WR Malachi Wideman no longer part of program

#27
#27
I doubt that any D1 team (and especially not ours!) would intentionally get rid of such a big, athletic guy with so much promise just because he hadn't yet produced on the field, or doesn't "fit the sytem." What does that even mean? What kind of "system" doesn't need guys with the frame and speed of Wideman, especially at a position that requires a stable of players? That's illogical. I think this likely has to do with some connections to recruiting payments (since he was a highly sought after HS athlete and we got him despite our poor recent performance) rather than anything to do with his football skills. You have to make those hard decisions to let a productive athlete go in order to protect the program.
 
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#30
#30
No need to worry about it because he wasn't recruited by this coaching staff and not all of the players are going to get along with or fit in with the new coaching staff. Plus with this new transfer rule unless the kids just want to play for UT and not a particular coaching staff, then this will be a regular thing. Once we put a good team on the field and find out our end game with the NCAA investigation we will hopefully start being on the receiving end of the transfer portal with big commits.
 
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#33
#33
fifties fan said:
24/7 article said he was never participating in practice during open periods for the press, and was not there for O&W game. Obviously his leaving isn't a surprise to the coaches and players.
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Academics vs the recruiting “issues”, I would guess.
 
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#37
#37
sjt18 said:
Just a somewhat educated guess/speculation. MW didn't really appear to be developing very quickly under the old staff either. Someone with his physical ability almost always gets on the field early and becomes a factor as a Soph at the latest.

There could be any of a number of reasons for him to want or need a change. But I don't think his lack of competing for PT under either staff can be ignored.

I'm not discounting the possibility that Heupel's system doesn't fit him either.
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doesn't like school. Doubt he ever plays ball anywhere..
 
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#38
#38
VolBallGuy said:
Watching our baseball team has made me realize how far the football team has to go. Its far.
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And how many years ago was the baseball team an afterthought? To a few, it was always important, but to the majority, including me? It was not a major concern. If they did well, great. If they lost, better luck next time. Point I am making? The baseball team came far in a couple of years. So can the football team. If they somehow finally manage to keep a reasonable distance between their brains and their rectums. Good luck with that.
 
#40
#40
Great post
sjt18 said:
Really? That's what watching the baseball team made you realize? Not counting last year's short season... it has been only 3 seasons since UT was a bottom feeder in the SEC. They were a .500 team most years overall but not competitive in the SEC. VItello was hired in the summer of 2017. His 2018 year he went 29-27 with a 12-18 SEC record. The next year he improved dramatically to 40-21 with a 14-16 SEC record. Last year they were 15-2 before Covid cancelled the competitive portion of the schedule. This year they're in the World Series.

If anything... it proves how "close" a program with UT's resources is to being relevant and then competing at a high level. You have to have the right coach. You have to have a roster that can be developed.
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Great post! If anything baseball should give the football team hope and inspiration. We have a legitimate chance to win it all
 
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#45
#45
sjt18 said:
He didn't seem to be developing. Great athlete but no impact this spring and very little last fall.

Planet is right that you hate to see that kind of freakish athleticism go... but he was buried on the depth chart by guys with football skills.

Are you old enough to remember "Spotted Ape"? Kenny O'Neal was just an incredibly fast WR. I think he was a JUCO 4/5* guy. He was pretty much a bust at UT. Couldn't learn to run routes or catch the ball consistently.
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I really love that you addressed me as Planet lol

I want that to be a thing
 
#47
#47
orangemadam said:
Not that he doesn't like it, some kids just can't hack it. Need to find a job in factory or fast food chain that doesn't require an education.
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yeah, reason not certain just didn't want to go to class for whatever reason. I can understand, I never cared about going to college either. Never spent a day in a college.
 
#49
#49
orangemadam said:
Not that he doesn't like it, some kids just can't hack it. Need to find a job in factory or fast food chain that doesn't require an education.
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There's a whole world of success in between those things.

We emphasize useless college degrees and demean trade jobs where folks make a lot of money.

Right now, those complaining about inequity and such could go to truck driver school and make really, really good money. In a generation, their kids could dominate the transportation industry. Factory work isn't always a sign of failure. Very few people should view working at a fast food place as a "career choice". It should be a stepping stone to something better or else ownership of a fast food franchise.
 
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#50
#50
sjt18 said:
He didn't seem to be developing. Great athlete but no impact this spring and very little last fall.

Planet is right that you hate to see that kind of freakish athleticism go... but he was buried on the depth chart by guys with football skills.

Are you old enough to remember "Spotted Ape"? Kenny O'Neal was just an incredibly fast WR. I think he was a JUCO 4/5* guy. He was pretty much a bust at UT. Couldn't learn to run routes or catch the ball consistently.
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Agree, and remember ONeal. hWas hoping he could compete in two sports. Wish him well.
 
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