Are we getting a top 10 recruiting class this year?

[VolunteerHillbilly]

I agree and understand your point, but last year we were filling skill positions. IMO the stars have a much higher "translation rate" with running backs and receivers.

Lex, I respect you but that argument doesn't hold much water with me. Look at the linemen who have comitted to Bama. (6**** and a ****** lineman, not to mention a couple of huge ATH prospects who could easily turn into DEs). That's what you go after when it's a needs year and the need is linemen. There are 30 pure linemen in Rivals Top 100. Lump in the oversized Athletes and DBs who will probably end of at DE and it's way past 1/3 of the list. Elite linemen propsects are out there (Bama has 7, UF has 5, and UGA has 6), the Vols are just not getting them and I am at a loss for an explantion as to why, particularly on the defensive side of the ball where there has been no turnover and the Vols can offer a good shot at immediate playing time.

 

[chavisut]

I agree and understand your point, but last year we were filling skill positions. IMO the stars have a much higher "translation rate" with running backs and receivers.

I have mentioned this on atleast 3 other threads but there are more 5 star offensive tackles(eight) then any other position.

 

[TennTradition]

Lex, I respect you but that argument doesn't hold much water with me. Look at the linemen who have comitted to Bama. (6**** and a ****** lineman, not to mention a couple of huge ATH prospects who could easily turn into DEs).

Wow...that lineman must be really, really, really good.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Wow...that lineman must be really, really, really good.

Allow me to break it down for you Einstein:

Look at the linemen who have comitted to Bama. (6**** and a ****** lineman, not to mention a couple of huge ATH prospects who could easily turn into DEs).

Tell GW we're pulling for him when you guys hit that remedial English class.

 

[ivtec_jrod]

i'm going to go ahead and say if we win 10 games this upcoming season it will feel like a national champsionship.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

i'm going to go ahead and say if we win 10 games this upcoming season it will feel like a national champsionship.

Spoken like a true Kentucky fan. There should be no substitute for a championship at UTK. If you were serious, I am saddened.

 

[utmba93]

Lex, I respect you but that argument doesn't hold much water with me. Look at the linemen who have comitted to Bama. (6**** and a ****** lineman, not to mention a couple of huge ATH prospects who could easily turn into DEs). That's what you go after when it's a needs year and the need is linemen. There are 30 pure linemen in Rivals Top 100. Lump in the oversized Athletes and DBs who will probably end of at DE and it's way past 1/3 of the list. Elite linemen propsects are out there (Bama has 7, UF has 5, and UGA has 6), the Vols are just not getting them and I am at a loss for an explantion as to why, particularly on the defensive side of the ball where there has been no turnover and the Vols can offer a good shot at immediate playing time.

If Lex is correct, a faulty star system for linemen is the explanation. The question is whether you believe in the scouts and their assessments of linemen or whether you put your faith in Phil on this one. It's kinda hard to tell what some monster HS kid can do against other monster HS kids when there are so few of them to but heads against one another.

Evaluating linemen... that's not the 'dream job' the scouts are out there doing. Phil, on the other hand, gets excited about that sort of thing.

 

[Lexvol]

Lex, I respect you but that argument doesn't hold much water with me. Look at the linemen who have comitted to Bama. (6**** and a ****** lineman, not to mention a couple of huge ATH prospects who could easily turn into DEs). That's what you go after when it's a needs year and the need is linemen. There are 30 pure linemen in Rivals Top 100. Lump in the oversized Athletes and DBs who will probably end of at DE and it's way past 1/3 of the list. Elite linemen propsects are out there (Bama has 7, UF has 5, and UGA has 6), the Vols are just not getting them and I am at a loss for an explantion as to why, particularly on the defensive side of the ball where there has been no turnover and the Vols can offer a good shot at immediate playing time.

I know it sounds like I am making excuses, but I'm not. I would love nothing more than to land at least 1 ***** defensive lineman. I still lament the fact that we lost Marvin Austin (I think that was his name) last year. That being said I would not expect any defensive lineman to come in and contribute right away, and if they were forced to contribute early we would be in a world of hurt anyway.

Historically UT has been able to get the JUCO's when they need them, especially at DT. While I offer no excuses for this recruiting class, I am hopeful that next year the JUCO route will once again be successful for us. If not UT will be in a heap of trouble up front.

I still trust star ratings for skill position players much more than I do with lineman on either side of the ball. I will continue to argue that defensive lineman are developed as often as they are recruited, and again, historically, Dan Brooks has proven the ability to develop these guys.

 

[ksushalovesthevols]

Whether the recruits live up to expectations or not, it's kinda sad to see us drop off the map that much.

 

[BigPapaVol]

Wow...that lineman must be really, really, really good.

hillbilly missed the boat, but I thought it was funny as hell.

 

[Plano Vol]

I think the big question is are we recruiting to our needs.....I don't see a plethora of big dominating DL types and I'm very concerned.

As to dropping off the map, it's out of sight, out of mind. If the program doesn't LOOK successful, and recruiting success is one more index to a high school dude, then he is less likely to take an interest.

 

[ksushalovesthevols]

Don't we get a lot of DL's from JUCO's lately?

 

[utvolpj]

Wow...that lineman must be really, really, really good.

hard to compete when they're pulling in guys like that

 

[DC Vol]

hard to compete when they're pulling in guys like that

Well, in addition to Bama's 226 National Championships, they can claim the nation's only 6 star recruit.

 

[justingroves]

Don't we get a lot of DL's from JUCO's lately?

Next year there will be 3 DL coming from the JUCO ranks.

Corey Hall, Rae Sykes and Rufus Williams

 

[justingroves]

I still trust star ratings for skill position players much more than I do with lineman on either side of the ball. I will continue to argue that defensive lineman are developed as often as they are recruited, and again, historically, Dan Brooks has proven the ability to develop these guys.

100% truth

 

[utmba93]

Next year there will be 3 DL coming from the JUCO ranks.

Corey Hall, Rae Sykes and Rufus Williams

Mystery solved! Great work, Justin.:rock:

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Next year there will be 3 DL coming from the JUCO ranks.

Corey Hall, Rae Sykes and Rufus Williams

Are all three of them still DEs? The Vols need big uglies more than anything.

 

[utmba93]

Well, in addition to Bama's 226 National Championships, they can claim the nation's only 6 star recruit.

It does make sense that any claim to a 6* would be Saban's.

 

[justingroves]

Are all three of them still DEs? The Vols need big uglies more than anything.

Corey Hall will be a DT, he and the coaches both said that was the plan from the time he committed.

Williams is going to be a tweener like Fisher. A little undersized for DT, a little too big for DE.

Sykes will be a DE unless he just gets huge at JUCO. Everything I've read/heard has Sykes being a DE.

 

[ksushalovesthevols]

Are all three of them still DEs? The Vols need big uglies more than anything.

Awww, easy now. Those big boys have feelings too!