'26 GA OL Brandon Anderson

[volfaninpa]

So, back to Anderson decommitting...

Any clarity on if it was all him or a mutual parting of ways?

 

[Weezer]

You skipped over a couple steps:
1. Some fans complain about not landing transfer linemen
2. Land multiple transfer linemen
3. Same fans complain about always going to the portal for lineman and never seeing HS recruits
Rinse and repeat

Here's the fallacy of that argument. I want to see our young guys playing. That means they are getting developed. The fact we keep going to the portal for help means we don't think any of those guys are ready. It's not about wanting to take transfers. The coaches believe we have to take transfers.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Here's the fallacy of that argument. I want to see our young guys playing. That means they are getting developed. The fact we keep going to the portal for help means we don't think any of those guys are ready. It's not about wanting to take transfers. The coaches believe we have to take transfers.

Well said

 

[Weezer]

So, back to Anderson decommitting...

Any clarity on if it was all him or a mutual parting of ways?

No facts, but from what I've read, kid is getting bombarded with offers. Just guessing the attention made him rethink his commitment.

 

[deatojl]

Here's the fallacy of that argument. I want to see our young guys playing. That means they are getting developed. The fact we keep going to the portal for help means we don't think any of those guys are ready. It's not about wanting to take transfers. The coaches believe we have to take transfers.

The fallacy in your statement is two fold. First, I didn't imply that those statements should replace his points, only that they should be added to them. Second, there are five OL positions on the field at a time. Adding one or two per year from the portal does not block the recruited guys from seeing playing time nor does it necessarily mean that "none of those guys are ready". Since the staff got here, again under looming sanctions and a ton of players jumping ship, this has been our OL portal activity:
2021-Lost two to the portal, added none.
2022-Lost three to the portal, added one.
2023-Lost three to the portal, added two.
2024-Lost three to the portal, added one.
2025-Lost one to the portal, added two.

 

[Weezer]

The fallacy in your statement is two fold. First, I didn't imply that those statements should replace his points, only that they should be added to them. Second, there are five OL positions on the field at a time. Adding one or two per year from the portal does not block the recruited guys from seeing playing time nor does it necessarily mean that "none of those guys are ready". Since the staff got here, again under looming sanctions and a ton of players jumping ship, this has been our OL portal activity:
2021-Lost two to the portal, added none.
2022-Lost three to the portal, added one.
2023-Lost three to the portal, added two.
2024-Lost three to the portal, added one.
2025-Lost one to the portal, added two.

If the staff felt they were ready, why would they go out and get help from the portal? Moe and Pendleton don't come here without some assurance from the coaches they'll be playing significant time. Next season will be the first season we expect to see a high school recruited OL play. Still, the OL make up will either be 3/5 or 4/5 transfers. And that's assuming Sanders is a freshman ready to start. The vast majority of us want the high school guys playing, but the fact we keep going to the portal demonstrates the coaches don't think the majority are ready for major minutes. Two OG positions were open, both were filled in the portal. Heard was a transfer at LT. Sanders is expected to be a wunderkind. And we're hoping Satterwhite has what it takes to be our next center. But where are the rest of the guys?

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

If the staff felt they were ready, why would they go out and get help from the portal? Moe and Pendleton don't come here without some assurance from the coaches they'll be playing significant time. Next season will be the first season we expect to see a high school recruited OL play. Still, the OL make up will either be 3/5 or 4/5 transfers. And that's assuming Sanders is a freshman ready to start. The vast majority of us want the high school guys playing, but the fact we keep going to the portal demonstrates the coaches don't think the majority are ready for major minutes. Two OG positions were open, both were filled in the portal. Heard was a transfer at LT. Sanders is expected to be a wunderkind. And we're hoping Satterwhite has what it takes to be our next center. But where are the rest of the guys?

Cause injuries happen. You need depth.

 

[butchna]

This is far from over

So Elarbee doesn’t get any credit for spotting his ability before anybody else? Of course not. And he doesn’t get any credit for developing the relationship, earning his trust, and getting the commit in the first place? Of course not.

He just gets the blame for something that may be beyond his control.

Easy sauce. If we land a commitment, it’s “3 star university” or “Good get but ELLARBEE had nothing to do with it!”

Lose a commitment, “Ellarbee’s fault…get rid of him yesterday!”

Undefeated prolly

 

[deatojl]

If the staff felt they were ready, why would they go out and get help from the portal? Moe and Pendleton don't come here without some assurance from the coaches they'll be playing significant time. Next season will be the first season we expect to see a high school recruited OL play. Still, the OL make up will either be 3/5 or 4/5 transfers. And that's assuming Sanders is a freshman ready to start. The vast majority of us want the high school guys playing, but the fact we keep going to the portal demonstrates the coaches don't think the majority are ready for major minutes. Two OG positions were open, both were filled in the portal. Heard was a transfer at LT. Sanders is expected to be a wunderkind. And we're hoping Satterwhite has what it takes to be our next center. But where are the rest of the guys?

Again, I'm not disagreeing necessarily with the perceived lack of development, just that it is not an "all or nothing" scenario. It appears, at least on the surface, that the first group of OL HS recruits that are ready and good enough to take starting spots are this coming year and those guys are mostly either Freshman or Sophomores. For the first time since Heupel has been the coach, we are losing most of our starting OL group. How many young guys do you want in the starting five? If the two transfers take the two OG spots, that leaves Satterwhite and Sanders as starting C and OT. That's a RS Freshman and a true Freshman starting on your OL. Does adding a couple solid experienced guys rather than plugging in two more young inexperienced players seem like the smart way to go? Does it mean those other guys haven't been developed or aren't ready or perhaps, that it is imperative to surround those two young guys with experienced guys to lessen the pressure they will face in the SEC? Remember, too, that those other OL guys are all either FR or SO this coming season except Larry Johnson. Assuming Johnson is in the second group, four of those young guys will be on that unit with him and will get a decent amount of playing time to get them ready for the following season.

 

[LouderVol]

If the staff felt they were ready, why would they go out and get help from the portal? Moe and Pendleton don't come here without some assurance from the coaches they'll be playing significant time. Next season will be the first season we expect to see a high school recruited OL play. Still, the OL make up will either be 3/5 or 4/5 transfers. And that's assuming Sanders is a freshman ready to start. The vast majority of us want the high school guys playing, but the fact we keep going to the portal demonstrates the coaches don't think the majority are ready for major minutes. Two OG positions were open, both were filled in the portal. Heard was a transfer at LT. Sanders is expected to be a wunderkind. And we're hoping Satterwhite has what it takes to be our next center. But where are the rest of the guys?

ever heard of competition making everyone better?

could be depth pieces, or insurance about injuries as titan said.

the assurances part is an assumption. not sayings its a bad assumption, but its not a sure thing. we probably made the same "assurances" to Campbell when he came here. then what do we do? we bring in another guy, who gets his spot. so assurances are probably the same as a recruits "commitment".

you have to have the mindset that all of these guys are one year rentals. whether you recruited them or got them via the portal. you need guys to perform and be ready. having more guys gives you a better chance of doing that than fewer guys.

 

[All_Vol87]

 

[jvols1999]

So, back to Anderson decommitting...

Any clarity on if it was all him or a mutual parting of ways?

Neither. Kid wants to take a bunch more visits, so decided not to pretend he was committed. Still reciprocal interest. Will note that the IOL board is pretty stacked though.

Deep in this one:

'26 - VA OL Darius Gray

Darius Gray - St. Christopher's School - OT Darius Gray, 2026 Offensive Tackle - Rivals.com https://www.hudl.com/profile/16738978/Darius-Gray Was on campus 3/29/23 for practice.

www.volnation.com

 

[LaagerVol]

To add to your excellent post OL outside of QB is the most difficult position to play and play well. Just watch NFL and you see so many teams with bad OL Play because it's so difficult of a position. Defensive talent from DL to Lb's all stunting gapping and bull rushing so many think it's just easy and it is not. 5 star 4 star many just don't have it. So I for one am happy with the consistent play that has led to many victories. Yes Glenn like any can get better but the hate you would think the Vols were scoring 10 points game and winning 4 games a year. In CHRIST Alone

I’m thrilled with where we are at this point in time. Do I want us to take that last step to being the elite of the elite? Of course, but like you, I’m just enjoying watching the Vols again.

So many people have unrealistic expectations relative to where we were as a program

 

[LaagerVol]

If the staff felt they were ready, why would they go out and get help from the portal? Moe and Pendleton don't come here without some assurance from the coaches they'll be playing significant time. Next season will be the first season we expect to see a high school recruited OL play. Still, the OL make up will either be 3/5 or 4/5 transfers. And that's assuming Sanders is a freshman ready to start. The vast majority of us want the high school guys playing, but the fact we keep going to the portal demonstrates the coaches don't think the majority are ready for major minutes. Two OG positions were open, both were filled in the portal. Heard was a transfer at LT. Sanders is expected to be a wunderkind. And we're hoping Satterwhite has what it takes to be our next center. But where are the rest of the guys?

The ones who are actually SEC caliber will be RS freshman and RE sophomores this coming year. The others who were recruited in the first 2 years weren’t good enough. There were better options in the portal. Would you rather them have started a lesser player?

The last 2 classes have better talent but they shouldn’t be expected to start as freshmen and RS freshmen.

It really is that simple

 

[Weezer]

The ones who are actually SEC caliber will be RS freshman and RE sophomores this coming year. The others who were recruited in the first 2 years weren’t good enough. There were better options in the portal. Would you rather them have started a lesser player?

The last 2 classes have better talent but they shouldn’t be expected to start as freshmen and RS freshmen.

It really is that simple

Heard was a freshman AA at LSU and started for us last year as a true sophomore. Pendleton saw significant PT at ND this season, wasn't he a freshman or sophomore? People expect Sanders to start as a freshman. So if our last two classes were SEC caliber, why wouldn't a RS-Soph be ready to see PT next year?

 

[KPT_VFL]

Oh well.

 

[RAVOL]

I’m thrilled with where we are at this point in time. Do I want us to take that last step to being the elite of the elite? Of course, but like you, I’m just enjoying watching the Vols again.

So many people have unrealistic expectations relative to where we were as a program

Great Post. People think money can buy you Love. Not that simple

 

[LouderVol]

Heard was a freshman AA at LSU and started for us last year as a true sophomore. Pendleton saw significant PT at ND this season, wasn't he a freshman or sophomore? People expect Sanders to start as a freshman. So if our last two classes were SEC caliber, why wouldn't a RS-Soph be ready to see PT next year?

because it doesn't happen on the OL. IIRC, you could take the entire SEC and not make a starting lineup of freshman/rs freshman who started consistently this year. I think there were only 6 in all of the SEC as sophomores/rs sophomores.

Bama had 1 second year guy starting.
Georgia had zero
Texas had 1 back up.
Ohio State had 0
Oregon had 0
except for Pendleton who is now with us Notre Dame didn't have any.

yall act like we are the only ones who don't start young guys when its the rule to sit them. it takes an exceptional guy to do so, and even the schools who recruit better than us rarely do it.

 

[LaagerVol]

Heard was a freshman AA at LSU and started for us last year as a true sophomore. Pendleton saw significant PT at ND this season, wasn't he a freshman or sophomore? People expect Sanders to start as a freshman. So if our last two classes were SEC caliber, why wouldn't a RS-Soph be ready to see PT next year?

You named 3 players out of how many in college football? Also, were you happy with Heards play?

Which RS-soph of ours would you say should be ready to start? Sham and Grant are the only 2 left from that class right? And weren’t both projected to need developmental time when they signed?

young guys are very rarely ready to play at a high level. Can you find examples? Sure. But it is the EXCEPTION, not the norm.

Every player is different and develops differently. This isn’t unique to UT, it’s college football.

The first class was awful, second wasn’t much better, and third was somewhat better than the first 2.

2024 guys will be RS fresh this coming year. If any of them get significant playing time they will be an exception.

And I’m not convinced Sanders is guaranteed a starting spot just because some posters on volnation said he was

 

[Weezer]

You named 3 players out of how many in college football? Also, were you happy with Heards play?

Which RS-soph of ours would you say should be ready to start? Sham and Grant are the only 2 left from that class right? And weren’t both projected to need developmental time when they signed?

young guys are very rarely ready to play at a high level. Can you find examples? Sure. But it is the EXCEPTION, not the norm.

Every player is different and develops differently. This isn’t unique to UT, it’s college football.

The first class was awful, second wasn’t much better, and third was somewhat better than the first 2.

2024 guys will be RS fresh this coming year. If any of them get significant playing time they will be an exception.

And I’m not convinced Sanders is guaranteed a starting spot just because some posters on volnation said he was

I named 3 players, now all on one team, our team.

 

[Weezer]

You named 3 players out of how many in college football? Also, were you happy with Heards play?

Which RS-soph of ours would you say should be ready to start? Sham and Grant are the only 2 left from that class right? And weren’t both projected to need developmental time when they signed?

young guys are very rarely ready to play at a high level. Can you find examples? Sure. But it is the EXCEPTION, not the norm.

Every player is different and develops differently. This isn’t unique to UT, it’s college football.

The first class was awful, second wasn’t much better, and third was somewhat better than the first 2.

2024 guys will be RS fresh this coming year. If any of them get significant playing time they will be an exception.

And I’m not convinced Sanders is guaranteed a starting spot just because some posters on volnation said he was

And Sham was a 4star in the '23 class. He was also an EE. He should be ready by now.

 

[MarcoVol]

And Sham was a 4star in the '23 class. He was also an EE. He should be ready by now.

If everyone developed at the same rate, sure

 

[bpalmer28]

Does it even matter? We fill our OL with mercenaries every year.

 

[deatojl]

Heard was a freshman AA at LSU and started for us last year as a true sophomore. Pendleton saw significant PT at ND this season, wasn't he a freshman or sophomore? People expect Sanders to start as a freshman. So if our last two classes were SEC caliber, why wouldn't a RS-Soph be ready to see PT next year?

To the best of my knowledge, the only RS Sophomores we will have are Umarov, Bussell, Reddick and Grant. My guess is they will see PT this year. Umarov has seen some playing time this past season. The rest of the young OL were true Freshmen this past season or incoming Freshmen. Seeing PT and being a starter are two separate things. I guess we will find out how they all look in the spring.

 

[LaagerVol]

And Sham was a 4star in the '23 class. He was also an EE. He should be ready by now.

He was a 4 star and also it was stated he was raw. Didn’t he only play like 2 years of high school ball or something?

And that’s ONE guy. Who are all the others that people keep saying “should” be ready?

The first 3 classes weren’t good. If the 24-25 classes don’t start contributing in the next couple years then you have a more definitive answer.

There just aren’t HS recruits on the roster that should be contributing right now.