Recruiting Forum Football Talk II

[LA Vol]

If the Banks situation were to happen today, it would be handled differently. Communication breakdowns and immediate backlash led to hasty decisions that didn't serve anyone well. Lessons were learned by all involved. There's a path back and it would benefit everybody if it works out.

 

[rekinhavoc]

On Banks...I wonder how good of a rb coach Weinke was. Perhaps a fresh start with a new coach would tap into his potential. I do believe in his potential at the rb position.

 

[Devo182]

NCAA just approved a transfer in bball to some kid that was dismissed at Arkansas to WVU....he was dismissed in August.

No reason given publicly as to why, so we can only guess, but if it wasn't bad or just disagreement with staff, etc, it could actually help the transfer imo.

You saw a similar scenario with Brenton Cox. The issue wasn't clear, but Smart quickly backtracked and said he was not dismissed. He didn't do this to help Cox and the Gators, but to hurt them. If the kid is denied a chance to play at his current school for some reason that isn't reasonable, then it could help his case. Smart was playing the narrative that Cox left on his own, thus lowering his chance of getting approved. May have also played this narrative to avoid having to say why he pushed Cox out of the program.

Either way, the kid has a chance to show he was denied a chance to play while never having broken any rules. This could also venture into the run off clause.

 

[butchna]

Couple of things I'd point out. One, I think you're making assumptions about "natural positions" and how successful they'd be there. Two, there are plenty of examples of players who switched positions from HS to college that had major success. Think of how Chief used to convert HS RBs to LBs. I'm not going to say the coach is always right, but they see a lot more of these guys than we ever will, and are in a much better position to know what they are and are not capable of.

Always thought Jason Layman would’ve been an excellent DL...which was what most projected him at before Fulmer...Fulmer’d him. Jason Witten picked us over Michigan mainly due to avoiding being converted to TE...he’s done ok there. And when did it become official that Jauan Jennings’ move to WR instead of DB isn’t another tick on Butch Jones Bad Moves List? Sometimes the difference between FACT and OPINION is the length of a post.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I don't know for sure, but there is some talk that they would play him off the bench to relieve Turner and Bowden.

Wow...he's that good? Or they feel James is better as a 2 or 3 guard.

 

[chargervol]

Maybe Banks' ball security has improved... or can improve. We wouldn't know. Chandler fumbled twice in the first half of the GA ST game and sat the second half of the game. But he was given other opportunities and has shown he can protect the ball.

Given the opportunity, Banks can fix his issues-- all of them-- and be a better player and a better person. His teammates seem to like him, and his intensity and energy give the team a boost. I hope he earns his way back. JJ, George and Thompson have shown us that second chances can pay off for everybody.

Yeah, my *opinion is everything's up to Banks. Comments suggest the opportunity to work his way back exists and of course ball security is on him.
Just a feeling that if JB was determined for another shot at RB, Pruitt wouldn't veto.

But definitely think he would be allowed to return or he'd be gone.

 

[drvenner]

Always thought Jason Layman would’ve been an excellent DL...which was what most projected him at before Fulmer...Fulmer’d him. Jason Witten picked us over Michigan mainly due to avoiding being converted to TE...he’s done ok there. And when did it become official that Jauan Jennings’ move to WR instead of DB isn’t another tick on Butch Jones Bad Moves List? Sometimes the difference between FACT and OPINION is the length of a post.

I remember losing my mind on the Scout board when the team announced Witten was being moved to TE. Like all of these before or since, I was proven wrong - very wrong.

 

[butchna]

Yeh, I’ve been following recruiting since around ‘07 and everyone said the same things in a few of our bad years. Have not been paying as much attention this year but dove in the last few days. Agree that we probably hear less now but momentum is just not there unless everything is completely under wraps.

Like last year this time. Crouch, Toto and Gray were pipe dreams...then we woke up.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I must say, I wonder where Jennings would have played had he came in with current staff straight outta HS.

His size/length and "dog" at safety would have terrorized teams with Pruitt and Ansley guiding his development.


Ultimately though, I think as fans who have gone through what we've gone through we should just step-back a bit and enjoy what is happening. Kellie is without a doubt going to get the Lady Vols back to a top 5 team, Barnes has proven with "lesser" talent he can develop an elite team. And now he's got the recruits coming...I sure hope he wins himself a title for us! Tony V has the baseball team rolling, softball has been a steady strong team for awhile. And now Pruitt seems to have finally gotten things to sink in with his team, sure we're still just 5-5 and have to play mistake free ball to win these last games but it's a chance you can see watching the team play. They don't play like an unsure 500 team that doesn't want to be on the field anymore.

 

[Aesius]

I must say, I wonder where Jennings would have played had he came in with current staff straight outta HS.

His size/length and "dog" at safety would have terrorized teams with Pruitt and Ansley guiding his development.


Ultimately though, I think as fans who have gone through what we've gone through we should just step-back a bit and enjoy what is happening. Kellie is without a doubt going to get the Lady Vols back to a top 5 team, Barnes has proven with "lesser" talent he can develop an elite team. And now he's got the recruits coming...I sure hope he wins himself a title for us! Tony V has the baseball team rolling, softball has been a steady strong team for awhile. And now Pruitt seems to have finally gotten things to sink in with his team, sure we're still just 5-5 and have to play mistake free ball to win these last games but it's a chance you can see watching the team play. They don't play like an unsure 500 team that doesn't want to be on the field anymore.

Fulmer reigning over a highly successful AD would be such a great redemption story for him.

 

[VolGee4]

Wow...he's that good? Or they feel James is better as a 2 or 3 guard.

All I know is that he graduated from the NBA Latin America camp and was invited to the Global Academy in Australia. I also saw that he was an All-Star at 3 day Basketball Without Borders event that I think is put on during the All-Star game every year. He has a lot of international experience even as a 17/18 year old.

 

[chargervol]

I do agree with Nick to a small degree. The fire Banks showed was a plus with me, but I also think he was a better back when comparing freshmen vs freshmen on field performance. Banks could block in the pass game and could pick up extra yards after contact and he ran behind a terrible OL. That's not saying that Gray won't end up being better in the long run, but he hasn't been in comparison to 1st year performance.....

Disclaimer: Gray has better ball security.... +1

I think a lot about Banks was potential and possibility. But I also think there's a reason basically everyone agreed it was there.

Sometimes you just "see it" regardless of stats. Just have to get the 2 in line.

 

[SLICKYINC]

I think a lot about Banks was potential and possibility. But I also think there's a reason basically everyone agreed it was there.

Sometimes you just "see it" regardless of stats. Just have to get the 2 in line.

Passed the “eye test” for sure.

 

[Devo182]

Banks was a better RB as a freshman than Gray has been as a freshman. Don't @ me.

Banks 3.56 ypc
Gray 3.37 ypc

How many fumbles did Banks have? I don't know, but at least 3. Neither has been great tbh, yet both clearly have potential.

 

[Chuckie]

Couple of things: if any of you twitter-inclined folks aren't following him, check out @SEC_StatCat

They posted a rapid-fire series of tweets earlier today (I think they do it each week...maybe multiple times for various positions/position groups) about SEC quarterbacks. I was surprised at some of the stats for Guarantano. For instance, JG ranks towards the higher end in the SEC of the stat, fewest average blockers per attempt. Some of the stats regarding accuracy and downfield passing also surprised me.

Also, Come-Wah is the reincarnation of Grant Williams. He's going to be a problem for folks.

 

[Pane di mais]

Fulmer reigning over a highly successful AD would be such a great redemption story for him.

If CJP turns out to be who I think he is, that pick alone and Fulmer's 100% support will be one of the great AD moves of all time and literally double his legacy. The fact that he wants CJP to top his own record (I really believe he wants that) is an amazing testament to Fulmer's character. Solid gold. So it is only right that it would double CPF's legacy at the same time.

 

[SweetasSoda]

Yeh, I’ve been following recruiting since around ‘07 and everyone said the same things in a few of our bad years. Have not been paying as much attention this year but dove in the last few days. Agree that we probably hear less now but momentum is just not there unless everything is completely under wraps.

Unfortunately where we are with recruits are those that want to wait to announce, and those that want to see the next two games.

 

[SweetasSoda]

I realize that. I am expecting about 19 this weekend, and think that will be enough.

Ah, can't we get to 20?

 

[SweetasSoda]

I am honestly surprised that there was not more to it. I was expecting something pretty bad to come out, and while what came out was not great, it did not warrant dismissal, IMO.

I think it was the fact that it followed the BT incident that made it worse. Still suspended indefinitely would have been better.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

One stat that I think is very impressive over our last 5 games.

the completion % have been held in check. 52.4% by Miss State, 54.9% by South Carolina, 46.7% by UAB, 57.1% by Kentucky. Gave up a lot of yards to South Carolina and Kentucky, I think USC just benefited from a few big plays in the 1st half and Kentucky had us at the worse time of the season having played 5 straight weeks in the meat of our schedule (Georgia & Alabama) we were just a bit more banged up and Bowden is really good as a runner.

 

[Type Orange+]

Banks 3.56 ypc
Gray 3.37 ypc

How many fumbles did Banks have? I don't know, but at least 3. Neither has been great tbh, yet both clearly have potential.

I was wondering the same thing about Banks and the number of fumbles. One that sticks out clearly in my memory was an effort fumble where he reached out the ball to gain extra yardage and was striped. A silly mistake which got him in the doghouse early. IIRC, he didn't seem to be a RB with fumblitis, just a young who was careless with the football. And that is something that can be corrected.

 

[Devo182]

Don’t want to get roasted but concerned about recruiting which I know has been discussed. It’s like the last years of Dooley and Butch level...at least we now have a staff who can develop but it does look promising for 2020. Surprised we don’t have more JUCO on radar.

It is concerning, but let's see how it looks after the final signing day. Last year we closed on Crouch and Toots seemingly out of nowhere, then came Solomon out of nowhere, then we finalized Wright. The staff won't quit on big fish and we will surprise at least once, if not more I suspect.

 

[drvenner]

Ah, can't we get to 20?

OK, for you. We win 20-13

 

[Devo182]

Couple of things: if any of you twitter-inclined folks aren't following him, check out @SEC_StatCat

They posted a rapid-fire series of tweets earlier today (I think they do it each week...maybe multiple times for various positions/position groups) about SEC quarterbacks. I was surprised at some of the stats for Guarantano. For instance, JG ranks towards the higher end in the SEC of the stat, fewest average blockers per attempt. Some of the stats regarding accuracy and downfield passing also surprised me.

Also, Come-Wah is the reincarnation of Grant Williams. He's going to be a problem for folks.

Been loving the StatCat page this year. They chart a ton of things. If you don't want to wait for tweets, it is all on their website - Secstatcat

 

[MoCo_Vol]

It is concerning, but let's see how it looks after the final signing day. Last year we closed on Crouch and Toots seemingly out of nowhere, then came Solomon out of nowhere, then we finalized Wright. The staff won't quit on big fish and we will surprise at least once, if not more I suspect.

Not to mention with all the "misses" we're still freaking 20th right now... at 18 recruits, with a long snapper in the boat.

I think we'll continue to focus on winning games and that'll help push us with some of the guys still not committed. I think top 20 is certain and could see us sneaking into the top 15 once the dust settles in February.