2017 Recruiting (Vols vs Rivals)

#27
#27
In January 2014, our 2015 class had three commits: Preston Williams, Jack Jones, and Andrew Butcher.

In January 2013, our 2014 class had one commit: Vic Wharton (though admittedly a slightly different situation, with Butch just having been hired).

Whether by design (i.e., they accept "silents") or whether they are just better closers, this staff seems to do ok without getting/accepting early commitments.
 
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#28
#28
OP...what do you need to complete your needs, now, and what are you planning for to continue in the championship way. Right now, IMHO, we will be two-deep, for the first time in a long time. Butch is still getting players to commit that they can get. Remember...brick by brick.
When do we have enough bricks...we'll see. :)

GO VOLS!
 
#29
#29
I'm not sure a "commitment" from a 16 or 17 year old at this point means a whole lot until signing day. I'll see how a play-off run by Team 120 effects the 2017 class.
 
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#30
#30
emzeeee said:
You're the one that asked the dumb question, not me.
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He had a legitimate question. Of course, there are always the douches who lie in wait to make a quick critical post on the OP so they can get 31 or so quick likes from the peanut gallery.These chumps live on 'likes'.

Fact is, it's all relative. It doesn't matter how long signing day away is--it's the same for all of us. If these other teams are ahead--we're behind...and that could be a little troublesome concern about this staff for the future--something to keep our eye on.

Dropping a little in recruiting this year--not looking too good for next year. A legitimate topic for discussion.
 
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#31
#31
Volunteer08 said:
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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Bama and tOSU just won nattys, so there is that. ND is no surprise, a lot of kids want to play for ND because of religious reason since they were very little. The U and uga get the new coach bump to some extent, see horse face at FU. FU's 3 probably are 5 stars and live in Gainsville that state is so rich in talent.

If you notice LSU only has 1 and they do pretty well year in and year out when it comes to recruiting, or so I have heard.

Just relax and enjoy the fall football season.
 
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#33
#33
DonDiego said:
He had a legitimate question. Of course, there are always the douches who lie in wait to make a quick critical post on the OP so they can get 31 or so quick likes from the peanut gallery.These chumps live on 'likes'.

Fact is, it's all relative. It doesn't matter how long signing day away is--it's the same for all of us. If these other teams are ahead--we're behind...and that could be a little troublesome concern about this staff for the future--something to keep our eye on.

Dropping a little in recruiting this year--not looking too good for next year. A legitimate topic for discussion.
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Appears the OP likes your post, but you are way off base. It was a silly post and the "not looking too good for next year" comment is wrong at this point, too.
 
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#34
#34
AllforTenn said:
Appears the OP likes your post, but you are way off base. It was a silly post and the "not looking too good for next year" comment is wrong at this point, too.
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I think the direction that everyone is taking from my question is off - not what I intended.

Once again, I'm not worried that we won't close. I don't think "we're in a tight spot" right now. I have no doubt that these 16 and 17 year old kids will switch between now and national signing day.

I'm talking about strategy. I'm wondering why we don't have some kids make a splash and try to get some momentum. Why aren't we sitting on these kids couches and saying "You could be part of the greatest class that's ever been recruited to ______. Look at who we have already!"

Seems like that would make things easier instead battling down to the end. That's all.
 
#35
#35
DonDiego said:
He had a legitimate question. Of course, there are always the douches who lie in wait to make a quick critical post on the OP so they can get 31 or so quick likes from the peanut gallery.These chumps live on 'likes'.

Fact is, it's all relative. It doesn't matter how long signing day away is--it's the same for all of us. If these other teams are ahead--we're behind...and that could be a little troublesome concern about this staff for the future--something to keep our eye on.

Dropping a little in recruiting this year--not looking too good for next year. A legitimate topic for discussion.
Click to expand...

How funny is it that he's Jerry and you're his dad.

I think some people misunderstood my post as worrying with NSD '17 being so far away. Sometimes my messages can be misconstrued because I have poor writing skills - at least that's what I was told in school.
 
#39
#39
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.
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Commit, decommit. Moot point at this time. I.E. '16 class.
 
#40
#40
Volunteer08 said:
How funny is it that he's Jerry and you're his dad.

I think some people misunderstood my post as worrying with NSD '17 being so far away. Sometimes my messages can be misconstrued because I have poor writing skills - at least that's what I was told in school.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm not Jerry's dad--I'm Uncle Leo this week. I change avatars a lot. Next week--I haven't decided yet.
 
#41
#41
I think it's a combination of other programs being surrounded by in state talent, and the fact that we are still on the rise. In order to get those elite year out commits we have to BEAT some of those teams that are getting them now. IMO.
 
#42
#42
I have never worried about "commits" for the class following the one we haven't signed yet. I look more to how early our staff start developing relationships with those future recruits. Butch is selling 2019 kids and has been since before this season. Cade Mays is onboard for 18 and may end up being an in class recruiting legend on par with Kahlil McKenzie,TKjr et al. That a multitude haven't eschewed highlight announcements at venues like the Opening to sign on early, isn't anywhere close to a call for alarm. You look for that energy and doggedness and a sense that no potential future star is being overlooked...we have that. Back in the golden age of Fulmer recruiting, it would seem that we wouldn't be in on some kids and they would be on that list we eagerly read on USA Today or Sporting News in the days before Gore invented the internet. Recruiting in the social media age has changed but our awareness of just how IN ON top players our Coach is hasn't. Valid question from the OP but I have a good reason to dismiss it's tenet.
 
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#44
#44
Volunteer08 said:
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.
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Actually, I am going to agree with Jerry without grinding your gears like he did.

Knowing how we round out this years class goes a long way toward knowing our needs for next year. Plus, we got ahead in future classes the past two years because we had certain players who were able to do more peer recruiting. This years class did not have that so much, and I feel it affected momentum for the '17 class.

Once this years NSD is past, I believe the 17 class will gain momentum. I think Larry Scott's contacts in South Florida will help, as should Bob Shoop in the Mid state area and nationally as well. And as the first few new commits jump in, hopefully they will be strong peer recruiters. The in-state pool of players is suppose to be stronger for '17 and '18, so that should be less of an issue as it was for '16.

I feel the big reason why there seems to be a recruiting lull is simple. Before, the "sales" pitch to recruits in 14 and 15 was immediate playing time. I think it is safe to say that is not something Tennessee can now realistically promise so easily. The big key to sustain or perhaps I should say reinvigorate recruiting momentum is to prove we are once again a championship caliber program. Hype and enthusiasm will only take you so far. Facilities and even babe hostesses have limitations in recruiting, because more and more potential destinations can show them that. Top recruits go to winning programs, and that means it is time for the Vols to beat ranked teams. It is time to break the losing streak with Florida and Alabama. If the Vols can do that, we can say Tennessee is back, and Butch can more readily pick and choose from the best recruits nationwide.

I see the stats you posted, and I understand the concern. However, I am not as worried, because I feel the dominoes are about to fall our way.
 
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