Recruiting Football Talk VII

[DD4ME]

So they've not actually said what is being claimed.

I quit paying for a subscription due to a lack of great intel, but I listen to all of their podcasts, and I would agree with what the previous poster said. I can go find a podcast, but don't feel compelled. That said, I cannot say for a fact they used those exact words on their board.

We have a glut of guys who have not stepped up or differentiated themselves, and we have no clear succession plan in spots despite a number of bodies. The best example I can offer is that we are still dealing with Mincey. If we had better options, he'd have been gone, in my opinion.

 

[jakez4ut]

Wow. Not sure what happened to the RF... but wow.

well it's been a while since people had something to really cling to and bish about....then OL recruiting happened. lol.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

This is why BEATING them is so important and why losing really put a damper on the 2023 season. You need to get that monkey off your back at some point or you are a Vandy/UK type program.

We aren’t losing to UF next year at home with Nico. Defense always play way better at home too. Honestly think it’s not even close.

 

[DD4ME]

I love...LOVE...linemen who are also wrestlers. They have that core strength and understand leverage. I think he's on the field at UT sooner rather than later.

I know it is a stressed-out day when a double love and wrestling isn't giffed already...

 

[DaddyChad]

View attachment 608188

Bones never lie.

 

[CAVPUT]

Interesting the extremes here.

You have one group that think the sky is falling and another group that thinks this isn't an issue.

Both are wrong.

It isn't great that we haven't landed any of these offensive linemen but our program isn't going into the toilet.

The key is it could be the difference between going 10-2 next year versus 9-3 or 8-4. This past year, we had a lot of injuries so having that depth would really help. So, in a way I lean a little more on this being disappointing and have made comments about our recruiting being an issue although you can argue this staff is doing a good job all circumstances considered (notably the NCAA violation limitations).

Speaking for myself, I'm in no way implying the program is anything but ascending. What my concern is(stated multiple times), is that we maximize our roster for the period of time we have what appears to be a super talented, possibly generational, QB in Nico. We've got the gun but we won't do much with out ammo. Nico needs time/protection and he needs weapons to throw to. In time, it appears we'll have both, but time is a luxury we don't have if everyone is right about him. So while I'm with everyone else in that HS recruiting is the way to go and being patient as you build a roster, I'd really like to dive a little deeper into the portal to give Nico as much support as possible during his short stay at UT. It's like an MLB team that sees an opportunity to win a world series so they sacrifice a few top prospects to get that one guy who can take them to the top. I think it's what Kiffin is trying to do at Ole Miss. He's got the roster. He's got a favorable schedule. He's adding all the pieces he can to try and make that special season happen. Of course, I realize he's going to leave Ole Miss to deal with the fallout. He's angling for a better job, but can we not secure some help without sacrificing the long term prospect of the program? I hope so.

 

[Vol8188]

History says best team wins most of the time. Look at Alabama and Saban, Kirby Smart and Georgia, etc.

Fact is, Tennessee did should NOT have lost to Florida this year. That game is why the 2023 season is considered a disappointment. You have to beat 1 of the big 3, especially when they are down and not winning. Florida is very down right now. Florida beat up on us when we were down winning 11 straight or something insane like that. Now that they are down, you have to take advantage and we did NOT.

So yes, 2023 was a disappointment and it really came down to 1 game.

Getting extra depth on the O-line might have made a difference in that Florida game. So this is why the recruiting and missing all these oline targets matter. Sure, we may still have alright 8-4 or 9-3 seasons but if we want to start beating the big 3 on our schedule, even when the big 3 are down, it takes this extra spot.

What has made Tennessee such an embarrassment (at least to me), historically, is our long losing streaks to rivals. Most decent programs don't go 10 or more years of losing to the same team every year. Tennessee has that record with Alabama (16 years straight), Florida (2 wins in like 20 something years), and Georgia. We don't beat our rivals. Heupel finally did that in 2022 but it would have been nice to carry that momentum and beat Florida again while they are down and out. Losing in the Swamp was a MAJOR step back. Despite that, I am very excited for 2024 and looking forward to future. I just don't want to have one missing offensive line man keeping us from getting to that next step.

Also not having that depth, makes us more vulnerable to upsets to teams like UK, Vandy, Arkansas, etc.

So the best team doesn't always win but Tennessee should not have lost because they were the best team in your opinion? Interesting. You realize Florida also has better talent than us in 2023 according to 247, right?

So more star power, at home, and even if were slightly better (possible) the best team doesn't always win, but you find the entire season to be a "disappointment" because of that 1 game even though it's one of our best seasons in the last 20 years. Weird...

 

[DaddyChad]

We aren’t losing to UF next year at home with Nico. Defense always play way better at home too. Honestly think it’s not even close.

We should’ve stomped their ass this year as well though.

 

[CAVPUT]

That's a pretty tough criteria. Are you expecting him to win against Bama and Florida 70-80% of the time?

Uh...pretty clear what I "expect" until proven otherwise.

 

[LA Vol]

So are we legit in the mix or is this another leverage play by the player?

A visit is always a chance. When you portal shop, it's generally about pay and play. UT looks for fit and value. Sometimes it lines up; sometimes not.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

We should’ve stomped their ass this year as well though.

I always thought it was a loss. They play differently in Gainesville and we don’t win there. Plus, I had no faith in Milton to win a hard road game. Didn’t realize the defense would decide not to play for a half either. It is what it is.

But we are different at home and we have Nico now. Gonna blast them for the last time before schedule is restructured.

 

[screenthis]

History says best team wins most of the time. Look at Alabama and Saban, Kirby Smart and Georgia, etc.

Fact is, Tennessee did should NOT have lost to Florida this year. That game is why the 2023 season is considered a disappointment. You have to beat 1 of the big 3, especially when they are down and not winning. Florida is very down right now. Florida beat up on us when we were down winning 11 straight or something insane like that. Now that they are down, you have to take advantage and we did NOT.

So yes, 2023 was a disappointment and it really came down to 1 game.

Getting extra depth on the O-line might have made a difference in that Florida game. So this is why the recruiting and missing all these oline targets matter. Sure, we may still have alright 8-4 or 9-3 seasons but if we want to start beating the big 3 on our schedule, even when the big 3 are down, it takes this extra spot.

What has made Tennessee such an embarrassment (at least to me), historically, is our long losing streaks to rivals. Most decent programs don't go 10 or more years of losing to the same team every year. Tennessee has that record with Alabama (16 years straight), Florida (2 wins in like 20 something years), and Georgia. We don't beat our rivals. Heupel finally did that in 2022 but it would have been nice to carry that momentum and beat Florida again while they are down and out. Losing in the Swamp was a MAJOR step back. Despite that, I am very excited for 2024 and looking forward to future. I just don't want to have one missing offensive line man keeping us from getting to that next step.

Also not having that depth, makes us more vulnerable to upsets to teams like UK, Vandy, Arkansas, etc.

First, the loss to Florida was very disappointing. You just have to beat a rival when they're down. They won't be down for long. But, as for the whole season being a disappointment? Not for me. Going 9-4 is very respectable especially given the losses the previous year.

And yes, we need to get over the hurdle of losing to rivals like Florida every year. But we're not even close to being the only team doing that. For ever, Michigan lost to Ohio State until recently. I'm looking for that type of turn around.

 

[Weezer]

Seems like people on both sides are unnecessarily riled up. Y'all need to chill out and listen to some Same Cooke or something else to mellow you out. Then come back and attempt civil conversation.

 

[CAVPUT]

Wow. Not sure what happened to the RF... but wow.

It's a hoot ain't it?

 

[CAVPUT]

Seems like people on both sides are unnecessarily riled up. Y'all need to chill out and listen to some Same Cooke or something else to mellow you out. Then come back and attempt civil conversation.

I dig Sam. In my regular rotation.

 

[Vol8188]

Uh...pretty clear what I "expect" until proven otherwise.

I’m really not following. You said “on an annual basis”. So you expect us to beat Bama and Florida “annually”? Or am I misunderstanding?

 

[Weezer]

I know it is a stressed-out day when a double love and wrestling isn't giffed already...

If he loves him some sweaty wrestlers, who are we to judge?

 

[DaddyChad]

I always thought it was a loss. They play differently in Gainesville and we don’t win there. Plus, I had no faith in Milton to win a hard road game. Didn’t realize the defense would decide not to play for a half either. It is what it is.

But we are different at home and we have Nico now. Gonna blast them for the last time before schedule is restructured.

Oline was absolute dog crap as well.

 

[screenthis]

Seems like people on both sides are unnecessarily riled up. Y'all need to chill out and listen to some Same Cooke or something else to mellow you out. Then come back and attempt civil conversation.

...brings up Sam Cook on Youtube.

 

[screenthis]

Speaking for myself, I'm in no way implying the program is anything but ascending. What my concern is(stated multiple times), is that we maximize our roster for the period of time we have what appears to be a super talented, possibly generational, QB in Nico. We've got the gun but we won't do much with out ammo. Nico needs time/protection and he needs weapons to throw to. In time, it appears we'll have both, but time is a luxury we don't have if everyone is right about him. So while I'm with everyone else in that HS recruiting is the way to go and being patient as you build a roster, I'd really like to dive a little deeper into the portal to give Nico as much support as possible during his short stay at UT. It's like an MLB team that sees an opportunity to win a world series so they sacrifice a few top prospects to get that one guy who can take them to the top. I think it's what Kiffin is trying to do at Ole Miss. He's got the roster. He's got a favorable schedule. He's adding all the pieces he can to try and make that special season happen. Of course, I realize he's going to leave Ole Miss to deal with the fallout. He's angling for a better job, but can we not secure some help without sacrificing the long term prospect of the program? I hope so.

Agreed. Now is the time to put the 'foot to the pedal' and surround Nico with as much talent as possible. And success will just lead to better recruiting.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

I always thought it was a loss. They play differently in Gainesville and we don’t win there. Plus, I had no faith in Milton to win a hard road game. Didn’t realize the defense would decide not to play for a half either. It is what it is.

But we are different at home and we have Nico now. Gonna blast them for the last time before schedule is restructured.

I'm really hoping UF remains almost every year.
It bothers me that Nico won't get a chance to beat them in Gainsville.

 

[LA Vol]

Well we are desperate. At least I hope we are

IDT they're desperate. Motivated and focused, yes. But you have to get better guys than you currently have. It doesn't make sense to overpay for guys you don't think bring what you need right now.

 

[CAVPUT]

I’m really not following. You said “on an annual basis”. So you expect us to beat Bama and Florida “annually”? Or am I misunderstanding?

I count bama and uf as losses until proven otherwise. Not saying we won't beat them occasionally, but until we start seeing at least a competitive series from a home and home perspective, a win is more a surprise than an expectation.

 

[Weezer]

...brings up Sam Cook on Youtube.

Nothing like true soul music to help one find some peace.

 

[SmokinBob]

there have been more: bru on the same drive for the td, JJ alone had 2 in one year - uf go ahead and uga Hail Mary, Gerald jones against uk in ot to go to seccg, Marquez north one hander on game winning drive against uscjr, but I agree with the overall sentiment.

I was there - it was a moment I will never forget! I’ll tell y’all about it over a beer one of these days!