Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[InVOLuntary]

It depends on how next year goes obviously. I saw a clear jump in quality of play the final few games this year but nothing that truly wowed me. With the right pieces and a quality OL then he should be able to ball out and get drafted next year. I just am not confident that will happen until at least mid-season.

One of two things will happen. Either Nico has a great year and goes to the draft or he has another subpar year and transfers out. I don’t see him here for the '26 season.

 

[dmwvol12]

absolutely

Agreed but let’s not pretend that him and WM have not been whipping boys for the previous two years with constant, relentless people on this site screaming that Heupel should fire them because they suck. Now everyone has moved on to Ellarbee and Pope and it’s virtually identical to the chatter about Banks and WM the previous two years. Hard to blame them for looking for different opportunities. Nobody wants to be crapped on constantly by their own supposed fans even though they know it’s the vocal minority. It just creates a toxic environment and is another obstacle for the staff to overcome. The national media trolls us because of our reputation. Rant over.

 

[Volbucky]

And who's fault is that? Niko is his dude. He's had him here for two years. Look, I don't know what's wrong with the offense. It's a shell of its former self. Just like the defense, it's very simplistic. Very little motion. Very creative little deception. It seems to be even less than last year with Milton. I've said it multiple times, I'm not one of those that believe the offense left with Golesh. Something is up. I don't know why it's morphed into what it is.

What I don’t get is one of the “insiders” said heupel has evolved into an impressive HC. If this is what some call impressive then I’m even more confused by it than I was. This is not impressive, this is unimaginative and boring

 

[Jackcrevol]

One of two things will happen. Either Nico has a great year and goes to the draft or he has another subpar year and transfers out. I don’t see him here for the '26 season.

Nico came here to be developed in part, also to surround himself with the best.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Agreed but let’s not pretend that him and WM have not been whipping boys for the previous two years with constant, relentless people on this site screaming that Heupel should fire them because they suck. Now everyone has moved on to Ellarbee and Pope and it’s virtually identical to the chatter about Banks and WM the previous two years. Hard to blame them for looking for different opportunities. Nobody wants to be crapped on constantly by their own supposed fans even though they know it’s the vocal minority. It just creates a toxic environment and is another obstacle for the staff to overcome. The national media trolls us because of our reputation. Rant over.

They were whipping boys because it was deserved. Last year they increased their values.

 

[dmwvol12]

He might be getting sick of the Idiot Margin dogging him no matter how well the defense plays. I mean he put a top 6 in all of CFB defense on the field and half the fanbase still hates him.

1000000 times this.

 

[InVOLuntary]

What I don’t get is one of the “insiders” said heupel has evolved into an impressive HC. If this is what some call impressive then I’m even more confused by it than I was. This is not impressive, this is unimaginative and boring

There's more to being a head coach than just being a good play caller. It could mean he's evolved to be better at other aspects.

 

[InVOLuntary]

If a coach is bothered by criticism from the fanbase, he needs to retire from coaching.

 

[Volbucky]

There's more to being a head coach than just being a good play caller. It could mean he's evolved to be better at other aspects.

Agreed, but losing sight of the strong points that got you there seems counterproductive.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

And who's fault is that? Nico is his dude. He's had him here for two years. Look, I don't know what's wrong with the offense. It's a shell of its former self. Just like the defense, it's very simplistic. Very little motion. Very little creativity. Very little deception. It seems to be even less than last year with Milton. I've said it multiple times, I'm not one of those that believe the offense left with Golesh. Something is up. I don't know why it's morphed into what it is.

I think it’s a multitude of issues:
1) we’re still hamstrung by the scholarship reductions caused by Pruitt.
2) although I am also not a believer that Golesh was the shining star and it died with him (USF’s offense hasn’t been anything stellar and Heupel called the plays even with Golesh here), I do think the relationship b/t him and Hazel(sp) is still in development mode and that’s a hindrance.
3) we still don’t have the high caliber talent we need and Heupel, like any great coach, makes adjustments based on the talent he has. 10-3 and a playoff berth shows he’s doing well at that, even if the offense isn’t the flashy show we all came to love.
4) even though #3 is a good thing, I do think his loyalty to his coaching staff is hurting him as there is a glaring issue with our OL development and, to a lesser extent but still there, our WR development. He needs to can one (Elarbree more than Pope, imo) or both and hire some outsiders.
5) finally, I don’t buy into all the “Spyre is withholding money” BS, but I do think we’re being oversold/embellished on just how great our NIL system is. Maybe I’m wrong, but based on what I’ve personally seen, I don’t think our NIL game is as big as it’s made out to be.

 

[dmwvol12]

They were whipping boys because it was deserved. Last year they increased their values.

Players and talent matter. What you inherit matters. I find it comical that the same people screaming they should be fired literally non stop for over two years are now wondering why they would leave. Nothing personal I just think it’s not helpful to constantly want to fire coaches when you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. It was literally identical to the Pope and Ellarbee echo chamber of this year. Not looking for a fight I just find it funny and tiresome.

 

[knoxvol52]

He might be getting sick of the Idiot Margin dogging him no matter how well the defense plays. I mean he put a top 6 in all of CFB defense on the field and half the fanbase still hates him.

Banks gets compensated very well and if the fans bitching about his defense bothers him enough to leave, then Banks is in the wrong business. The same thing will happen at the next job Banks gets. Fans are going to be fans, all armchair fans who think they know more than the coaches.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I think it’s a multitude of issues:
1) we’re still hamstrung by the scholarship reductions caused by Pruitt.
2) although I am also not a believer that Golesh was the shining star and it died with him (USF’s offense hasn’t been anything stellar and Heupel called the plays even with Golesh here), I do think the relationship b/t him and Hazel(sp) is still in development mode and that’s a hindrance.
3) we still don’t have the high caliber talent we need and Heupel, like any great coach, makes adjustments based on the talent he has. 10-3 and a playoff berth shows he’s doing well at that, even if the offense is a flashy show we all came to love.
4) even though #3 is a good thing, I do think his loyalty to his coaching staff is hurting him as there is a glaring issue with our OL development and, to a lesser extent but still there, our WR development. He needs to can one (Elarbree more than Pope, imo) or both and hire some outsiders.
5) finally, I don’t buy into all the “Spyre is withholding money” BS, but I do think we’re being oversold/embellished on just how great our NIL system is. Maybe I’m wrong, but based on what I’ve personally seen, I don’t think our NIL game is as big as it’s made out to be.

When Heupel came here I thought it was a good thing because I thought he was a coach that could do more with less. His 1st two years reinforced that. The last two have called me to question that. In order to do more with less, you have to use deception, make the defense think (or offense). This team was very simplistic on both sides of the ball. That gets exposed against any team where you're outmatched talent wise. This showed up with GA and OSU.

 

[VolGee4]

Facemask was up, I'm not sure how the rule is worded but this isn't the type of play the rule was instituted to prevent in my opinion.

I'm actually ok not calling that, the helmet was not used as a ram to make forceable contact or as a weapon there.

But depending on the way the rule is written this may indeed deem it should have been a penalty.......... Hope I'm making sense.

The rule is written for this to be a penalty. Head contact on a defenseless receiver.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Players and talent matter. What you inherit matters. I find it comical that the same people screaming they should be fired literally non stop for over two years are now wondering why they would leave. Nothing personal I just think it’s not helpful to constantly want to fire coaches when you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. It was literally identical to the Pope and Ellarbee echo chamber of this year. Not looking for a fight I just find it funny and tiresome.

i'm not sure how long you've followed TN. Going back to Majors, we literally ride every coordinators ass that comes through here. You think other schools are immune from that?

Clemson and Miami are steps backward. Period.

I also remember our struggles getting Banks, and appreciate his loyalty. He is a very stoic personality, very cerebral. He has increased our talent, and depth on defense. Made it a strength of the team.

Ive shown frustration in past. Not to point of firing him. If I have I cannot recall. I do tend to turn into the Hulk during football games.

 

[VolNRaleighNC]

The rule is written for this to be a penalty. Head contact on a defenseless receiver.

This. The former ref/rules guy, Matt Austin, said this OTA broadcast during the review. Said it was textbook. It’s a hit to the head/neck area of a defenseless player. Doesn’t have to be with the crown of the helmet.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I think it’s a multitude of issues:
1) we’re still hamstrung by the scholarship reductions caused by Pruitt.
2) although I am also not a believer that Golesh was the shining star and it died with him (USF’s offense hasn’t been anything stellar and Heupel called the plays even with Golesh here), I do think the relationship b/t him and Hazel(sp) is still in development mode and that’s a hindrance.
3) we still don’t have the high caliber talent we need and Heupel, like any great coach, makes adjustments based on the talent he has. 10-3 and a playoff berth shows he’s doing well at that, even if the offense isn’t the flashy show we all came to love.
4) even though #3 is a good thing, I do think his loyalty to his coaching staff is hurting him as there is a glaring issue with our OL development and, to a lesser extent but still there, our WR development. He needs to can one (Elarbree more than Pope, imo) or both and hire some outsiders.
5) finally, I don’t buy into all the “Spyre is withholding money” BS, but I do think we’re being oversold/embellished on just how great our NIL system is. Maybe I’m wrong, but based on what I’ve personally seen, I don’t think our NIL game is as big as it’s made out to be.

WR is a skill position. And is important to this offense, where they seem to be asked to do a lot, blocking, decoy, running screens for tough yards. But really watching Oregon, and OSU, same can be said of any offense.

Difference is - at USF - different formations, getting RB involved in passing game, short throws to cur routes underneath, or flat, then using Play Action 20-30 yards out to get in the end zone.

That is the key here. Getting into the end zone. OSU, Georgia, and even Oregon score TD's. Had we scored 1 more TD per game in 2024, how much would our season have changed?

I really think WR, again skill position, has to have talent. Period.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

I figured you were, but that stuff matters if you want to live out there permanently.

I couldn't do the Rockies...I simply can't take the cold. If I moved out west, I would probably move somewhere in southern Arizona.

It's a purple state...but it's pretty much the desert-mountain version of Florida.

It was weird to me how much the Phoenix vibe reminds me of T-Bay.

 

[R0CKYT0P 16]

This. The former ref/rules guy, Matt Austin, said this OTA broadcast during the review. Said it was textbook. It’s a hit to the head/neck area of a defenseless player. Doesn’t have to be with the crown of the helmet.

They need to change the rule and penalty from “targeting” to “high tackle”. The neck and head should be off limits, period.

 

[Checker_the_Shire]

When Heupel came here I thought it was a good thing because I thought he was a coach that could do more with less. His 1st two years reinforced that. The last two have called me to question that. In order to do less with more, you have to use deception, make the defense think (or offense). This team was very simplistic on both sides of the ball. That gets exposed against any team where you're outmatched talent wise. This showed up with GA and OSU.

I’m just not there yet to question Heupel’s abilities to coach and scheme. He’s won enough and stabilized the program to the extent that we’re actually in the conversations we haven’t been in for years, that shows me as of now, he’s the right man for the job. I do think he can do better, and it starts with evaluating his loyalty over his desire to win. But overall, he’s done more with less for 4 years and is warranted the chance to prove he can get us over then hump.

As for OSU, man I’m sorry but no one is beating them. Michigan loss opened a can of worms and the CFP’s seeding screwed is to where we were put in the warpath. That’s not Heupel’s fault.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Im not a fan of Banks......


These jobs make no sense, hes angling for a raise. Calm down

 

[Jackcrevol]

Im not a fan of Banks......


These jobs make no sense, hes angling for a raise. Calm down

 

[#Vol4Life1991]

This. The former ref/rules guy, Matt Austin, said this OTA broadcast during the review. Said it was textbook. It’s a hit to the head/neck area of a defenseless player. Doesn’t have to be with the crown of the helmet.

Cfb has been and still is corrupt (like a lot of other operations in the world). Its just more obvious now with all the camera angles and replays. Some people choose to cover their eyes and be in denial. Others are being paid to look the other way or enforce the corruption. The remaining try to speak truth to power.

 

[TheTimeIsNow]

i'm not sure how long you've followed TN. Going back to Majors, we literally ride every coordinators ass that comes through here. You think other schools are immune from that?

Clemson and Miami are steps backward. Period.

I also remember our struggles getting Banks, and appreciate his loyalty. He is a very stoic personality, very cerebral. He has increased our talent, and depth on defense. Made it a strength of the team.

Ive shown frustration in past. Not to point of firing him. If I have I cannot recall. I do tend to turn into the Hulk during football games.

Clemson has won 2 national championships in the last 10 years. As much as I hate to say it, they would be the better program right now.

 

[knoxvol52]

One of two things will happen. Either Nico has a great year and goes to the draft or he has another subpar year and transfers out. I don’t see him here for the '26 season.

According to a couple of sites Nico is the 1st or 2nd best QB returning next season. A year of mediocre improvement will get Nico drafted in 1st round of NFL. One thing about the NFL they will draft on potential in the 1st round especially in the top half of round. As for NIL keeping Nico in college Will Levis's signing bonus was 4 million as a 2nd round QB..