2023 Recruiting

[Voluble2]

Or perhaps a legitimate issue surfaced late in the recruiting process. But, hey, you do you. Reach for the fantastical when the mundane, most likely is right in front of you.

With multiple recruits? Who other programs covet and fight to sign? Yeah, it smacks of arrogance and will be seen as such.

 

[Memvol44]

For the record, I wasn't singling you out, as you do to others. But if the shoe fits, then by all means wear it well. All I was stating was that the nega-vols have come out in full force, and the season hasn't even started yet. If you choose to include yourself in that group, well, that's your prerogative. It's a shame that some on here find the need to continually sh*t on the program, coaches, players, recruitment, etc. and call themselves fans. Especially at the start of what should be a special season. You don't see this kind of vitriol with other fan bases, which could be why some of your prized recruits decide against Tennessee.

Well please state it to someone else. I as well as others feel it's becoming an issue. Don't agree just move on,like an adult.

 

[Voluble2]

I am truly not concerned about it -- YET -- and don't think I WILL get concerned unless I begin to see season results that indicate the program is suffering because of it.

If the time ever comes -- and I don't see that time ever coming -- when I look back on the season and think "it really, really hurt us that we didn't have a huge class of true freshmen this year," I may re-elvaluate. But right now we have no problems -- just a great team and future.

Recruiting is about the future, not the current season. Where it hurts us is that to compete for championships you have to sign one of a handful of dominant players who come along each year. Right now we have Jordy who is the sort of franchise talent you can build a team around. We have not recruited anyone who can take up that role once she is gone and this class was our last shot at it.

Now we have to hope a franchise level player shows up in the portal and chooses us. That is a bad position to be in, and one UT should never find itself in.

 

[LUVMESUMVOL]

For starters, I would consider the possibility that these newer assistant coaches aren't the ace recruiters they were hyped to be...

Their job is to get in contact with recruits get them in for a visit which is what they are doing and the head coach is supposed to closed the deal which isn't happening and you are a smart enough person to know this

 

[Memvol44]

Recruiting is about the future, not the current season. Where it hurts us is that to compete for championships you have to sign one of a handful of dominant players who come along each year. Right now we have Jordy who is the sort of franchise talent you can build a team around. We have not recruited anyone who can take up that role once she is gone and this class was our last shot at it.

Now we have to hope a franchise level player shows up in the portal and chooses us. That is a bad position to be in, and one UT should never find itself in.

Yes....I say the same thing and you have certain posters ( not naming names) who just go over the top about being negative,and not a true fan. It's a concern,worthy of discussion...

 

[LadyVol1908]

Their job is to get in contact with recruits get them in for a visit which is what they are doing and the head coach is supposed to closed the deal which isn't happening and you are a smart enough person to know this

But for some reason, that logic didn’t apply for Holly. It was Law and Reeves that closed the deals apparently. I’m not sure how some of these posters want to spin the lack of recruitment anymore. The goal post move the longer we go without a high school recruit.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Yes....I say the same thing and you have certain posters ( not naming names) who just go over the top about being negative,and not a true fan. It's a concern,worthy of discussion...

Apparently we can’t and shouldn’t discuss it at all….in this…..forum, which is for….discussions!

 

[Volfan2012]

We still haven't had a year without at least one High School recruit this might be the one still 17 days until signing day. Darby, Suarez, and Salary year one. Striplin, Puckett, Wynn, and Miles year two. Pissott year three. Year four?

Portal year one Green, McCoy, Two Dye, Walker, Three Jackson, Powell, Hollingshead, and Franklin. Four?

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I've been one to support Kellie and defend her against the unreasonable expectations of a few of our fans. And I'll continue to support her as long as she deserves it. And she still does. I think she will lead us back to being a national and conference title perennial factor. And I'll believe that until I don't. So far so good. Improvement every year is there, recruiting veteran and extremely talented players from the portal is there. However, recruiting high school players is not there. And that is a concern. But it is not a cause for panic. At least not yet. However, if she starts to fail at recruiting quality veteran talent from the portal during this high school drought, then I will will express mucho concern and criticism. And I agree with those who are calling for her to examine every aspect of her high school recruiting strategy and progam. Maybe she needs an outside consultant to take a hard look at it. One thing I will criticize her for is if she takes no action to try to figure out her failures to recruit HS players. That would be unacceptable. But unless and until then, I am on board as a full throated Kellie supporter.

 

[Voluble2]

I've been one to support Kellie and defend her against the unreasonable expectations of a few of our fans. And I'll continue to support her as long as she deserves it. And she still does. I think she will lead us back to being a national and conference title perennial factor. And I'll believe that until I don't. So far so good. Improvement every year is there, recruiting veteran and extremely talented players from the portal is there. However, recruiting high school players is not there. And that is a concern. But it is not a cause for panic. At least not yet. However, if she starts to fail at recruiting quality veteran talent from the portal during this high school drought, then I will will express mucho concern and criticism. And I agree with those who are calling for her to examine every aspect of her high school recruiting strategy and progam. Maybe she needs an outside consultant to take a hard look at it. One thing I will criticize her for is if she takes no action to try to figure out her failures to recruit HS players. That would be unacceptable. But unless and until then, I am on board as a full throated Kellie supporter.

That is a good point about having an outsider look in. I expect the AD will do that himself since this is not the sort of thing that can go unaddressed. UT also has a good marketing department and there may be people there who can help her learn to close deals. Academics tend not to be so good at getting real world results though so she may want to look outside for help in that regard. The tough thing is getting feedback from recruits as to what turned them off since people tend to not want to speak freely or say anything hurtful to others --- especially this current generation.

I also think it is a very poor idea to pretend anyone is off the Kellie train simply because they point out there are problems. Why put such ideas out there that no one espouses? That's like fans saying "Shaq needs to improve his free throw shooting" and others pretending that means they want him off the team. No, they want him to improve his free throw shooting.

 

[37620VOL]

How do you know for a fact that Tennessee was clearly leading? If it does not come from the recruit, then you are guessing.

I don't know it for a fact; obviously, I am posting my opinions. There are very few insiders on this board, and everyone should know by now that I'm not an insider. If you want reliable tax advice, I can help you out, otherwise not so much. This is just for fun so I don't see the need to put a disclaimer on every post.

I gather info from posts here and other boards, media, fans. I filter that info through the credibility of those sources and try to have intelligent, fun conversation. I try not to get upset at anyone, even though Darth can make that a challenge.

 

[Volfan2012]

Cori Allen to Illinois she was on our list but don't think we have recruited her in a while.

 

[37620VOL]

So you feel 0 recruits in 2 years is not an issue worth discussion?

0? ... remember Pissott?

Yes, I'm cool with discussion. Personally, I'm in yellow flag territory. I'm not at red flag yet but the 2024 HS class will be critical AND may need to hit the portal again. Yellow flag warrants a thorough review of everything we are doing with HS recruiting and a review of everything our opponents are doing against us. None of this is stuff that CKH and staff don't know. Honestly, I would be surprised if the AD isn't involved in improving this process. If this is mostly NIL related (as I speculate that it is) then he may be our best bet to fix it.

 

[37620VOL]

We have an ancient collective that was resurrected that obviously no one knows about and everyone is putting their money in Spyre, who when asked about female athletes, directs you to BHC. Spyre has raised 4.5 mil and pledged to raise 25 mil annually and our girls aren’t benefiting from that. BHC hasn’t even raised $200,000 and that’s for all 9 women’s programs. This isn’t on the coaches. It’s the space we’re living in now. People complain about not getting recruits, but obviously not supporting the NIL collective to be able to compete to get them here. Reviving BHC was a huge mistake imo. Fall festivals ain’t getting it done View attachment 504177

This is on the mark 100%. Spyre is going to have to kick in to help the women's programs. We are an everything school and it would be a discrace to Pat's legacy if Spyre pumps $25m into the men's programs and female athletes only get $200k. I think it would only take $800k annually to keep LVs basketball recruiting at an elite level. In BB you don't need that many elite players, but you have to have some.

 

[FrozenLVFan]

0? ... remember Pissott?

Yes, I'm cool with discussion. Personally, I'm in yellow flag territory. I'm not at red flag yet but the 2024 HS class will be critical AND may need to hit the portal again. Yellow flag warrants a thorough review of everything we are doing with HS recruiting and a review of everything our opponents are doing against us. None of this is stuff that CKH and staff don't know. Honestly, I would be surprised if the AD isn't involved in improving this process. If this is mostly NIL related (as I speculate that it is) then he may be our best bet to fix it.

Kellie has also said that she recruited Darby #2 to come to UT even though she couldn't offer a scholarship.

 

[xtpsrh08123]

The frenzy recruiting has caused amongst us loyal fans has to mean something when it comes to the staff.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

We still haven't had a year without at least one High School recruit this might be the one still 17 days until signing day. Darby, Suarez, and Salary year one. Striplin, Puckett, Wynn, and Miles year two. Pissott year three. Year four?

Portal year one Green, McCoy, Two Dye, Walker, Three Jackson, Powell, Hollingshead, and Franklin. Four?

Pissott and Edie year three.

 

[LadyOrange]

Whoever has the mysterious power to figure out what teenage girls are thinking when they choose schools, you are indeed a genius. I completely understand being disappointed. What I loathe are the people that simplify recruiting and blame Kellie for not fulfilling their hopes. I see absolutely no recruiting problem. Lady Vols have always been and continue to be selective. That’s how to build a championship team.

 

[Voluble2]

The frenzy recruiting has caused amongst us loyal fans has to mean something when it comes to the staff.

I am sure they had no illusions as to what the fallout would be. They worry less about here than on the recruiting trail where opposing coaches will be saying "Oh, nobody wants to go there because ____ insert libelous calumny here____!"

The women's programs have a lot of rich alumni. And there are a lot of rich women who have graduated from UT. They don't have to go begging Spyre for money. Either the program means enough to them to start a collective and give to it or it doesn't. And once such a collective is established then it will be on the rest of us to give as well. But right now no one knows what exists, whether it is doing what it should etc...

 

[Memvol44]

Didn't Pissot commit 2+ years ago??

0? ... remember Pissott?

Yes, I'm cool with discussion. Personally, I'm in yellow flag territory. I'm not at red flag yet but the 2024 HS class will be critical AND may need to hit the portal again. Yellow flag warrants a thorough review of everything we are doing with HS recruiting and a review of everything our opponents are doing against us. None of this is stuff that CKH and staff don't know. Honestly, I would be surprised if the AD isn't involved in improving this process. If this is mostly NIL related (as I speculate that it is) then he may be our best bet to fix it.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I keep going back to this: Kellie hasn't won anything yet. No conference titles, no natties or FF's or even an EE. The best she has done in her career is some SS's, and the top recruits are not gonna be impressed with that. She also cannot point to a whole bunch of players that she recruited, developed, and put in the League. And she has entered a recruiting arena filled with coaches who have won big: Mulkey, the UConn dwarf, Stanford, Dawn, etc. If I were a top HS recruit with WNBA dreams and no emotional connection to UT, I'd be much more inclined to sign with one of them than Kellie, all other things being even.

I think Kellie must at least get to a FF before the top recruits will come. That so many have been strongly considering her is a good sign. But she is swimming with big bad sharks when it comes to recruiting the top players. Many of us have pointed to this year - her fourth - as the critical year. Her team is loaded and deep with veteran, top-quality players that she got through the portal and from Holly. Now is time to strike while the iron is hot. Build it and they will come.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Rickea is probably better than any freshman out there this year, and she chose to come here. We have 6 new players this year, they are recruits.

Over time, we’ll see a balance in recruiting, from high school, internationally, and portal. It doesn’t mean each year there will be a balance. Some years we’ll get more high school recruits, another year, more from the portal. (Although the portal is just a game changer in recruiting.) This requires time and patience to see the results. I hope as time goes by, we fans here will develop more patience to wait and see how things play out. Our team and roster are improving each year.

 

[dtnvol]

The transfer portal has been VERY GOOD to us...BUT, not having any recruits in the stable right now really says something...Why are we not getting any top 100 recruits committing? Many have been on campus...I'm concerned...GO LVFL

 

[NoBackBoard]

You don't see this kind of vitriol with other fan bases, which could be why some of your prized recruits decide against Tennessee.

It’s getting ready old blaming the fans and Vol Nation for recruiting failures. It is the coaches, not fans, who are paid to recruit and secure players. It’s their actual job. Stop with the misplaced anger. It falls on the coaches, and more specifically, Kellie.

 

[LVsinceJV]

0? ... remember Pissott?

Yes, I'm cool with discussion. Personally, I'm in yellow flag territory. I'm not at red flag yet but the 2024 HS class will be critical AND may need to hit the portal again. Yellow flag warrants a thorough review of everything we are doing with HS recruiting and a review of everything our opponents are doing against us. None of this is stuff that CKH and staff don't know. Honestly, I would be surprised if the AD isn't involved in improving this process. If this is mostly NIL related (as I speculate that it is) then he may be our best bet to fix it.

This is where I am as well. Much appreciation for your reasonable, balanced viewpoint.