are just now getting their hands on elite SEC talent. Pope is currently ranked as the 11th best recruiter in the nation (2nd best WR coach behind Brian Hartline at OSU) this cycle and Keys is still a possibility, which would likely vault him into the top 5.
Whether these coaches can truly develop talent will be shown these next couple seasons. Have some patience people.
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