Insane amount of talent in Tennessee

[BigOrangeTrain]

Generally it should be the easiest to attain, it's an additional tie-in to families and the communities these players are from and it hopefully creates a larger fanbase than what would be created by an out of state player of equal caliber because of the shorter travel.

I just think you get the best you can from wherever you can. If it’s instate then fine. It just seems that some (not saying you) think that if the TN HC doesn’t land the best instate guys, then that’s a huge negative. I disagree.

 

[TenToesDown]

It’s really amazing at the talent in the state of Tennessee. So many players getting D-1 recognition.
Too bad we are missing out on a lot of them.
College football recruiting: Top 15 prospects in Tennessee for 2022 class

We need all to players from Oakland...they are just different breeds.

 

[BreatheUT]

I just think you get the best you can from wherever you can. If it’s instate then fine. It just seems that some (not saying you) think that if the TN HC doesn’t land the best instate guys, then that’s a huge negative. I disagree.

If you have a high level of success in recruiting it's normally a natural product of that success. Look at USC, Texas, etc when the are at their best. It's not a surprise that it starts in state. When they are having down years then they are normally losing more in state recruiting battles. Then the sprinkle in some high level out of state recruiting wins. You can go back decades and you'll find UT's best offensive lines were littered with in state players.

 

[tnutater]

Jeremy Pruitt. The gift that keeps on giving.

You misspelled Phillip Fulmer.

 

[tnutater]

Why do some fans think instate talent is so important?

Why do some fans consider the Memphis and Nashville areas instate? One has always been considered another state. We were unlucky in that it is located on our side of the river. The other is for transplants from up north.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Generally it should be the easiest to attain, it's an additional tie-in to families and the communities these players are from and it hopefully creates a larger fanbase than what would be created by an out of state player of equal caliber because of the shorter travel.

That’s been proven incorrect time and time again. The “instate talent advantage” is the most overrated concept in college football.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Why do some fans consider the Memphis and Nashville areas instate? One has always been considered another state. We were unlucky in that it is located on our side of the river. The other is for transplants from up north.

This is an idiotic attitude held by too many East Tennesseans.

I40 East is an orange caravan on Saturdays. Much of that stadium is filled by Middle Tennesseans. It’s the University of Tennessee, not the University of Knoxville. In recent years, UT has landed far more star recruits from the Nashville MSA than Knoxville…Barnett, Gaulden, Hurd, Phillips, and Malone come to mind. But what happens when Knoxville produces a 4 or 5 star? Tee Higgins? Left. Amari Rodgers? Left. Harrison Smith? Left. Hell, when was the last time a highly rated recruit from Knoxville actually signed with UT?

Instead of casting aspersions at Nashville, you oughta be grateful that that city produces kids loyal to UT. Because Knoxville kids sure as hell aren’t.

 

[peaygolf]

In State talent doesn’t matter like it used to because of two major factors:

1. Transplants
2. EVERYONE is on TV. Kids can learn about, watch, and become “fans” of other schools because of the access to other schools across the country.

JMO

 

[Jack Burton]

Then why post this? Seems like you want to find a way to blame Heupel.

I’m not blaming Heupel. Like I clearly said, it’s too early to find fault with his recruiting. Also, there’s a difference between not landing the best in-state guys versus not even recruiting them. Pruitt didn’t even try to recruit them until it was too late each cycle after he bombed with other players, and he had many worshippers defending him in this forum. We can’t defend that kind of effort.

 

[VolInDayton]

Tennessee is about 10th in most talented football states. It's better than it was 10 years ago but a lot of the talent recently moved to Nashville and isnt tied to Tennessee. Also it's weird a lot of talent is closer to other SEC schools in Memphis than they are to Knoxville

 

[chattavol420]

And we have almost none of them. Insane!

 

[tngivm6]

Makes me sick to see so many commitments to Georgia and Kentucky on that list. Not happy to see Alabama getting TN kids, but I get it.

I feel your pain there. Randal Cobb comes to mind.
Only problem is, when Tennessee was relevant, these kids weren’t even born yet.
Heck, they were barely 3 years old and still in diapers last time we beat Bama.
I’ve been saying all along that Clemson became what UT should have been and we became *gasp* Vandy

 

[tngivm6]

Idk if I’d call it an insane amount of talent.

It’s still one to two 5* and eight to nine 4*

Now the state of Georgia, that’s an insane amount of talent. Three to four 5* and 28-30 4*

Agreed Georgia has more over all talent.
I was just looking at the ones on that list and about how many are going to big time D1 schools. Ok a few, but hate that talent is sitting under our noises and UT hasn’t been able to pull them in, for various reasons of course.
This year has a different feel to it though.
Maybe momentum is going the Vols way finally.
It has been nice to get excited about UT football again!!

 

[tngivm6]

Why do some fans think instate talent is so important?

Talent in general is important, but one would think if they are closer it would make it easier to recruit.

 

[tngivm6]

That’s been proven incorrect time and time again. The “instate talent advantage” is the most overrated concept in college football.

Unless you play in Florida, Georgia or Texas

 

[tngivm6]

This is an idiotic attitude held by too many East Tennesseans.

I40 East is an orange caravan on Saturdays. Much of that stadium is filled by Middle Tennesseans. It’s the University of Tennessee, not the University of Knoxville. In recent years, UT has landed far more star recruits from the Nashville MSA than Knoxville…Barnett, Gaulden, Hurd, Phillips, and Malone come to mind. But what happens when Knoxville produces a 4 or 5 star? Tee Higgins? Left. Amari Rodgers? Left. Harrison Smith? Left. Hell, when was the last time a highly rated recruit from Knoxville actually signed with UT?

Instead of casting aspersions at Nashville, you oughta be grateful that that city produces kids loyal to UT. Because Knoxville kids sure as hell aren’t.

They left Knoxville because of bad timing, too many coaching changes over the years. No leadership on campus, from AD to president to chancellor. Etc…
Can’t blame them for leaving. Worked out pretty good for most of them.

 

[BreatheUT]

That’s been proven incorrect time and time again. The “instate talent advantage” is the most overrated concept in college football.

I think you're misunderstanding the post.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Unless you play in Florida, Georgia or Texas

Yeah, the Gators are cleaning up with the best Florida talent, right?

2022 Top Football Recruits in Florida

Look, I’m not saying proximity doesn’t matter. But that’s not the same as being “instate.” There is a TON of talent within a 2-4 hour drive of Knoxville. If they have to cross state lines, it doesn’t really matter.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

Idk if I’d call it an insane amount of talent.

It’s still one to two 5* and eight to nine 4*

Now the state of Georgia, that’s an insane amount of talent. Three to four 5* and 28-30 4*

This, all day.

 

[MiramarVol]

Coaching turnover is killing us. I hope this staff starts attracting more than a few high level prospects.

Coach Heupel said today that recruiting interest has really picked up because the recruits can see what he's selling on the field.

 

[BreatheUT]

Yeah, the Gators are cleaning up with the best Florida talent, right?

2022 Top Football Recruits in Florida

Look, I’m not saying proximity doesn’t matter. But that’s not the same as being “instate.” There is a TON of talent within a 2-4 hour drive of Knoxville. If they have to cross state lines, it doesn’t really matter.

I am making the claim there is a direct correlation between being elite and having 1st dibbs on instate prospects, not having an "instate talent advantage" per se.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Coaching turnover is killing us. I hope this staff starts attracting more than a few high level prospects.

Jeremy really ****ed us with in state coaches and this class. We're repairing a lot of relationships.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

Why do some fans think instate talent is so important?

Same reasons the coaches do (or at least say it’s important)

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Wait, Tennessee has talent? When did this start?

OK, let's compare the number of 4 and 5 star prospects in TN to GA and FL and TX of the SEC. It is a numbers game. Now, in today's world where so many games are on TV proximity does not carry the weight since Mom can see the games of every significant game for contenders. Drive time is still a factor, but not what it used to be.

 

[Jackcrevol]

OK, let's compare the number of 4 and 5 star prospects in TN to GA and FL and TX of the SEC. It is a numbers game. Now, in today's world where so many games are on TV proximity does not carry the weight since Mom can see the games of every significant game for contenders. Drive time is still a factor, but not what it used to be.