Do we not have the NIL to compete?

[Volsloco]

Heupel's recruiting has been steadily improving every year he's been here. Another 10 win season should help keep that trend alive. He's done a good job of improving the roster. Still thin in a few spots but I like where the program is headed over a

Heupel's recruiting has been steadily improving every year he's been here. Another 10 win season should help keep that trend alive. He's done a good job of improving the roster. Still thin in a few spots but I like where the program is headed over all.

True, we just need to constantly hit on recruits and start recruiting like Oregon etc.

 

[utvolpj]

I posted a similar comment a couple of days ago and some guy replied and said Instate talent. How is Dan Lanning number 1 with no instate talent? So I see your point. Last I checked, we were number 2 in NIL so I am confused. I am not being a negative vol fan just think we should be better.

Are you really confused why Nike is a big deal to hs athletes?

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Also, for those that don’t follow recruiting - we got two WRs today that are incredibly underrated and will both be superstars. Our coaches had them both “top of the wish list”- The one kid Jackson looks like a damn NFL WR and he’s just a baby from a tiny program.

This.

Also the best LB class this year since the 90s. No BS. We landed 3 LBs that UGA and Bama begged and threw big $$$ at.

Same for the Dline haul in this class. We got 5 guys that will play and make a difference here. 3 of them in the top 150 recruits, including flipping a top40 recruit from Clemson that will be in the rotation at DTackle NEXT year.

Also landed 2 of the top 10 TEs in the nation in Brahme and VanD. A 5* QB that Coach Hype hand picked just like Nico.

This is a monster class. By total points (around 280?) It is the 2nd highest total ever at UT in the modern era. This 25 class is even better than the 24 class.

Oh...and from what I have read, we were able to redshirt EVERYONE from the 24 class except 6 guys. Think about that. So thats another 18 or so guys to ADD to this 2025 class that ALL have 4 more years eligibility left. ~43 or 44 guys that all still have 4 years to play at UT. The future is VERY bright. We have done an excellent job in the portal every season filling holes in both lines, and adding a proven WR like Bru and Brazzell.

This staff is killing it. Now lets go win this tournament.

G0 VOLS. BELIEVE 2024

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

“**** that” go vols. Really???

Yeah really, just look at Jimbo throwing money to everyone and fell flat on his rear. We got the money but yes they are more factors than just that. The character and the work ethic of the player is very important. Academically and athletically. As well as getting to know the families and what they are looking for. If it’s solely about the money and things are shaky in other areas this staff will probably move on and that’s a good thing. That’s why we have a great culture around the program and that damn well matters. GBO

 

[Just a VolinTears]

Not all about Jimmies and Joes. X's and O's matter as well

 

[Hank Bukowski]

They aren’t “killing us” in any way, shape, form or rational metric. In fact we beat those teams for some seriously elite recruits today - most importantly - at least to me- on the DLine- something we haven’t done since Fulmer was doing the fishing. And we got the number LT in the entire nation. And a bunch of other studs those programs wanted desperately.
Could we have done better ? Absolutely.

Does generating an elite recruiting machine take about five years of relationship building and on- field success? Yep. It certainly does - especially when you have to recruit out of state as much as we do.

In sum- are we recruiting at a NC level ? Yep.

You had me nodding in agreement until that last question—are we recruiting at a NC level?

With all due respect, your answer to your question is just delusional. No offense but there’s really no other word for it, in my opinion. The evidence is everywhere.

 

[GetEmVols]

We do have the number one offensive tackle in theory

He isn’t ours yet.

 

[DaddyChad]

I mean the difference between #5 and #10 is one recruit. Development and how you do in the portal completely closes any talent gap as long as we can consistently close around this level or similar.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Oregon, Florida, Texas, Georgia, bama… they’re killing us in recruiting

We have nearly indistinguishable classes to all those you mention and we're killing Georgia, Bama, and Florida both in retaining players we want to keep, and landing elite portal players to fill any holes. I think you're just looking for a reason to complain.

 

[Volfan1000]

We're ranked ahead of UF

Every Tennessee coach seems to be very selective with their NIL budget.

 

[Hulavol]

You had me nodding in agreement until that last question—are we recruiting at a NC level?

With all due respect, your answer to your question is just delusional. No offense but there’s really no other word for it, in my opinion. The evidence is everywhere.

I’m not sure you understood me- I was not clear.

If you were in agreement with everything else I typed, then you might have concluded that by “NC level,” I meant National Championship level.

Perhaps you read that as “North Carolina?” And if so, hahahaha- sorry.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

No excuse for 6-9 to be ahead of us. I understand that A&M has the most money but they are sitting at 8&4 with a first yr coach. Auburn… no comment. Vols are a playoff team with 3 5* qb’s! WTF are we doing here!?!?

 

[VolArmy74]

Oregon is heavily dependent on Phil Knight. Unfortunately for them, he's 86 years old. Their NIL will likely fall off a great deal once he's gone.

 

[LittleVol]

Oregon, Florida, Texas, Georgia, bama… they’re killing us in recruiting

Are they?

Break down the classes.
How is Oregons better?

We need Dlinman. We’re losing a lot on the defensive line.
So we need them right??
So how did our dline class compare to the other schools you listed??

And we’re ahead of Florida. Not sure why you mentioned them.

 

[unfrozencvmanvol]

We have nearly indistinguishable classes to all those you mention and we're killing Georgia, Bama, and Florida both in retaining players we want to keep, and landing elite portal players to fill any holes. I think you're just looking for a reason to complain.

OP is wrong to be freaking out about a Top 10 class but we certainly aren't "killing" Georgia and Bama in recruiting or roster management. Bama and Georgia have the current No. 1 and No. 2 rosters on the team talent composite (which takes into account portal additions, subtractions, recruiting, the whole 9 yards), and have the No. 2 and 3 incoming classes for 2025. I see no advantage for Tennessee in not being frank with ourselves about those things. The size of the remaining talent gap is arguable but we sure aren't "killing" those 2 either. That's not real.

As for Florida, they are ranked about where we are on both the team talent composite and the rankings for the incoming class, so I wouldn't say we are "killing" them either. UF was doing poorly in high school recruiting earlier this year but they really surged at the end of the cycle and as of earlier tonight were No. 11 on the composite (to our No. 10). I think the most important thing now is that, unlike years past, we now have a coach who can get the talent out of his players and turn it into production. With a Top 10 class, we can expect Top 10 or better results. We've always hovered at the Top 15-20 level in team talent throughout the decade of misery but the difference is that the 3 Stooges were as liable to go 5-7 with that talent as not. Other than his first year, Heupel has produced teams ranked equal to our higher on the field of play, than our talent ranking.

 

[Volbrando]

High school recruiting isn’t the same as it once was now with the transfer portal. Big things can happen there.

 

[norrislakevol]

We're fine. We are recruiting well and developing well. If we get a couple of good additions along the offensive line from the portal, we have a shot at going undefeated or 11 - 1 next year. Oh yeah....and we are in the playoffs this year. The days of a team like Bama or Georgia dominating year in and year out are over. Many more moving parts now in the college football machine.

 

[jrwvol]

These 5-stars may have peaked, just like the one beast kid who hit puberty in the 4th grade but was never heard from again in high school. I think UT has been successful at developing players. Plus, these 5-stars get all the goodies and stop working. JMO

 

[ENGRVOL]

as of this morning we are ranked #10 in the On3 rankings and closer to #6 Michigan than #11 Florida. This class would likely be top 5 if not #6 if MacIntyre didn’t fall as much as he did just because of I believe an injury kept him out of some high profile qb competitions this summer. He was close to a top 10 prospect who Saban before retiring as well as several other top schools pushed hard for. He still is that good.

As long as Sanders doesn’t surprise us this is a really good class. Top qb talent, future nfl OT, probably the most physically gifted DE in the class with Dye, a top DT, really solid WRs, and as mentioned by posters the best LB class in sometime. Will need to address possibly safety, OG, and DT in the portal but this staff has shown with McCoy and Kittsleman that they can surgically upgrade our team through the portal without causing mass exodus of freshman/ sophomores angry due to playing time taken from them.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Oregon, Florida, Texas, Georgia, bama… they’re killing us in recruiting

“Killing” is a stretch. I assume you’re just looking at highly sought after 5 stars. Sure it would be nice to have a few more. Building a program that lures in that talent takes time. We’re on our way. GA and Bama haven’t always pulled all the 5 stars. The best thing we can do to get there is win.

 

[lukeneyland]

Y’all will complain about anything. Just shut up and support the team they have had an awesome season with potential to become historic

 

[VOLtaism]

I think everyone knew immediately after the NIL came into play that Oregon would have the advantage with Nike being their biggest booster. I am surpirsed they have not done even better.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Let's see! Our football team is a lock for the College Football Playoffs. Our baseball team just won the Natty. Our basketball team, coming off a regular season SEC championship and Elite Eight advance, is ranked No. 3 and beating everyone's asses.

Maybe you shouldn't have hit the "send' button

Is the bowling team killing it too?

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Oregon, Florida, Texas, Georgia, bama… they’re killing us in recruiting

1. Oregon has been supported by billionaire Nike founder Phil Knight. There have been several stories out that state he is willing to spend whatever is needed to get Oregon a natty. With the California schools sucking it up in football right now, Oregon can pick whoever they want on the west coast to come be a Duck. Phil is old and probably won't see many more laps around the Sun, so he could be basically an open checkbook at this point for Oregon.

2. Florida is a head scratcher for sure. Kids saw Billy finally get to 7 wins and thought "dang I want to be a part of that". I think its Lagway doing the talking more than anything. Also they have a geographical advantage in the state of Florida producing loads of talent compared to the state of Tennessee.

3-5. Texas, UGA, Bama.... You have to understand that we will never top those three consistently. All three have just as much money as us (with Texas having some of the deepest pockets in the sport). They have a geographical and brand advantage that we cannot overcome. We can only hope to get close enough to match them on depth.

People need to accept that our recruiting ceiling is most likely in the 5-10 range. That is absolutely good enough to win a championship with if you have critical talent in key positions.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

I think everyone knew immediately after the NIL came into play that Oregon would have the advantage with Nike being their biggest booster. I am surpirsed they have not done even better.

They have gained enough steam now to really compete for championships. They are deep in every position now.