'24 MD S Edrees Farooq (Tennessee)

#176
#176
Wokepack said:
Our average commit rankings are shrinking. This class is starting to look like last year's more or less. Also, I noticed that ALL our commits dropped in the rankings. What's up with that? Seems like the stars are aligning for us to finish with a class outside the top 10.
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It was bound to fall. Our average for a while was insanely high, like top 3 or 4 on the averages. I think we will end up with a pretty similar class ranking as last year and be fine with it. Our staff is finding guys who can play, and is developing them, and then scheming for them.

We were #19 in talent ranking in 2022.
We lost to #2, and #21.
We beat #1, #5, #8, #14

So if we are bringing in Top 10 classes we are still improving, and we finally have the coaches to hang with the teams with more talent. Talent doesn't guarantee results, nothing does, it just helps your chances, look at Miami, Florida, Oklahoma, and TAMU as examples. IMO worrying about specific rankings, whether the individual guys we get, or how the team overall stacks up is a bit misplaced with this coaching staff. we got used to suck-butt coaches whose only chance was better talent, we have more options than talent now.

as long as we are filling needs and staying in the ballpark with talent we should be fine.
 
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#178
#178
LouderVol said:
It was bound to fall. Our average for a while was insanely high, like top 3 or 4 on the averages. I think we will end up with a pretty similar class ranking as last year and be fine with it. Our staff is finding guys who can play, and is developing them, and then scheming for them.

We were #19 in talent ranking in 2022.
We lost to #2, and #21.
We beat #1, #5, #8, #14

So if we are bringing in Top 10 classes we are still improving, and we finally have the coaches to hang with the teams with more talent. Talent doesn't guarantee results, nothing does, it just helps your chances, look at Miami, Florida, Oklahoma, and TAMU as examples. IMO worrying about specific rankings, whether the individual guys we get, or how the team overall stacks up is a bit misplaced with this coaching staff. we got used to suck-butt coaches whose only chance was better talent, we have more options than talent now.

as long as we are filling needs and staying in the ballpark with talent we should be fine.
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The rankings have general value but not specific value. The #10 composite class my very well be #5 in reality or #25. They're not likely #1... but definitely not #50. The #5 composite team could very easily be #1. The recruiting rankings are far from a perfect science. They're more like apple inspectors. Some apples are grade A and easy to separate. Some are definite "C" apples. But trying to divide the B+ apples from the B and B- apples... is a lot less sure. Same works for guys buying cattle for feed lots in my area. You win by being good on "average" with your evaluations.

As you point out, do you need "equal" talent to beat opponents? No. If you can be #10 fairly consistently according to the rankings then you can beat anyone after factoring in coaching and the error in the rankings.

One of the reasons I push back on the recruiting sites is something you allude to about past staffs. I think A LOT of UT's recruits were simply overrated. IMHO having watched this fairly close for 20+ years... UT has disproportionately signed 4/5* duds compared to more successful programs. According to the recruiting sites, Fulmer went 5-7 with top 5 talent when he got fired. The coaching wasn't "good" but IMO there were a lot of overrated guys on his last few rosters.
 
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#179
#179
sjt18 said:
The rankings have general value but not specific value. The #10 composite class my very well be #5 in reality or #25. They're not likely #1... but definitely not #50. The #5 composite team could very easily be #1. The recruiting rankings are far from a perfect science. They're more like apple inspectors. Some apples are grade A and easy to separate. Some are definite "C" apples. But trying to divide the B+ apples from the B and B- apples... is a lot less sure. Same works for guys buying cattle for feed lots in my area. You win by being good on "average" with your evaluations.

As you point out, do you need "equal" talent to beat opponents? No. If you can be #10 fairly consistently according to the rankings then you can beat anyone after factoring in coaching and the error in the rankings.

One of the reasons I push back on the recruiting sites is something you allude to about past staffs. I think A LOT of UT's recruits were simply overrated. IMHO having watched this fairly close for 20+ years... UT has disproportionately signed 4/5* duds compared to more successful programs. According to the recruiting sites, Fulmer went 5-7 with top 5 talent when he got fired. The coaching wasn't "good" but IMO there were a lot of overrated guys on his last few rosters.
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I’ve maintained for quite awhile that Fulmer’s true downfall coincided with his increased reliance on the services as they emerged from the shadows. Wouldn’t argue with fans who characterized that shift from personal relationships with high schools and his staff’s evaluations, as increasing laziness or complacence. He was the ultimate closer, but he’d skip a Patrick Willis for a Daniel Brooks on the word of nerds.
 
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#180
#180
butchna said:
I’ve maintained for quite awhile that Fulmer’s true downfall coincided with his increased reliance on the services as they emerged from the shadows. Wouldn’t argue with fans who characterized that shift from personal relationships with high schools and his staff’s evaluations, as increasing laziness or complacence. He was the ultimate closer, but he’d skip a Patrick Willis for a Daniel Brooks on the word of nerds.
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Agree. And I think the recruiting sites also gave him a high level of credibility in their rankings. He didn't like Willis for whatever reason... so they didn't either. He talked Brooks up... so he gets the high ranking.

I think a lot of that goes on with Saban and a few others now. They significantly influence player ratings. They just haven't gotten lazy and entitled like Fulmer.
 
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#181
#181
butchna said:
I’ve maintained for quite awhile that Fulmer’s true downfall coincided with his increased reliance on the services as they emerged from the shadows. Wouldn’t argue with fans who characterized that shift from personal relationships with high schools and his staff’s evaluations, as increasing laziness or complacence. He was the ultimate closer, but he’d skip a Patrick Willis for a Daniel Brooks on the word of nerds.
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At that point in time Brooks was WORLDS better than Willis.

He was a 5 star.
Willis was a 2 star??

That's an easy choice!
 
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#184
#184
Tim Banks worked through several of the powerhouse programs in the Northeast to start the week, including a stop at St. Frances Academy, where defensive backs Ify Obidegwu and Edrees Farooq play. Banks will end the week in Florida, stopping by IMG Academy and other powerhouse programs in the Tampa area.
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-VQ
 
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#186
#186
Gotta think if we can’t get Ify to flip that this guy doesn’t end up in the class, right? Or do we really think he’s a take by himself?
 
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#188
#188
TAF said:
TOO bad he Farooq'd UP and left Ify behind...
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not sure but had storm kicked up while getting on the plane wouldve scared the Farooq outta me

Edit: Ify to Oregon. Cant seem to land the big fish
 
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#190
#190
Tennessee Golfer said:
Except for the 6 we’ve already landed this class.
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6?
tenor.gif
 
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#191
#191
TAF said:
6?
tenor.gif
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I agree. We have 3 maybe 4 (Merklinger, Echols, Beasley, and Harrell) and 1 appears to be waivering on his commitment. We continue to miss on our top targets at DB though and it’s getting old. We got extremely lucky last year landing Gibson over Georgia likely because he didn’t want to be the third of fourth guy at that position in the class, and Beasley is an in state kid that we were expected to land. Losing Ify is a huge kick to the nuts though because he’s probably one of the top 3-4 corners in this class and there’s not really another guy of his caliber that we have a realistic chance at landing. Because Marcelles Williams seems like a pipe dream and Boo is too small to play corner
 
#192
#192
BelieveTheHeup93 said:
I agree. We have 3 maybe 4 (Merklinger, Echols, Beasley, and Harrell) and 1 appears to be waivering on his commitment. We continue to miss on our top targets at DB though and it’s getting old. We got extremely lucky last year landing Gibson over Georgia likely because he didn’t want to be the third of fourth guy at that position in the class, and Beasley is an in state kid that we were expected to land. Losing Ify is a huge kick to the nuts though because he’s probably one of the top 3-4 corners in this class and there’s not really another guy of his caliber that we have a realistic chance at landing. Because Marcelles Williams seems like a pipe dream and Boo is too small to play corner
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Lol another one of your ridiculous takes
 
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#193
#193
VolFreakJosh said:
Lol another one of your ridiculous takes
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So you’re happy they’re missing on the top DBs on their board in back to back years? Keep in mind Strozier and Jackson were their top 2 corners last year and they lost Sylvester Smith last year and slow played themselves into missing on Tyler Scott who ended up being an UA AA. They did a great job on Matthews there’s no question about that, but missing on this guy when their only realistic backup plan is Agard isn’t a very good look at all for Martinez. Aaron Scott isn’t leaving the state of Ohio and landing Williams is going to take damn near a miracle. Luckily Willie is coaching for his job this season
 
#196
#196
If the coaches know talent then stars don't matter. They'll find talent.

If the coaches don't know talent then... stars really don't matter. They'll do like so many in the past and find all the overrated guys.

If they appear to be pursuing a "3*" as hard or harder than a 4/5* guy... then they believe he has talent. You don't take Farooq's commit if you're afraid he has subpar talent.
 
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#197
#197
VolInDayton said:
I think we overuse the term Blueblood for football. There's 4 in basketball but I feel like we act like there are 15 in football
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For starters there are more than 4 in basketball. UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Duke, Indiana are all blue bloods. Louisville probably is and it’s time to put UConn up there.

But secondly, yes, there are more football blue bloods because football has historically been the bigger sport, the cash cow, so more schools focused their resources into football. Combine that with the more regional nature of football (fewer games and no tournament for most of its history) and yes, there are far more football blue bloods. At least 10, probably more like 13-15.
 
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#198
#198
BelieveTheHeup93 said:
So you’re happy they’re missing on the top DBs on their board in back to back years? Keep in mind Strozier and Jackson were their top 2 corners last year and they lost Sylvester Smith last year and slow played themselves into missing on Tyler Scott who ended up being an UA AA. They did a great job on Matthews there’s no question about that, but missing on this guy when their only realistic backup plan is Agard isn’t a very good look at all for Martinez. Aaron Scott isn’t leaving the state of Ohio and landing Williams is going to take damn near a miracle. Luckily Willie is coaching for his job this season
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Definitely wanted Ify. Not gonna lie.

But you don't know their board 🙄.
And you don't know enough about actual football to see how many viable CBs are left on the board.

You just go by star rankings.
 
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#199
#199
sjt18 said:
If the coaches know talent then stars don't matter. They'll find talent.

If the coaches don't know talent then... stars really don't matter. They'll do like so many in the past and find all the overrated guys.

If they appear to be pursuing a "3*" as hard or harder than a 4/5* guy... then they believe he has talent. You don't take Farooq's commit if you're afraid he has subpar talent.
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Anyone with eyes can see Farooq is a hell of a player.

Some of these dudes on here look at the star ranking first and THEN look at the highlights and decide if he is good🤣.
 
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#200
#200
LittleVol said:
Definitely wanted Ify. Not gonna lie.

But you don't know their board 🙄.
And you don't know enough about actual football to see how many viable CBs are left on the board.

You just go by star rankings.
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No I don’t. Ify is ranked below Beasley I think he’s a significantly better corner than him. I also think he’s better than both Scott and Williams. I even wanted this guy more than Sammy Brown considering how much more important corner is than LB and the talent and coaching we already have at LB compared to DB. I don’t have to be a member of the staff to know who is at the top of their board (or at least should be). Just watch the film. Right now they’re in actual contention for 2 other DBs and that’s Omillio Agard and Santana Williams, and neither are remotely close to being as good as Ify. Could a guy like Arion Carter emerge for them this season or Willie accidentally develop another guy that he lands into an NFL caliber player? Sure, but as of today he was by far their best option at landing an elite corner
 
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