‘23 LSU transfer OT Zalance Heard (Tennessee)

[butchna]

If he's that good, you have to wonder why a LA kid is leaving LSU. Is he a legit talent or is he another Mincey...serviceable?

What’s your assessment of the OL starters at LSU? If they’re really good AND experienced, is it a red flag if he hasn’t displaced them?

 

[Vol8188]

Heard on the radio this morning that Michigan's composite roster talent, according to 247, is 14th this year. Florida was 15th.

Goes to show that it's about identifying/evaluating talent, getting guys who fit your systems/schemes, and culture, and developing those guys at a high level.

And we were 16th.

 

[swchandler1988]

They have two elite starting tackles who are both young (sophomores I think)

Yes Will Campbell and Emery Jones, both will be juniors next season

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

What’s your assessment of the OL starters at LSU? If they’re really good AND experienced, is it a red flag if he hasn’t displaced them?

Are you kidding me? He was a Freshman who played in twelve games. That’s pretty rare in the SEC. He was one of the top OT in the country in high school with almost no experience at the position. He’s 6 5” and over 300, and athletic. Every service sees him as a first rounder when he goes. If there is a red flag, someone should hit you with it.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Are you kidding me? He was a Freshman who played in twelve games. That’s pretty rare in the SEC. He was one of the top OT in the country in high school with almost no experience at the position. He’s 6 5” and over 300, and athletic. Every service sees him as a first rounder when he goes. If there is a red flag, someone should hit you with it.

I think Butchna might have been trying sarcasm and it didn’t land, but maybe I’m wrong, ha.

Either way, you have any updates on how this goes me is trending? Still positive?

 

[SoullessGinger32_]

But not a playoff contender without this one OL?

Elite OT could be a huge difference maker. Just saying lol. I would much rather have Heard protecting Nico than Dayne Davis lol. Davis has good strength but his speed is awful. Gets burnt by anyone and everything

 

[Proud Army Wife]

It’s all about the head shake at the end. Boss move.

I took it as a “we’re winning this game mfers, deal with it” move.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Agree he’s prob a nice guy.

Don’t think he’s nearly as informed as he portrays, or as he used to be I guess. And he’s super negative about the staff’s decisions all the time.

He’s not alone tho. Majority of media covering UT football act like they know better than the staff. Cain is another.

Not sure why no one else has captured the market yet.

Just an opinion tho.

Sorry to post yesterday then disappear. My thoughts on the whole VQ crew is that we are all pretty lucky to have a group who are guys who clearly love the Vols but still work to remain fair to both sides. These other sites where the Mods are nothing but optimistic fan boys would be brutal to deal with.

I also think VQ keeps things generally positive and don't dig in unless its a consistent problem.

But I've met and talked to all those guys a good amount this season so knowing them personally is probably clouding my opinions but I've really always felt this way I do believe.

I also will add I don't think AP is whining because his sources are worse...I think he's whining because in the NIL era and with this staff I think we are losing recruitments we think we are about to win more often for a few reasons.

1 this staff as we discussed aren't hard pressure closers and 2 I think we get used a good amount because of how good our NIL is so players tell us on the NIL side we have a good number even though they are just using it to try and juice up their number at their preferred school.

Both of those lead to more optimistic views that may not be as correct as they used to be back in the day when all you needed to do was pay Handler A $5k for his upgraded car tires and window tint to get the commitment the kid wanted to make solidified.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Heard on the radio this morning that Michigan's composite roster talent, according to 247, is 14th this year. Florida was 15th.

Goes to show that it's about identifying/evaluating talent, getting guys who fit your systems/schemes, and culture, and developing those guys at a high level.

And Alabama taking out Georgia for them

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I think Butchna might have been trying sarcasm and it didn’t land, but maybe I’m wrong, ha.

Either way, you have any updates on how this goes me is trending? Still positive?

I feel good about it, but it’s not done. His mom did a call yesterday with coaches yesterday, and I think the perception is that she was the last hurdle, and it went very well. I know several schools are trying to get a visit. If he doesn’t schedule one today, I think we’re in a great spot for good news.

 

[MemphisVol3]

And Alabama taking out Georgia for them

Yeah even though UGA slipped up against Bama, they were by and large the best team in college football.

 

[CAVPUT]

What’s your assessment of the OL starters at LSU? If they’re really good AND experienced, is it a red flag if he hasn’t displaced them?

No idea and your point is well taken. Perhaps he is just looking to get on the field quicker and make a buck while he's at it. While I understand it, that doesn't make it any more palatable to me but that's my age showing. Maybe I'll feel better about it if he does choose us and becomes an all-sec talent....although I'd almost bet this won't be his only trip to the portal before his college days come to an end.

 

[Ericvol2096]

So this is fan opinion reading tea leaves Eric talking not any inside information.

But as I've followed this one and from what I've gathered is that the money has been very good this whole process. But we/Campbell were not keen on the idea of promising/offering up the LT position which was a huge deal to Heard.

If you listen to pod and followed all the comments this weekend RT was all that was mentioned for Heard. Yesterday something had to have changed. The VQ staff mentiioned that our staff handles the portal very transparently with the current players and has meetings with the players to discuss additions. I am GUESSING that somethign like this happened and Campbell is willing to slide to RT to help the team. Maybe he is getting an NIL boost to make this worth it for him?

But for the first time through this entire process last night as soon as we started to surge the VQ staff started mentioning Campbell to RT. That has to matter IMO.

This is tea leave reading once again, but I hope this is the case and this one gets closed out and if so our OL will be in a good place for 2024 and will have a huge piece locked in for 2025 as well.

 

[Ericvol2096]

So this is fan opinion reading tea leaves Eric talking not any inside information.

But as I've followed this one and from what I've gathered is that the money has been very good this whole process. But we/Campbell were not keen on the idea of promising/offering up the LT position which was a huge deal to Heard.

If you listen to pod and followed all the comments this weekend RT was all that was mentioned for Heard. Yesterday something had to have changed. The VQ staff mentiioned that our staff handles the portal very transparently with the current players and has meetings with the players to discuss additions. I am GUESSING that somethign like this happened and Campbell is willing to slide to RT to help the team. Maybe he is getting an NIL boost to make this worth it for him?

But for the first time through this entire process last night as soon as we started to surge the VQ staff started mentioning Campbell to RT. That has to matter IMO.

This is tea leave reading once again, but I hope this is the case and this one gets closed out and if so our OL will be in a good place for 2024 and will have a huge piece locked in for 2025 as well.

I'll add that if this doesn't end up working out this is the issue that caused it to fall apart.

Holding out major, major hope it all gets settled in a positive way.

 

[Kurtastrophe]

Nico is a two year window. This kid could be the Darnell Wright of the 2025 roster.

 

[Vol8188]

Nico is a two year window. This kid could be the Darnell Wright of the 2025 roster.

That’s why this would be huge. Not only was Mincey not a great pass blocker, but he was also a one year option. Now we have a guy who can be here for multiple years

 

[LouderVol]

Nico is a two year window. This kid could be the Darnell Wright of the 2025 roster.

or he could be the Drew Richmond of the 2025 roster.

pure speculation.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I feel good about it, but it’s not done. His mom did a call yesterday with coaches yesterday, and I think the perception is that she was the last hurdle, and it went very well. I know several schools are trying to get a visit. If he doesn’t schedule one today, I think we’re in a great spot for good news.

If that’s the case, definitely sounds positive but maybe some of the other insiders who popped in here yesterday might have jumped the gun a bit with their excitement. Sounds like we could be in for a last second nut kick where momma gets what she wants elsewhere or someone does drop a bigger bag.

 

[Jackcrevol]

or he could be the Drew Richmond of the 2025 roster.

pure speculation.

Drew Richmond had never played for another D1 team, prior to his stint as El Matadore at TN.

 

[Jackcrevol]

If that’s the case, definitely sounds positive but maybe some of the other insiders who popped in here yesterday might have jumped the gun a bit with their excitement. Sounds like we could be in for a last second nut kick where momma gets what she wants elsewhere or someone does drop a bigger bag.

Listening to BH on the .VQ PC was certainly my impression. Then again, as quickly as these portalers make decisions, it would SEEM he would have said TN already. It just seems, always seems when someone is seriously considering TN they ALWAYS are all, or tip toeing around the pool, testing the temp. waiting for the heat to pop on, trying on different swim trunks, and finally going to the hot tub after walking around the pool 9000 times.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Heard on the radio this morning that Michigan's composite roster talent, according to 247, is 14th this year. Florida was 15th.

Goes to show that it's about identifying/evaluating talent, getting guys who fit your systems/schemes, and culture, and developing those guys at a high level.

Michigans staff is also way better lol

 

[CAVPUT]

Michigans staff is also way better lol

Yep. I hadn't seen much of Michigan this year, but I was very impressed with their schemes and the fundamentals they played with. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're a great team....cheating aside.

 

[Ericvol2096]

So this is fan opinion reading tea leaves Eric talking not any inside information.

But as I've followed this one and from what I've gathered is that the money has been very good this whole process. But we/Campbell were not keen on the idea of promising/offering up the LT position which was a huge deal to Heard.

If you listen to pod and followed all the comments this weekend RT was all that was mentioned for Heard. Yesterday something had to have changed. The VQ staff mentiioned that our staff handles the portal very transparently with the current players and has meetings with the players to discuss additions. I am GUESSING that somethign like this happened and Campbell is willing to slide to RT to help the team. Maybe he is getting an NIL boost to make this worth it for him?

But for the first time through this entire process last night as soon as we started to surge the VQ staff started mentioning Campbell to RT. That has to matter IMO.

This is tea leave reading once again, but I hope this is the case and this one gets closed out and if so our OL will be in a good place for 2024 and will have a huge piece locked in for 2025 as well.

Am I way off in my thinking here @Stoerner Fumbles

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

I feel good about it, but it’s not done. His mom did a call yesterday with coaches yesterday, and I think the perception is that she was the last hurdle, and it went very well. I know several schools are trying to get a visit. If he doesn’t schedule one today, I think we’re in a great spot for good news.

If our coaches are on the phone with momma we are in a very good spot IMO.

 

[bpalmer28]

Listening to BH on the .VQ PC was certainly my impression. Then again, as quickly as these portalers make decisions, it would SEEM he would have said TN already. It just seems, always seems when someone is seriously considering TN they ALWAYS are all, or tip toeing around the pool, testing the temp. waiting for the heat to pop on, trying on different swim trunks, and finally going to the hot tub after walking around the pool 9000 times.

This is the vibe I get. If they don’t get on board almost immediately after our insiders and AP show optimism, they end up elsewhere. It FEELS like if we don’t get Heard today, he ends up at OU… which would be a shame because Elarbee would make him a top 10 pick