Recruiting 2014 thru 2017

#1

ITSGR82BATNVOL

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#1
The biggest difference between this class and some of Jones’ previous ones is the lack of elite talent: There are just five combined 5-star and 4-star prospects in the class, compared with 10 in 2016, 16 in 2015 and 16 in 2014.

SEC class rank: 6
Overall class rank: 14

5-stars: 1
4-stars: 4
3-stars: 23

No one can deny recruiting is trending in the wrong direction.
 
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#3
#3
The biggest difference between this class and some of Jones’ previous ones is the lack of elite talent: There are just five combined 5-star and 4-star prospects in the class, compared with 10 in 2016, 16 in 2015 and 16 in 2014.

SEC class rank: 6
Overall class rank: 14

5-stars: 1
4-stars: 4
3-stars: 23

No one can deny recruiting is trending in the wrong direction.

I don't deny the downward trend, but it's partially attributable to the depth he acquired by recruiting so successfully his first three years. Thankfully, it's much harder for Butch to sell the opportunity for immediate playing time, which was the major pitch in his first two classes. However, we're losing 20+ seniors and probably a few underclassmen next year, so there will be more opportunity for immediate playing time for the 2018 class.

The other factor is that Butch's honeymoon period with the fans has clearly run out. I'm still rooting for the guy and think his critics are hurting our recruiting, but he needs to have a good season this year (hopefully 9 or more wins) to get another top-10 class.

Finally, it's worth noting that Butch & his staff are excellent talent evaluators (if not developers), so we can trust that some of the less-heralded recruits in this class are still bona fide talents.
 
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#4
#4
The biggest difference between this class and some of Jones’ previous ones is the lack of elite talent: There are just five combined 5-star and 4-star prospects in the class, compared with 10 in 2016, 16 in 2015 and 16 in 2014.

SEC class rank: 6
Overall class rank: 14

5-stars: 1
4-stars: 4
3-stars: 23

No one can deny recruiting is trending in the wrong direction.

It's what happens when they start to figure out you aren't much of a coach.
 
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#5
#5
That's also according to the composite. As has been shown in another thread, there are 12 players in this class rated 4 or above on at least one site. I don't see the reason to make the composite the only reliable source.
 
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#7
#7
I don't deny the downward trend, but it's partially attributable to the depth he acquired by recruiting so successfully his first three years. Thankfully, it's much harder for Butch to sell the opportunity for immediate playing time, which was the major pitch in his first two classes. However, we're losing 20+ seniors and probably a few underclassmen next year, so there will be more opportunity for immediate playing time for the 2018 class.

The other factor is that Butch's honeymoon period with the fans has clearly run out. I'm still rooting for the guy and think his critics are hurting our recruiting, but he needs to have a good season this year (hopefully 9 or more wins) to get another top-10 class.

Finally, it's worth noting that Butch & his staff are excellent talent evaluators (if not developers), so we can trust that some of the less-heralded recruits in this class are still bona fide talents.
I don't think anyone would argue that "CBJ is better at evaluating players than coaching them". As far as assistants are concerned I'm not sure anyone knows. Are they allowed to do their own thing, or are they micromanaged in the same way, that caused CBJ's original S and C coach to leave?
 
#8
#8
The biggest difference between this class and some of Jones’ previous ones is the lack of elite talent: There are just five combined 5-star and 4-star prospects in the class, compared with 10 in 2016, 16 in 2015 and 16 in 2014.

SEC class rank: 6
Overall class rank: 14

5-stars: 1
4-stars: 4
3-stars: 23

No one can deny recruiting is trending in the wrong direction.

Use Rivals
 
#9
#9
This seems like a solid, depth building class to me. But, what do I know, I've never coached a down of college football like all you guys (and possibly gals).
 
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#10
#10
That's also according to the composite. As has been shown in another thread, there are 12 players in this class rated 4 or above on at least one site. I don't see the reason to make the composite the only reliable source.
The info I posted came from Saturday Down South. I don't know if any one site's info is more or less accurate than any other. Just letting everyone know where my info came from, I did not make it up lol.
 
#11
#11
The biggest difference between this class and some of Jones’ previous ones is the lack of elite talent: There are just five combined 5-star and 4-star prospects in the class, compared with 10 in 2016, 16 in 2015 and 16 in 2014.

SEC class rank: 6
Overall class rank: 14

5-stars: 1
4-stars: 4
3-stars: 23

No one can deny recruiting is trending in the wrong direction.

Don't worry, we will coach them up.
 
#12
#12
I don't think anyone would argue that "CBJ is better at evaluating players than coaching them". As far as assistants are concerned I'm not sure anyone knows. Are they allowed to do their own thing, or are they micromanaged in the same way, that caused CBJ's original S and C coach to leave?

He absolutely micromanages his assistants.

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing Butch has demonstrated an above average ability at doing so far is recruiting.

He's a mediocre talent developer (with the exceptions of Dobbs and Cam Sutton, his 5 stars play like 5 stars, his 3 stars play like 3 stars) and a below average in-game coach.
 
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#13
#13
Most elite HS players see college as a step to the pros. If they can play their soph/jr. year only and then declare - that is advantageous to having to play 3 years (Fr - Jr).

In other words, there is no pressure to play your Fr. or RS Fr. year (unless you want too). There are several schools in this situation that allow players to rest/S&C. UT is not necessarily one of them. The only problem with this strategy is that it could backfire when superior talent arrives.

The other issue is "pro-prep". Do our assistant coaches prep for the next level better than most? If they do provide better prep and you don't have to play (and risk injury) right away - even better.

This is the envious position of the evil empire, other top-10s and some of UT's top conf. competitors.
 
#14
#14
The biggest difference between this class and some of Jones’ previous ones is the lack of elite talent: There are just five combined 5-star and 4-star prospects in the class, compared with 10 in 2016, 16 in 2015 and 16 in 2014.

SEC class rank: 6
Overall class rank: 14

5-stars: 1
4-stars: 4
3-stars: 23

No one can deny recruiting is trending in the wrong direction.

Holy s***! Brilliant post OP. I can't believe no else has mentioned this today!

This definitely needed it's own thread.
 
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#15
#15
He absolutely micromanages his assistants.

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing Butch has demonstrated an above average ability at doing so far is recruiting.

He's a mediocre talent developer (with the exceptions of Dobbs and Cam Sutton, his 5 stars play like 5 stars, his 3 stars play like 3 stars) and a below average in-game coach.
Drew Richmond certainly hasn't played like a five star lol.
 
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#17
#17
He absolutely micromanages his assistants.

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing Butch has demonstrated an above average ability at doing so far is recruiting.

He's a mediocre talent developer (with the exceptions of Dobbs and Cam Sutton, his 5 stars play like 5 stars, his 3 stars play like 3 stars) and a below average in-game coach.

What about Jennings who I don't believe played WR in high school? And John Kelly has done really well.

Most 5 stars, who are truly 5 stars, play like 5 stars with little coaching. Do you really think that those 5 stars who play right out of high school have the benefit of much coaching at the college level before they take their first snap?
 
#19
#19
That's also according to the composite. As has been shown in another thread, there are 12 players in this class rated 4 or above on at least one site. I don't see the reason to make the composite the only reliable source.

I noticed that as the announcements were made - some services would list a player as a 3* then another service would say 4*.

To me it is more about getting the right players to fill the needs.

What if all the 5* were positions where a team really had no need, it would be crazy for a coach to take those and not address the need.

So the question should be ... does this class when combined with the talent that is coming back fill the needs for the team to be successful?
 
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#20
#20
We recruited exactly average for UT this year. It is what is. Jones deserves to be neither indicted nor praised. Move along
 
#22
#22
What about Jennings who I don't believe played WR in high school? And John Kelly has done really well.

Most 5 stars, who are truly 5 stars, play like 5 stars with little coaching. Do you really think that those 5 stars who play right out of high school have the benefit of much coaching at the college level before they take their first snap?

No, which proves my point. If you are a good talent evaluator/recruiter (which Butch is), you can be a crappy talent developer and/or in-game coach and still get something out of them.

Butch is good at figuring out which players are good and convincing them to play for Tennessee. Once you get beyond that, his skills are mediocre at best. That's a problem, because once everyone figures that out all of a sudden you aren't a good recruiter anymore because no one wants to play for you.

We'd be better off if Butch was a mediocre recruiter but a great talent developer/tactician. Because once everybody figured that out, he'd become a better recruiter.
 
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#23
#23
I don't deny the downward trend, but it's partially attributable to the depth he acquired by recruiting so successfully his first three years. Thankfully, it's much harder for Butch to sell the opportunity for immediate playing time, which was the major pitch in his first two classes. However, we're losing 20+ seniors and probably a few underclassmen next year, so there will be more opportunity for immediate playing time for the 2018 class.

The other factor is that Butch's honeymoon period with the fans has clearly run out. I'm still rooting for the guy and think his critics are hurting our recruiting, but he needs to have a good season this year (hopefully 9 or more wins) to get another top-10 class.

Finally, it's worth noting that Butch & his staff are excellent talent evaluators (if not developers), so we can trust that some of the less-heralded recruits in this class are still bona fide talents.
blame the fans...lol shame on you fans for losing to SC and Vandy and squandering going to ATL twice LOL.
 
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#25
#25
Jones signed the #1 player in the nation.signed some talented players and got much needed depth where it is needed but people still complain. Smh....
 
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