Miss St. Transfer OT Percy Lewis (Auburn)

[cncchris33]

We had a top 10 NFL draft pick last year, being in the best shape you could possibly be in should/would never be a bad thing.

Yes, and I've mentioned in other similar conversations that that fact should be Tennessee's counterpoint to all of the negative recruiting about our system. Wright was a mid-round pick under the former staff's tutelage. Perhaps the light just came on for him and he'd have improved under those guys, as well. But I'd be selling future players on the idea that he became the player he did because of Glen Elarbee and playing in our system.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

You lost me at Basillio.

If you want to get rid of Elarbee then you are talking about ditching Heupel. They are a system and Huepel has a coach he is totally comfortable with.

So are you telling me that Heupel is incapable of getting rid of a coach because he is comfortable with him? Not saying Basillio is right but what if he is?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Aren’t we a finalist for one of the best OL in the portal?

Yes.

 

[Ten_Titans]

You lost me at Basillio.

If you want to get rid of Elarbee then you are talking about ditching Heupel. They are a system and Huepel has a coach he is totally comfortable with.

I sincerely hope that's not the case. And I say that as someone who doesn't necessarily want to get rid of Elarbee.

Evidence is mounting that Heupel is the anti-Pruitt when it comes to staff changes. I think the lack of continuity really soured the program when Beldar was here. But the opposite can also be a problem. I wouldn't go as far as to say the staff will get complacent. But there is something to be said for making changes when the results aren't there, if only to knock yourself out of a rutt. And if a coach isn't recruiting well, that leash should be pretty short...

 

[GoodTimeVol]

I sincerely hope that's not the case. And I say that as someone who doesn't necessarily want to get rid of Elarbee.

Evidence is mounting that Heupel is the anti-Pruitt when it comes to staff changes. I think the lack of continuity really soured the program when Beldar was here. But the opposite can also be a problem. I wouldn't go as far as to say the staff will get complacent. But there is something to be said for making changes when the results aren't there, if only to knock yourself out of a rutt. And if a coach isn't recruiting well, that leash should be pretty short...

But he is recruiting well?

 

[MarcoVol]

But he is recruiting well?

Signed three 4* in ‘24 class and has us in the thick of it for a Fr OL in the portal who was a 5*, top 15 player in the country coming out of HS.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

I sincerely hope that's not the case. And I say that as someone who doesn't necessarily want to get rid of Elarbee.

Evidence is mounting that Heupel is the anti-Pruitt when it comes to staff changes. I think the lack of continuity really soured the program when Beldar was here. But the opposite can also be a problem. I wouldn't go as far as to say the staff will get complacent. But there is something to be said for making changes when the results aren't there, if only to knock yourself out of a rutt. And if a coach isn't recruiting well, that leash should be pretty short...

This is the first class he has been able to recruit COMPLETELY out from under a POTENTIAL big hammer from the NCAA. CJH would look a bit silly to not give him a chance to develop this class. I am glad coach does not lean toward sacrificial lamb coaching carousels. Same with our DB coach. It is highly possible he previously prohibited coach from the pushing the purge we had in that room this year. He could pull the plug tomorrow since there is little room knowledge with this years room flip, but I would be surprised.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

So are you telling me that Heupel is incapable of getting rid of a coach because he is comfortable with him? Not saying Basillio is right but what if he is?

I listened to Basilio’s points on this. He - like most of us - supports Heupel. But it’s pretty clear the folks that forked over the cash for Nico want a complete team around him. Ellerbe has zero OL that he has recruited from high school even in the rotation. We recruited Campbell as a 1 year rental, and got a bonus. We begged Ollie Lane to come back last year. These are admissions that no one is ready to step up. So you have to continue getting portal players who you can count on for 2-3 years. That isn’t sustainable.

We have better tradition, playing time, roster, and NIL than teams that are beating us for these players. Coaching is the only other variable.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

This is the first class he has been able to recruit COMPLETELY out from under a POTENTIAL big hammer from the NCAA. CJH would look a bit silly to not give him a chance to develop this class. I am glad coach does not lean toward sacrificial lamb coaching carousels. Same with our DB coach. It is highly possible he previously prohibited coach from the pushing the purge we had in that room this year. He could pull the plug tomorrow since there is little room knowledge with this years room flip, but I would be surprised.

It’s a results business. We are recruiting system guys that aren’t developing. That starts the vicious cycle.

 

[Mccage]

Kiffin owes Heupel some lunch money...been eating his lunch every day in the portal.

One is truthful one is not! Kids are impressionable! Kiffen will be in portal soon

 

[MarcoVol]

I listened to Basilio’s points on this. He - like most of us - supports Heupel. But it’s pretty clear the folks that forked over the cash for Nico want a complete team around him. Ellerbe has zero OL that he has recruited from high school even in the rotation. We recruited Campbell as a 1 year rental, and got a bonus. We begged Ollie Lane to come back last year. These are admissions that no one is ready to step up. So you have to continue getting portal players who you can count on for 2-3 years. That isn’t sustainable.

We have better tradition, playing time, roster, and NIL than teams that are beating us for these players. Coaching is the only other variable.

You don’t think he recruited Campbell and Mincey out of the portal? Why do those guys not count? The portal is a real thing. And he’s recruiting another potential starter in Heard.

And Coop and Spraggins are productive upper classmen.

The OL on the field has been pretty dang good. Not sure what someone wants if it isn’t on field production.

 

[volinbama256]

So any updates on this one?

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

I

Signed three 4* in ‘24 class and has us in the thick of it for a Fr OL in the portal who was a 5*, top 15 player in the country coming out of HS.

It’s the hole from earlier classes that we must make up.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

You don’t think he recruited Campbell and Mincey out of the portal? Why do those guys not count? The portal is a real thing. And he’s recruiting another potential starter in Heard.

And Coop and Spraggins are productive upper classmen.

The OL on the field has been pretty dang good. Not sure what someone wants if it isn’t on field production.

Cooper and Spraggins are super seniors that he inherited.

Filling 100% of your open spots through the portal - as he’s done for 3 years - is not sustainable. We are in free agent mode and can’t get anyone to say yes.

 

[MarcoVol]

I

It’s the hole from earlier classes that we must make up.

Then we’ll do so in the portal this year and next

 

[MarcoVol]

Cooper and Spraggins are super seniors that he inherited.

Filling 100% of your open spots through the portal - as he’s done for 3 years - is not sustainable. We are in free agent mode and can’t get anyone to say yes.

Interesting take.

Why does it matter how we fill the spots in the interim with the portal if we’re getting good production from the OL?

Also, if the portal guys you get have multiple years of eligibility, why wouldn’t that be sustainable?

 

[Ace]

Cooper and Spraggins are super seniors that he inherited.

Filling 100% of your open spots through the portal - as he’s done for 3 years - is not sustainable. We are in free agent mode and can’t get anyone to say yes.

The portal is sustainable for filling needs. If we pull Heard and Lewis then we should have a good OL. Teams better make the portal sustainable because it is here to stay. Recruiting is not over until after spring practice now. Building a roster is year round.

 

[Ace]

Interesting take.

Why does it matter how we fill the spots in the interim with the portal if we’re getting good production from the OL?

Also, if the portal guys you get have multiple years of eligibility, why wouldn’t that be sustainable?

It doesn’t. I know OL coaches at P5 schools that have accepted reality of building line through the portal. Good OL at lower levels want to move up in competition and can make good money doing it. Most have made it through hard work as opposed to pure athleticism like skill positions. So many of them have a team first attitude.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

Then we’ll do so in the portal this year and next

and here we are. 2 open spots we can’t pay people to take. And no depth behind them, so next year could be another 2-3. OL is not the position you want to try that.

 

[CAVPUT]

You lost me at Basillio.

If you want to get rid of Elarbee then you are talking about ditching Heupel. They are a system and Huepel has a coach he is totally comfortable with.

I guess my outlook is that we hired Heupel to run this show. In doing that, we consent to let him hire and recruit who he wants. He does things his way as long as it's within the rules. Never cared for hiring a guy then telling him how to do it and who to hire and fire. Seem to recall Texas doing that with Barnes and I see how that turned out. So far, I've seen nothing that makes me question Heupel. Won't lie and say I'm not anxious to see us secure that OL to protect Nico, but I'm no OL coach. Got no idea who we have, how good and ready they are or who the best choice from the portal might be. For that, I have to trust my head coach and his staff. Fine doing just that. If it doesn't go well, there are others in a position to do something about it. I'm an interested observer....nothing more.

 

[ThreatLevelOrange]

Interesting take.

Why does it matter how we fill the spots in the interim with the portal if we’re getting good production from the OL?

Also, if the portal guys you get have multiple years of eligibility, why wouldn’t that be sustainable?

the guys with multiple years are in the highest demand. So getting 1 year guys - like Campbell was supposed to be - are what you get. Not ideal.

OL is a unit, especially if you run any zone blocking. It’s hard for a true freshman to play. And not as easy for an upperclassman new to your scheme.

 

[MarcoVol]

the guys with multiple years are in the highest demand. So getting 1 year guys - like Campbell was supposed to be - are what you get. Not ideal.

OL is a unit, especially if you run any zone blocking. It’s hard for a true freshman to play. And not as easy for an upperclassman new to your scheme.

But Campbell is back for a 2nd year, so not sure what the issue is. Heard is a true soph if we get him.

And more importantly, the OL has been very productive under Elarbee.

Complaining about things that haven’t been an issue is weird.

 

[bpalmer28]

Believe he played LT at State, probably wants to continue as a LT. Our opening is RT.

Believe he has two years of eligibility, but wants to be a one-year rental then go pro.

Wonder why he doesn't just declare for the draft now?

 

[SweetasSoda]

But Campbell is back for a 2nd year, so not sure what the issue is. Heard is a true soph if we get him.

And more importantly, the OL has been very productive under Elarbee.

Complaining about things that haven’t been an issue is weird.

Can you imagine the complaining if we didn’t have the #1 offense last year and that running game this year? And all this AFTER being told how horrible the OL was going to be.

 

[volroadwarrior]

The Chicken Littles are out in full throat. That includes Basilio. Recently the problem most likely is that Mincey and the top OLs we are in on all want to play left tackle and do not want to play right tackle because of potential NFL money. Our LT is Campbell and he doesn't want to play RT and he is better than Mincey. Heard, Lewis, Pounds and McKinley are or want to play LT. Dayne Davis played over Mincey in the bowl at RT for a reason and probably was not injury related.