'16 NC OG Landon Dickerson

[BigZiti09]

At this point, and I have sympathy for Zach having lost his mother, but if he's impacting Dickerson recruitment with the possibility that he might enroll...well that's nuts. I respect the coaches for honoring his situation, yet I'm over this impacting our future success. Lost my dad, and know many others that have lost a parent early and I think whoever let or told him to put his life on hold for a year is crazy. In my opinion (and I'm sure many folks won't share it) is that you have to move on. He's going to have to make a choice at some point, and honestly which one would you choose if they were in the same class? I want Stewart to play ball for us. But at this point I hope we know for sure he's enrolling this summer (and I don't understand why he's not enrolling for the spring) or our commitment to him is going to get costly. I suppose I'm an arsehole for feeling this way, but poo or get off the pot at this point. We need players like Dickerson and I want Stewart but he seems like he's making this as hard on our team as possible (and I'm not suggesting that's his plan).

I kinda agree with your overall point though I'm not sure Stewart is impacting Dickerson's recruitment directly.

In something like this, your opinion won't be tolerated by many because it takes a little thought to come to a conclusion like this but at some point life goes on and so does his opportunity. That is just the way it is.

People will say that "life is more important than football" and indeed it is. His life and his family are way more important than football. That doesn't mean that football waits forever on him. And that may mean that he focuses on his family and misses out on football and that's okay because family is more important.

 

[butchna]

You may want to rethink some of those comments. That's being petty and selfish. Stewart is dealing with real life situations and you're talking about football games. Makes you look a little small. I lost my wife way too early in her life and I put my life on hold for 2 years because of family needs. Nothing mattered in my life more than my family. I hope Stewart makes it to Tennessee because that would mean he's in a good place with his life. I could care less about "numbers' in this class. That's just me though.

Right with you there buddy...same situation here. Would've hated someone heckling me while I was taking care of my daughter. Well they did...being in-laws and all...didn't hate, just distanced.

 

[Wolfeman_Vol]

Right with you there buddy...same situation here. Would've hated someone heckling me while I was taking care of my daughter. Well they did...being in-laws and all...didn't hate, just distanced.

I'm not heckling anybody, and he isn't raising anyone. And I'm not just considering our football team. We have all lost somebody, and their is an appropriate time to grieve and everyone is different. But me saying he needs to get up and on with his life is wrong? He does. He's 18. Honor your loved ones with your life, not grieving for the rest of yours. I'm not insensitive. Nobody said I could take a year off from my business when my father died. People would go hungry. I'm not even judging his situation, but my kids would be in therapy and trying to move on. My wife (who lost her mother at 13) and I both would do that. You have to keep moving. You can hate on me, but laying down or getting up when life hits you is what matters. It is how it is. That's life.

 

[Kristy*]

We've had this discussion before. Below is our previous detailed dialogue about this, and it's not worth going through again. Fort & LWS seem to disagree with what you're saying in terms of backcounting.

http://www.volnation.com/forum/tennessee-vols-football/240988-lose.html

FWIW, I've seen numerous posters on here lately say Fortenberry confirmed there were no blueshirts in 2014. I don't think he would intentionally lead people astray, but I wouldn't take his word for gospel either.

 

[Guyute]

I love that the guy put off an early enrollment to become an Eagle Scout. Without knowing the family personally it seems like they have maintained some perspective in the face of 5 star recruiting.
...

“I backpack. I hunt and I fish,” he said. “I just like the outdoors really.”

Surely this kid isn't going to Tallahassee.

 

[Nashvegas31]

Stewart isn't enrolling until Summer and that's not even a guarantee. Can he not be a Blueshirt if we need it last minute?

 

[VolGee4]

I kinda agree with your overall point though I'm not sure Stewart is impacting Dickerson's recruitment directly.

In something like this, your opinion won't be tolerated by many because it takes a little thought to come to a conclusion like this but at some point life goes on and so does his opportunity. That is just the way it is.

People will say that "life is more important than football" and indeed it is. His life and his family are way more important than football. That doesn't mean that football waits forever on him. And that may mean that he focuses on his family and misses out on football and that's okay because family is more important.

I agree. People confuse "life moving on" with not feeling for him. We all feel for him, and I can't imagine losing a parent at that age. But, I can't tell you how many times my Dad says, "life goes on." Faith and family are more important than anything else. But if you dwell on the loss too much, your own life will pass you by. Tough situation, and I respect Butch Jones for what he is doing.

 

[WinginFlorida]

I agree. People confuse "life moving on" with not feeling for him. We all feel for him, and I can't imagine losing a parent at that age. But, I can't tell you how many times my Dad says, "life goes on." Faith and family are more important than anything else. But if you dwell on the loss too much, your own life will pass you by. Tough situation, and I respect Butch Jones for what he is doing.

When my brother died (we were both in our early 30s), the rest of my life just kept moving on like a freight train and it didn't really care what I was going through. It was unquestionably the biggest lesson in my life.

Having said that, unfortunately there is no "one size fits all" in this sort of thing. Zach needs to do what he and his family feel best...and if that includes a future at the University of Tennessee, great. If not, I hope the decision he makes ultimately delivers him peace and happiness. Everyone needs to remember the young man has a broken heart...and that's so very hard to deal with at any age.

 

[GlockVol]

When my brother died (we were both in our early 30s), the rest of my life just kept moving on like a freight train and it didn't really care what I was going through. It was unquestionably the biggest lesson in my life.

Having said that, unfortunately there is no "one size fits all" in this sort of thing. Zach needs to do what he and his family feel best...and if that includes a future at the University of Tennessee, great. If not, I hope the decision he makes ultimately delivers him peace and happiness. Everyone needs to remember the young man has a broken heart...and that's so very hard to deal with at any age.

Yes, agreed.
How easily we forget that these players are humans dealing with family life, school, personal relationships and football. Cut them some slack and remember they are juggling a lot more than most of us did while in college. Sometimes family tragedies happen and makes it all that much more complicated.

 

[CAVPUT]

I love that the guy put off an early enrollment to become an Eagle Scout. Without knowing the family personally it seems like they have maintained some perspective in the face of 5 star recruiting.
...

“I backpack. I hunt and I fish,” he said. “I just like the outdoors really.”

Surely this kid isn't going to Tallahassee.

My thoughts exactly. I like this kid. He's a TN OL if I've ever seen one.

 

[Brentwoodvolfan]

I kinda agree with your overall point though I'm not sure Stewart is impacting Dickerson's recruitment directly.

In something like this, your opinion won't be tolerated by many because it takes a little thought to come to a conclusion like this but at some point life goes on and so does his opportunity. That is just the way it is.

People will say that "life is more important than football" and indeed it is. His life and his family are way more important than football. That doesn't mean that football waits forever on him. And that may mean that he focuses on his family and misses out on football and that's okay because family is more important.

Takes a little thought??? Really!! You have no idea what this man is going through, and neither do I. Everyone is different and we need to just back off and let this play how ever it does!!! Let him and CBJ figure out what's best without us giving our non informed opinions!!! GBO

 

[Jackcrevol]

My thoughts exactly. I like this kid. He's a TN OL if I've ever seen one.

agreed. however Fla is one of the most underrated hunting destinations Iyam. Tall is close to a black bear preserve...Now, for deer? hail nah! Sw fishing is nice, but, requires you have a boat. Tn fishing is next ti none. Trust me. I speak from experience. We are blessed to have as many impoundments/river/streams as we have.

 

[A-RodWiLks]

So....Dickerson is favoring Florida State because of the abundance of black bears....I wouldn't be surprised to see Ole Miss emerge as favorite soon...



#Olemissblackbears

 

[butchna]

I'm not heckling anybody, and he isn't raising anyone. And I'm not just considering our football team. We have all lost somebody, and their is an appropriate time to grieve and everyone is different. But me saying he needs to get up and on with his life is wrong? He does. He's 18. Honor your loved ones with your life, not grieving for the rest of yours. I'm not insensitive. Nobody said I could take a year off from my business when my father died. People would go hungry. I'm not even judging his situation, but my kids would be in therapy and trying to move on. My wife (who lost her mother at 13) and I both would do that. You have to keep moving. You can hate on me, but laying down or getting up when life hits you is what matters. It is how it is. That's life.

You changed your original post on this subject... Probably because it read a lot harsher. I understand the LIFE GOES ON sentiment...I lived it. It's just a little different animal here. Big boy football at a big boy school requires your full heart and spirit. Can't go through the motions. The coaches are seemingly prepared to give him a chance to get back to that. Maybe because it's more important than football. We lose track of that

 

[VOLuptuousBOOMS]

agreed. however Fla is one of the most underrated hunting destinations Iyam. Tall is close to a black bear preserve...Now, for deer? hail nah! Sw fishing is nice, but, requires you have a boat. Tn fishing is next ti none. Trust me. I speak from experience. We are blessed to have as many impoundments/river/streams as we have.

Doubtful he is basing his decision on "backpacking, fishing, and hunting" but I agree with you. Backpacking Knoxville > Tallahassee. Fishing Knoxville > Tallahassee. Hunting Tallahassee > Knoxville. Honestly neither place is a great hunting area.. Being a West TN redneck who went to school at UT. I can honestly say, the hunting SUCKS! No ducks, few deer, few turkeys.. Maybe he should look at UT Martin:question:

 

[OptimusPrimerib]

I remember the outdoor aspects of the East TN area were helpful in Danny O'Brien's recruitment coming from Michigan. He'd be a good resource for Dickerson.

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

Danny O needs to host Dickerson.

 

[Guyute]

This guy is going to play in orange. The next Charles McRae.

 

[Greg Phillips]

They should have Dobbs in on the recruitment hosting...he is also in Engineering and it's rare to have a starter that is. Shows the commitment to academics.

 

[engineerVOL]

Danny O needs to host Dickerson.

With an assist from Maggitt. I vaguely remember him being an outdoor enthusiast.

 

[VeryBest]

With an assist from Maggitt. I vaguely remember him being an outdoor enthusiast.

Yep. I remember that too.

 

[Vol Main]

Hiking, canoeing, camping in and around the Smoky Mountains are great memories from my years at UT. I knew how lucky we were then, but I know even better now.

 

[InVOLuntary]

The T-Rex even orginizes trips. Hiking, kayaking, skiing etc..

 

[Volstate]

Landon Dickerson ‏@Landon_2012 2m2 minutes ago

I should've visited Alabama sooner. 🤔

that's a thinking emoji at the end....wonder what that means

 

[VolnJC]

that's a thinking emoji at the end....wonder what that means

It means he could have committed to them early and have been done with everything...just my guess