2025 Target List

#1,528
#1,528
Any of you guys have intel on the two kids in the ’26 class from PCA? Rivals has Chris Washington Jr as the 30th ranked player and Preston Wade at 105 but I’ve no idea of TN’s interest in either nor their interest in TN.

I watched the state championship game yesterday and was most impressed with Washington. Very smooth basketball player.
 
#1,529
#1,529
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Yesterday at the game, I sat with my usual source and his friend who is a prominent donor. Here are a couple of observations that will probably make for some frustrating waiting.

All of Mashack, ZZ and Gainey would return for the NIL and play one more year if additional eligibility is granted. Slive and White have expressed their disappointment at the timeline, but they believe the NCAA is intentionally going to push the decision out until it is not actionable by current Seniors. They don’t like making changes that appear to benefit current Seniors. I don’t know why. It’s rotten.

We have had massive portal interest and may focus almost entirely there, and not signing many more HS recruits, given the level of experience in our losses. Several very good/very experienced guards have reached out through representatives. This isn’t surprising, but is a shift.

Burries has gotten a disproportionate NIL offer from another team and Barnes may shake his head no on that. This is the most difficult loss if they change tack. My friends seemed frustrated about this one, like it’s been a slog. I love this kid. It isn’t over, but there is some late hustling, and that can alienate CRB.

Mallory is probably 50/50 us. UVA is in his milk every day, and I’m sure he is getting back door info on the search. We are in a strong position if they can’t close him, but there is talk that he may commit regardless of where the search is publicly. His date is under two weeks away. At least we won’t sweat this long.

We aren’t in it with Ament now, though he had a great visit. He loved the visit, but he’s getting nuclear sized offers. No surprise there.

No one will answer the “will Barnes retire this (or next) Summer?” question. They are doing everything as though he’ll return and stay years, but the recent shift away from young players gives me pause. Could be a strategic shift, or they might be building a swing big now team.

As always, there will be an end of year meeting with every player. I assume he’ll push the old guys fully out of the nest. He’s not going to ask them to wait unless we get strong signals they can come back. Bishop wants to stay, but we might move on. Estrella has been down during the injury, but is almost fully recovered. He’ll work again with a private coach this Summer. His offense was great last Summer and hopefully he’ll pick up where he left off.

Given the core of bigs, this will be a very blue collar banging team. We have some very interesting portal options at guard, and Burries and Mallory remain options. We’re just going to have to ride out a lot of fan whining until the roster is built.
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The question on Burries is if his "disproportionate offer" is legit? Not that he didn't get it, but if the school making the offer is willing to go that high? Kid seems to have the talent to be a legit NBA talent at some point so I'd question of the school in question can develop him the way Barnes can. Depending on the school in question, I'd have to think the development track record at UT would be very, very appealing.
 
#1,530
#1,530
bleedingTNorange said:
My eye is on Hodgson at Alabama, White probably knows him a bit and he is an offensive guy coming from Oats tree. Killing it in 2 years at Arkansas State and was considered one of the nations top recruiters as an assistant, shark on the trail, young guy also.
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He dresses like Pitbull and looks like Russian mafia, but his wife is a stone cold fox.
 
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#1,532
#1,532
ABtheVolsfan92 said:
He isn't very bubbly or friendly looking I doubt he'd be a great recruiter. I for one hope for Will Wade or Shaka Smart
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Will Wade...srsly??? Tennessee isn't a make-a-wish program or a coaching rehab facility. Wade is a good coach, but I hope we are never in a position to have to take that kind of gamble.
 
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#1,535
#1,535
cncchris33 said:
He dresses like Pitbull and looks like Russian mafia, but his wife is a stone cold fox.
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Cue the “we know he can recruit” comments!
 

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#1,537
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bleedingTNorange said:
My eye is on Hodgson at Alabama, White probably knows him a bit and he is an offensive guy coming from Oats tree. Killing it in 2 years at Arkansas State and was considered one of the nations top recruiters as an assistant, shark on the trail, young guy also.
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Just maybe on to something here. His Arkansas State team just defeated top seeded South Alabama to move into tomorrow nights Sun Belt Tournament final..
 
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