Was Cooper Mays the last VFL?

[IndianaVol]

VFL definition for me is a player that gives his all for Tennessee and wants to be here. Pay or No pay.

I know the right amount of money would make a player want to be here, but how has he acted, what has he given (effort) to Tennessee, how does he speak of Tennessee when his time is up?

That’s just how I see it and how I’d want to be judged if it were me.

Thank you...exactly what I was trying to convey by 'loyalty'.
I caught myself starting to ramble and lost thoughts...hahaha

 

[vegasvolfan]

Next time you guys get another job offer, don't take it. Even if it's more money, just stay where you are and be "loyal". You will get a nice box of candy for being loyal.

You might not even get a box of candy. Maybe an empty box every now and then.

 

[vegasvolfan]

Seems like moving forward the motto needs to be changed to VFNIL

I think Bru deserves that tribute even though he was a transfer. Maybe even especially because he was a transfer from USC. Played his butt off.

 

[ENGRVOL]

Any player who sacrifices his health to play for the university of Tennessee and doesn’t do anything to damage the program like leave right before the end of spring camp or not treat his coaches/teammates with respect should be considered a VFL in this NIL era.

 

[vegasvolfan]

VFALAIABPWITIAW - Vol For As Long As I Am Being Paid What I Think I am Worth

Pendulum swang too far from what it was for sure. Tough scenario though. You make millions off of players, some of which get injured and can never go pro without receiving a dime or being slid a minuscule amount of cash under the table. Or you get pillaged by your roster to stay. Sign 4 year contracts with players? Well, what if they suck. Then you are committed to a player who isn’t worth the money. They over perform, they are stuck making less than they indeed are worth. Even performance-based contracts are tricky. Is it the QB, or is it the OL, the receivers, etc? Team sports make it hard to put a fair performance rating on a QB, WR and RB sometimes.

They say to do what the NFL does. What do they do? Wish I knew.

 

[UTwild82]

DeSean Bishop sure seems to fit the bill to me. Came in as a walk on, local guy, giving it all.

 

[Sarms58]

I don’t think so…they will be more rare in this new era but we’ll still get a few gems. Guys who will come in, contribute, and stay…and always be proud to be a Vol.

 

[OldVol]

One major problem with the NIL era is the unset market. Some of these kids making pretty good coin will never earn a dime in the NFL and they know it. That’s why so many are transferring. Thomas, in all likelihood, will never make an NFL roster and he’s wanting to make money now. I’m sure he’d disagree with that sentiment but I don’t see an NFL contract in his future.

In time the market for these kids will settle. If it doesn’t the sport will be destroyed. The thing that sets college football apart from the NFL is quickly vanishing and the inevitable reality, as it begins to settle in on fan after fan will create a disenfranchisement between fans and the game. When that happens the sport will be in great trouble. Something must happen to establish guardrails and provide guidance before it is too late. It will require congressional action.

 

[OldVol]

One major problem with the NIL era is the unset market. Some of these kids making pretty good coin will never earn a dime in the NFL and they know it. That’s why so many are transferring. Thomas, in all likelihood, will never make an NFL roster and he’s wanting to make money now. I’m sure he’d disagree with that sentiment but I don’t see an NFL contract in his future.

In time the market for these kids will settle. If it doesn’t the sport will be destroyed. The thing that sets college football apart from the NFL is quickly vanishing and the inevitable reality, as it begins to settle in on fan after fan will create a disenfranchisement between fans and the game. When that happens the sport will be in great trouble. Something must happen to establish guardrails and provide guidance before it is too late. It will require congressional action.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Seems like moving forward the motto needs to be changed to VFNIL

VFLOLJPIO#BD
Vol
For
Life
Lol
Just
Playin'
I'm
Out
#
Business
Decision

Wait, is that too long?

 

[jeff1vol]

How 'bout we reserve the label for those who actually earned a degree from UT? How many of these "free agents" will even attend a damn class? I mean as crazy as it sounds... its still COLLEGE football, right? Even if it's in name only.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

College football players have always -- and I mean always, from the late 1800s to today -- applied to schools based on more than one thing. Academics? Sure, some. Nice facilities? That too. Pretty girls and/or girlfriend goes there? Sometimes. Financial benefits? Of course. Coaching staff reputation and/or relationships? Yep. Fellow players, whether because friends or talent level? Oh yeah. Proven path to the NFL? You know it.

And on and on. And sort of like a mixing board with twenty different dials each setting the volume of one instrument in the band, the relative importance of these varying reasons can be entirely unique to each young man choosing.


And there will always be some, like Cooper Mays and Jack Jones, who grew up bleeding orange and really, really want to play for Tennessee. For them, the Power T is one of the most important criteria of all.

This will be just as true in 2120 as it was in 1920 or 2020.

We're fine. Things are gonna be okay.

Go Vols!

 

[90 Vol]

Or maybe we can just do away with it altogether. The whole “VFL” thing is one of the dumber things to come out of the football program this century, and that’s saying a lot.

Agree. The VFL moniker is quickly approaching the end of it's shelf life.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

There will always be VFL’s! GBO

 

[woodpusher]

Or maybe we can just do away with it altogether. The whole “VFL” thing is one of the dumber things to come out of the football program this century, and that’s saying a lot.

I can't imagine Nico showing up for Josh Heupel's funeral (hopefully many years from now). I understand quite a few of Johnny Majors' players showed up for his funeral.

 

[UTFanForLife]

Do we consider Hendon Hooker a VFL? Do you have to start or finish your career here? What is the criteria?

 

[sechamp2012]

Seems like moving forward the motto needs to be changed to VFNIL

Who would have thought one of the lowest thought of coaches Derek Dooley came up with the phrase VFL in 2010. Now it’s legendary insignia & Dooley is an afterthought.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Next time you guys get another job offer, don't take it. Even if it's more money, just stay where you are and be "loyal". You will get a nice box of candy for being loyal.

Actually, stats show that people who leave jobs don’t do it for money most if the time. Within reason. If you’re talking doubling a salary, than sure. Most people leave terrible bosses, or leave because they feel like they aren’t being able to reach their potential (developed).

Some of these kids are just being morons bc they have no concept of money and are being pushed by family, agents, etc. Just look at Nico. Kids making a million leaving to go to a lesser school to make 1.2 million aren’t necessarily “better off”. The opportunity, coaching, development, etc may not be on the other side of that move. Many kids, agents, families are being short sighted and living in the now. I’m not asking for blind loyalty, but a little logic sure would be nice. That is gone in today’s game.

These are 18 year olds with millions dangled in front of them. I definitely would’ve made the stupid, short sighted decision at 18.

 

[rocytop2624]

Sampson got paid to stay. Now idk that he ever really threatened to leave but he got a bump in pay one year.

It was worth it.

 

[TAF]

Was Cooper Mays the last VFL?​

I think Will Brooks is even a BIGGER "Last VFL Story"...not coming from "Vol Family Royalty"...walk-on...to starting on the Team...to NFL Contract!

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Actually, stats show that people who leave jobs don’t do it for money most if the time. Within reason. If you’re talking doubling a salary, than sure. Most people leave terrible bosses, or leave because they feel like they aren’t being able to reach their potential (developed).

Some of these kids are just being morons bc they have no concept of money and are being pushed by family, agents, etc. Just look at Nico. Kids making a million leaving to go to a lesser school to make 1.2 million aren’t necessarily “better off”. The opportunity, coaching, development, etc may not be on the other side of that move. Many kids, agents, families are being short sighted and living in the now. I’m not asking for blind loyalty, but a little logic sure would be nice. That is gone in today’s game.

These are 18 year olds with millions dangled in front of them. I definitely would’ve made the stupid, short sighted decision at 18.

Most college athletes NEVER sniff the NFL or NBA. The money they make in college is their best shot to get a leg up.

It's not a "career move" like not taking another job, it's the 5 years of college money you can make before it all dries up.

Many know the odds of going pro is pretty bleak for them and jumping for that extra 50k or whatever is a VERY good move even if the school is not exactly where they'd like to play. It's not a career, it's a few years and then they're working stiffs like most other grads.