I know its early but...

[tvols75]

Hardy, are we "still not in it for top recruits" or are you wavering on that position?

I'll hang up and listen

 

[Montrell Hardy]

MH, I think that what they're saying is quit pissing on their parade.

FTR, I agree with both parties here. I don't take quite the pessimistic view that he does, but MH is right when he says that the rankings are irrelevant, now. However, tvols75 is right in that it puts us in great position for NSD '11. MH, you can't say for a second that if we were sitting on 2 commits, not 12 (right, 12?) you wouldn't be concerned.

I'm no recruiting guru but I stay pretty up-to-date, and from all I have read we're in very good shape with several highly recruited and highly rated prospects. I don't think CDD and co. are placing an emphasis on 3 star nobodies that are "easy gets," I think they're placing an emphasis on prospects they believe can play SEC football at a high level and to hell with scouting service ratings--something that nearly every member of this staff has said several times.

Jhop (I think it was Jhop--might have been "X") mentioned one thing that everyone should take into account with the players that have commited--(paraphrasing) one thing everyone should realize is, if this staff takes a player's commitment now it's because they are pursuing him, not just b/c he's a commitment.

I really don't disagree with anything you said.

All I was pointing out is that the rankings right now are completely misleading because at this point they are more quantity based than anything.

Dont get me wrong, I think they are doing a solid job at this point, but the class rankings right now are somewhat misleading.

 

[ob79]

I agree. That makes the gap even larger.

One reason why I don't put as much stock in recruiting rankings as MOST people do on here....it's all about which players you KEEP and how they produce--IT'S NOT about what ranking they helped you get when they signed out of high school, it's about what they do when they step on the field--did they contribute in beating a rival, did they contribute in winning the SEC East, SECCG, Bowl, NC?!?!?

Recruiting battles are fun to win, but if you're not winning the battle on the field then it's all for naught.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Hardy, are we "still not in it for top recruits" or are you wavering on that position?

I'll hang up and listen

What do you consider "in"?

A guy they are listed 4th or 5th with like they were with Zach Debell, Jordan Walsh, Justice Hayes, etc? Or a guy they actually have a legit shot with and are positioned well with?

I'd say they are in good position for a few guys that are good prospects. Richardson being one.

 

[volzfan1998]

Maybe like Gabe Wright?

 

[ihateflorida]

Pat Martin admitted that he committed on June 25th, do any of you think there are more people that have commited, just not publically? If so, who? Seems like to me DD and staff are telling recruits not to commit publically until they are 100% UT. JMO.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

One reason why I don't put as much stock in recruiting rankings as MOST people do on here....it's all about which players you KEEP and how they produce--IT'S NOT about what ranking they helped you get when they signed out of high school, it's about what they do when they step on the field--did they contribute in beating a rival, did they contribute in winning the SEC East, SECCG, Bowl, NC?!?!?

Recruiting battles are fun to win, but if you're not winning the battle on the field then it's all for naught.

To a point yes, but it is no coincidence that the past SEC Champions and past National Chamions are the ones recruiting at the elite levels. Texas 05, Florida 06, LSU 07, Florida 08, Alabama 09....etc...

Basically they recruit well every year to where if a guy like Kenny O'Neal or a Chris Donald don't pan out it doesn't effect them.

At Tennessee it has been different lately, because they "need" those guys to pan out because recruiting has been so inconsistent from year to year.

In the 1990's when 5* guys like Brian Darden, Maurice Staley, Diron Robinson and others didn't pan out nobody hardly noticed because Tennessee recruited at a consistent elite level year after year.

Over a 5 year stretch, I would always take 5 Top 10 recruiting classes, over 2 number one recruiting classes and 3 Top 25 classes.

 

[tvols75]

What do you consider "in"?

A guy they are listed 4th or 5th with like they were with Zach Debell, Jordan Walsh, Justice Hayes, etc? Or a guy they actually have a legit shot with and are positioned well with?

I'd say they are in good position for a few guys that are good prospects. Richardson being one.

So we are not "in good position" with

Wright
Walls
Countess
Richardson
Clear
Johnson
West
Dallas

We are #1 for most of them. That would put us at 21.

Would you like to wager a sig bet that we will have at least 12 or more 4 star recruits this year?

 

[BigOrangeD]

I think it is completely irrelevant at this point, but since you made a new thread to point it out, just cracking the Top 25 with 14 commitments isn't saying much. Most schools rated behind Tennessee are well below that number of commitments at this point. You are always going to be highly rated at this point in time if you have that many commitments. This is why Scout shouldn't even bother posting their recruiting rankings this early. It's completely misleading and irrelevant.

Maybe it will help some with the Recruiting MO.

 

[BigOrangeD]

To a point yes, but it is no coincidence that the past SEC Champions and past National Chamions are the ones recruiting at the elite levels. Texas 05, Florida 06, LSU 07, Florida 08, Alabama 09....etc...

Basically they recruit well every year to where if a guy like Kenny O'Neal or a Chris Donald don't pan out it doesn't effect them.

At Tennessee it has been different lately, because they "need" those guys to pan out because recruiting has been so inconsistent from year to year.

In the 1990's when 5* guys like Brian Darden, Maurice Staley, Diron Robinson and others didn't pan out nobody hardly noticed because Tennessee recruited at a consistent elite level year after year.

Over a 5 year stretch, I would always take 5 Top 10 recruiting classes, over 2 number one recruiting classes and 3 Top 25 classes.

Same here.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

So we are not "in good position" with

Wright
Walls
Countess
Richardson
Clear
Johnson
West
Dallas

We are #1 for most of them. That would put us at 21.

Would you like to wager a sig bet that we will have at least 12 or more 4 star recruits this year?

Out of that list I would say they are currently in "good" position with Countess, Richardson, Dallas, Johnson and maybe Walls.

Sure I will wager a sig bet on that. If they get over 12 4*'s in this class I will be happy to admit I've lost the bet.

 

[BigOrangeD]

Pat Martin admitted that he committed on June 25th, do any of you think there are more people that have commited, just not publically? If so, who? Seems like to me DD and staff are telling recruits not to commit publically until they are 100% UT. JMO.

Anybody's guess but seems plausible.

 

[Ericvol2096]

When we close out with a class of 10 four stars and 18 3 stars and we are in the top 15 I will be very happy!

We have a very very solid base right now. Once we start getting the highly ranked guys on campus for gamedays and show our stuff on the field they will start coming in the fold.

Lateek, Richardson, Clear, Tuitt, Arnett, and Gabe are all going to be ones to keep your eyes on!

 

[615 Vol]

It's sad that 25th in the recruting rankings is only good enough for 9th in the SEC.

I hope a lot changes before signing day and Tennessee passes Mississippi St., Arkansas and Ole Miss among others.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Maybe it will help some with the Recruiting MO.

It certainly can't hurt. I hope so too. Also, with so many commits already in the fold, I'd hope from here on out they could start being even more selective about who they take and who they put on hold.

 

[Ericvol2096]

BOD over 12 fours is pushin' it...

 

[Montrell Hardy]

When we close out with a class of 10 four stars and 18 3 stars and we are in the top 15 I will be very happy!

We have a very very solid base right now. Once we start getting the highly ranked guys on campus for gamedays and show our stuff on the field they will start coming in the fold.

Lateek, Richardson, Clear, Tuitt, Arnett, and Gabe are all going to be ones to keep your eyes on!

I'd be eccstatic with that class. Do you really think that is realistic though? They'd almost have to close on every highly rated guy they are in the running for.

 

[BigOrangeD]

It certainly can't hurt. I hope so too. Also, with so many commits already in the fold, I'd hope from here on out they could start being even more selective about who they take and who they put on hold.

I agree, That's what it appears that Dooley may be doing. Of course, just wild guess on my part but that would make sense.

 

[tvols75]

Out of that list I would say they are currently in "good" position with Countess, Richardson, Dallas, Johnson and maybe Walls.

Sure I will wager a sig bet on that. If they get over 12 4*'s in this class I will be happy to admit I've lost the bet.

You are crazy if you don't think we are in "good" position with Clear and Wright.

GT is on record to saying Gabe will come to the Vols... Pat Martin said Gabe will be in Orange.

Clear is a Vol, book it.

 

[VOL_N_NC]

I think it is completely irrelevant at this point, but since you made a new thread to point it out, just cracking the Top 25 with 14 commitments isn't saying much. Most schools rated behind Tennessee are well below that number of commitments at this point. You are always going to be highly rated at this point in time if you have that many commitments. This is why Scout shouldn't even bother posting their recruiting rankings this early. It's completely misleading and irrelevant.

17 of the 24 teams rated above UT have more commitments... Although I agree it is too early to analyze class ranking, I do think the ranking certainly says something to all of the naysayers...

 

[BigOrangeD]

BOD over 12 fours is pushin' it...

Wonder how many of the 3s will move up to 4? 2 or 3 maybe?

 

[goldvol]

WOW, are people really arguing that quantity is bad? i havent been on here long, and i may not know much, but i remember not long ago (2 months) where people were saying that we didnt have enough recruits committed to us. now the same people are complaining we have too many? from what i've seen, we have gotten commitments that fill our needs. theres an old saying that says its better to have a good plan today than a great plan tomorrow. Dooley not gonna wait around hoping for 5 stars at every position. His plan is working by filling needs with decent players, and now it seems that we are getting quality players as well. im afraid some people would still be complaining if we had a top 5 class at this moment.

 

[BigOrangeD]

WOW, are people really arguing that quantity is bad? i havent been on here long, and i may not know much, but i remember not long ago (2 months) where people were saying that we didnt have enough recruits committed to us. now the same people are complaining we have too many? from what i've seen, we have gotten commitments that fill our needs. theres an old saying that says its better to have a good plan today than a great plan tomorrow. Dooley not gonna wait around hoping for 5 stars at every position. His plan is working by filling needs with decent players, and now it seems that we are getting quality players as well. im afraid some people would still be complaining if we had a top 5 class at this moment.

I don't think many of us are saying we have too many.

 

[ob79]

To a point yes, but it is no coincidence that the past SEC Champions and past National Chamions are the ones recruiting at the elite levels. Texas 05, Florida 06, LSU 07, Florida 08, Alabama 09....etc...

Basically they recruit well every year to where if a guy like Kenny O'Neal or a Chris Donald don't pan out it doesn't effect them.

At Tennessee it has been different lately, because they "need" those guys to pan out because recruiting has been so inconsistent from year to year.

In the 1990's when 5* guys like Brian Darden, Maurice Staley, Diron Robinson and others didn't pan out nobody hardly noticed because Tennessee recruited at a consistent elite level year after year.

Over a 5 year stretch, I would always take 5 Top 10 recruiting classes, over 2 number one recruiting classes and 3 Top 25 classes.

I agree, and before someone takes what I posted and misinterprets it---I would LOVE to have a top 5 class year in and year out, I just don't think that that automatically translates to wins. Granted it increases the talent level and, thereby, makes it "easier" to win, but it doesn't give your team a pass, you still have to coach them--see Les Myles for example.

I think the recruiting services have a decent success rate but if a coach uses no other criteria other than what an internet recruiting service says about a prospect and doesn't give each player, at the very least, the eyeball test--then you end up with a class like UT's '07 class.

THAT is what got Fulmer fires, IMO--he got lazy. That's one reason why I really REALLY like the way this staff operates, they're really doing their homework on these prospects and getting to know them before they'll accept a commitment--as much as any coaching staff can, of course.

 

[BigPapaVol]

WOW, are people really arguing that quantity is bad? i havent been on here long, and i may not know much, but i remember not long ago (2 months) where people were saying that we didnt have enough recruits committed to us. now the same people are complaining we have too many? from what i've seen, we have gotten commitments that fill our needs. theres an old saying that says its better to have a good plan today than a great plan tomorrow. Dooley not gonna wait around hoping for 5 stars at every position. His plan is working by filling needs with decent players, and now it seems that we are getting quality players as well. im afraid some people would still be complaining if we had a top 5 class at this moment.

someone has missed the boat.