Recruiting Football Talk VII

[MarcoVol]

2 losses doesn't guarantee a playoff spot. You're going to have to beat some highly ranked teams to make the playoffs.

We'll not lose less than 4 next year. Having not seen a schedule for 2025 can't really predict but if it's similar to 24, I would expect similar results. We're not recruiting at the level to compete with the upper echelon of college football.

Maybe we won’t. Maybe we’ll go 9-3. Maybe 10-2. Everybody keeps talking about our roster and recruiting but nobody mentions the teams we actually play.

OU will be in similar territory as us next season. Inexperienced, young, talented QB. And that’s the 3rd toughest game.

Will be interesting season for sure!

 

[Ace]

Results of recruiting will not be completely known until we have final roster to begin next Fall camp. To judge it now makes good conversation, but until then - Go Vols!!!

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I just hope Wright shows out for the draft and goes pretty high. He's been durable 3 years and he played in 34 of 39 games (assuming he sits out the bowl game). He's carried it at least 80 times every season, over 135 carries the last 2 and he amassed 2297 rushing yards a 6.2 career YPC with 18 TDs and this season he showed his ability to catch the ball with 22 receptions (3rd most on the team).

All while playing in a RBBC his entire career to prevent excessive wear and tear.

5'11" 200lbs+ and I think he'll run 4.4s with the potential to hit 4.3s

 

[SoilVol]

2 losses doesn't guarantee a playoff spot. You're going to have to beat some highly ranked teams to make the playoffs.

We'll not lose less than 4 next year. Having not seen a schedule for 2025 can't really predict but if it's similar to 24, I would expect similar results. We're not recruiting at the level to compete with the upper echelon of college football.

Teams like Penn State will be making the playoffs moving forward if they continue to have the results they've been having. Plus, Big 10 is getting away from divisions so they likely will only have to play 1 of Ohio State and Michigan every year rather than both.

Being a 2-3 loss team consistently moving forward puts you firmly in playoff contention annually. It will for us as well. If we can consistently get to being a 2-3 loss SEC program moving forward that puts us in a great space long term. That's playoff contention which improves recruiting. That's an opportunity to get upsets against one of the traditional top teams and get a high seed.

It feels like we say this every year but Saban will retire or die eventually. Alabama will take an inevitable step down. Even if that step is ALSO being a 2-3 loss team annually. We no longer have to play Georgia every year sp we get that break.

One year we will play Bama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida and one year we will play Bama, Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss. Obviously the strength of teams will cycle, but we can generally trust these programs will be tough outs.

If we are consistently only losing 2-3 games with these schedules then we are doing something right and we are a top 10 program. If we keep on the uphill we can leapfrog a Bama, UGA, OU, or TX something changes in their programs.

 

[volinexile17]

2 losses doesn't guarantee a playoff spot. You're going to have to beat some highly ranked teams to make the playoffs.

We'll not lose less than 4 next year. Having not seen a schedule for 2025 can't really predict but if it's similar to 24, I would expect similar results. We're not recruiting at the level to compete with the upper echelon of college football.

Eh - all comes down to Nico IMO. If he runs the offense like Hooker did and some WRs develop, we’re competitive with just about anyone. If Nico has some growing pains or we run into injury problems, we’re looking at another 2023.

 

[peaygolf]

Funny as hell personally..how good is his son at golf in your opinion

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

Sports are all about being unfair. Bigger, stronger, faster athletes will win every time. Do you want the NFL to redraft each team every year and redistribute the talent so it’s “fair”. I didn’t have you pegged as a socialist but it’s starting to sound like you were the kid that didn’t like playing dodgeball in PE because the big kids would pick on you.

Lol...that's funny....and that is not what I'm talking about and you know it. There is a reason why the NFL has a draft and a salary cap and it is a good one. If teams can't compete fairly under those conditions it is there own dang fault.

 

[SSVol]

Hey @SoilVol got any idea how to dissuade bears from dining in my dumpster? We've got a sow and two adolescent cubs who are becoming a menace. I like bears, but I would prefer that they not make a mess.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Maybe we won’t. Maybe we’ll go 9-3. Maybe 10-2. Everybody keeps talking about our roster and recruiting but nobody mentions the teams we actually play.

OU will be in similar territory as us next season. Inexperienced, young, talented QB. And that’s the 3rd toughest game.

Will be interesting season for sure!

I don't see a win in OK. New QB, New running backs (I know Sampson is back but can he sustain the rigors of starting, can the others produce like the ones leaving). Recievers questionable. OL appears to be at least equal. Totally revamped secondary. DL seems at least equal. LB is a question mark. I don't see immediate impact freshman. Will depend on what they get in the portal.

 

[SoilVol]

I just hope Wright shows out for the draft and goes pretty high. He's been durable 3 years and he played in 34 of 39 games (assuming he sits out the bowl game). He's carried it at least 80 times every season, over 135 carries the last 2 and he amassed 2297 rushing yards a 6.2 career YPC with 18 TDs and this season he showed his ability to catch the ball with 22 receptions (3rd most on the team).

All while playing in a RBBC his entire career to prevent excessive wear and tear.

5'11" 200lbs+ and I think he'll run 4.4s with the potential to hit 4.3s

I think he definitely got a good draft grade. I heard he and Small told the staff they're sitting the bowl.

Wright might be a perfect modern NFL back. He has breakaway speed, lots of tread on the tires, good in pass protection, rarely injured. Patience, balance, and vision. He might end up being one of the most productive RBs in this draft when the careers are over.

 

[MarcoVol]

I don't see a win in OK. New QB, New running backs (I know Sampson is back but can he sustain the rigors of starting, can the others produce like the ones leaving). Recievers questionable. OL appears to be at least equal. Totally revamped secondary. DL seems at least equal. LB is a question mark. I don't see immediate impact freshman. Will depend on what they get in the portal.

I’m not saying I see a win. Just that it’s the 3rd toughest game on the schedule and there are ton of unknowns for them as well. They’ll be favored tho I would presume

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Maybe it's the Dooley/Butch eras...but honestly to me I value average player rating so much more than stacking 28-32 guys in a class when nearly 2/3s never play.

If you look at player ratings we'd be ranked 9th right now which all things considered is pretty damn good. We're better than we have been in a long time, but we still haven't made a SEC title game OR CFP appearance in the Heupel era and TN just isn't a talent rich state for HS players like Georgia, Texas, Florida, or Louisana are...

For us to become a top 5 yearly recruiting powerhouse we'll have to be playing in the CFP and winning 10 or more games every year...maybe Nico is the answer to swinging us that way. He's got at least 2 years to prove he's worth the NIL investment.

 

[butchna]

@butchna... rumblings about Belichick being let go in New England at seasons end....

Maybe Chargers next destination???

It might very well happen, but this escalated over a parody account “report” on Twitter. Kraft keeps a tight lid.

The only sure bet in the NFL is that Brandon Staley’s malfeasance is at an end stage.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Eh - all comes down to Nico IMO. If he runs the offense like Hooker did and some WRs develop, we’re competitive with just about anyone. If Nico has some growing pains or we run into injury problems, we’re looking at another 2023.

Nico will Nico. Despite this year, I don't have much concern with offense other than growing pains. The defense will be the reason we don't win games.

 

[SoilVol]

Hey @SoilVol got any idea how to dissuade bears from dining in my dumpster? We've got a sow and two adolescent cubs who are becoming a menace. I like bears, but I would prefer that they not make a mess.

try to find a way to lock/secyre the dumpster if you can. If they're becoming a serious safety threat contact TWRA for help. Sounds like they've run low on natural food and are trying to scavenge as much as they can now, meaning taking more risks with humans. But it also means they'll probably come back this time next year because they know the source is available if they need it.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Teams like Penn State will be making the playoffs moving forward if they continue to have the results they've been having. Plus, Big 10 is getting away from divisions so they likely will only have to play 1 of Ohio State and Michigan every year rather than both.

Being a 2-3 loss team consistently moving forward puts you firmly in playoff contention annually. It will for us as well. If we can consistently get to being a 2-3 loss SEC program moving forward that puts us in a great space long term. That's playoff contention which improves recruiting. That's an opportunity to get upsets against one of the traditional top teams and get a high seed.

It feels like we say this every year but Saban will retire or die eventually. Alabama will take an inevitable step down. Even if that step is ALSO being a 2-3 loss team annually. We no longer have to play Georgia every year sp we get that break.

One year we will play Bama, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Florida and one year we will play Bama, Texas, LSU, and Ole Miss. Obviously the strength of teams will cycle, but we can generally trust these programs will be tough outs.

If we are consistently only losing 2-3 games with these schedules then we are doing something right and we are a top 10 program. If we keep on the uphill we can leapfrog a Bama, UGA, OU, or TX something changes in their programs.

It depends on your losses. If you lose to Bama, GA, TX, LSU, OK ect. With no significant wins, you won't make it. They'll be a lot of SEC teams with 2 losses. You'll have to have beaten a significant team to get in with two losses.

 

[SoilVol]

Maybe it's the Dooley/Butch eras...but honestly to me I value average player rating so much more than stacking 28-32 guys in a class when nearly 2/3s never play.

If you look at player ratings we'd be ranked 9th right now which all things considered is pretty damn good. We're better than we have been in a long time, but we still haven't made a SEC title game OR CFP appearance in the Heupel era and TN just isn't a talent rich state for HS players like Georgia, Texas, Florida, or Louisana are...

For us to become a top 5 yearly recruiting powerhouse we'll have to be playing in the CFP and winning 10 or more games every year...maybe Nico is the answer to swinging us that way. He's got at least 2 years to prove he's worth the NIL investment.

Silver lining to everyone moving to Tennessee: in-state recruiting is about to improve. They won't be Vol loyal kids, but they may adopt the orange or want to play close to home.

 

[peaygolf]

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Nico will Nico. Despite this year, I don't have much concern with offense other than growing pains. The defense will be the reason we don't win games.

100%

 

[SoilVol]

It depends on your losses. If you lose to Bama, GA, TX, LSU, OK ect. With no significant wins, you won't make it. They'll be a lot of SEC teams with 2 losses. You'll have to have beaten a significant team to get in with two losses.

If you've got 2 losses with our schedule you'll have multiple ranked wins. If you can steal a win over Bama or Georgia or Texas or whatever every year you're in. If you can't get those wins then you're bowling anyway.

I don't think we should expect to make it every year. First, we need to make it once. Then if we can get to where every class makes it at least once, that's progress.

 

[Vols410]

Browsing around some stats on PFF for our DBs:



So sad we didn't get to see more of Hadden this year. His reputation was never going to go away but his production was borderline All-American before he went down, shutting down some quality receivers (Legette comes to mind) along the way.
Jeudy-Lally was ok. Better in run support, not all that in coverage.
Slaughter was really bad this year - QBs had a 153.2 NFL rating when throwing his way.
RGIII flashed in limited snaps. Excited to see him more going forward.

The STAR position struggled. McDonald was ok but not great. I forget if Thomas played there or at S, because his numbers are definitely a bit better (though again, small sample size).

Safety is harder to read in terms of Yards / Target, but McCollough's numbers actually look pretty solid across the board.
Walker's weren't as nice, but they were better last year.

The LBs hurt us pretty bad in the passing game, especially Herring and Carter.
Herring was 3rd on the team in passing yards allowed. He was targeted as much as Beasley (41 times) but gave up 369 yards compared to Beasley's 202).
Carter's coverage grade was 34, worst on the team.
Fwiw, Pili had a 71 coverage grade (in only 14 coverage snaps), was targeted only once with no receptions. Maybe he helps us there next year.

 

[InVOLuntary]

@SoilVol

I picked up an odd occurrence on my game cam here behind my house. I've not seen anything like this. I think it's a flying squirrel but I didn't know they were around here. It literally flew about 30'. It was about half the size of a regular squirrel. I get squirrels all the time but only from dusk to dark. This was 1:30AM. Would it be a flying squirrel?

 

[SSVol]

try to find a way to lock/secyre the dumpster if you can. If they're becoming a serious safety threat contact TWRA for help. Sounds like they've run low on natural food and are trying to scavenge as much as they can now, meaning taking more risks with humans. But it also means they'll probably come back this time next year because they know the source is available if they need it.

So far they just retreat back into the woods when confronted...from the safety of my full sized GMC (beginner? bwahahaha!!!) truck. Momma rose up on her hind legs suggesting that she would prefer I didn't approach, but she wasn't aggressive.

 

[InVOLuntary]

If you've got 2 losses with our schedule you'll have multiple ranked wins. If you can steal a win over Bama or Georgia or Texas or whatever every year you're in. If you can't get those wins then you're bowling anyway.

I don't think we should expect to make it every year. First, we need to make it once. Then if we can get to where every class makes it at least once, that's progress.

I agree but I just don't think we beat those teams.

 

[SSVol]

@SoilVol

I picked up an odd occurrence on my game cam here behind my house. I've not seen anything like this. I think it's a flying squirrel but I didn't know they were around here. It literally flew about 30'. It was about half the size of a regular squirrel. I get squirrels all the time but only from dusk to dark. This was 1:30AM. Would it be a flying squirrel?

Yes, we have them here (I'm in the TriCities). I had one that tormented my German Shepherd for weeks. Would cling to the side of the house, just out of reach, and then snatch her food when she was at distance.