Prep stars trade senior experiences for quick starts as Vols

[OmahaOmaha]

Posted by Marvin West | Jun 23, 2025 | westwords | 0 In the previous recruiting cycle, Tennessee awarded 25 scholarships. Twenty-three recipients skipped the last five months of high school to get a head start.

Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman soaks in the excitement of Neyland Stadium. (file photo)

 

[IndianaVol]

The cynic in me says "They aren't getting paid in high school.".

The reality of it is though, this has always been happening just not to the extent we see these days. High schools give a lot of kids options for finishing early. My nephew recently graduated high school and while he walked in May, he was actually.done with school work in January or December.

 

[Savannahbayvol]

Pretty amazing, pros and cons from Marvin.

Prep stars trade in senior experiences for quick starts as Vols - Knox TN Today

News bulletin: College football really matters. If you have ever wondered how important the sport is to coaches and young athletes, consider these record numbers: In the previous recruiting cycle, Tennessee awarded 25 scholarships. Twenty-three recipients skipped the last five months of high...

www.knoxtntoday.com

 

[Sarms58]

I had friends graduate early back in the seventies - not many but a few. I always like to see guys come in as early enrollees. Getting into the training and nutritional programs and going through spring practice lets the coaches see what they have and what they need to work on over the summer. It’s pretty amazing that 23 out of 25 are EEs this year. I’ll interpret that as a sign that we’re going to win it all!

 

[Savannahbayvol]

Pretty amazing, pros and cons from Marvin.

Prep stars trade in senior experiences for quick starts as Vols - Knox TN Today

News bulletin: College football really matters. If you have ever wondered how important the sport is to coaches and young athletes, consider these record numbers: In the previous recruiting cycle, Tennessee awarded 25 scholarships. Twenty-three recipients skipped the last five months of high...

www.knoxtntoday.com

Oops. sorry Omaha, didnt see your post.

 

[BruisedOrange]

Some West-ian style questions and observations:

1. Is school--at any level--an end or a means? I'm thinking it's always a means to prepare for your next chapters of life.

2. Which is ultimately more important in life: education or relationships? Every study shows it's relationships. Statistically, college graduates rarely find a career in their field of study.

3. BUT... no one builds close relationships in school (nor in church). Relationships happen after school* (and after church). Among guys, relationships are built while doing or playing something together. Among girls, relationships are built through sharing inner thoughts and feelings with others who prove trustworthy.


*the exception being in some special boarding schools, where lifelong relationships are intentionally cultivated by the school and built into the weekly schedule.

 

[#1fulmerite]

Some West-ian style questions and observations:

1. Is school--at any level--an end or a means? I'm thinking it's always a means to prepare for your next chapters of life.

2. Which is ultimately more important in life: education or relationships? Every study shows it's relationships. Statistically, college graduates rarely find a career in their field of study.

3. BUT... no one builds close relationships in school (nor in church). Relationships happen after school* (and after church). Among guys, relationships are built while doing or playing something together. Among girls, relationships are built through sharing inner thoughts and feelings with others who prove trustworthy.


*the exception being in some special boarding schools, where lifelong relationships are intentionally cultivated by the school and built into the weekly schedule.

It’s #3 for me. Ironically, I very seldom talk to or see any of the kids I played high school football with. Only have four close friends and they are from college with one being a football teammate.