'25 NV OL Douglas Utu (Oregon commit)

[LittleVol]

Just because he’s rated as an OT, doesn’t mean that’s the position he’ll play in college.

Our coaches liked him better inside.

You saying the coaching staff was wrong?

If a coach wants to play a guy at OG, that can play OG probably very well, then how are they wrong??

He’s playing at OT right now for one of the best HSs in the country, and he’s one of the best OT in HS.

 

[LittleVol]

As is Bennett Warren and Jesse Perry.

Both of those guys have just scratched their potential. And will play a lot of important minutes this season

 

[Vol423]

Hardly a surprise. As I mentioned previously in another thread:

While we have started landing some recruits from Bishop Gorman in the last few classes, I think USC, UCLA and Oregon all land more recruits from Bishop Gorman. I wouldn't necessarily say that helps out. It is definitely a good move for the kid though, and I'm happy for that. Hopefully we continue to build that pipeline.

 

[JacketVol]

sucks. dude's a future pro bowler at guard. IMO this will happen a lot now with NIL where those tweener types get to dictate what position they play to the highest bidder. makes sense ultimately but a bummer to a certain degree if you tell a kid he's inevitably going to end up at a less glamorous position in the league than they expect

This. They will end up putting him at guard. He’s a guard at this level.

 

[Blake25p]

Sucks but it happens

 

[InVOLuntary]

Heupel hates losing anything and everything

What's the deal with Umarov? Is it season ending?

 

[cncchris33]

So Sanders is at LT and Utu at RT. So they really have no conflict…
Both 5 star guys. And Utu would be an excellent guard too. He’s like Trey Smith in that he can be RT or play either OG.

He wants the money of a OT, and he’s been playing OT the whole time at BG

Point being that nothing has changed on the Tennessee side from the time he committed. Tennessee didn't change their tune on his position. They didn't suddenly take someone that they didn't plan on taking at RT or any interior position, either. Utu knew David Sanders was the LT. So why commit to Tennessee if you had your heart set on that spot? In the end, this seems like it was about relationships, which is fine. He kind of committed to Tennessee out of nowhere ,and quickly, so this kind of always felt like one (to me, at least) that we'd have to continually work on to keep.

 

[Weezer]

Heupel hates losing anything and everything

Any other commits we might lose? Are we trying to find a replacement for Utu?

 

[hjeagle1vol]

Fair trade with Nike for Brame

 

[SoilVol]

Fair trade with Nike for Brame

Was actually coming to say this exact thing. Sucks to lose Utu is we do, though.

 

[vol_in_ga]

They view him as a tackle. We view him as a guard.

-Wiltfong

That’s low. He’ll never play a down at tackle.

 

[LaagerVol]

That’s low. He’ll never play a down at tackle.

Speaking in absolutes. Is this based on your study of his games or from what you have read on volnation?

 

[volamite86]

Speaking in absolutes. Is this based on your study of his games or from what you have read on volnation?

He’s a sith imo

 

[85SugarVol]

He’s gone. Better relationship with Oregon OL coach.

Sucks. Man, I wish he was as good with relationships as he was with development.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Welp… just got Fong’d to Oregon

Oh well.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

There goes our top 10 class flushed with losing one guy.

 

[therickbol]

That’s low. He’ll never play a down at tackle.

I would be good money that will be false. Even if his long-term position ends up being at G he will most certainly take snaps at T at some point.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

That’s low. He’ll never play a down at tackle.

And you know this how?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

I would be good money that will be false. Even if his long-term position ends up being at G he will most certainly take snaps at T at some point.

How do we not know he can play tackle?

 

[KingVFL]

So Sanders is at LT and Utu at RT. So they really have no conflict…
Both 5 star guys. And Utu would be an excellent guard too. He’s like Trey Smith in that he can be RT or play either OG.

He wants the money of a OT, and he’s been playing OT the whole time at BG

It has nothing to do with guard vs tackle. I’d guess he plays guard at Oregon

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

So it comes down to money right?

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

There goes our top 10 class flushed with losing one guy.

 

[Jackcrevol]

So it comes down to money right?

VFL says its relationships with Oregon staff. We can assume they are paying tackle money, next question.

 

[DaddyChad]

Same thoughts on this one as on Josh Petty.

 

[MarcoVol]

There goes our top 10 class flushed with losing one guy.

If he is removed, we go from ranked 7th in recruiting rankings as of now to 7th in recruiting rankings as of now.