Recruiting Football Talk VII

[Glitch]

Everyone focusing on wanting defense staff changes.... the real change needs to happen with OL and Elerbee.

No.

 

[Orangeburst]

flea flicker screen followed by flea flicker reverse screen or something..lol

 

[jave36]

Absolutely!

Lane was the only OL out of eligibility. Mincey decided to chase more money which is his prerogative but really is the sole move causing this freak out from others.

Mincey wasn't so good that we should be too upset, but obviously he was better than the backups or he wouldn't have been starting; so we're now relying on an unknown (the backup improved) for our hope that Nico will have some decent protection.

I wouldn't say freak out, but Mays is the only really good OL returning, so my concern is that I believe we need to get at least one really proven OL from the portal, so we're not hoping to just be as good as we were this year, which was decent but not good enough to get us to Atlanta.

Right now, our hope is for the backups to take a huge step forward if we want overall OL play to be improved.

 

[GVol1966]

Boom!!

What are you boomin?

 

[MarcoVol]

Pass blocking, ability to punch it in from the 1 yard line.

Assume you mean just this season since last year we were awesome at everything.

Gave up 24 sacks this year. Only UGA (13), LSU & UK (22 for both) gave up less in the conference. Passing game could’ve definitely been better but there were plenty of issues to go around in that regard.

 

[Glitch]

How far into the future are we building? Right now there’s possibly a generational talent at QB on the Hill. He’ll likely only be here for two more seasons. The window is so small. At this point the 2025 signing class likely won’t contribute on the field with Nico.

I’m all for Heupel building a program, but I don’t think we should waste today in favor of tomorrow either. Maybe we need to stretch for a few pieces so we can make a run in 2024 and 2025.

I don’t want to look back after 2024-25 and say “we just needed another WR” or “if only our OL blocked a bit better”. It’s possible to be both happy that Heupel has brought us here and also recognize that the opportunity for the next step is right here if we can step it up a bit.

He just man handled one of the top defenses in the country, and yes Iowa had a good defense, with a patchwork OL due to injuries. Give the OL the off-season to heal and work and see what they and Nico can do. Everyone thinks the OL we had to trot out for the Citrus Bowl is the same OL that is going to be starting next season.

 

[MarcoVol]

Mincey wasn't so good that we should be too upset, but obviously he was better than the backups or he wouldn't have been starting; so we're now relying on an unknown (the backup improved) for our hope that Nico will have some decent protection.

I wouldn't say freak out, but Mays is the only really good OL returning, so my concern is that I believe we need to get at least one really proven OL from the portal, so we're not hoping to just be as good as we were this year, which was decent but not good enough to get us to Atlanta.

Right now, our hope is for the backups to take a huge step forward if we want overall OL play to be improved.

You don’t think Spraggins and Campbell are good?

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

i watched the game but didn’t watch the line closely….How did Umarov do in the bowl game…. we need some of these younger guys to at least be solid back ups.

Don’t remember. Honestly think I saw him and thought he looked a little small. But may have mistaken him for someone else. These young guys need to hit the gym hard and get ready to be solid backups. Not sure why we are struggling with our young recruits.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Who knows maybe Dayne Davis can grow go-go gadget/bionic arms and legs in off season.

One thing js for sure staff better get going early in 25 class, or we will be up Schitt's Creek. That is more a general statement in recruiting, not just poopooing GE.

 

[Buddy’s Bandit]

How far into the future are we building? Right now there’s possibly a generational talent at QB on the Hill. He’ll likely only be here for two more seasons. The window is so small. At this point the 2025 signing class likely won’t contribute on the field with Nico.

I’m all for Heupel building a program, but I don’t think we should waste today in favor of tomorrow either. Maybe we need to stretch for a few pieces so we can make a run in 2024 and 2025.

I don’t want to look back after 2024-25 and say “we just needed another WR” or “if only our OL blocked a bit better”. It’s possible to be both happy that Heupel has brought us here and also recognize that the opportunity for the next step is right here if we can step it up a bit.

While I agree, the same thing was being said about Manning. Then came Tee. It’s all the same….it’s a process to be built over a period of time.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

flea flicker screen followed by flea flicker reverse screen or something..lol

D Hop kinda gave that second one away.

He took his glove off on his throwing hand. Someone on Jax sideline probably noticed that.

 

[JohnnyD1024]

Lady Vols now lead by 2 in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky is coached by former Lady Vol and teammate of Kellie Harper, Kyra Elzy.

 

[Leeleesteeth]

Bennett Warren - OT - TX - 4 star
William Satterwhite - IOL - OH - 4 star
Max Anderson - IOL - TX - 4 star
Gage Ginther - OT - CO - 4 star
Jesse Perry - OL - TN - 3 star from a very small school

That seems like some pretty good OL cruitin to me. Maybe we all back up from the ledge a little bit before we start farhin one of the best OL coaches we have had in 20 years.

We have a large number of people who are only capable of seeing gloom and disaster around every corner. GREAT bowl win. Generational talent at QB. More coming back at OL than most teams. Good recruiting for 24 at OL. Just got a pledge from a top TE for 25. Basketball is kicking a$$. Baseball about to. Record number of whiners added to the Ignore List.

 

[Glitch]

Haven’t been happy with OL play?

Vols led the league in rushing this season.

#1 offense in the country last season.

I mean, what are your expectations for an OL coach?

QB is never hurried, let alone pressured or sacked. (30-45 seconds to throw seems reasonable)

RBs have 6 lane highway style holes to run through on every play and the OL will also get to the second and third levels to block the LBs and Safeties as well.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

I don't see the concern as others on the OL presently. The bowl game didn't Samson rush over 100 ypg against a Top 10 defense? Most of the sacks was Nico holding the ball too long and some could have been prevented but he will learn that with growth and adjusting to college speed.

Campbell is back and so is Mays and Lampley played well in the bowl game and if Spraggins comes back and Davis with all the freshman and Soph's and they are high on Grant too. Surely some of the younger OL will develop as they get older and stronger in S&C program. I do believe we need at least a left guard because not sure the Texas transfer is going to work out and probably need one OT but there is still lots of transfers out there and will be more in the spring.

I don’t know how anyone watching that game can put any of those sacks on Nico other than one. And even most analysts have said the o line struggled in the game. Truth is, we are in trouble if we don’t get some portal OL.

 

[therickbol]

Most posters on here are so focused on the immediate future. All the while Heup is playing the long game and building a program. Ole Piss pushing all their chips in for necks year hoping to bring in enough talent to force a NC. Heup is trying to set up a juggernaut but he is having to build it from ashes. Some of us may not have to disposition to handle it and maybe other hobbies should be considered.

 

[Glitch]

The coaching staff is not absolved from any criticism just because of the circumstances they came into. They are getting paid handsomely. We've seen a recurring issue with recruiting high level players and our staff's inability to close. There is not a single HS recruit that has played in 4 years on the OL from Ellarbee. That's concerning. Plenty of other staffs would love to have our NIL program.

We have glaring holes on the OL and targeted our top 3 guys, only to whiff on all 3 when reportedly NIL is not an issue here. That's a red flag. Part of Fulmer's downfall was staying with ineffective coaches. Having some staff turnover is a good thing when expectations are not being met.

What 3 OL did we whiff on? Seaton? That kid is a head case. Who else because we have 5 really good OL in the 24 class and 7 good ones last class. We may not land every flashy recruit we want but we land enough.

 

[drvenner]

I think we need to exorcise some of the OL portal recruiting demons. I am going to make some holy water by boiling the hell out of it.

 

[MarcoVol]

Yes our OL class looks nice this yr but it’s a massive problem that we gotta wait until atleast yr 5 at best until any HS OL recruit actually contributes under this current OL Coach. Terrible.

Well year 1 would’ve been recruits from previous staff. Year 2 would’ve had to have been a true Fr starting for it to be someone this staff recruited. Year 3 was this year and we had all veterans playing majority of snaps. Year 4 next year we’ll see if Reddick or Sham contribute but again have a lot of vets returning.

When you add context, it looks different.

 

[Glitch]

Yes our OL class looks nice this yr but it’s a massive problem that we gotta wait until atleast yr 5 at best until any HS OL recruit actually contributes under this current OL Coach. Terrible.

Your hyperbole is swollen. You may want to see a doctor about that.

 

[butchna]

Mincey wasn't so good that we should be too upset, but obviously he was better than the backups or he wouldn't have been starting; so we're now relying on an unknown (the backup improved) for our hope that Nico will have some decent protection.

I wouldn't say freak out, but Mays is the only really good OL returning, so my concern is that I believe we need to get at least one really proven OL from the portal, so we're not hoping to just be as good as we were this year, which was decent but not good enough to get us to Atlanta.

Right now, our hope is for the backups to take a huge step forward if we want overall OL play to be improved.

So Nico wasn’t better than Joe?

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Is it to late to call Mincey and up the deal? He’s not the best but he is certainly better than Davis. And we have zero depth at OT.

 

[drvenner]

Staff can’t close.

@drvenner

Jimmy can't read.

 

[Glitch]

Mincey wasn't so good that we should be too upset, but obviously he was better than the backups or he wouldn't have been starting; so we're now relying on an unknown (the backup improved) for our hope that Nico will have some decent protection.

I wouldn't say freak out, but Mays is the only really good OL returning, so my concern is that I believe we need to get at least one really proven OL from the portal, so we're not hoping to just be as good as we were this year, which was decent but not good enough to get us to Atlanta.

Right now, our hope is for the backups to take a huge step forward if we want overall OL play to be improved.

Thing is, portal OL are almost as much of a gamble as HS OL are. Sure they have had a year or two at higher level ball but a lot of them are transferring because they either want a payday or they weren't good enough to start on their former team. The portal is a double edge sword. There are undoubtedly some good/great players to be had. There are also some divas and some duds. The portal will take you so far but the bread and butter of a program will still be solid HS recruiting and development.

 

[drvenner]

many here will be on the attack, look out.

paid all that money for him and then gave him a trash line.

Attack? Just like you're attacking the staff for not protecting Nico when you have no real idea what the OL is going to look like in September?