Is there an issue with WR Development/Evaluation

[LittleVol]

1. Hyatt and Tillman were more physically gifted than anyone else we've had

2. The only ones I really cared to lose were Webb and Leacock. They were young and got impatient imo

3. Almost our whole WR room has been playing injured

Webb just finished year 3.
Still has 2 years of eligibility because he redshirted.

He wasn’t that young…

 

[DaddyChad]

So I’ve had criticisms of the WRs all season but towards the end of the year most guys came on and had some of their best gams. Oline protects, Nico delivers the ball better and with better timing, guys running routes get the ball better and get into a groove in the passing game. We’ve had injuries though in the WRs all season. Matthews started the season nicked up, Thornton never has got completely healthy it seems, bru hurt several games, squirrel has been hurt as well, Brazzell has really been the only one of our main guys that hasn’t had injury issues that I can remember.

 

[bpalmer28]

Agreed. Similarly, I had concerns about our WRs heading into the season because collectively the group was BAD last year. Others were optimistic because we had 4-star guys waiting in the wings, singed 5-star Matthews, and added Brazzell in the portal. But the proof is in the pudding, so I had my doubts. It seems to me like the “4-star guys waiting in the wings” were simply not as good as our coaches had hoped, which forced Bru, Thornton, and Squirrel to play injured.

Maybe this is just me being a “glass half full” kind of guy, but I think this is our staff attempting to turn the roster over at WR. I know some beat writers/insiders have said we aren’t looking to add WRs in the portal, but I’ll believe that when I see it. I think they are just waiting for the right guys to hit the portal and creating space for them on the roster.

 

[orangemadam]

I think staff has a good handle on things. Basically don't need more than 4 "stud" receivers, with
a few potentially good reserves. You can't pay the subs high NIL money that can be used more
productively elsewhere.

Brazzel, Mathews, squirrel, Staley are all we realistically need and throw in the new recruits an
a couple portals and we should have a stout lineup for Nico to throw to. Can't blame the
rotational guys for leaving for more money and pt

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Furthermore, I question the character of a kid on any playoff team leaving that team while your team still has work in front of it

That’s quitting. If it’s a bowl game, I get it.

But every player from practice squad to starter matter when you’re still playing.

I question the character of any FAN that questions the character of ANY player if they have not been on the field in practice and games, and ESPECIALLY if they have not been present during player and staff interactions. Their best, after maturation and development may just not fit the teams schemes and needs.

Given the current portal entry dates, they have to make decisions about the timing. I think MOST classes have or will soon be ended and locating the next stop is a time dependent process that cannot legally begin until they enter the portal.

If they are passing on just being a scout team member, and MAYBE an emergency backup, then I can accept their actions. The early entry of 3 25’ guys with their projections could also be a factor for these receivers calculations. They have to find their new homes if not in the staffs spring schollie count.

 

[njvols]

Deepest position in football and it’s not close… we find really good WRs in the portal each year and we have an excellent class coming in again and we will likely find one more in the portal…

This position and QB w/ JH, fortunately, feels a bit like how we all get worried about Barnes replacing departing talent, and early returns are we've kinda upgraded the team, being ranked #1. I think we'll be fine. More concerned that we maintain/build line of scrimmage on both sides. If we upgrade our OL, we upgrade our WRs b/c giving Nico time to throw is going to be lethal next year.

 

[farmdogvol]

Both Brazzell and Thornton have shown it is hard to just come in and play in this offense. It takes time even for veteran WRs like them to learn the system. Both of them it took 8-10 games to get going. Brazzell will excel next year if he can stay healthy. Thornton had a great year that was marred by injuries.

 

[rocytop2624]

Huepel needs to learn to rotate receivers or this will always be a problem.

 

[LibertyVol]

I think staff has a good handle on things. Basically don't need more than 4 "stud" receivers, with
a few potentially good reserves. You can't pay the subs high NIL money that can be used more
productively elsewhere.

Brazzel, Mathews, squirrel, Staley are all we realistically need and throw in the new recruits an
a couple portals and we should have a stout lineup for Nico to throw to. Can't blame the
rotational guys for leaving for more money and pt

I have a feeling that most of these guys leaving are not going to get more money. Tennessee has money to keep who they want. In most instances I think they are leaving for more pt. If they land at other SEC schools then maybe that is a concern or maybe it isn’t. It is hard to say. It could be “You are good enough to play at Alabama, but you are not good enough to play here”.

 

[Pride85]

This is the new reality with the transfer portal and NIL driven free agency. The moniker of VFL will be WGM (Whomever Gives the Most). Don't get attached to any "favorite" players going forward. If any stay, then maybe the term can be used again. The supporters of this new normal are getting what they wanted.

 

[perico]

If he continues to improve like he has since halftime of the Bama game I don’t see how he doesn’t declare next year. If he throws for over 3k yards and 30 TDs next year (more than reasonable) he’ll get a top 10 draft grade and will be gone

Nico will be here for 2 more years. QBs who declare after RS Sophomore year are historically busts. Vick was probably the best of the bunch and he never developed into what was expected.

 

[Majors]

I know Webb and Nimrod were likely going to be rotational players at best next year. I also realize Hyatt went from being a backup to a Biletnikoff winner in a year, but his potential and ability was there from his freshman season he just had an issue with drops. With our lack of consistent WR production this year it’s hard to not question whether or not there’s an issue a with either the development or evaluation in the WR room. So far Squirrel has been the only receiver we’ve brought in from HS that has even been a decent contributor and there hasn’t really been significant improvement over the 3 years he’s been here and he still seems to struggle to stay on his feet when he catches the ball. One would think that just by sheer numbers that we could’ve landed more than 1 SEC caliber receiver by now. When we missed on Carnell Tate and then landed Nathan Leacock our fanbase talked about how great we were at evaluating talent since some services ended up having Leacock higher than Tate by the end of the cycle. However with all the injuries we’ve had and the lack of production we had at the position even he wasn’t able to get himself on the field for meaningful reps. They’ve done a decent job in the transfer portal, Bru was an excellent pickup and even though Hyatt was a Biletnikoff winner I think Bru was our go to guy in 22 when we needed to move the sticks. However Donte and Brazzell haven’t really done much against our top SEC opponents. I’ll hang up and listen

Yes, it’s called competition. Next caller.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Probably shouldn't be so judgemental of transferring players until you've walked in their shoes

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Agreed. Similarly, I had concerns about our WRs heading into the season because collectively the group was BAD last year. Others were optimistic because we had 4-star guys waiting in the wings, singed 5-star Matthews, and added Brazzell in the portal. But the proof is in the pudding, so I had my doubts. It seems to me like the “4-star guys waiting in the wings” were simply not as good as our coaches had hoped, which forced Bru, Thornton, and Squirrel to play injured.

Maybe this is just me being a “glass half full” kind of guy, but I think this is our staff attempting to turn the roster over at WR. I know some beat writers/insiders have said we aren’t looking to add WRs in the portal, but I’ll believe that when I see it. I think they are just waiting for the right guys to hit the portal and creating space for them on the roster.

When you have to play injured players with healthy players sitting on the bench, there are reasons why they are sitting on the bench. One, are to be, two, they have not been coached well enough to be able to play. Three, they have an attitude problem. Four, they have also been injured. Only the players and the coaches know which of these apply. I do know Matthews has been injured since Fall practice and has seen more action as the season progressed. I expect him to play a major role next Saturday and in the future. Hopefully Staley will be able to contribute also. It appears we have recruited some really good talent for next year and I think all of them will enroll this January. That , added to Nico being more mature and experienced should result in a much better offense next year. We will also have better depth at the QB position to solidify that position. It will keep on getting better in the future, especially when we beat OSU, Oregon and who ever else we need to this year.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I question the character of any FAN that questions the character of ANY player if they have not been on the field in practice and games, and ESPECIALLY if they have not been present during player and staff interactions. Their best, after maturation and development may just not fit the teams schemes and needs.

Given the current portal entry dates, they have to make decisions about the timing. I think MOST classes have or will soon be ended and locating the next stop is a time dependent process that cannot legally begin until they enter the portal.

If they are passing on just being a scout team member, and MAYBE an emergency backup, then I can accept their actions. The early entry of 3 25’ guys with their projections could also be a factor for these receivers calculations. They have to find their new homes if not in the staffs spring schollie count.

I know there is a reason why production of the passing game has been disappointing, and I am not sure any of us fans know the reason. Speculation is always what we express in our posts and all most all of do it about every post which is posted. Some ideas seem to be off the wall, but we still do it.

 

[ATLVols]

Our WR recruiting has been weak for a playoff worthy team (with a few exceptions). You don’t just need 1 highly rated guy mixed with average recruits. In order to stay at the top, just getting a few normal 3-4 star guys is not enough. We need to be recruiting for the top WRs in the country even at our bench guys. We also need to lock down more elite HS recruits instead of just relying on the portal leftovers.

 

[jeff1vol]

Huepel needs to learn to rotate receivers or this will always be a problem.

Hard to rotate when your philosophy is up-tempo. He'd have to change his offensive DNA for that to happen and I doubt it does. When we play at a slower pace, he can rotate.

 

[Lekvolrrah]

Squirrel the only starter that was recruited out of high school.

 

[Visidog]

I think having Hyatt and Tillman show out in ‘22 as relatively unheralded guys in Heupel’s first big year set expectations in a weird spot. Those guys are both NFL receivers who are also really well suited to what Tennessee does, and they played at a time when teams defended Tennessee differently than most teams do now. WRs get fewer opportunities by defensive alignment: more wide safeties and fewer 1v1 opportunities.

Guys like the ‘22 guys just don’t come around that often, and they got good at the perfect time.

 

[KnoxToTheBoro93]

Squirrel the only starter that was recruited out of high school.

And your point is ? Portal recruiting is the reality… kids don’t like to wait and be patient but that’s society as a whole… I don’t blame or bash kids for leaving either but… Heup has shown to be very effective in the portal and we have his best wr class to date coming in next year… we will be just fine at wr… I do hate it for depth regarding our playoff run though.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Until

Huepel needs to learn to rotate receivers or this will always be a problem.

I'm pretty sure he understands how to do it.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

I know Webb and Nimrod were likely going to be rotational players at best next year. I also realize Hyatt went from being a backup to a Biletnikoff winner in a year, but his potential and ability was there from his freshman season he just had an issue with drops. With our lack of consistent WR production this year it’s hard to not question whether or not there’s an issue a with either the development or evaluation in the WR room. So far Squirrel has been the only receiver we’ve brought in from HS that has even been a decent contributor and there hasn’t really been significant improvement over the 3 years he’s been here and he still seems to struggle to stay on his feet when he catches the ball. One would think that just by sheer numbers that we could’ve landed more than 1 SEC caliber receiver by now. When we missed on Carnell Tate and then landed Nathan Leacock our fanbase talked about how great we were at evaluating talent since some services ended up having Leacock higher than Tate by the end of the cycle. However with all the injuries we’ve had and the lack of production we had at the position even he wasn’t able to get himself on the field for meaningful reps. They’ve done a decent job in the transfer portal, Bru was an excellent pickup and even though Hyatt was a Biletnikoff winner I think Bru was our go to guy in 22 when we needed to move the sticks. However Donte and Brazzell haven’t really done much against our top SEC opponents. I’ll hang up and listen

Good post. We’re all thinking about this. we see all of these highly talented kids come in with all the fanfare and excitement and then we see them leave through the portal. Why are they leaving? Is it their choice or have they been asked to leave? I find it hard to believe that these kids are leaving for money through a better NIL deal. But maybe that’s what’s happening.

I personally have seen several of these kids display an inability to separate and get open when they’ve had their opportunities in games against decent competition.

Not sure what’s going on or what the problem is, but the current situation certainly does not inspire confidence in our passing game moving forward.

 

[Lekvolrrah]

And your point is ? Portal recruiting is the reality… kids don’t like to wait and be patient but that’s society as a whole… I don’t blame or bash kids for leaving either but… Heup has shown to be very effective in the portal and we have his best wr class to date coming in next year… we will be just fine at wr… I do hate it for depth regarding our playoff run though.

First off they're not kids they're young men and this isnt about society, it's about Tenessee Football. Maybe portal recruiting has been more important due to the lack of development or evaluations. it's an interesting dynamic. I don't doubt the Vols will be fine bc of the job the head man is doing. It just doesnt go unnoticed there is only 1 starter you recruited out of HS at the position group that's probably struggled the most this year. Is it a problem? I'm not saying that, but the guys leaving are D1 athletes. They have the ability or they wouldnt be there in the first place. There are no short cuts for player development

 

[OH-Vol]

Nimrod, Webb and Spillman were 3* recruits who have simply been recruited over. It happens when you are building a program.

Leacock has been the disappointment, we were all pumped about him, however he hasn't touched the field in two years. I am curious as to what happened?

 

[Vol865]

Webb just finished year 3.
Still has 2 years of eligibility because he redshirted.

He wasn’t that young…

He was a Sophomore. I consider that young. Especially when he's leaving right when he'd be in the rotation more. But I get that Mike Matthews jumped him on the depth chart and he didn't want to risk it. Leacock leaving made no sense to me though.