Hello everyone it's time once again to play everyone's favorite game show, RATE THIS CLASS!

[VolInNW]

Bet you a box of Jiffy cornbread mix someone blames CBJ for CJP's lackluster recruiting.

The list of people responsible for the absolute dumpster fire CJP walked into is long.....but not distinguished. Lyle is on that list. So is Precious, and ole Kiffy. Add in Hammy, the HOH, and Currie. And the list goes on. Lyle is not solely responsible by any means, but he is on the list.

That said, Pruitt is doing some head scratching things on the recruiting front - most glaring is the lack of effort in targeting in-state guys.

Jury is out on CJP, and will be for the next year or so as he installs his folks, graduates some players not fitting in, and moves his own guys into the lineup.

But for those who want to 'move on' and absolve Lyle of any responsibility whatsoever for this mess......good luck with that.

 

[Thorp32]

On Cue.

 

[Roustabout]

Hello Vols fans, time to chime on on how YOU would rate this class, where YOU FANS would rank this class and how many stars YOU would give each player. You never know, the next great talent scout may be lurking in the weeds.

Ask me in 4 years

 

[Boston_Vol]

The class is about the same as the talent level that Dooley or Jones would have pulled in. Let us see if Pruitt got the player with the right mindset.

 

[JazzMaster001]

The class is about the same as the talent level that Dooley or Jones would have pulled in. Let us see if Pruitt can actually coach.

Fyp

 

[VolInNW]

The class is about the same as the talent level that Dooley or Jones would have pulled in. Let us see if Pruitt got the player with the right mindset.

I'd agree with that. Ole Lyle would have added a couple of high rated players who didn't fit his system just to bump his ratings, but other than that I think you're pretty spot on.

 

[ABINGDON VOL FAN]

I like cornbread too. I wish that was the secret to great coaching.

Cornbread is Saban's favorite food. Where do you think Pruitt got it from.

 

[Boston_Vol]

Fyp

I honestly don't have any expectations with this team man. I don't expect them to be competitive for another 2 years at least. Pruitt is seeing the difficulty of recruiting players to a place like UT. Not easy

 

[Jack Burton]

If they so good how come CJP didn't get them? Could it be that he didn't seem to think they would fit his style that he wants to run? Could it be that he had basically no time last year dealing with coaching being hired as head coach and coaching Bama for the natty? So many reasons yet y'all are so worried about people leaving the state when there is plenty of guys else where that are just as good if not better. Good to know volnation people have all the answers and know what it takes to recruit players and coach them at that level lol

Could it be that he dropped the ball? Could it be Pruitt thought he could land higher rated players out of state, whiffed on those guys while elite programs stole our talent? We’re paying for his learning on the job errors.

Or maybe they just want to play for a top program? Not everyone that plays in Tennessee grew up a Vols fan...

Pruitt missed on them because he didn’t try. Thought he could do better elsewhere but didn’t.

This is a pretty good class if you want to beat South Carolina sometimes.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

This class is far from done, I will come back in February and rate it. I still say we will be around 10-12 when all is said and done. Getting the guys in the trenches, filling needs that is the key. Still going to land a few big ones in February! GBO!

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

Serious question. What does it mean that Pruitt is recruiting to needs. From my view this year, I saw no player groups that did not need improvement or depth. This is a comment being spewed that does not make sense. Here’s to hoping for several more signees in the following months.

IMO the DT's were suspect with regard to high level talent. Serviceable if coached to their max potential but not game changers. In my mind, if CJP can land at least on seriously talented JUCO DT (preferably two) we will see an immediate impact on all of the defense which without a doubt will result in more wins.

The DT position gets overlooked so often but are so important to the overall success of the team. If even one has to be double teamed someone on the defense is now freed up to flow to the ball. If you can actually get two guys at DT who require double teams... the rest of the defense is going to have fun.

Now actually landing two, doesn't happen often but when it does it can make for a fun season even when your O is only adequate.

 

[NEO]

Our class rankings haven’t been the issue.

Our retention rate of players has been the issue.

If we can hover around 12th in classes but keep the guys and coach them up we will turn the corner.

But the amount of bust players has to stop.

So far I would give this class a B.

I think we finish 11th so I would give that an A-.

 

[HighWaterVol]

Block by block

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

The most reasonable approach by far. But VN is not built on reasonable approaches, 737.

Irony is ironic

 

[swampfoxfan]

People talking about in state well I'm sorry but Tennessee doesn't produce tons and tons of NFL caliber or 5 star or elite players what ever you wanna call these kids. Just trust in CJP bc after all he has a record of being able to recruit very well.

So Pruitt passes on instate War's rated in the top 30 nationally and grabs a WR out of ga rated around 200 and you call that a win???

 

[dcm3w]

Pruitt missed on them because he didn’t try. Thought he could do better elsewhere but didn’t.

This is a pretty good class if you want to beat South Carolina sometimes.

I'm sorry but you can't sign every in-state player. Also, tennessee doesn't have the talent of other states where Pruitt was looking into. What top recruit wants to play for a team that has had a losing season the past two years? That number is very small. Even for in-state players.

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Right on the money. We’ve addressed some needs thus far at OL, QB, TE and DB. Keyton at WR is good.

Majors concerns that we’re not bringing in studs at LB, DT and DE/OLB. If Gray signs tomorrow that’ll help our rb corps. Better pray that Wright and Crouch sign in Feb.

Thus has the makings of a good solid class, top 15 nationally or so. However, leaves us still further behind and losing ground to the SEC big boys.

I largely agree.

Interesting how we don't have an OC, but we're recruiting lights-on on the offensive side of the ball (IMO), but I felt like we didn't really address all our needs on the defensive side. If we land Wright, O-line recruiting has been an "A". This is arguably one of the best O-line hauls for any school in the past decade.

I'm most concerned about D-line. We're losing our 4 of our best D-linemen and we already lacked depth. We needed a loaded class to make up for that and we didn't really land one. We did land a few good prospects there (e.g. Savion Williams), but we whiffed on every elite D-line prospect. Some issues at LB, as well, albeit I think we're in better shape there, assuming Crouch signs with us (which isn't 100%).

All in all, it's a good class and should help with the rebuild, but I think we're still a step behind Georgia and Florida (and maybe even South Carolina) in the SEC East.

The good news is that offense should get an immediate boost and I think grabbing Harrison Bailey (and potentially some blue-chip in-state guys) for 2020 early could help build some momentum for that class.

 

[jakez4ut]

C+. Can get to a B if crouch, wright and gray all sign.

Filled needs at DB and ol, and got really good talent in both positions. Like the qb. Love ramel keyton. Solid at te. Good numbers at DL depth, but lacking big time talent.

Lb is a concern. But can be addressed if crouch, to'oto'o, and Russell all sign.

Biggest criticism for me is the slow play for Brown and Anderson. Could have gotten both.

Top 15 class add it stands now. Could get closer to top 10 if some other dominos fall the right way.

Not bad at all for coming off 4-8 & 5-7.

Not good enough to win the division or conference yet.

I like the class all in all. I could really love it in February.

 

[vol-un-tear]

Getting Pruitts kids now. It’s on!

 

[Orange defense]

Thanks for posting the link. I thought Pruitt did a horrible job as the HC this year. With that and still being able to pull in the kids that he did I think tell us he is a pretty darn good recruiter. If he can get Couch and the other 5 star kid it would be a B+ IMO

A horrible coaching job? Well! Ask 3 year Kirby Smart how horrible of a coaching job he did with Fields, the fake field goal against LSU, and the 4 down and eleven fake field goal against Bama.

 

[McDad]

The list of people responsible for the absolute dumpster fire CJP walked into is long.....but not distinguished. Lyle is on that list. So is Precious, and ole Kiffy. Add in Hammy, the HOH, and Currie. And the list goes on. Lyle is not solely responsible by any means, but he is on the list.

That said, Pruitt is doing some head scratching things on the recruiting front - most glaring is the lack of effort in targeting in-state guys.

Jury is out on CJP, and will be for the next year or so as he installs his folks, graduates some players not fitting in, and moves his own guys into the lineup.

But for those who want to 'move on' and absolve Lyle of any responsibility whatsoever for this mess......good luck with that.

When the VN Hall of Fame is built, someone please make sure i am honored for holding
the record for winning a box of Jiffy via bet on VN the quickest. TIA

 

[McDad]

C+. Can get to a B if crouch, wright and gray all sign.

Filled needs at DB and ol, and got really good talent in both positions. Like the qb. Love ramel keyton. Solid at te. Good numbers at DL depth, but lacking big time talent.

Lb is a concern. But can be addressed if crouch, to'oto'o, and Russell all sign.

Biggest criticism for me is the slow play for Brown and Anderson. Could have gotten both.

Top 15 class add it stands now. Could get closer to top 10 if some other dominos fall the right way.

Not bad at all for coming off 4-8 & 5-7.

Not good enough to win the division or conference yet.

I like the class all in all. I could really love it in February.

24/7 has it at 17th. Is there a better site for ranking (where we are top 15)?

 

[Donvolson]

B-
Whiffed on big time talent in the front seven, but signed arguably one of the best secondaries and offensive line classes in the country. Missed a highly rated compliment to RK. Still need lb. welcome E G aboard later. He is a lock for sure according to his uncle, who said he would not watch him play unless it was in orange. His uncle recently received a theology degree from Carson Newman at at 68. Nice work RS!!

 

[Jack Burton]

I'm sorry but you can't sign every in-state player. Also, tennessee doesn't have the talent of other states where Pruitt was looking into. What top recruit wants to play for a team that has had a losing season the past two years? That number is very small. Even for in-state players.

A lot of these in-state kids will listen to the Vols if they’re shown some love early. If we slow play and ignore them then they won’t.

These kids are leaving the state for Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, UGA, and even Oregon. It’s not like they’re going to LA Tech and Ball State. It just seems like missed opportunities for us which hurt us long term with the high school. We’re allowing pipelines to our rivals.

 

[jakez4ut]

24/7 has it at 17th. Is there a better site for ranking (where we are top 15)?

that's where it was ranked when i last checked yesterday sometime. it changes nothing as far as my opinion on this class.