Confidence level in the 2016 recruiting class? (merged)

#26
#26
I know some - even many do, but if I were a HS, highly-recruited athlete with no strong collegiate-affiliation, I would wait until after the holidays to start my serious thinking and ultimately committing process. This would also give me time to see how college coaches are "playing their hand" as it pertains to recruit targets.

As such, I believe we'll see much talk, speculation and movement between now and NSD.
 
#27
#27
VersaceButch said:
Very true! Thanks for the intelligent post. I 100% agree that I never thought this class would be as elite as the past two. But the one thing I don't want to see is a noticeable regression. Falling out of the top 20 with this class would be concerning. Anything in the top 20 would be great and add the necessary depth we desire. As long as we can land a few guys like Brown, Warrior, and Hardman I would be extremely happy if we closed with those three guys.
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Ask yourself these questions. How probable was it that Butch would land top 5 classes coming off of 5-7 and 7-6 records? The logical answer would be "not very." Now, how probable is it that this class will absolutely tank, coming off of a probable 9-4 season and top 25 ranking? The logical answer again would be "not very." We will never be privy to the behind-the-scenes machinations, but it is quite probable that we are witnessing, at least to some degree, a culling of the existing herd to allow for upgrades. It is distasteful, but Butch's ultimate obligation is to bring in the very best recruiting class possible, year after year. I have no doubt whatsoever with respect to Butch's recruiting prowess. Now that the onfield product is showing a significant uptick, that process will become easier and, quite frankly, our staff will have to become more selective. It is a delicate balancing act but I have every confidence that the final product will be one that we can all be proud of.
 
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#28
#28
In the end I think we'll be fine warrior will come to his senses and commit to us..I think brown will commit as well,now as for hardman I believe it will be between bama 😷now that Pruitt is there and UGA IMO but I think that last visit he takes when he comes here before signing day will give him something to think about their gonna roll out the orange carpet..this class will be better than what we thought in the end watch.
 
#29
#29
So... Was the Tim Hart threat just an overreaction to a meaningless twitter post? Hopefully Butch Jones doesn't mess with the relations at MUS. 😬
 
#30
#30
VersaceButch said:
I'm just stimulating discussion. Better than just only threads based on one specific player. I don't see what's wrong with talking about the class as a whole and how you think it shapes out. But okay, go ahead and act like this is a "melt down" thread and not just a simple discussion on what you think happens from here.
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It's a fair topic for discussion...don't let the loons bother you...ignore them.

I will say this...Butch has pleasantly surprised us for three years straight. No reason to think he won't do it again. We may not have a blockbuster class, but we wont be disappointed methinks.
 
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#31
#31
This year has not been like the past two. We had a lot of positive momentum and recruiting buzz in 2014 and 2015, much of which came from legacy peer recruiting on social media. We don't have that this year. We're not all over social media. We're not the cool school with the recruiting buzz. We have one highly rated legacy, and he hasn't committed to UT.

No doubt, the coaches have things under control and have a solid backup plan for filling positions of need. I'm sure they're not turning cartwheels and backflips over the past few weeks, though. We can finish strong down the home stretch, but this class is very fluid-- not locked up at all.
 
#32
#32
The sunshine pumpers are just as bad as us negavols. It's a lose - lose.

Too positive?

You're a sunshine pumping moron. Beat FL or Bama before spouting off about how good Tennessee is. Take your orange shades off! You're delusional to think we finish with a top 10 recruiting class!

Too negative?

How DARE you have a bad outlook and opinion that is different than mine! You're a troll and a loser! We are Tennessee so we are always the best, and Butch is the best recruiter in the country!
 
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#33
#33
I agree this has been on odd year- no peer recruiter like K Mac and Vic Wharton I know I know lol! And these recruits seem to be commited one day and taking visits the next where as before they just seemed more committed and solid. And all of this after a pretty solid season too with a lot of expectation going into next season- top facilities, wonderful fan base, lots of exposure for players, I don't get it... I really don't. And it's not like we have had an overhaul in asst coaches- almost everyone has had some changes and it hasn't seemed to hurt them...
 
#34
#34
Lovesomebigorange said:
I appreciate your questions OP. Most of us, if we are being honest, are concerned with the last few days and that doesn't make us trolls or negavols- we just care about our football team! It's ridiculous that only some can ever have a concern or worry but others are told to go back to the football forum, etc. I never expected to have another stud filled top 5 class this year but I certainly didn't expect losing this many commits in a few days time. Marshall and Chidi looked to be Butchs call so he obviously has a plan but it does seem like we are missing on some players lately. And with Kongbo, it looks like he might have gotten caught up and maybe committed too soon- hope we can hang onto him. And hopefully we finish with Warrior and Brown. That could help ease the sting of the last week.
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I think this has more to do with the games we should have won and lost than anything else. These kids we are recruiting and opposing coaches saw this also and with these coaches in the recruits ear reminding them of this doesn't help our cause. We can think that an 8-4 season is good enough but that does not change the fact that these kids saw games we could and should have won and they my be choosing a place to play ball with a more stable coaching staff( we are losing a few coaches for what I understand) and maybe these other coaches are telling recruits to come to a more stable staff and a better chance of playing time right away.
 
#35
#35
I think the changes are actually helping some of our recruiting rivals. UGA is selling hope and a new coach with multiple NCs, UF is selling their SECe championship as a building block, LSU is selling stability now that Lesgate is over-- even SCAR is selling positive change with an aggressive, energetic staff. We're still selling potential and "Next Year." Maybe recruits aren't buying that we're over the hump-- certainly, other coaches are selling hard that we're not.
 
#36
#36
LA Vol said:
I think the changes are actually helping some of our recruiting rivals. UGA is selling hope and a new coach with multiple NCs, UF is selling their SECe championship as a building block, LSU is selling stability now that Lesgate is over-- even SCAR is selling positive change with an aggressive, energetic staff. We're still selling potential and "Next Year." Maybe recruits aren't buying that we're over the hump-- certainly, other coaches are selling hard that we're not.
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This doesn't totally align in my mind. Will Muschamp is a good recruiter will a proven failed track record as a HC. Kirby Smart has never been a head coach until now. Tennessee is in year 3 of the Jones era and has consistently progressed over that time period. The fact that this class isn't making much noise is concerning mainly bc we are as good now as we've ever been under Butch Jones. Is it negative recruiting or coincidence that these players are jumping ship? I have no idea.
 
#37
#37
LA Vol said:
I think the changes are actually helping some of our recruiting rivals. UGA is selling hope and a new coach with multiple NCs, UF is selling their SECe championship as a building block, LSU is selling stability now that Lesgate is over-- even SCAR is selling positive change. We're still selling potential and "Next Year." Maybe recruits aren't buying that we're over the hump-- certainly, other coaches are selling hard that we're not.
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That is my point I think we had a chance to get "over the hump" and in recruits eyes and opposing coaches we didn't and that is being used against also along with coaching turnover and no immediate playing time.
 
#38
#38
I'm more confident now actually. I can't help but think these decommits are due to having some elite talent in the bag
 
#39
#39
I'm very confident that this class will finish on a high note. Look at how that final weekend in January is shaping up visitor-wise.

I also see a number of people voicing concern over the recruiting ability of this staff moving forward into the future. We have two top 100 guys already in the fold for next year that are already recruiting their peers. We are going to be more than fine.

Like I said in another thread. Sit back and watch. We're in good hands.
 
#40
#40
UTK said:
I'm more confident now actually. I can't help but think these decommits are due to having some elite talent in the bag
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I agree. If there are two things of which I am convinced with respect to Butch's recruiting prowess and strategy, it is that (1) he is absolutely relentless and (2) he has contingency plans stacked on top of top of contingency plans.
 
#42
#42
lilesrt said:
This doesn't totally align in my mind. Will Muschamp is a good recruiter will a proven failed track record as a HC. Kirby Smart has never been a head coach until now. Tennessee is in year 3 of the Jones era and has consistently progressed over that time period. The fact that this class isn't making much noise is concerning mainly bc we are as good now as we've ever been under Butch Jones. Is it negative recruiting or coincidence that these players are jumping ship? I have no idea.
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Players don't "jump ship" because of coincidence. There is a reason for this. I hope CBJ has a plan and can turn things around by signing day. I know if I was an opposing coach what I would be telling recruits.
Don't get me wrong I hope things get better and look forward to 2016 and a great year (one where we beat Florida and Alabama). Because that is what we need to move on to the next step(NC).
 
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#43
#43
I'm in the wait and see category as well. 2016 was never a huge "splash" year with big names, etc. They don't call this time the "Silly Season" for nothing. If we are around 10 or so, that will be fine. I really think the staff has their sights set on a huge 2017. There are some crazy-good players next year that we will be in on.
 
#44
#44
lilesrt said:
This doesn't totally align in my mind. Will Muschamp is a good recruiter will a proven failed track record as a HC. Kirby Smart has never been a head coach until now. Tennessee is in year 3 of the Jones era and has consistently progressed over that time period. The fact that this class isn't making much noise is concerning mainly bc we are as good now as we've ever been under Butch Jones. Is it negative recruiting or coincidence that these players are jumping ship? I have no idea.
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Yeah, but they can dangle hope and change like a big, juicy carrot. Butch has been doing that-- very successfully-- for three years. You can only do it so long, though, before the shelf life runs out. In Year 4, CBJ is still selling potential and progress, and it's gotten a bit shopworn.

Smart has helped win multiple championships at Bama and tells recruits he'll do it at UGA-- sexy and sellable. McElwain won the SECE his first year at UF and tells recruits the sky is the limit-- sexy and sellable. Saban says "Come to Alabama and win championships, like we've done three times in the past seven years -- sexy and sellable. CBJ says, "Come to UT and win championships" and recruits are saying, "When?"

I don't doubt that we can finish strong; I just think it's a harder sell this year.
 
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#45
#45
If you want me to explain to you why you got the response you did i could explain it to you very easily. But im sure youve figured it out by now.
 
#46
#46
Also any fan who uses negavols or sunshine pumpers in any thread are just complete *******s because you're trying to make yourself seem like a superior fan and you actually are just a douche. /Thread
 
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#47
#47
I have a feeling we will look back at this thread in February and laugh. A lot of big names still out there
 
#49
#49
TN's staff appears to recognize talent early. I'm not worried. We will land a couple of big recruits before NSD. I think a big need is linebacker but that's just me.
 
#50
#50
VinylVols said:
Also any fan who uses negavols or sunshine pumpers in any thread are just complete *******s because you're trying to make yourself seem like a superior fan and you actually are just a douche. /Thread
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