'14 TN DE/TE Derek Barnett (UT Signee 2/5/14)

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#2,102
#2,102
PassedOutAwake said:
remember the tweet he posted when he committed? he said he was going to Vandy to win SEC Championships and National Championships
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He apparently bought a used car from Franklin. He preferred to "anchor down" to the bottom with JF rather than "Rise To The Top" with Butch and the Vols. He'll not see a SEC or a National Championship at Candy in his lifetime.
 
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#2,104
#2,104
you said:
That's just funny. We have recruiting success and all of the sudden we pick and choose anybody we want... I'm not buying it. I'm not so delusional as others here. It's ok with me that Vandy beat is out for Sawyers. That guy had a spot if he wanted
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You're not as delusional as Hubbs and Fortenberry since they are the one's who made this comment? Trying to figure out why your credibility would trump theirs.
 
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#2,105
#2,105
PA Vol said:
It doesn't matter. If we decide later to pursue Sawyers I'm pretty confident we could get him on an OV. Not saying we would sway him but with this staff, available playing time, and Vandy being Vandy, I don't think it would be too hard to at least get him to listen.
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I doubt it. When a kid is considering Tennessee and candy, he has to either like candy more, or does not feel there is any chance the Vols will take him for him to commit to candy early. I think Sawyers just likes the idea of being the man at candy VS just another DT at Tennessee. With him picking candy early, I think he sticks with his decision. JMO
 
#2,107
#2,107
LebanonVolunteer said:
I doubt it. When a kid is considering Tennessee and candy, he has to either like candy more, or does not feel there is any chance the Vols will take him for him to commit to candy early. I think Sawyers just likes the idea of being the man at candy VS just another DT at Tennessee. With him picking candy early, I think he sticks with his decision. JMO
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he wouldnt have been just another DT for UT. our DL situation for 2014 is the same or maybe worse than theirs is. you seen the depth chart? he could have really helped. i hate VU as much as anyone but dont say he would been "just another DT"
 
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#2,108
#2,108
PA Vol said:
Yeah. I laughed. Then I laughed some more. Then I went on with my life.

#DLU is still hilarious
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You guys are going to eat your words. He's going to be an equipment manager for the Vandy Women's Bowling Team in the off season and compete for those championship rings. Football, not so much.
 
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#2,109
#2,109
RiseToTheTop said:
he wouldnt have been just another DT for UT. our DL situation for 2014 is the same or maybe worse than theirs is. you seen the depth chart? he could have really helped. i hate VU as much as anyone but dont say he would been "just another DT"
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My comment was more along the lines of Sawyers is about as good a DT as candy can/will ever get. Tennessee IMO can and should be getting the best of the best. Top 5-10 national type DL players. If we want to get back to playing for titles, that is just how it is. Do I think Sawyers could be recruited over at candy? I don't as he is about as good a player as they can get. I could very well see it happening at Tennessee if the staff puts the focus on the DL like they have other positions.
 
#2,110
#2,110
LV: I know you've been pretty upset about DL recruiting, but that last line in your post I just don't think is true. I think the staff has been extremely focused on DL recruiting. I just think big-bodied, highly athletic guys that can play DT are harder to come by than perhaps any other position. Thus, they are heavily recruited by everybody and it just takes time to win those battles.

We'll win some and be very pleased with the results, I'm certain of it.
 
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#2,111
#2,111
I agree Vol2002. I think they're likely more focused on DL recruiting than any other position. Otherwise, why would they pass on guys like Williams and Ford? They could have taken those two commitments and be almost done with DL recruiting. The fact they passed on those guys means they're being very selective in who they take. Doesn't sound like a staff that isn't focused on DL recruiting to me.
 
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#2,113
#2,113
vol2002 said:
LV: I know you've been pretty upset about DL recruiting, but that last line in your post I just don't think is true. I think the staff has been extremely focused on DL recruiting. I just think big-bodied, highly athletic guys that can play DT are harder to come by than perhaps any other position. Thus, they are heavily recruited by everybody and it just takes time to win those battles.

We'll win some and be very pleased with the results, I'm certain of it.
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Maybe it just feels normal for us to miss on DT recruits as it has happened for quite some time. While it seems to take us longer to evaluate/recruit top DTs, it does not seem to be the case for other SEC teams. About 1/2 of the top 30 DTs in this class are already committed to SEC teams other than Tennessee.
 
#2,114
#2,114
Ron Swanson said:
I agree Vol2002. I think they're likely more focused on DL recruiting than any other position. Otherwise, why would they pass on guys like Williams and Ford? They could have taken those two commitments and be almost done with DL recruiting. The fact they passed on those guys means they're being very selective in who they take. Doesn't sound like a staff that isn't focused on DL recruiting to me.
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Very true. I'm personally glad the staff is going holding out for the best guys available, now that numbers are getting tight. Seems to me that's what schools that land elite classes do. No sense reaching for guys they're not extremely confident in this early in the cycle. We already have enough bodies on campus that are DTs and were reaches in past recruiting cycles.
 
#2,115
#2,115
Ron Swanson said:
I agree Vol2002. I think they're likely more focused on DL recruiting than any other position. Otherwise, why would they pass on guys like Williams and Ford? They could have taken those two commitments and be almost done with DL recruiting. The fact they passed on those guys means they're being very selective in who they take. Doesn't sound like a staff that isn't focused on DL recruiting to me.
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Ron, are we completely sure we chose to pass on those two? :hi:
 
#2,116
#2,116
LebanonVolunteer said:
Maybe it just feels normal for us to miss on DT recruits as it has happened for quite some time. While it seems to take us longer to evaluate/recruit top DTs, it does not seem to be the case for other SEC teams. About 1/2 of the top 30 DTs in this class are already committed to SEC teams other than Tennessee.
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And I really dont understand it either, we should have stud DT's beating the coaches doors down to come play at UT with our tradition, facilities, depth chart and ability to play immediately especially for a JUCO. We are due to start getting a few of them. We wiffed on RB's for a few yrs and finally have a couple studs coming in and having to turn down a couple others, hopefully the DT anda DL recruiting starts getting back to what we were used to having.
 
#2,119
#2,119
vol2002 said:
LV: I know you've been pretty upset about DL recruiting, but that last line in your post I just don't think is true. I think the staff has been extremely focused on DL recruiting. I just think big-bodied, highly athletic guys that can play DT are harder to come by than perhaps any other position. Thus, they are heavily recruited by everybody and it just takes time to win those battles.

We'll win some and be very pleased with the results, I'm certain of it.
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The early success that Butch has enjoyed in recruiting is unprecedented in the history of Tennessee football, particularly in light of the recent status of our program. You are, however, absolutely correct with respect to the recruitment of defensive tackles. I have been a faithful member of the Big Orange Nation since 1967 and consider the recruitment of that position to be, historically, a deeply rooted and chronic problem. When you consider that elite defensive tackles are at a premium and we usually wind up recruiting them from out of state, it is no wonder that we often wind up bride’s maids in recruiting battles at that position.

I witnessed some superb defenses in the Dickey and early Battle years, ones that established NCAA records for interceptions and turnover margin which stand to this day, but their greatness was predicated on outstanding linebackers and defensive backs, not a dominant defensive front. In fact, between 1965 and 1972, we had 6 linebackers and 4 DBs who were All-Americans.

During much of the Majors era, including the Sugar Bowl champions of 1985, we had to manufacture serviceable defensive tackles out of players who did not possess the physical tools to truly excel at that position. Fulmer had more success when he had the recruiting juggernaut running at peak efficiency and signed Henderson, Haynesworth and Mahelona.

Perhaps my memory is deficient in this respect, but the only homegrown defensive tackles from Tennessee, since 1950, that would truly qualify as difference making, elite players at that position, who actually signed with Tennessee, are Doug Atkins, Reggie White and John Henderson. In all probability, the only long-term solution to providing constant access to the pipeline of out-of-state blue-chip prospects at this position will be found via major improvement in the win-loss ledger, thus making the program, as a whole, more desirable to those coveted 4-and 5-star DTs.
 
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#2,120
#2,120
LebanonVolunteer said:
Maybe it just feels normal for us to miss on DT recruits as it has happened for quite some time. While it seems to take us longer to evaluate/recruit top DTs, it does not seem to be the case for other SEC teams. About 1/2 of the top 30 DTs in this class are already committed to SEC teams other than Tennessee.
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I hear you and I haven't looked at the stats, but by watching this board it's clear there are still some very good, uncommitted DTs. And we still have a number of months until signing day. I'll be more worried if we're still talking about this at the end of the year.
 
#2,121
#2,121
Volosaurus rex: great posts by the way. Interesting perspective.

In terms of memorable out of state DTs in Tennessee history, I'm hoping we will be able to add McCullers to that list after this year. He's getting quite a buzz and I'm excited to see if he can live up to it. He appears to have all the tools to be an absolute wrecking ball out there. Just hope he puts it together.
 
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#2,122
#2,122
Ron Swanson said:
I agree Vol2002. I think they're likely more focused on DL recruiting than any other position. Otherwise, why would they pass on guys like Williams and Ford? They could have taken those two commitments and be almost done with DL recruiting. The fact they passed on those guys means they're being very selective in who they take. Doesn't sound like a staff that isn't focused on DL recruiting to me.
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My biggest fear is throwing these fish back in the water hoping to land larger ones. What if we don't? What if we shoot ourselves in the foot? I truly hope Butch has some DT commits in his back pocket he's waiting to pull out, otherwise he's playing a dangerous game. I ain't afraid to admit I'm skeert.
 
#2,123
#2,123
Weezer said:
My biggest fear is throwing these fish back in the water hoping to land larger ones. What if we don't? What if we shoot ourselves in the foot? I truly hope Butch has some DT commits in his back pocket he's waiting to pull out, otherwise he's playing a dangerous game. I ain't afraid to admit I'm skeert.
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I'm just glad that's pretty much the only thing to be worried about this cycle.
 
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#2,124
#2,124
vol2002 said:
Volosaurus rex: great posts by the way. Interesting perspective.

In terms of memorable out of state DTs in Tennessee history, I'm hoping we will be able to add McCullers to that list after this year. He's getting quite a buzz and I'm excited to see if he can live up to it. He appears to have all the tools to be an absolute wrecking ball out there. Just hope he puts it together.
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Not insider info or anything, but I did hear from someone on staff (an assistant/GA type of role I believe) that McCullers is looking a lot better than last year. Basically that he was never able to keep pace with drills and stuff during practice, and that this year he is right there with everyone else in drills.

Obviously he is a bit leaner than last year... I have high hopes for the guy that the right type of offseason program, conditioning, and actually getting some decent coaching will really turn him into something special.
 
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