'26 MS WR Tristen Keys

#388
#388
lfvol said:
We have to get over the NIL tier issue we’ve consistently used for WR after seeing how pedestrian we have been and how elite teams separate with elite WRs. We get positioned with them then drop out as the serious teams dig in.
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Agree. Seems like we just aren’t on the same level as the biggest boys.
 
#391
#391
lfvol said:
We have to get over the NIL tier issue we’ve consistently used for WR after seeing how pedestrian we have been and how elite teams separate with elite WRs. We get positioned with them then drop out as the serious teams dig in.
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and then we find replacements.

go back to 2024, we were in on a TON of the top DL talent. Had a whole list of high 4s and 5s. Everyone thought we were getting all of them. As more and more of the list didn't go to UT, everyone panics and assumes we aren't getting anyone. the class will be trash, won't find any good DL. so on and so forth, typical end of the world stuff. End up with the #1 DE on 247, Ross.

Speaking of WRs, Matthews and Staley were both Top 100 on all services. Smith was ranked highly in 2025. 2026 we already have one WR in the Top 100 overall in King.

you guys always act like we brought in nothing but a bunch of three stars because we didn't get every top ranked guy. its tiring.
 
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#392
#392
LouderVol said:
and then we find replacements.

go back to 2024, we were in on a TON of the top DL talent. Had a whole list of high 4s and 5s. Everyone thought we were getting all of them. As more and more of the list didn't go to UT, everyone panics and assumes we aren't getting anyone. the class will be trash, won't find any good DL. so on and so forth, typical end of the world stuff. End up with the #1 DE on 247, Ross.

Speaking of WRs, Matthews and Staley were both Top 100 on all services. Smith was ranked highly in 2025. 2026 we already have one WR in the Top 100 overall in King.

you guys always act like we brought in nothing but a bunch of three stars because we didn't get every top ranked guy. its tiring.
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What you said abt the DL is valid, and could be said for the defense as a whole except safety. But the problem is, the OP is right when it comes to OL and WR. Sure we landed Matthews and Stayley, but they are the only noteworthy WR’s we have landed, and they have yet to contribute. Same thing with OL. Sure it’s a tiring subject, but just cause it’s tiring doesnt mean it’s wrong or invalid
 
#393
#393
JCVol00 said:
What you said abt the DL is valid, and could be said for the defense as a whole except safety. But the problem is, the OP is right when it comes to OL and WR. Sure we landed Matthews and Stayley, but they are the only noteworthy WR’s we have landed, and they have yet to contribute. Same thing with OL. Sure it’s a tiring subject, but just cause it’s tiring doesnt mean it’s wrong or invalid
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Rolling into the spring with 7 WR, with maybe 3 TD's amongst them with this program( our prestige, purported NIL, and everything is criminal.

Florida literally won 7 games, and signed 2 five stars and three fours. 🤢
 
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#394
#394
JCVol00 said:
What you said abt the DL is valid, and could be said for the defense as a whole except safety. But the problem is, the OP is right when it comes to OL and WR. Sure we landed Matthews and Stayley, but they are the only noteworthy WR’s we have landed, and they have yet to contribute. Same thing with OL. Sure it’s a tiring subject, but just cause it’s tiring doesnt mean it’s wrong or invalid
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what is everyone expecting? Can anyone honestly say they were expecting even Mathews to take Squirrel's, Bru's, or Thorton's job? Then you have the high impact Brazzel who was also supposed to slide in and play. you add in a couple other older back ups, and an early injury and its not unreasonable that Mathews didn't have a huge impact.

what everyone is expecting isn't reality. Even for the team everyone wants to be at the moment, they aren't getting amazing stats from everyone of their highly ranked guys.

Smith at Ohio State walked into an open position with no established starter and is simply the best WR in the game. meanwhile Mylan Graham, OSU's other 5* WR from the same class, didn't record any stats. going back to 2023, they had Tate, Inniss, and Rogers as 5* on various sites at WR. Tate produced, Inniss had similar stats as a sophomore than our freshman Mathews, and Noah Rogers transferred out to NCST after not playing at all. in 2022 they didn't have any 5* but a couple overall Top 100 players at WR, Grayes transferred to Cal, and Burton is at Auburn.

no one is producing like VN thinks they do. they just constantly react to the next shiny thing, and beg to be like that. while conveniently overlooking all the times it doesn't work out like they think it does.
 
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#395
#395
JCVol00 said:
What you said abt the DL is valid, and could be said for the defense as a whole except safety. But the problem is, the OP is right when it comes to OL and WR. Sure we landed Matthews and Stayley, but they are the only noteworthy WR’s we have landed, and they have yet to contribute. Same thing with OL. Sure it’s a tiring subject, but just cause it’s tiring doesnt mean it’s wrong or invalid
Click to expand...

But it is not VALIDATED until all the young guys, in the development cycles, get to show their stuff is NOT enough. WR can close ground faster, but the FACT we only saw a minimal number of OL guided to the portal to literally make room on the roster AND in the room indicates CJH believes they are on track. Publicly lining up at the bridge edge before we look at movement post spring is simply worthless or worse expression of fandom. Go look at the roster and count our 2nd and 3rd year OL.
 
#396
#396
LouderVol said:
and then we find replacements.

go back to 2024, we were in on a TON of the top DL talent. Had a whole list of high 4s and 5s. Everyone thought we were getting all of them. As more and more of the list didn't go to UT, everyone panics and assumes we aren't getting anyone. the class will be trash, won't find any good DL. so on and so forth, typical end of the world stuff. End up with the #1 DE on 247, Ross.

Speaking of WRs, Matthews and Staley were both Top 100 on all services. Smith was ranked highly in 2025. 2026 we already have one WR in the Top 100 overall in King.

you guys always act like we brought in nothing but a bunch of three stars because we didn't get every top ranked guy. its tiring.
Click to expand...
Take a nap then 😝
 
#397
#397
LouderVol said:
what is everyone expecting? Can anyone honestly say they were expecting even Mathews to take Squirrel's, Bru's, or Thorton's job? Then you have the high impact Brazzel who was also supposed to slide in and play. you add in a couple other older back ups, and an early injury and its not unreasonable that Mathews didn't have a huge impact.

what everyone is expecting isn't reality. Even for the team everyone wants to be at the moment, they aren't getting amazing stats from everyone of their highly ranked guys.

Smith at Ohio State walked into an open position with no established starter and is simply the best WR in the game. meanwhile Mylan Graham, OSU's other 5* WR from the same class, didn't record any stats. going back to 2023, they had Tate, Inniss, and Rogers as 5* on various sites at WR. Tate produced, Inniss had similar stats as a sophomore than our freshman Mathews, and Noah Rogers transferred out to NCST after not playing at all. in 2022 they didn't have any 5* but a couple overall Top 100 players at WR, Grayes transferred to Cal, and Burton is at Auburn.

no one is producing like VN thinks they do. they just constantly react to the next shiny thing, and beg to be like that. while conveniently overlooking all the times it doesn't work out like they think it does.
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If ur good, you should see the field asap. Our wr core wasnt good last year or year before, and nothing was done to fix it I feel like. Either our coaches wont play the best players, which is problematic, or our 5 star wr isnt as good as we thought, which is also problematic
 
#398
#398
JCVol00 said:
If ur good, you should see the field asap. Our wr core wasnt good last year or year before, and nothing was done to fix it I feel like. Either our coaches wont play the best players, which is problematic, or our 5 star wr isnt as good as we thought, which is also problematic
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the same way "nothing" was done to fix our DBs in 2024?

it is possible for the same players to actually get better year to year. our last Biletnikoff winner is a shining example of that.

There are other factors that go into WR play as well. having a more experienced QB will help WR play. having better pass blocking OL will help our QB play help WR play. Hopefully we also have healthy WRs.

Bru and Thorton were coming off of season ending injuries from the year before but were established. Squirrel got hurt but never came off the field. Mathews got hurt pre/early season and saw time as he got healthier.

we ran off dead weight. its not like its Pruitt back there playing JG year after year.
 
#399
#399
I'd have Brandon invite those top WR's over to visit him at Neyland where they could tell the number one QB in the nation and CJH what it would take to sign them wether it's playing time, money etc and deliver. The highlights of Keys are amazing!
 
#400
#400
From Wiltfong today

Tristen Keys – 5-star receiver
This one is tight. Alabama, Miami and Tennessee are three very well positioned.
I’d give the edge to the Vols right now but not sleeping on the other two. An early decision wouldn’t surprise me.
Texas A&M and Auburn are a couple others Keys is high on.
The Vols currently have On3’s No. 5 ranked class headlined by quarterback Faizon Brandon who is the No. 2 signal-caller in the land and No. 7 prospect overall.
Keys is the No. 2 receiver and No. 6 player in the On3 Industry Rankings.
 
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