Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[berryvol]

Anybody got some Merklinger highlights from what limited action he got last year?

We’re about to have some later today, my friend!

 

[DD4ME]

 

[RiseToTheTop]

You don't want to see them fwir. Pretty sure he got stuck in vs Florida and it was ugly.

That said he had zero experience. Baptism by fire this year for either him or GM.

I'd certainly say a rebuild is in store atp outside of a surprise transfer. Reload for the youngsters. Faizon springs hope eternal.

I agree
But luckily the offense cant get any worse from where Nico had it.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

Respect to Heup. It isn’t like you’re asking a mediocre tight end to get. It’s your QB who was the NIL poster boy. Heupel showing he can swallow his pride and do what’s best for the progrum.

I'm more proud of Josh Heupel today than I've been since he's been here. It's been less than 48 hours since the story broke and the cancer/distraction is gone. Some SEC coaches/schools would've gave in because of low morality (Kiffin, alabama, Kirby, the gatas). The kind of recruits/families we want will respect what's happened over the past couple of days. We are fine.

 

[DD4ME]

 

[JCVol00]

Good on Heup for drawing a line in the sand

 

[gordonr24]

Yesterday, Andy Staples hinted that a big name QB may enter the portal next week with a “do not contact” tag with his intentions set for UT.

Speculation will begin…

 

[Rishvol]

I know someone will pick Nico up, but good luck to the head coach who has to deal with his locker room after this mess. I don’t see how he could be welcomed by the players.

Places like Colorado will welcome him with open arms because that is their culture

 

[JCVol00]

Yesterday, Andy Staples hinted that a big name QB may enter the portal next week with a “do not contact” tag with his intentions set for UT.

Speculation will begin…

This offseason suddenly turned exciting, like coach search exciting

 

[Newman]

Number 3 on twitter already

 

[DD4ME]

Nah

 

[Devo182]

Biggest bust in Tennessee history

Hardly. We made the playoffs...beat Bama...beat UF...got revenge on OU...all in 1 year of starting.

That award (at least the last 10 years) goes to either "never did a damn thing" HB15 or "REALLY never did a damn thing" JJ Peterson

 

[DD4ME]

Places like Colorado will welcome him with open arms because that is their culture

Not my circus and not my Polynesian princess.

 

[VolGee4]

Respect to Heup. It isn’t like you’re asking a mediocre tight end to get. It’s your QB who was the NIL poster boy. Heupel showing he can swallow his pride and do what’s best for the progrum.

True about Nico being a prized recruit, but Heupel has pretty much shown this whole time that he won’t deal with BS. Banks missing the USC game was another instance. The program and team are not an individual.

 

[DD4ME]

Lots of posts like this with the news.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Nah

Gonna suck in short term.

People will leave.

We are already shorthanded.

Lessons will be learned.

Money will be spread around.

We will be better.

 

[B EaZy40]

Schiano Sunday
The Lyin’ Hawaiian

Great days that have united our fanbase.

Lyin Hawaiian

 

[UTProf]

Here’s what I don’t get … this is the kind of thing you pull when you’re basically a one and done. But even if Nico had stayed I’m not sure he gets the draft grade he wants. He was pure talent last year without a whole lot of game knowledge or football IQ. Our playbook was as simplified as a paint by numbers kit for him and even then he rarely used more than 2 colors. How does that translate to burning ish down and transferring? Because if I’m a team looking at him, I want him now (for this season) but I’m not necessarily willing to commit to more than that and I’m pretty unsure if he can learn the system that quickly.

 

[chvy1986]

Man what a POS to abandon his team when he did. I wish Gaston was still here to finally get a year of QB1. At least he was loyal enough to stick around as a backup for a few years

 

[tyonthefly93]

True about Nico being a prized recruit, but Heupel has pretty much shown this whole time that he won’t deal with BS. Banks missing the USC game was another instance. The program and team is not an individual.

True. He’s just a really loyal guy, which I respect, but can be loyal to a fault. He didn’t let that side of him impact this situation. I think Nico’s side believed he would give in and he didn’t.

 

[reVOLution33]

I fn love this! I truly hoped Nico would do well but after watching him last year, I felt he wasn’t worth what he was getting paid. And that it always seemed like his dad was jockeying for more money and a bit of a headache.

Now, Merklinger, go do the da*n thing!!!

 

[peaygolf]

I will always root for my Govs and Vols on Saturdays in the Fall...............

But My12 months a year following and interest is really starting to wane...................The "off season" used to be my favorite to be honest. The optimism and excitement of new recruits, how are the young guys going to step up, etc............It's become a cattle auction, and the cattle have the leverage...........

Enjoy the Spring Game!

 

[DD4ME]

Sentiment is pouring in. All Vols

 

[Rishvol]

This just gave the schools back the NIL power imo

 

[therickbol]

I am currently having to do this. Im getting a lot of "wtf...thats stupid" feedback

Your 6 and 8 year olds working on becoming a sailor?