Dang this staff is doing work....

[supersmo18]

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

I disagree (respectfully) with you. You can't say that Tennessee has SOME tradition. We have more SEC championships AND national championships than Florida, the majority of whose success has been fairly recent, one could also argue that Alabama only has like 5 of their claimed 13 NC's as legit, and who cares about California? Those hippies out there have nothing to be excited about except Lame Kitten, his pet Ogre, and Ensure Slurpin' Geritol Munchin' nursing home pops. ( :crazy: ) Texas is the only one I think you could argue about wanting to play for more, but the problem there is they haven't had any recent success either. They've been on the up and up in their conference with 10+ wins a season, and still haven't won but one NC in years, and that was also very recent. I blame the media for basically telling kids that they wanna play at a certain school. Lame Kitten had like 10 kids sign, yet 5 of them were 5 stars and that landed him a #2 class? Gimme a break.

Sorry. Got on my high horse there...:stop:

 

[DERELICK_MY_VOLS]

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

Tennessee Tradition:

All-time record 783–333–53 (.692)
Postseason bowl record 25–22–0
Claimed national titles 6
1938, 1940, 1950, 1951
1967, 1998
Conference titles 16

For the heck of it.....Georgia Tradition:

All-time record 731–389–54 (.646)
Postseason bowl record 26–16–3
Claimed national titles 2 (1942)(1980)[1]
Conference titles 12

Now for the Florida Tradition (became relevant in 1991):

All-time record 654–374–40 (.631)
Postseason bowl record 18–19
Claimed national titles 3
Conference titles 8 (First came in 1991 after having been in the S.E.C. for 59 years)

So there you go.....we have ALOT of TRADITION homeboy....2nd to only Alabama in the S.E.C. Instate recruiting isn't the best...I agree....but you've been living under a rock

if you think we've got no tradition.

God Bless Wikipedia.

 

[DERELICK_MY_VOLS]

this is when the effort of this staff is going to start to show. Spring ball is over, we're trying to get guys to come to camps, players are finishing their junior years and will have more time to focus on recruiting.

Things are about to heat up in a big way so buckle down.

this!

 

[Probably_in_Class]

Hate to be the barer of bad news, but tradition is not nearly as relevant in recruiting as it used to be...

 

[The_Real_UT]

Tennessee Tradition:

All-time record 783–333–53 (.692)
Postseason bowl record 25–22–0
Claimed national titles 6
1938, 1940, 1950, 1951
1967, 1998
Conference titles 16

For the heck of it.....Georgia Tradition:

All-time record 731–389–54 (.646)
Postseason bowl record 26–16–3
Claimed national titles 2 (1942)(1980)[1]
Conference titles 12

Now for the Florida Tradition (became relevant in 1991):

All-time record 654–374–40 (.631)
Postseason bowl record 18–19
Claimed national titles 3
Conference titles 8 (First came in 1991 after having been in the S.E.C. for 59 years)

So there you go.....we have ALOT of TRADITION homeboy....2nd to only Alabama in the S.E.C. Instate recruiting isn't the best...I agree....but you've been living under a rock

if you think we've got no tradition.

God Bless Wikipedia.

BOOM! This
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[sjt18]

UT has great tradition. That matters to fans. It matters some to most recruits and a lot to a few.

But the point that other schools have tradition to offer as well is valid. Even UF in the life time of most of these recruits has "tradition".

It is also very, very valid that UT has the toughest recruiting situation of any of the SEC teams that has spent any time recently at the top.

BTW, if UT gets the best 20 players in TN right now every year... they will cease to be competitive. There have not been 20 SEC worthy recruits in any recent class.

 

[VolinMichigan]

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

And Tuscaloosa is?

 

[cardwell]

And Tuscaloosa is?

No, it's not. But Alabama had several down years in a row, until Saban came in. The success he's had there makes it more difficult for us to compete with them for kids.

Look, my point is simply that UT doesn't sell itself. We've been good for a long time because of excellent recruiting. Say what you will about Fulmer, but he was an excellent recruiter. I'm optimistic about current staff's ability to recruit. If they get a great class, it will be because they worked hard and smart, not because UT just sells itself.

This also doesn't mean that I don't think kids will fall in love with the program and the campus as soon as they step foot on it. I didn't go to UT, but I thought it was an incredibly special place the first time I visited, and still love spending weekends there in the fall.

 

[cwil4]

DO WORK.

 

[tnbear66]

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

I don't think it is about the kids dreaming about the geographic location as much as it is dreaming about visiting new and different places in the recruiting process. About attending class and playing for a school that has historically been a winner and where the fans know you when you sit in the stands at a game. "Not a vacation spot". As we say in East Tennessee 'it's just a hop skip and a holler' to one of the biggest attractions in the country. The GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS with all the trappings of a major vacation spot(both good and bad trappings IMO). The natural beauty of the area added to the friendly folks and their rabid attention to everything orange is a huge draw. I could go on and on about the physical location but I will only say there are very few areas of the country that offer the feel of a big city while still having a small town atmosphere. This makes us unique. As for tradition I really take exception to the idea that the schools you mentioned have greater tradition than UT. In addition to the traditions already named in several posts I would add cruising on the river and pontooning with other VOL fans at the foot of the best facility in the country. Also, running through the T, hearing ROCKY TOP sung by 100,000 crazed fans, the maxims...on and on I could go. I sense your love for the Orange but feel you are wrong about at least these items I have named. GBO

 

[JAL]

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

HAHAHAHA..what a joke!! You have some homework to do. Sorry, but that is the most ignorant comment I have read on this site. Florida was a doormat until the 90s!! Therefore, very little tradition. Texas has a huge fan base primarily because their enrollment is twice Tennessee's. That in no way indicates that their tradition has more of an impact on recruits or anyone else. Bama is a legitimate claim. Tennessee and Bama are atop the SEC regarding tradition and are among a select few nationwide that can boast about a tradition rich past. Enough said...

 

[CagleMtnVol]

Might it not be a good thing that we have only two commits at this time? While some of these other schools are taking lots of early commits they will be forced to pick and choose later on especially depending on positions.

That way we will be able to better jump on guys who blow up during the summer camps and senior season?

 

[Sabanocchio]

DO WORK.

This is a pretty badass sig as well.

 

[Sabanocchio]

Might it not be a good thing that we have only two commits at this time? While some of these other schools are taking lots of early commits they will be forced to pick and choose later on especially depending on positions.

That way we will be able to better jump on guys who blow up during the summer camps and senior season?

This is an excellent point. We had three or four recruits by this time last year. Do you know how many stuck? One Jacques Smith. It's not just this school that this happens to, it's a bunch.

I think anyone that complains about recruiting in May is stupid.

I have a feeling we are going to put together a class that fills needs better than the last one did and fills them with high quality players.

It may not be highly ranked, but it will do exactly what we need it to do.

 

[kngjabez]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

 

[BigRed]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

Yeah, I really don't see how that's valid. Some individuals may be prejudiced against certain things but to say an entire fanbase or institution is prejudice is another - I don't really know which one you're saying. But we have players of all types of ethnicity and race - I don't see how we can be prejudiced.

 

[Sabanocchio]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

There is no sort of perception.

 

[chavisut]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

how so?

 

[DERELICK_MY_VOLS]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

That sir is like wiping your rear end BEFORE you poop :crap2: because it makes no sense.

 

[KnoxvilleVol]

If people think Tennessee is prejudiced then I wonder how they feel about Alabama. Up until this year one of the fraternities has been dressing in Confederate grays every year.

 

[VolAce]

I disagree. I think UT is a very difficult place to recruit. There's not a ton of in-state talent. Also, we all love Knoxville for some reason or another, but it's not exactly a vacation destination, or a place where kids from Florida, Texas, California, etc. grow up dreaming to live.

UT does have excellent facilities, and that's a huge plus. And there's some tradition, but not as much as Alabama, Florida, Texas, and a few other schools that we compete for kids with.

Have you ever been to Gainsville? There is a reason they call it the swamp...

FWIW, I have lived in FLA since I graduated from UTabout two years ago. I have learned most Florida fans dont know much about their tradition or even their current roster other than the big name guys. They have no clue about anything UF except for recent history and I would even go as far to say that your average UF fan would have no idea Spurrier even played there or won a Heisman Trophy. In fact, when they like to haggle me I just remind them that UF is like new money, and UT is that old money. We have been there before and it wont be long until we are back again. GBO!

 

[VolAce]

yes UT is a more difficult sell than some other football schools. Statistically, TN may have a rich tradition. However, the perception is we are bland, stagnant, prejudice. This is also a small deciding factor is why some in state athletes decide to go outside the state. My roomate in college took me a black barbershop several times. Needless to say, I was enlightened.

Ole Miss Rebels... Nuff said

 

[gasguy98]

HAHAHAHA..what a joke!! You have some homework to do. Sorry, but that is the most ignorant comment I have read on this site. Florida was a doormat until the 90s!! Therefore, very little tradition. Texas has a huge fan base primarily because their enrollment is twice Tennessee's. That in no way indicates that their tradition has more of an impact on recruits or anyone else. Bama is a legitimate claim. Tennessee and Bama are atop the SEC regarding tradition and are among a select few nationwide that can boast about a tradition rich past. Enough said...

Well said, Cardwell may be a troll.

 

[CardassianVol]

UT and Alabama are the two most tradition-rich schools in the SEC. To say otherwise is a joke. Plus, the city of Knoxville might not be a huge tourist destination, but the Knoxville area and the Smokies are very popular and beautiful to see. We aren't exactly Alabama, Auburn or Arkansas when it comes to location. And any recruit going to UF for the beaches due to the perception of "Florida" will be sorely disappointed. lol. UT is also one of the more urban schools in the SEC when you look at where it is located next to downtown. We are competitive as far as location goes. "Enlightening" is the job of the coaching staff. Ignorance from a barber shop is just that...

 

[rsm]

im glad to see that we have readers here who understand that florida has done well over the last 20 or so years but did squat before that. alabama has lots of tradition but is where its at right now because of saban so they better hope he stays