2025 Roster is Concerning

[VOLinAL]

We need some burners at wide out. O line help would be nice. Can we get a new offensive scheme with NIL?

 

[livefaith]

Folks, prepare thyself. This is the way it's gonna look EVERY year going forward. Tons jump ship and newbs replace them.

 

[stolitonic]

Recruiting and portal.
Recruiting and portal.

Blue chip players on the roster.

That's what all the programs that field top teams every year do... it's that simple. Not easy to do, but it is straightforward what needs to be done.

Finding ways how to do it, that is where the challenge for this staff lay.

Bruh, no offense intended-but we have a few "blue chip" players on the team right now.

What's concerning is that other teams "blue chip" guys are showing out already and ours made no noticeable contribution this year or didn't exactly set the world on fire anyway.

Look at the "17 year old" or the freshman for the Buckeyes who ran all over us last night. Compare their seasons with that of Matthews.

Hell, even Arch looked much more in control than Nico when he had to step in earlier this season.

We get these guys who are supposed to be all world and then you don't hear from them for two years.

Something in the development is just off man

 

[fossilfiction]

So no big deal? Just another tough loss? Not quite. It was a massive BLOWOUT loss on a massive stage in which it was clear we were outmatched in every position. There's a talent deficit that needs to addressed if we want to win at a higher level.

With panties this tight, your legs must be numb.

 

[SCRocket]

We still have a ways to go roster wise to compete in games like this. We have a walk on at safety where as they have multiple top 10 players at their position in their respective classes we are having to play less talented guys it’s very frustrating but obvious. If we don’t spend more money on the NLI and transfer front we will continue to be passed by teams who spend more. Go big orange it’s a critical point in college football and Vol history

Couldn’t agree more.

 

[Vol8188]

DL loses Omari Thomas, James Pearce, Norman Lott, Simmons, Bailey and Eason

The only WRs we have are Brazzell, Squirrel, Mathews, Staley….. all the others are true freshmen, graduate, or are in the portal.

Razor thin at Safety as Brooks graduates, we lost Hayward (a top 100 kid), and didnt have anyone highly rated in the class.

And while we were busy prepping to lose a playoff game, all the big portal guys got gobbled up.

Deep trouble next year.

Not a concerning roster at all. Sure, we need some safeties. Outside of that it’s a pretty good roster

 

[GAV4L]

Bruh, no offense intended-but we have a few "blue chip" players on the team right now.

What's concerning is that other teams "blue chip" guys are showing out already and ours made no noticeable contribution this year or didn't exactly set the world on fire anyway.

Look at the "17 year old" or the freshman for the Buckeyes who ran all over us last night. Compare their seasons with that of Matthews.

Hell, even Arch looked much more in control than Nico when he had to step in earlier this season.

We get these guys who are supposed to be all world and then you don't hear from them for two years.

Something in the development is just off man

That is an issue too, without a doubt.

At the same time, we still have significantly less blue chips than UGA, Bama, Ohio State, Texas, and even a dumpster fire program like Florida (they have 52 blue chip players on their roster, we have 41). 41 blue chip is under 50% which teams that win the national title all have had over 50%.

But you do bring good points about development issues too.

 

[Volhoops]

NO, Remember Jesus never asked for money, Read the Holy Bible.

Old Testament says it was required in Jewish law.

 

[LittleVol]

DL loses Omari Thomas, James Pearce, Norman Lott, Simmons, Bailey and Eason

The only WRs we have are Brazzell, Squirrel, Mathews, Staley….. all the others are true freshmen, graduate, or are in the portal.

Razor thin at Safety as Brooks graduates, we lost Hayward (a top 100 kid), and didnt have anyone highly rated in the class.

And while we were busy prepping to lose a playoff game, all the big portal guys got gobbled up.

Deep trouble next year.

No.
It's not nearly that bad. I understand fans get like this after a bad loss, but no.

Roster is actually better than its been in a long time. Obviously not nearly as good as Ohio Stats roster RIGHT NOW. But no other schools is either.

There doesn't necessarily need to be coaches let go. But there absolutely needs to be an audit done from top to bottom on Heupel scheme. And then we need to bring in a completely different offensive mind to meld with Heupel offense scheme.

Tennessee is NOT in rebuild mode. We just went 10-3 and made the Collage Football playoffs.
Unfortunately we played the most talented team 1st round.
It's really than simple.
Nico is the Man once we get an IMPROVED offensive scheme. He literally had nowhere to throw because Ohio State UGA Arkansas knew where the routes were going.

Our roster has speed at WR. We've seen that with Matthews and Staley.

RBs are bringing in some need juice with Baker and Morris- two really talented and different style backs. Lewis and Bishop will pace us but Baker and Morris will be needed as true freshman.

OL- play the recruited guys already.
TE- excellent shape. Use them (again need more offensive creativity here. We have superior skills at TE now.)

DL- is concerning but two portal guys to help bring along our super talented freshman will make us steady there.

LBs- yeah we need Harmon, Burns, Spillman all to step up

DB- We could use another Jermond McCoy except at Safety.

Tennessee is more than fine.
Just need a little bit better offensive minds to help challenge Heupel.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Bruh, no offense intended-but we have a few "blue chip" players on the team right now.

What's concerning is that other teams "blue chip" guys are showing out already and ours made no noticeable contribution this year or didn't exactly set the world on fire anyway.

Look at the "17 year old" or the freshman for the Buckeyes who ran all over us last night. Compare their seasons with that of Matthews.

Hell, even Arch looked much more in control than Nico when he had to step in earlier this season.

We get these guys who are supposed to be all world and then you don't hear from them for two years.

Something in the development is just off man

The two examples you provided are both bad comparisons. The WR for OSU is in a league of his own. You are dreaming if you don’t understand that. He will be a 1st rounder, potentially #1 pick. There are no other comparable players in CFB right now.

Your memory of arch is different than mine and anybody else who pays attention. He in fact did not look that great this year against any team with a pulse. He got thrashed by UGA both times he touched the field, and only looked decent against crappy buy a win teams.

Grow up and stop making dumbass comparisons like that.

 

[volbound1700]

We will be lucky to make playoffs next year but I can say this for a fact, it will be a better season than any that we had under Pruitt or Dooley and likely even under Jones (Jones did have 2 9-4 seasons).

 

[Orangecrush#27]

DL loses Omari Thomas, James Pearce, Norman Lott, Simmons, Bailey and Eason

The only WRs we have are Brazzell, Squirrel, Mathews, Staley….. all the others are true freshmen, graduate, or are in the portal.

Razor thin at Safety as Brooks graduates, we lost Hayward (a top 100 kid), and didnt have anyone highly rated in the class.

And while we were busy prepping to lose a playoff game, all the big portal guys got gobbled up.

Deep trouble next year.

Along time before now and next season my friend. It’ll work out.

 

[Orangecrush#27]

The two examples you provided are both bad comparisons. The WR for OSU is in a league of his own. You are dreaming if you don’t understand that. He will be a 1st rounder, potentially #1 pick. There are no other comparable players in CFB right now.

Your memory of arch is different than mine and anybody else who pays attention. He in fact did not look that great this year against any team with a pulse. He got thrashed by UGA both times he touched the field, and only looked decent against crappy buy a win teams.

Grow up and stop making dumbass comparisons like that.

Fans always think the grass is greener on the other side. Smh

 

[stolitonic]

The two examples you provided are both bad comparisons. The WR for OSU is in a league of his own. You are dreaming if you don’t understand that. He will be a 1st rounder, potentially #1 pick. There are no other comparable players in CFB right now.

Your memory of arch is different than mine and anybody else who pays attention. He in fact did not look that great this year against any team with a pulse. He got thrashed by UGA both times he touched the field, and only looked decent against crappy buy a win teams.

Grow up and stop making dumbass comparisons like that.

Lol

Let's do some math shall we.

How many 5:stars are there every recruiting cycle? 32

How many first round draft picks take place each year in the NFL? 32

If prognosticators were perfect in terms of who is and is not a 5 star, then the 5:star recruits each year would comprise the first round of the NFL draft. Do you understand this?

I agree that tOSUs dude is a man among boys. That is my point dude. Why do we not have men amongst boys?

If memory recalls Arch started two games which Ewers were out. At least one of those was against SEC competition I believe. I'm sorry man, but Nico looked shaky all year except against the Kent Sts of the world. He has potential, but really needs some work.

Jumping down my throat is not going to solve any of the issues this team has. I am simply giving my honest thoughts. We can debate them all day, but screaming at me for my thoughts is not going to solve any problems.

 

[bpalmer28]

Honestly, I couldn't care less about who we may or will lose. I'm more concerned that our staff show me that they can evaluate and develop talent. Right now that's a big concern for me. When Heupel lost the kids Frost brought in, things slipped at UCF. So far, I'm not all that impressed with the recruits we're putting on the field to replace the Pruitt kids.

You haven't been impressed with B. Carter, A. Carter, Pearce Jr, Nico, Sampson, Gibson, McCoy, or Josephs? None of them?

 

[bpalmer28]

Lol

Let's do some math shall we.

How many 5:stars are there every recruiting cycle? 32

How many first round draft picks take place each year in the NFL? 32

If prognosticators were perfect in terms of who is and is not a 5 star, then the 5:star recruits each year would comprise the first round of the NFL draft. Do you understand this?

I agree that tOSUs dude is a man among boys. That is my point dude. Why do we not have men amongst boys?

If memory recalls Arch started two games which Ewers were out. At least one of those was against SEC competition I believe. I'm sorry man, but Nico looked shaky all year except against the Kent Sts of the world. He has potential, but really needs some work.

Jumping down my throat is not going to solve any of the issues this team has. I am simply giving my honest thoughts. We can debate them all day, but screaming at me for my thoughts is not going to solve any problems.

It's probably not fair to compare Nico with arguably the best QB prospect of all-time.

 

[Go47]

This.

 

[bpalmer28]

Stop with this 'Heupel is better than Pruitt' No S***!!! The point is how have Heupel's recruits filled in for Pruitt's recruits? The poster is right. Do you see our 2 lines of scrimmage being just as good as this year?

Wait a minute. Are you and the other guy saying our offensive and defense lines are not better than they were under Pruitt?

 

[stolitonic]

It's probably not fair to compare Nico with arguably the best QB prospect of all-time.

I somewhat agree, but at least in my memory-they were kinda 1a and 1b with Arch in the lead

Point being the "grade" by the experts was very close between the two.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Lol

Let's do some math shall we.

How many 5:stars are there every recruiting cycle? 32

How many first round draft picks take place each year in the NFL? 32

If prognosticators were perfect in terms of who is and is not a 5 star, then the 5:star recruits each year would comprise the first round of the NFL draft. Do you understand this?

I agree that tOSUs dude is a man among boys. That is my point dude. Why do we not have men amongst boys?

If memory recalls Arch started two games which Ewers were out. At least one of those was against SEC competition I believe. I'm sorry man, but Nico looked shaky all year except against the Kent Sts of the world. He has potential, but really needs some work.

Jumping down my throat is not going to solve any of the issues this team has. I am simply giving my honest thoughts. We can debate them all day, but screaming at me for my thoughts is not going to solve any problems.

I cant stand dumb, reactionary, uninformed takes. Crying about how other teams have good players and wondering why we don’t when we are sitting at our second 10 win season in 4 years speaks to your foolishness.

last year only 7 of the 32 first rounders picks were 5 star players. Only 50% of 5 star players are drafted and less than that end up on a roster long term.

Better that 4 and 3 stars for sure, but still not a sure fire hit.

Jeremiah Smith is literally a once in a generation talent. Comparing any other WR in college to him is foolish. Every other college fan is asking “how do we get a guy like that?” If they knew the answer they would be coaching or involved in NIL operations somewhere.

Arch has done nothing to prove he is better than any other QB in his class as he has only started two games against bad competition. Beating up on Truck Stop U and Miss State is really great. What did he pass, the eye test? Nico also passed that against our cupcakes. He only played half a game against State so hard to compare apples to oranges.

Quit crying that other schools have either incredible players or some other guy you just like because you have a grudge against our guys for not performing to your standards. Get a different sport to follow because this is an unfair game where schools like OSU can just buy a better roster. It will never be fair.

Go root for Texas if you think Arch is just better on the bench than somebody who actually started. Nobody will miss you here.

 

[C-south]

It’s going to be concerning every year going forward.

 

[Chitlin&theDude]

With panties this tight, your legs must be numb.

With analysis as dumb as yours, you must be a moron

 

[Sudden Impact]

Didn't take very long after the season to get to Battered Vol Syndrome

 

[KeyVol14]

With analysis as dumb as yours, you must be a moron

Definitely the offseason now lol

 

[volfeeva]

I agree. Every fan says "hit the portal hard" but all the other big programs are shopping too and some have a lot more money that we do. I believe it's important to find the right HS kids, structure their NIL deal properly and develop them over a 3-4 year period. The portal should be to address a particular need here and there, not rebuild a team.

It reminds me a little of how Jackie Sherrill always tried to build through JUCO . The players are more proven, but more people are pursuing them.

If we haven't already, we need to bring in analysts for salary cap management. Players are going to need to be cut and tough decision will need to be made.

I agree with the idea of getting players signed via the NIL with hopes they stay a few years . Fulmer used to get players from the JUCO ranks. Thing is when Sherrill was coaching players came to a school with the idea of staying, before NIL/money was the driver of where they play. almost none of these players today have much loyalty to any school---it's all about ME- ME and making the most money , buying some fancy car etc.