12 TN RB I'tavius Mathers

#676
#676
jmoore_21 said:
I think we could take 3 RB's but IMO Cross is a real possibility of de-committing & Mathers will be a tough pull.

The staff could have Norfleet if they give him a committable offer but it has been said a lot of schools are worried about his size. They don't question his ability.
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What do you think caused Cross to re-think his commitment?
 
#681
#681
jmoore_21 said:
I really could'nt tell you b/c more prospects will pop up during the season.

I would LOVE to have Cross, Mathers, Norfleet though.
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Just going by a recent interview with Cross, it sounds like he feels neglected by the staff partly because of a lack of contact with them. After reading the article I came away with the feeling that Cross was holding on to his spot until he found something suitable at another program, and that the staff would not be that sorry to see him find another home.

Mathers will be a tough pull -- it sounds like his coaches and others at his school have poisoned him against Tennessee. His first choice was Auburn (the favorite by far at his school), but they have filled up at RB without even offering him. That might push him a little bit toward UT, but I doubt it.

As stated before, I am not a fan of Norfleet for many of the same reasons I believed Kimbrow was not a good fit for our needs with a limited number of scholarships available and a lot of other, more serious needs. If I was looking to take a player "outside the box" it would be A Howard who I believe is a much more versatile football player who would add more to our team.

It would not shock me though, to get to NSD without either of them (or Gilmore, for that matter). I think we will take a JUCO back if we can get one, and one other -- two others if Cross hangs in there.

mlsoft
 
#682
#682
mlsoft said:
Just going by a recent interview with Cross, it sounds like he feels neglected by the staff partly because of a lack of contact with them. After reading the article I came away with the feeling that Cross was holding on to his spot until he found something suitable at another program, and that the staff would not be that sorry to see him find another home.

Mathers will be a tough pull -- it sounds like his coaches and others at his school have poisoned him against Tennessee. His first choice was Auburn (the favorite by far at his school), but they have filled up at RB without even offering him. That might push him a little bit toward UT, but I doubt it.

As stated before, I am not a fan of Norfleet for many of the same reasons I believed Kimbrow was not a good fit for our needs with a limited number of scholarships available and a lot of other, more serious needs. If I was looking to take a player "outside the box" it would be A Howard who I believe is a much more versatile football player who would add more to our team.

It would not shock me though, to get to NSD without either of them (or Gilmore, for that matter). I think we will take a JUCO back if we can get one, and one other -- two others if Cross hangs in there.

mlsoft
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This not toward you personally mlsoft, but I just find it hard to believe that our coaches don't care whether or not he leaves or stays. I just don't believe that. Now can a 17 yr. old convince himself of that because he has got the attention that he feels he deserves, yes.
 
#683
#683
I am sure the staff cares if he stays or goes. What I could see happening is CDD may request he go ahead and move along. While I think they would love to have him as a firm part of the 2012 class....his constant desire to look around shows he is NOT 100% commited and by everything CDD looks for in a recruit...he is not showing it.
 
#685
#685
PaceFLVol said:
I am sure the staff cares if he stays or goes. What I could see happening is CDD may request he go ahead and move along. While I think they would love to have him as a firm part of the 2012 class....his constant desire to look around shows he is NOT 100% commited and by everything CDD looks for in a recruit...he is not showing it.
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This would make sense if he wasn't one of the top if not the #1 rb on our board. At least that is what I have seen some post.
 
#686
#686
jspvol76 said:
This would make sense if he wasn't one of the top if not the #1 rb on our board. At least that is what I have seen some post.
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I think he IS the #1 back on the board. I also think that if a kid is showing all the signs of a kid who is bailing at the 1st chance he gets...you allow him to go. Having him commited could very well limit the kids who are looking at Tennessee.
 
#687
#687
Completely disagree, are you saying you wouldn't put up a fight for the #1 rb on your board when he is already committed to you? You would just say see ya later? Now if there was a problem with the kid, or we had good info saying he was just playing us, then maybe. However, it just seems he is second guessing and it is the coaches job to reassure him he made the right decision(especially if he is the #1).
 
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#688
#688
jspvol76 said:
Completely disagree, are you saying you wouldn't put up a fight for the #1 rb on your board when he is already committed to you? You would just say see ya later? Now if there was a problem with the kid, or we had good info saying he was just playing us, then maybe. However, it just seems he is secong guessing and it is the coaches job to reassure him he made the right decision(especially if he is the #1).
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How many times and how much time do you spend holding the kids hand and telling him it's all going to be alright? This is not his 1st time "wanting to make sure he is making the right decision". The staff put up a fight obviously the 1st time he looked around and visited a couple places. The staff spoke to him and he said he was fine. A couple weeks later he is at it again. Do I want him a Vol?? Yes...I just think we are in on several backs and getting 2 to stick should not be a problem. (If they are taking 4...I see no way in hell).
 
#690
#690
orangeblood said:
If Cross was going to keep his commitment, I think he would be at camp.
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While it would be great if he were there as he could talk up the recruits and help with getting them to Tennessee....I would think already having an offer and being allowed to commit...he is done showing what he needed to.
 
#692
#692
jspvol76 said:
Until NSD, especially if he is the rb above all other rb's. If he was lower down, not so much.
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If we are doing that.....maybe that is part of our problem. It's tough to focus on recruiting other kids and positions when your lone recruit(I know we have Henderson as well) needs called and reassured daily that he is still wanted. I would also point out that while he may be #1 on our board(some said Kimbrow was)....we are talking about a 3 star RB. It's not like RB is a huge need and we are fighting to keep the #1 RB in the country commited.
 
#693
#693
I watched Mathers serveral times last year. Looking forward to see him play again this year. I hope we get him.... The competition he faces overall is very tough. (Smyrna, Riverdale and Oakland to name a few....
I didn't get to see him though this week at the 7 on 7 drills at MTSU. I was there to see some one else so not sure if he played or not. I think there were 25 teams there.
 
#695
#695
VolsFan126 said:
blackman did not play in the 7 v 7 this past week
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I knew I didn't see them but there were a lot of teams. I did see Riverdale, so I just assumed Blackman was probably there too. It was pretty cool, I wished I had gotten there a little sooner though. Got a little bit of a football fix anyway.
 
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#697
#697
Just learned that the Blackman vs. Gallatin scrimmage will be held at Blackman in a couple weeks. I-Train vs Tre "Bearpaw" Haynes (6-5, 345 lb OT/DT from Gallatin)... Haynes camped in Knoxville a couple weeks ago. Should be a great matchup.
 
#698
#698
Haynes is lazy. If he comes to play, he does play at a high level, but it is for short bursts.
 
#699
#699
Looking forward to Blackmon and Bradley Central game early in the season. Hope the I-train puts on a show but the Bears win the game.
 
#700
#700
i know i'tavius and ive seen him play he is fast but not 4'4 speed more like a 4'5 he is very elusive and very shifty. overall good running back and return guy. he has great character on and off the field.
 
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