'24 AL EDGE Jordan Ross (Tennessee)

[Franklin_Vol09]

GREAT POST! Wish I could give you a 5* like.

I think Heupel is better at building a good, sustainable culture. There seems to be very good discipline. Not just the punishment kind but emphasizing behaviors and decision making that lead to maximizing success. It has continued to develop and grow. Keyton mentioned that the WRs themselves set a goal to catch 20,000 balls from the jugs over the summer. The reports of a standard being set that guys like #9 are just now really understanding is another indication that the bar for effort, values, commitment, behavior, etc is being set really high.

Could that be a product of Heupel's experience as a player?

Smart was a player too. But I love what CJH is doing.

 

[sjt18]

Bama having 17 penalties and noone elite to throw to sure helped us out. Yes he over achieved in year 2, but saying he is a better coach than Kirby smart "Who took his team to the national championship in year two" is comparing apples to oranges. Its still too soon to be saying anything like that.

I think Heupel may become a leader of the "next revolution" in CFB the way Saban was 20 years or so ago. But I would actually agree that Smart has already had the success we hope Heupel achieves.

That said, those who do not look at the challenges and advantages are the ones doing an apples to oranges comparison. For me, the specific thing I'm pointing to is the X's and O's portion. Heupel is innovative. You could even call him "genius" looking at his full record as an offensive coach. The more freedom he's had to run the O the way he wanted... the more dominant he's become without a lot of regard to talent. He finds ways to magnify his talent and minimize his liabilities.

Smart is obviously great at building and developing a roster. His teams are fundamentally sound. They beat you with talent and execution... not his "brilliance" as an X's and O's guy. Both appear to be pretty good at game planning and game day. Smart just has a much easier task since he really only has to have his guys play good fundamental "basic" stuff. Honestly he's probably the most like Saban to fall from the Saban tree.

 

[DaddyChad]

I think on the side of Bama and Florida they’ve already kind of conceded they aren’t getting this guy. Tennessee or Texas unless someone comes out of the weeds and it really feels like Tennessee.

 

[sjt18]

Smart was a player too. But I love what CJH is doing.

He was but UGA at that time wasn't nearly as successful as Heupel at OU. Heupel was a consensus AA and national champ plus a whole bunch of QB awards. Considering how his collegiate career started, he was an unusually driven and disciplined young guy. IIRC, he either walked on at OU or was like an afterthought... a guy they expected to be a career back up.

 

[sjt18]

Smart was a player too. But I love what CJH is doing.

He was but UGA at that time wasn't nearly as successful as Heupel at OU. Heupel was a consensus AA and national champ plus a whole bunch of QB awards. Considering how his collegiate career started, he was an unusually driven and disciplined young guy. IIRC, he either walked on at OU or was like an afterthought... a guy they expected to be a career back up.

 

[perico]

He was but UGA at that time wasn't nearly as successful as Heupel at OU. Heupel was a consensus AA and national champ plus a whole bunch of QB awards. Considering how his collegiate career started, he was an unusually driven and disciplined young guy. IIRC, he either walked on at OU or was like an afterthought... a guy they expected to be a career back up.

He was a juco transfer. He was brought in by Mike Leach as an unheralded recruit.

 

[sjt18]

He was a juco transfer. He was brought in by Mike Leach as an unheralded recruit.

Yeah I remember he came from a JUCO in Utah that you never hear about. I just couldn't remember if he came in on scholarship or had to earn it as a walk on.

 

[onevol74]

Can we stop the rabbit trails and focus this thread on Ross? If you want to discuss coaches go to the FF.

 

[Orange.]

Smart was a player too. But I love what CJH is doing.

I remember enjoying Jamal Lewis running over Kirby.

 

[wokawoka55]

Yep...and we were right at 91 in '23 which is not too shabby...if we keep this trend up we are going to be stacked Nico's junior year...

I like to play around with potential depth charts sometimes...the one I have right now for '25 has an average composite of 93 for the starters on O with an average of 92 for the backups...it has an average composite of 92 for the starters on D with an average of 90 for the backups....this is all based on the On3 rankings

That's good to know. Thank you for your research. How long did it take to do ?

 

[thunder5]

That's good to know. Thank you for your research. How long did it take to do ?

Maybe 10 minutes or so…I have it in a spreadsheet so calculating averages and what not is pretty quick…and On3 has a good system and database so you can get the numbers you need pretty quick…

Obviously there are several assumptions baked in about who will be here and who won’t in ‘25…but all in all, if we keep on this pace, we’ll have a team that’s more than capable of going toe to toe with the best of them…I don’t see anyone that will just overwhelm us with a talent disparity at that point

 

[Memphisvol87]

I think Heupel may become a leader of the "next revolution" in CFB the way Saban was 20 years or so ago. But I would actually agree that Smart has already had the success we hope Heupel achieves.

That said, those who do not look at the challenges and advantages are the ones doing an apples to oranges comparison. For me, the specific thing I'm pointing to is the X's and O's portion. Heupel is innovative. You could even call him "genius" looking at his full record as an offensive coach. The more freedom he's had to run the O the way he wanted... the more dominant he's become without a lot of regard to talent. He finds ways to magnify his talent and minimize his liabilities.

Smart is obviously great at building and developing a roster. His teams are fundamentally sound. They beat you with talent and execution... not his "brilliance" as an X's and O's guy. Both appear to be pretty good at game planning and game day. Smart just has a much easier task since he really only has to have his guys play good fundamental "basic" stuff. Honestly he's probably the most like Saban to fall from the Saban tree.

That’s why it’s not being a negavol as some here whine about. I want us to recruit to Georgia and bamas level because if we do, we will be a dynasty. Defense cost us a playoff birth last year in year 2. Exactly what Kirby did, but with way more talent. I’d take Huepel all day with the stacked roster. We need to get rid of Martinez. Secondary already has enough trouble covering without elite front 7. When we get those to pair with our offense we can beat anyone anywhere anytime

 

[sjt18]

That’s why it’s not being a negavol as some here whine about. I want us to recruit to Georgia and bamas level because if we do, we will be a dynasty. Defense cost us a playoff birth last year in year 2. Exactly what Kirby did, but with way more talent. I’d take Huepel all day with the stacked roster.

Thing is... we don't know that they aren't in fact recruiting near or at that level. Almost every time we hear praise of Arion Carter who was a BIG priority for Saban... Telander who Bama and UGA weren't really interested in is mentioned too. Squirrel was a 3* except for On3. Herring and Perry are both starting to look like SEC caliber LBs. Walker and Mincey were both rated 3* as transfers.

It is naive in the extreme not to recognize that guys prioritized by Bama, UGA, OSU, and a few others or particularly more than one top tier program get a ratings bump. That does not mean that guys they aren't after aren't just as talented or have just as much potential. That is how Dabo made his climb. Oddly, after the recruiting sites started giving his targets that bump... his rosters appear to have become less talented.

We need to get rid of Martinez. Secondary already has enough trouble covering without elite front 7.

Banks needs to go before Martinez if the D doesn't improve. Martinez has a long history of success as a position coach and players seem to relate well to him. If they don't improve then you have to look at the leader, the scheme, the playcalling, and how it all fits together.

When we get those to pair with our offense we can beat anyone anywhere anytime

I expect the DL to improve. I expect the D overall to improve.

The Vols need some breaks to fall their way and Milton has to play well. If those things happen there are NO unwinnable games on this schedule. There are probably 10 "should wins" as we sit here in mid-August.

 

[mrmax86]

This would move us up to 6th, our highest ranking since March 30th when we added Jake Merklinger! And, we'd be just a sniff away from 4th!


'24 - Recruiting Rankings Tracker

 

[DaddyChad]

This would move us up to 6th, our highest ranking since March 30th when we added Jake Merklinger! And, we'd be just a sniff away from 4th!
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'24 - Recruiting Rankings Tracker

That’s really close to top five.

 

[VolNash17]

I think Heupel is a better X’s and O’s Coach. If the two coaches swapped rosters, what would the results have been? Also have to remember, Kirby walked into a stacked cupboard of talent already. Kirby’s a great motivator and recruiter, Heupel is better at X’s and O’s and scheming. Heupel is probably a more “likeable” player’s coach as well.

A lot of folks probably don’t want to hear this but Kirby is probably more similar to Fulmer. During his prime, Fulmer was a great motivator and recruiter that basically out talented people outside of Florida (talent was more even and we had more talent at times). Fulmer also had good coordinators, especially with Cutcliffe.

I agree… I think Heupel is more like Spurrier and Kirby is like Fulmer.

 

[SweetasSoda]

That’s why it’s not being a negavol as some here whine about. I want us to recruit to Georgia and bamas level because if we do, we will be a dynasty. Defense cost us a playoff birth last year in year 2. Exactly what Kirby did, but with way more talent. I’d take Huepel all day with the stacked roster. We need to get rid of Martinez. Secondary already has enough trouble covering without elite front 7. When we get those to pair with our offense we can beat anyone anywhere anytime

We cheerleaders want to recruit to GA and AL level. Every fan everywhere does. We just don’t think having a mental breakdown on a message board gets it done. We don’t think firing coaches on a message board does anything either. And after what we’ve been through the last decade, we prefer to look at everything good that we have going on right now. That doesn’t mean we don’t know there’s something bad we could focus on.

 

[SweetasSoda]

This would move us up to 6th, our highest ranking since March 30th when we added Jake Merklinger! And, we'd be just a sniff away from 4th!
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'24 - Recruiting Rankings Tracker

Oh, I would really like to go ahead of MI, LSU and Penn St!

 

[VolNash17]

I think Heupel may become a leader of the "next revolution" in CFB the way Saban was 20 years or so ago. But I would actually agree that Smart has already had the success we hope Heupel achieves.

That said, those who do not look at the challenges and advantages are the ones doing an apples to oranges comparison. For me, the specific thing I'm pointing to is the X's and O's portion. Heupel is innovative. You could even call him "genius" looking at his full record as an offensive coach. The more freedom he's had to run the O the way he wanted... the more dominant he's become without a lot of regard to talent. He finds ways to magnify his talent and minimize his liabilities.

Smart is obviously great at building and developing a roster. His teams are fundamentally sound. They beat you with talent and execution... not his "brilliance" as an X's and O's guy. Both appear to be pretty good at game planning and game day. Smart just has a much easier task since he really only has to have his guys play good fundamental "basic" stuff. Honestly he's probably the most like Saban to fall from the Saban tree.

Smart utilizes the “Tresselball” method. Over time you’ll win 80+% of the time with that. There will be times though when the other team just beats you. Tressel Ball super conservative, field position, no turnovers, churn clock etc. Boa constrictor strategy. We’ll see if they can keep it up without Monken. Monken stayed within the overall plan except he was much more creative within it. Like Cutt was with UT. Will Kirby fall down a notch without Monken like UT did without Cutt? A real possibility. Not to mention the off the field situations.

 

[SweetasSoda]

I agree… I think Heupel is more like Spurrier and Kirby is like Fulmer.

We’ll know it’s true if Heupel starts making jokes about Kirby.
Edit…I promise I put we’ll! Lol it changed it to well that time.

 

[VolNash17]

We know it’s true if Heupel starts making jokes about Kirby.

LOL! Yes. Heupel seems more relaxed though personality wise. Spurrier attention span was notoriously short and he probably had some ADD or something

 

[swchandler1988]

This would move us up to 6th, our highest ranking since March 30th when we added Jake Merklinger! And, we'd be just a sniff away from 4th!
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'24 - Recruiting Rankings Tracker

What’s better is that only puts us 9 points away from our rank last year..with 5 less recruits committed, and 5 months earlier

 

[GRRN7MAXIMS]

This would move us up to 6th, our highest ranking since March 30th when we added Jake Merklinger! And, we'd be just a sniff away from 4th!
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'24 - Recruiting Rankings Tracker

Is this adding Ross, Mikell, and Okoye?

 

[EtowahVol]

Smart utilizes the “Tresselball” method. Over time you’ll win 80+% of the time with that. There will be times though when the other team just beats you. Tressel Ball super conservative, field position, no turnovers, churn clock etc. Boa constrictor strategy. We’ll see if they can keep it up without Monken. Monken stayed within the overall plan except he was much more creative within it. Like Cutt was with UT. Will Kirby fall down a notch without Monken like UT did without Cutt? A real possibility. Not to mention the off the field situations.

Tressel was like Majors.

 

[SweetasSoda]

Martinez couldn't coach last time he was here and still can't His players can't back up and never look back.

Guess that’s why he makes the big bucks putting players in the NFL. The best news for you is if he doesn’t please CJH he will replace him. He may even read this message board in his spare time to see what your opinion is!