'16 TN LB Daniel Bituli (UT commit 7/18/15)

[csprig9]

Lol, you guys are super salty when someone has a opinion different from yours. I think everyone wants this kid to succeed even the ones that question him some. No need to turn this into a back and forth crap slinging contest. Everyone has differing opinions, we'll see what happens when he gets here.

Bump

 

[SSVol]

Without taking sides, it bears mentioning that the guys that work with recruits locally probably know more about their character and work ethic than the coaches do. That said, what a kid does as a junior in high school is not always a predictor of what they will do in college. It'll be interesting to bump this in a couple of years.

 

[k-sny-vol]

just watched this guys film, holy smokes he is a stud. He has NFL written all over him with his size, athleticism, and instincts.

 

[butchna]

Without taking sides, it bears mentioning that the guys that work with recruits locally probably know more about their character and work ethic than the coaches do. That said, what a kid does as a junior in high school is not always a predictor of what they will do in college. It'll be interesting to bump this in a couple of years.

This question is for DE1 and SIAP...how extensively has he worked with Bituli? His big point was that Bituli refused his camp invitations. Seems like his evaluation is off of film and attended games...the same methods available to the coaches. :hi:

 

[SeanJean]

Thanks to DTO, de1, and others who have provided some info and their opinions. As usual, people with inside knowledge provide some information that isn't what posters want to hear, so naturally everyone acts like a child and dismisses their information.

I will say this: Highlights of 1A TN football are about useless. The points being made about camping are very valid.

Welcome to the VFL family Daniel. I for one welcome all the top instate prospects, but I like all the info others can provide as well.

 

[butchna]

Thanks to DTO, de1, and others who have provided some info and their opinions. As usual, people with inside knowledge provide some information that isn't what posters want to hear, so naturally everyone acts like a child and dismisses their information.

I will say this: Highlights of 1A TN football are about useless. The points being made about camping are very valid.

Welcome to the VFL family Daniel. I for one welcome all the top instate prospects, but I like all the info others can provide as well.

Love DE1 and what he brings on here...but once again...How much has he seen Bituli IN CAMP?

 

[Nashvegas31]

I know right. Cause anyone that has an informed opinion that's different, has to be wrong right?

Makes sense to me.

I thibk your probably just catching some of heat some are directing toward DEconley. I think your concerns are valid especially the competition piece. At the end of the day I trust our staff as they have been right more than wrong on players and I trust Muschamps evaluation on a defensive player for this guy to be his top LB target left says something is there to work with. I believe both sets of coaches believe they see a guy with great size and speed and trust their abilities to turn that into production on the field and with special teams.

When I think of the guys in butchs first full recruiting class where he wasn't rushing to just sign some guys, talent wise not many were busts. Sawyer, Blair and Payne come to mind but Blair still has 2 yrs to prove his worth. Vic, Henderson, Hendrix and Helm didn't work out at Tn but it wasn't because of talent. Each showed they could play at this level. Henderson more so in practice than game due to academics but staff really likes his effort. No idea about Paulk since he never got a real chance due to his dumb mistake. Scott couldn't stay healthy to show anything but sounds like he showed signs of his ability to coaches when healthy. For such a big class to really only possible miss on 3 from purely a talent projection is really really good.

 

[Volnatic]

Without taking sides, it bears mentioning that the guys that work with recruits locally probably know more about their character and work ethic than the coaches do. That said, what a kid does as a junior in high school is not always a predictor of what they will do in college. It'll be interesting to bump this in a couple of years.

To your point, I went to hs with a former Gator national champion and most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. In high school, he was perceived as a bit lazy and offense-centric. However, at Florida, he became one of their go-to lock down defenders and has parlayed that defensive awakening into a pretty solid NBA career as a 6th man/occasional starter for several team who need such a defender off the bench.

It's a different sport, I know...but just something to think about.

 

[KBVol]

Now people are going to start arguing whether he is the state's top prospect or not.

Already happened....d1Conley says he's not....I think in favor of JoeJuan.

 

[DaddyChad]

just watched this guys film, holy smokes he is a stud. He has NFL written all over him with his size, athleticism, and instincts.

I do think he's a pretty decent player but I don't see that can't miss prospect like some seem to. I hope he ends up an absolute stud LBer for UT though. I still think he's a good pick up though.

 

[1orangews6]

Late to the party......welcome aboard Mr. Bituli.

I have read several pages of arguing over opinions. It doesn't really matter what we fans think about this young man good or bad it matters what the coaches think about him. If the coaches think he good enough to offer then I would roll with that because it's their jobs that are on the line with player evals.

 

[BhamVol14]

Was gonna go back and read this thread after being away for a couple days, but after read 1 page i think its best i dont.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Was gonna go back and read this thread after being away for a couple days, but after read 1 page i think its best i dont.

I'll sum it up:

1. Some who have seen him play have questions about his mentality to excell at the higher level, although he is physically a stud. No personal attacks on the player

2. Everyone who disagrees with this point of view resorts to the usual 7th grade responses

3. Volnation, y'all

 

[LittleCat]

To your point, I went to hs with a former Gator national champion and most outstanding player of the NCAA tournament. In high school, he was perceived as a bit lazy and offense-centric. However, at Florida, he became one of their go-to lock down defenders and has parlayed that defensive awakening into a pretty solid NBA career as a 6th man/occasional starter for several team who need such a defender off the bench.

It's a different sport, I know...but just something to think about.

Brewer right? I kinda forgot he went to hs in TN. It is interesting how he turned into such a great defender. A good example of a player learning what would make the team better, both in college and the next level. Also that class of him, Noah and Horford made the choice to stay and win another title when they could easily leave. That was an incredible group of players.

 

[OrangeHammer]

You always take the best talent in your own state, not saying this guy will be as-good-as, but Patrick Willis was another LB that went another route and ended up being a great player. It's really hard to dictate what a kid can do once he's in our program and weight training. This may have been mentioned already, if so then sorry you had to read it again lol.

 

[vols 30]

I'll sum it up:

1. Some who have seen him play have questions about his mentality to excell at the higher level, although he is physically a stud. No personal attacks on the player

2. Everyone who disagrees with this point of view resorts to the usual 7th grade responses

3. Volnation, y'all

A couple of guys question his mentality, but obviously the coaching staff isn't too concerned.

Who do you think Bituli has spent more time with? VN "insiders" or Butch?

 

[m1al]

I will say this: Highlights of 1A TN football are about useless. The points being made about camping are very valid.

This.. If a player doesn't look like a grown a$$ man amongst boys in TSSAA 1A ball he's definitely not NCAA D1 material..

 

[BowlBrother85]

You always take the best talent in your own state, not saying this guy will be as-good-as, but Patrick Willis was another LB that went another route and ended up being a great player. It's really hard to dictate what a kid can do once he's in our program and weight training. This may have been mentioned already, if so then sorry you had to read it again lol.

Okay, this is a good point not previously mentioned in this thread. Is it possible that we are trained to think less of our in-state talent when it is in a lower division and that this has cost us some good players in the past, such as Willis?

 

[Volnatic]

Brewer right? I kinda forgot he went to hs in TN. It is interesting how he turned into such a great defender. A good example of a player learning what would make the team better, both in college and the next level. Also that class of him, Noah and Horford made the choice to stay and win another title when they could easily leave. That was an incredible group of players.

Yep. I had the luxury of getting posterized by him regularly in practice my freshman year. A 5'10 "post" has no business trying to defend a 6'8 (at the time) wing lol. He was a great kid. He just slacked off on the defensive end when he wasn't defending the ball. That all turned around at UF and they have 2 rings to prove it

 

[LittleCat]

Yep. I had the luxury of getting posterized by him regularly in practice my freshman year. A 5'10 "post" has no business trying to defend a 6'8 (at the time) wing lol. He was a great kid. He just slacked off on the defensive end when he wasn't defending the ball. That all turned around at UF and they have 2 rings to prove it

That's pretty cool, and has to weird seeing a guy like that now in the nba. I was lucky enough to play with EJ Floreal and a few other decent guys. Even guys like that stood out to me, with how much better they were than most of us.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

A couple of guys question his mentality, but obviously the coaching staff isn't too concerned.

Who do you think Bituli has spent more time with? VN "insiders" or Butch?

It's obviously a difference in opinion.

Maybe it's a maturity thing, but I just think when someone gives a personal opinion, resorting to "coaches know more than you" is a bit childish.

Everyone is capable of forming their own opinion, but some people don't even examine the counterpoints, and just rant. With cute one liners.

That's why I've bowed out of this discussion, and will probably leave alone the way people have responded. Everyone hopes Bituli does well, because that helps TN. I could care less who gets to be "right" :hi:

 

[Face]

I understand de1 does some camp stuff, but I tend to side with the overall consensus and Butch's talent eval. Time could prove de1 right, but I'm happy to have the state's best player.

Offers from a lot of high level programs say a lot.

 

[LittleCat]

I understand de1 does some camp stuff, but I tend to side with the overall consensus and Butch's talent eval. Time could prove de1 right, but I'm happy to have the state's best player.

Offers from a lot of high level programs say a lot.

At the end of the day, trust the HC, especially a guy like Butch. De1 may be right, but you take the #1 in state guy imo.

 

[wilrob75]

At the end of the day, trust the HC, especially a guy like Butch. De1 may be right, but you take the #1 in state guy imo.

/thread

 

[AV_12]

But did you discover Leonard Fournette?

BREAKING: Fournette is good