2017 Recruiting (Vols vs Rivals)

#1
Volunteer08

Volunteer08

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#1
It's pretty early to be talking about this, but I wanted to see what you folks thought about something I noticed.

I took a look at ESPNs top 300 for 2017. I know it will shift and change a bunch, but let's take it for what it is right now. Why don't we have more committed players for 2017? Is it recruitment strategy or is it that we haven't been dominant in the past few years?

ESPN Football Recruiting - Player Rankings - ESPN

ESPNs 2017 top 300

Ohio State - 9
Alabama - 8
Notre Dame - 5
Baylor - 5
Miami - 5 (just got a new coach)
Georgia - 4 (just got a new coach)
Auburn - 3
Florida - 3
Oklahoma - 3
North Carolina - 3
LSU - 1
Texas A&M - 1
Tennessee - 1
Kentucky - 1
Mississippi State - 1

There are others that have multiple (UCLA, Baylor, Arizona State, USC), but these caught my eye.

2017 Football Team Rankings

^247 Current 2017 Team Rankings^

We know what we need right? Why don't have some of these positions of need already locked up?

I know it's useless to complain about this right now, but there's not much going on between now and NSD. Why not.
 
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#2
#2
Because kids going to school THIS YEAR are still deciding. A year out is a LONG time.
 
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#5
#5
So your opinion is it will play itself out. You want to stop at a gas station on your way to the party - which you're late for - while top programs have a cooler packed and are outside waiting for the host to open his door.

Since we have time to discuss, I'd like to see what some others think...Jerry.
 
#7
#7
It's an interesting question, OP. Of course, it's way too early to draw conclusions. But, I would expect UT to start having 8 or 9 commitments at the stage like Bama and Ohio State now. Wrap em up early.
 
#8
#8
It is not uncommon for a coach to ask for a VERBAL commitment and keep it quiet. No reason to scare off another top recruit.
 
#10
#10
Look at the top 4 teams. They are winning big with a head coach that isn't in any danger of being fired. Look at us, if we don't win big this year then we're Miss State. Kinda good, plays hard teams, never accomplishes anything. Miss State doesn't get good recruits banging on their doors 2 years in advance
 
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#11
#11
I guess you don't really keep up with recruiting, but it really is way to early to even begin to worry. More than half of those will be committed to another school by this fall. 2017 is a historic year for instate talent and people believe this may be Butch's best class ever.
 
#12
#12
OrangeByBirth said:
It is not uncommon for a coach to ask for a VERBAL commitment and keep it quiet. No reason to scare off another top recruit.
Click to expand...

I don't believe that. I don't think top recruits that play on championship teams get scared. They want to be the best and play against/with the best. Look at Ohio State and Bama. Think they're scared to accept an offer from a kid because it'll scare someone off? No way.

roosterjbh said:
I guess you don't really keep up with recruiting, but it really is way to early to even begin to worry. More than half of those will be committed to another school by this fall. 2017 is a historic year for instate talent and people believe this may be Butch's best class ever.
Click to expand...

I'm not worrying. If that's what you inferred from my post then that's my fault.

I'm wondering about the strategy. I know we'll get more recruits over time and good ones, but why don't we go into the spring with some already in the bag? Why don't we have a few top kids that are training and working out with other top kids talking about Tennessee? Look at those numbers for Bama and Ohio State! Miami, ND and UGA aren't far behind either!
 
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#13
#13
Volunteer08 said:
It's pretty early to be talking about this, but I wanted to see what you folks thought about something I noticed.

I took a look at ESPNs top 300 for 2017. I know it will shift and change a bunch, but let's take it for what it is right now. Why don't we have more committed players for 2017? Is it recruitment strategy or is it that we haven't been dominant in the past few years?

ESPN Football Recruiting - Player Rankings - ESPN

ESPNs 2017 top 300

Ohio State - 9
Alabama - 8
Notre Dame - 5
Baylor - 5
Miami - 5 (just got a new coach)
Georgia - 4 (just got a new coach)
Auburn - 3
Florida - 3
Oklahoma - 3
North Carolina - 3
LSU - 1
Texas A&M - 1
Tennessee - 1
Kentucky - 1
Mississippi State - 1

There are others that have multiple (UCLA, Baylor, Arizona State, USC), but these caught my eye.

2017 Football Team Rankings

^247 Current 2017 Team Rankings^

We know what we need right? Why don't have some of these positions of need already locked up?

I know it's useless to complain about this right now, but there's not much going on between now and NSD. Why not.
Click to expand...

You know what the best thing about high school girls?
 
#15
#15
Volunteer08 said:
Thank you captain obvious.
Click to expand...

Way to early for information about 2017 recruiting. So you have listed 15 % of the top 300 which means that about 250 are still have no undecided where they want to go and many of the 15% who have decided could go to another school. There is less than two weeks to go for the 2016 class and there are still members of this class who have not yet decided.
 
#17
#17
We going to be so good we aren't accepting commits from guys we will later upgrade on. its one thing to give a 3* his walking shirt and another to turn away top 300. could be wrong, jmo, imo, BBQ, 2cents, tifwiw
 
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#19
#19
2 guys from Rutherford County in top 50. Maleik Gray from Lavergne and JaCoby Stevens Murfreesboro Oakland.

Butch has made HUGE strides in the recruitment of both recently. Gray is a self proclaimed "future Nole" but has been talking up the Vols to several players around the county lately.

Stevens is by far the best Safety prospect I've ever seen. He has a history with Shoop and has the Vols back in the picture. This time last year, I would have laughed if anyone named a school other than LSU.

It's still early for these guys. I wouldn't count CBJ out for any recruit.
 
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#20
#20
Im just really stoked about our lone 17 commit Tee Higgins! To be quiet honest, Recruiting is the one thing I dont worry to much about anymore. Butch and his staff have proved they can flat out get it done on the recruiting trail.
 
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#22
#22
I actually thought it was odd we only have one, 2017 should be a top 5 class for us. Or it NEEDS to be at lest. But long time to go.
 
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#25
#25
I read an article a few years back that indicated that 80% of recruits go to their home state university or whoever their favorite schools was, the other 20% are willing to go out of state. Tennessee does not produce that many elite athletes, and it will always be a challenge to get kids to commit that early to UT........hate it, but it is what it is.

Go Vols!!
 
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