Portal Activity (News and Rumors)

[knoxvol52]

BS made an account on Friday just to come in here and stir the pot. And the other poster is just encouraging it and trashing TN. They’re trolls. It’s not “acknowledging reality”.

I believe another called himself Johnson Long we all have big deams I guess!!!

 

[malkmusvol]

No. It’s just pretty obvious to tell actual fans from rival trolls who simply wander over here pretending to be TN fans. malkmusvol and BS are not Vol fans. Nice try though.

I have been going to UT baseball games since the late 90s. I have season tickets. Have been to Omaha the last 3 times we made it. Yet because I acknowledge that when it comes to the portal LSU gets who they want, I am not a fan? Missing out on Tanks and Skenes cost us a natty and gifted them one. The posted articles sound like LSU is about to do it again.

The fact that someone on here is acting like our 2 CWS appearances is stronger than their recent natty and history of constant Omaha appearances is naive at best. We are climbing the mountain but aren't there yet. I understand most of you guys only started following in 2022 so you wouldn't understand.

 

[CAVPUT]

So I take it, no news on Holman or Ahuna yet lol.

Nope. Looks like Thursday from all I've read. Supposedly taking the time for the family to think and decide. Of course, it's also an opportunity for NIL sweeteners which leads me to think it's Tank and Skenes all over again. Thought we had 'em but LSU came in with the money in the end. I'll be shocked if Holman doesn't pick LSU at the end of the day.

 

[cardvolfan]

So I take it, no news on Holman or Ahuna yet lol.

Give it 5 minutes.

 

[BS06716]

BS made an account on Friday just to come in here and stir the pot. And the other poster is just encouraging it and trashing TN. They’re trolls. It’s not “acknowledging reality”.

I’m really not sure what’s controversial.

LSU has more support for baseball. Those are my words. Other posters have referenced NIL and dropping bags.

LSU has had more success. Recently and historically.

UT has the plan to upgrade facilities, but they haven’t compared to LSU’s.

It’s extremely impressive that TV has UT in the conversation with top transfers and recruits.

What do you disagree with?

 

[Halph66]

Nope. Looks like Thursday from all I've read. Supposedly taking the time for the family to think and decide. Of course, it's also an opportunity for NIL sweeteners which leads me to think it's Tank and Skenes all over again. Thought we had 'em but LSU came in with the money in the end. I'll be shocked if Holman doesn't pick LSU at the end of the day.

Yeah, my gut tells me that the longer it takes the more likely it's the other guys.

I have to think the Holman's are having some sleepless nights.

 

[CAVPUT]

Yeah, my gut tells me that the longer it takes the more likely it's the other guys.

I have to think the Holman's are having some sleepless nights.

Doubt they're too worried. He's choosing between two of the hottest programs in the country. Doubt we'll match LSU's NIL, but the kid could just want to spend a year with Tony V and Frank Anderson. Still, he's going to get great coaching at both. Stats will no doubt look better pitching in Tiger stadium vs LNS tho. So many ways to spin the decision. While I love the Vols, LSU seems to be the complete package and a no brainer. Until we get our stadium done, we'll always be behind the 8 ball against the blue bloods.

 

[JohnsonLong]

I believe another called himself Johnson Long we all have big deams I guess!!!

I can assure you Im my own man.

Been going to UT baseball games since Chris Burke and Stevie Daniel.

Im not here to cause trouble.

 

[Halph66]

Doubt they're too worried. He's choosing between two of the hottest programs in the country. Doubt we'll match LSU's NIL, but the kid could just want to spend a year with Tony V and Frank Anderson. Still, he's going to get great coaching at both. Stats will no doubt look better pitching in Tiger stadium vs LNS tho. So many ways to spin the decision. While I love the Vols, LSU seems to be the complete package and a no brainer. Until we get our stadium done, we'll always be behind the 8 ball against the blue bloods.

If they aren't struggling to decide, then why the delay. I think they are bouncing back and forth. I do agree in the long run either decision will be fine for his future.

 

[knoxvol52]

I can assure you Im my own man.

Been going to UT baseball games since Chris Burke and Stevie Daniel.

Im not here to cause trouble.

It's all good just a little poking fun.....

 

[CAVPUT]

If they aren't struggling to decide, then why the delay. I think they are bouncing back and forth. I do agree in the long run either decision will be fine for his future.

I suspect they set the deadline to allow UT and LSU to come with their best offers. Hate to be so cynical, but that's the NIL and the world we live in.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I suspect they set the deadline to allow UT and LSU to come with their best offers. Hate to be so cynical, but that's the NIL and the world we live in.

It’s been said multiple times NIL is a secondary consideration here. It’s not a main thing. Both schools can offer good NIL. That won’t be the primary factor.

 

[knoxvol52]

Yeah, my gut tells me that the longer it takes the more likely it's the other guys.

I have to think the Holman's are having some sleepless nights.

So let's just assume Holman goes to The Kitties, so does CTV do a weekend rotation of Beam Friday, Russell Saturday and Zander Sunday??? Just looking ahead or this portal open up again before season I don't really keep up with all that...

 

[Zues1]

Deleted

 

[spyfish007]

Don't forget the old adage, sleep on it.

 

[Zues1]

With this extended decision making let's hope he's as good as expected.

 

[Zues1]

It’s been said multiple times NIL is a secondary consideration here. It’s not a main thing. Both schools can offer good NIL. That won’t be the primary factor.

I keep reading that but......one has to assume $ 10k vs $ 100k could move the needle. JS
I have no idea the monies offered just an example.

 

[therickbol]

I suspect they set the deadline to allow UT and LSU to come with their best offers. Hate to be so cynical, but that's the NIL and the world we live in.

You are free to choose to believe that is always the case. But it's not reality. But since when does reality stop you from thinking what you think?

 

[LeannaVol]

I suspect they set the deadline to allow UT and LSU to come with their best offers. Hate to be so cynical, but that's the NIL and the world we live in.

I think you’re right. They may say NIL is secondary and others are buying that narrative but it seems like they are maximizing their leverage between two schools and waiting to see what the last best offer is. I don’t like it but that is the times we are in.

 

[taylorvol]

I’m really not sure what’s controversial.

LSU has more support for baseball. Those are my words. Other posters have referenced NIL and dropping bags.

LSU has had more success. Recently and historically.

UT has the plan to upgrade facilities, but they haven’t compared to LSU’s.

It’s extremely impressive that TV has UT in the conversation with top transfers and recruits.

What do you disagree with?

Before this season, LSU hasn’t been to Omaha since 2017. I agree that they are a national baseball power and have tremendous tradition, but one could argue that TN has been a better program the last several seasons (obviously not in 23). Lots of kids want to be part of winning a first CWS—not just repeating. The team that wins the first natty at UT will be kings—never forgotten. It will just be another expected ring at LSU.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I think you’re right. They may say NIL is secondary and others are buying that narrative but it seems like they are maximizing their leverage between two schools and waiting to see what the last best offer is. I don’t like it but that is the times we are in.

I don’t understand this line of thinking. Both Ben and Eric has said that NIL is a factor but the relationships and comfort are what is driving his decision, so why would you just assume the families are playing the waiting game to get more money? The Holman family from everything that I can tell the past month has been very intentional and deliberate in this decision-making process. Nothing about this recruitment screams “highest-bidder”.

 

[WGWTFA98]

So that I understand the sequence of events that you are suggesting:

1. TV invited Skenes to Knoxville
2. He wined and dined Skenes for a day with one of the epic TV visits
3. TV convinces Skenes to want to join UT over the best programs in college baseball
4. TV tells Skenes he didn’t have a spot for him in the rotation.

That is very hard for me to believe. If true, I really question TV and Frank’s judge of pitching prospects.

They don’t promise anything lol. And 1) Skenes was not what he was this year. 2) they had 3 all Americans returning lmao. Skenes knew a full time rotation spot was probably a long shot at TN, which is why he decided to go elsehwere

Skenes was a hell of a catching prospect too. It’s not that weird to have wanted him to be a catcher and bullpen arm, he would’ve been a first round pick had he done that too

 

[WGWTFA98]

You are using 2023 information to skew what actually happened in Summer 2022. Paul Skenes was a great player, but he was not the type of prospect he ended up becoming. We had 3 All-American starters returning, we weren’t going to tell one of them no for a guy who averages 93 on his fastball at that time. It wasn’t until he got to LSU that he become a historic prospect that sat 99-102 for most of the game as a lights out starter. We probably told him he could pitch but it would be in the bullpen or he’d have to compete and win the starting job. We weren’t going to guarantee him anything at that time, which is understandable.

This is exactly what happened.

He was going to catch a couple of times a week and then DH/bullpen the other day. He loved Tony and everything TN had to offer. The issue is lsu had a Friday night spot to guarantee, which TN did not have available. He decided he wanted to go the full time pitching route vs trying to be a 2 way guy. It’s really that simple

 

[WGWTFA98]

Why did Skenes even visit UT? His list was the top programs in college baseball. LSU, Oregon State, Arkansas, A&M, Miss State needed him in their rotation. He wouldn’t have wasted his time visiting UT if the opportunity wasn’t in the rotation.

My theory is Vitello married himself to the idea of Burns in the bullpen when he was recruiting Skenes. That makes a lot more sense.

This is so far off base

 

[WGWTFA98]

My only point is Skenes knew what he wanted and had good options to meet that need. If Tony was open with him about the opportunity at UT and the fact that it wouldn’t meet what Skenes wanted, why would Skenes even bother to visit?

Getting back on topic, the theory that Skenes went to LSU only because he couldn’t start at UT is crafted to avoid the real reason he chose LSU and why Holman is seriously considering LSU.

LSU has been the top baseball program for 30 years. They have a 12,000+ seat stadium. They’ve been to Omaha 20 times. They’ve won it 7 times. LSU fans outnumbered Tennessee fans in Omaha 5 to 1.

They care about it a lot more than Tennessee does and they can offer everything that comes with it - the best facilities, top coaching, NIL, opportunity to win, attention/fan support, a deep MLB track record, etc.

That’s not a big knock on Tennessee. No one can measure up to what LSU can offer in baseball. It should be LSU and Texas for guys like Holman, Skenes and White. Be thankful TV has Tennessee in the conversation, but you can’t expect guys to pick Tennessee over LSU right now. The programs are on very different levels.

1) Skenes didn’t know what he wanted going into his recruitment. He visited tennessee because he absolutely hit it off with vitello

2) nobody is saying that lsu doesn’t have a lot to offer

3) the fact that Skenes would’ve been at tennessee if they had a Friday night spot to guarantee is not some made up opinion, that’s what would have happened. He almost ended up at TN without even having a rotation spot because he liked Tony and the staff so much