Recruiting Football Talk VII

[OrangeMoundTNVol]

Didn't bring in a transfer AND made sure a veteran center and 2 other veteran OL returned. We prioritized protecting the soon to be RS Frosh. That said, we need a QB transfer for depth. It's just hard to get one when most QBs are looking to start and with Nico as heir apparent they don't want to come in and back him up for 3. We will have to get a HS QB/recruit for that because he can eventually see PT.

Hopefully we can get a dual threat type project. A kid that didn’t play much and still has three years or so. Someone who wants top notch development. I agree with you, it’s not ideal to enter next season with just two scholarship QBs. Hopefully we bring in one after the spring semester

 

[Jack Burton]

This is from Basilio’s blog today talking about OM. They’ve recognized their soft schedule for 2024 and are going all in on the portal.

Walker Jones Is The Reason For The Portal Season At Ole Miss:

Former executive at Under Armour. He's running their collective. He's tearing it up. He's got everybody pulling in the same direction. Plus you have Kiffin who I was told might just be kicking in some of his own cash because he's Kiffin. But Jones has a great backstory ... He loves to spend other people's cash on athletes. Like a fetish or something. Check this out ...

​

From Retaildive.com from 2018

Under Armour last week removed two executives from the company following an internal review of the marketing department’s spending, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources. Those sources told the publication that Under Armour questioned some of the executives’ spending habits, including for events, nights out, and gifts to athletes.​

Under Armour confirmed to Retail Dive that Ryan Kuehl, senior vice president of global sports marketing, and Walker Jones, senior director of sports marketing, had been let go, though a company spokesperson would not say why, saying that they “do not comment on specific personnel matters.”

I mean ... I don't even know what to say other than Walker Jones seems like a perfect NIL point person for Lane Kiffin.

 

[DD4ME]

So AP is saying on the radio it’s not certain Milton plays the bowl game and that UT is keeping it close to the vest for gamesmanship regardless of whether he plays or not, pair that with the fact Milton hasn’t been featured on any of the UT posts on social media regarding practice and he hasn’t had media availability yet, which usually the senior qb is the first one to interview, makes me think it really could be the nico show Jan 1

They waited long a damn nuff. Ready or not let's rip this bandaid off under the guise of opt out.

 

[SugarCC]

So AP is saying on the radio it’s not certain Milton plays the bowl game and that UT is keeping it close to the vest for gamesmanship regardless of whether he plays or not, pair that with the fact Milton hasn’t been featured on any of the UT posts on social media regarding practice and he hasn’t had media availability yet, which usually the senior qb is the first one to interview, makes me think it really could be the nico show Jan 1

I want to see Nico as much as anyone. I'm excited, I'm ready. However, if Joe wants to play, and the coaches still truly believe he gives us the best chance to win, Joe is who I want to go with.

This bowl game is VERY IMPORTANT. I know some in here think they're meaningless, and in many, they are; but, not this one. 9-4 looks a hell of a lot better than 8-5...not just in reality, but in our case, it's a monument, it looks way better on paper (20 wins in 2 seasons; 20-6 in the last two seasons, with back to back bowl wins)..it is a much easier sell to recruits, plain and simple.

If we win, it will be a big one, imo.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

This dude is not getting drafted (or at least a late round pick) so opting out is just silly. Shows a lack of being a team player.

 

[DD4ME]

This is from Basilio’s blog today talking about OM. They’ve recognized their soft schedule for 2024 and are going all in on the portal.

Will be an interesting experiment. Lord help us if it works.

 

[UTProf]

I want to see Nico as much as anyone. I'm excited, I'm ready. However, if Joe wants to play, and the coaches still truly believe he gives us the best chance to win, Joe is who I want to go with.

This bowl game is VERY IMPORTANT. I know some in here think they're meaningless, and in many, they are; but, not this one. 9-4 looks a hell of a lot better than 8-5...not just in reality, but in our case, it's a monument, it looks way better on paper (20 wins in 2 seasons; 20-6 in the last two seasons, with back to back bowl wins)..it is a much easier sell to recruits, plain and simple.

If we win, it will be a big one, imo.

I don't think Joe would ever be pushed out. If he wants to play, he will. But he's got a lot to think about with the combine and Senior Bowl. Both are going to be his audition more than our bowl game is. The Senior Bowl gives Joe a chance to win coaches over and get to know him and the combine is his chance to make every team drool over the possibilities. And of course, Joe's weighing the team and risk of injury too. It's just whether or not he wants to pass the torch now or sometime during the game.

 

[Orange_Crush]

This dude is not getting drafted (or at least a late round pick) so opting out is just silly. Shows a lack of being a team player.

Wow, Buster Poindexter had college football eligibility?

 

[mr.checkerboards]

I want to see Nico as much as anyone. I'm excited, I'm ready. However, if Joe wants to play, and the coaches still truly believe he gives us the best chance to win, Joe is who I want to go with.

This bowl game is VERY IMPORTANT. I know some in here think they're meaningless, and in many, they are; but, not this one. 9-4 looks a hell of a lot better than 8-5...not just in reality, but in our case, it's a monument, it looks way better on paper (20 wins in 2 seasons; 20-6 in the last two seasons, with back to back bowl wins)..it is a much easier sell to recruits, plain and simple.

If we win, it will be a big one, imo.

Lol, it's an exhibition.
Play Nico sell the future.

There's more to gain playing Nico, and him hopefully playing well then the difference in 8 or 9 wins.
If Nico plays well you might get a look in the portal from someone new. You get the media's attention and hype going into the next season. It gives the returning players confidence in Their QB.

 

[SugarCC]

I don't think Joe would ever be pushed out. If he wants to play, he will. But he's got a lot to think about with the combine and Senior Bowl. Both are going to be his audition more than our bowl game is. The Senior Bowl gives Joe a chance to win coaches over and get to know him and the combine is his chance to make every team drool over the possibilities. And of course, Joe's weighing the team and risk of injury too. It's just whether or not he wants to pass the torch now or sometime during the game.

If the coaches truly believe Joe gives us the best chance to win, I hope he waits to pass the torch. I can't believe I'm saying that, but...

 

[tnvols72]

 

[Ten_Titans]

I want to see Nico as much as anyone. I'm excited, I'm ready. However, if Joe wants to play, and the coaches still truly believe he gives us the best chance to win, Joe is who I want to go with.

This bowl game is VERY IMPORTANT. I know some in here think they're meaningless, and in many, they are; but, not this one. 9-4 looks a hell of a lot better than 8-5...not just in reality, but in our case, it's a monument, it looks way better on paper (20 wins in 2 seasons; 20-6 in the last two seasons, with back to back bowl wins)..it is a much easier sell to recruits, plain and simple.

If we win, it will be a big one, imo.

19-7 <<< 20-6.

That visual elevates this game from meaningless to VERY IMPORTANT somehow? Yeah... Not seeing it.

These types of bowl games are one tick above the O&W game. Sorry. Play the guys who will be contributors next year and just try to win the game. I think that's much more practically useful than the magic number of 20 that recruits will care about for some undisclosed reason. Just think our program (and any program) is better off treating this game like the first exhibition for the 2024 season.

 

[volinbama256]

First half- Joe
Second half- Nico

 

[UTProf]

If the coaches truly believe Joe gives us the best chance to win, I hope he waits to pass the torch. I can't believe I'm saying that, but...

I will tell you my dream scenario: Joe starts and throws a 60 yard TD and then Nico plays the rest of the game. That I think would be the perfect curtain call.

 

[KptVFL]

First half- Joe
Second half- Nico

Man....I sure hope not.

Be a waste to play him for a whole half.

 

[Christian Lowe]

19-7 <<< 20-6.

That visual elevates this game from meaningless to VERY IMPORTANT somehow? Yeah... Not seeing it.

These types of bowl games are one tick above the O&W game. Sorry. Play the guys who will be contributors next year and just try to win the game. I think that's much more practically useful than the magic number of 20 that recruits will care about for some undisclosed reason. Just think our program (and any program) is better off treating this game like the first exhibition for the 2024 season.

I just hate that this is what bowl games have been reduced to.

I wish they’d just do away with them entirely rather than have them live on like this.

 

[DD4ME]

I just hate that this is what bowl games have been reduced to.

I wish they’d just do away with them entirely rather than have them live on like this.

I like them for what they are. A super late/early scrimmage. Now it is way less of a deal to have Nico play. Years past that would have worked against Joe and us, now it doesn't.

 

[Volnut]

So AP is saying on the radio it’s not certain Milton plays the bowl game and that UT is keeping it close to the vest for gamesmanship regardless of whether he plays or not, pair that with the fact Milton hasn’t been featured on any of the UT posts on social media regarding practice and he hasn’t had media availability yet, which usually the senior qb is the first one to interview, makes me think it really could be the nico show Jan 1

Could be playing possum with Iowa so they don’t know which QB to game plan for. Though it’s maddening to us as fans, I like it the Heupel keeps the other team guessing.

 

[knoxvol52]

Wth? Why am I looking at a wall of stats? The ratings I saw were on games they both played in. They both did abysmal but Dobbs rated higher at least on the metric I saw (I didn't save it or I'd post it). The key problem though is they both did abysmal in the same games because that OL sucks and the playcalling doesn't help that.

Dobbs is a great Ambassador for Tennessee, plus an all around great individual it seems...

Saying that ,he is a Back up QB for a reason it seems and there is nothing wrong with that he will do well for himself playing that role...

He has been on the roster of 7 different teams, if he was going to be full time starting QB he would have been by now...

 

[Volnut]

I just hate that this is what bowl games have been reduced to.

I wish they’d just do away with them entirely rather than have them live on like this.

They are going to really suffer with the 12 team playoff. Fans dejected that their team missed the field won’t travel to bowl games like they used to.

 

[SugarCC]

19-7 <<< 20-6.

That visual elevates this game from meaningless to VERY IMPORTANT somehow? Yeah... Not seeing it.

These types of bowl games are one tick above the O&W game. Sorry. Play the guys who will be contributors next year and just try to win the game. I think that's much more practically useful than the magic number of 20 that recruits will care about for some undisclosed reason. Just think our program (and any program) is better off treating this game like the first exhibition for the 2024 season.

I'm always willing to see the possibility that I may be wrong; I try and be as humble as i can be. With that said, I may very well be wrong in thinking recruits look at wins and losses. I may be wrong in thinking that right below NIL, equal to it in many ways, wins and losses are #2 on the list of checks and balances...before NIL, it was numero uno for a half century or longer.

Actually, I just put it to test. I just called up my nephew, who is being recruited in baseball, and asked him what the most important thing to him is, as an athlete...and, without hesitation, "I want to win". Now, if his financials, or the financials of his family, would be dire, that answer may have varied in some way. Even still, I'd bet the wins and losses are still prevalent, no matter what.

 

[butchna]

This dude is not getting drafted (or at least a late round pick) so opting out is just silly. Shows a lack of being a team player.

Better chance of being drafted than Milton imo. Joe will impress at the Underwear Olympics and Pro Days, but game tape will glaringly point out differences in progressions, accuracy and decisions.

 

[UTProf]

Dobbs is a great Ambassador for Tennessee, plus an all around great individual it seems...

Saying that ,he is a Back up QB for a reason it seems and there is nothing wrong with that he will do well for himself playing that role...

He has been on the roster of 7 different teams, if he was going to be full time starting QB he would have been by now...

Oh please, Josh Dobbs is never going practice his way into a staring role. He's not that kind of player. But he may well play his way into one day.

 

[rikberry31]

They are going to really suffer with the 12 team playoff. Fans dejected that their team missed the field won’t travel to bowl games like they used to.

They're not traveling now. Check out the stands at most bowl games.

 

[Jack Burton]

I'm always willing to see the possibility that I may be wrong; I try and be as humble as i can be. With that said, I may very well be wrong in thinking recruits look at wins and losses. I may be wrong in thinking that right below NIL, equal to it in many ways, wins and losses are #2 on the list of checks and balances...before NIL, it was numero uno for a half century or longer.

Actually, I just put it to test. I just called up my nephew, who is being recruited in baseball, and asked him what the most important thing to him is, as an athlete...and, without hesitation, "I want to win". Now, if his financials, or the financials of his family, would be dire, that answer may have varied in some way. Even still, I'd bet the wins and losses are still prevalent, no matter what.

Whether we get the bowl win or not it’s time for the Nico era to begin. There’s a small window of opportunity before us if Nico is who we think he is. 2024 and 2025 is it and we have to be ready to capitalize on that by getting players on board now. Might as well start now and show other recruits/transfers what they would be joining and that they could help us take that final step.