Recruiting Forum Football Talk II

[nicksjuzunk]

Under reported observation: Vols didn't take any JUCO players (and it doesn't appear that they will this cycle). I see that as confirmation that the staff likes the way the current roster has developed, and that they don't see a glaring hole in the roster that needs a stop-gap measure.

I’m just hoping we don’t take any Big 10 graduate transfers with 440 career rushing yards, 38 catches or 27 tackles during the off season

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I'll be honest, I think the vast majority of the HS kids at this point prefer ESD. You can get everything handled, nothing to fret about over the holiday break and if you're wanting to be an EE you get a few weeks to sort out moving.

 

[therickbol]

So here's the latest depth chart with me removing departing folks. I didn't add back anyone that redshirted either.

Eason, Whitehead, French, Joseph, Baron all the likely LBs should be really excited to get to work. The way we rotate that group there's for sure a chance to get playing time.

DL is going to be a competitive position group. Add back Gooden & Simmons with the incoming guys I think Harris, Savion, Blakely, Middleton might see themselves losing reps if they don't bring it.

WR group will also have some great depth, Brandon Johnson & Deangelo Gibbs in the mix after redshirting. But the incoming guys all have something no other WR does on the roster currently: ELITE SPEED

View attachment 247378

I like that regardless of how many times the player and the coaches at UT say it, all the posters on here continue to place Whitehead at LB. It is obvious he will play RB when he gets here. And it seems he will stay there unless he decides he doesn't like where he is on the depth chart and asks to move to LB. All indications are that it will take A LOT to get him to ask to move to LB.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Random thought or two:

A few weeks back it seemed like Vai Kaho was our next commit. CB’s rolling in. Pruitt himself visited. Kaho spoke glowingly about all things UT. Decommited from Nevada right after the visit, etc.

Despite all the hoopla, @Atlanta VOL declared he was a back up plan only.

Someone scoffed and suggested Pruitt himself and Ansley doesn’t make that visit for a back up option. AV said it was a convenient visit because the staff was already in NV to see DW.

Lo and behold- 21 kids signed yesterday and Kaho wasn’t one of them. He signed with SDSU.

When everyone - including some other “insiders” on this forum to the VQ mods were saying Kaho was gonna be in the class.... AV warned otherwise.

—————

Also just want to point out how much I hate it for Art Green. Didn’t sign anywhere. Doesn’t seem to be a lot of options for him. Kid was all Vol. Came with some of his family for an OV not long ago and they all seemed to love it. Sucky part of recruiting. Hope he ends up in a good situation.

Bad for Green, but that indicates he had no business being here. Free education for him but no impact on the field. I’m glad we made the unfortunate decision there for the sake of the team

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Wonder if he's even an option for us if we miss out on anyone. He will still have an opportunity somewhere I would assume.

The last recruit you ever want to sign is an underperforming JUCO.

 

[bignewt]

I'll be honest, I think the vast majority of the HS kids at this point prefer ESD. You can get everything handled, nothing to fret about over the holiday break and if you're wanting to be an EE you get a few weeks to sort out moving.

seems to be the trend

 

[nicksjuzunk]

Haven’t commented on the signing class yet.

It’s a “par” from me. Nice effort sabotaged by early season losses. A lot of potential but not many seemingly “sure things”. Good work but we will need to win big games to start getting recruits on the next level.

Let’s go develop what we’ve got now

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

I have OD on ignore so I can’t see the Hardy thread.... any noteworthy nuggs?

IMO he’s the most realistic big fish I hope we can land.

Then sprinkle a few quality transfers. Or grad transfers.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I like that regardless of how many times the player and the coaches at UT say it, all the posters on here continue to place Whitehead at LB. It is obvious he will play RB when he gets here. And it seems he will stay there unless he decides he doesn't like where he is on the depth chart and asks to move to LB. All indications are that it will take A LOT to get him to ask to move to LB.

It's like you're new to recruiting/player development or something...

Arguably our best CB came in as a WR...our ILB was an OLB, Banks was a RB, Bennett was a DT, Crouch a RB, Jennings a QB...and it goes on. The players you want, and the players this staff has proven to recruit are the guys that want to make an impact and play. I don't know where Whitehead ends up, and he'll 100% start camp at RB if that's really what he wants. Staff isn't going to force anything, but from the standpoint of making it to the pros chances are higher and the payday bigger for longer if you do it at LB.

 

[StoVol]

I have OD on ignore so I can’t see the Hardy thread.... any noteworthy nuggs?

IMO he’s the most realistic big fish I hope we can land.

Then sprinkle a few quality transfers. Or grad transfers.

nope , price said if we make it to Saturday then its like saying "come get me"

 

[AirForceVol74]

I'll be honest, I think the vast majority of the HS kids at this point prefer ESD. You can get everything handled, nothing to fret about over the holiday break and if you're wanting to be an EE you get a few weeks to sort out moving.

I like having both signing days now...it protects the kids and the schools...when big time schools ask kids to wait and sign later because they are chasing bigger fish, now the kids don't get shafted in mid-February trying to find a college..they have 2 months to take their time and find another school

 

[chavisut]

seems to be the trend

Yup. Vast majority are signing early.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

If any news pops up in the Washington thread, please drop a note in here. It’s just become a stream of consciousness in there

 

[StoVol]

If any news pops up in the Washington thread, please drop a note in here. It’s just become a stream of consciousness in there

take it you're not a james joyce fan

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I have OD on ignore so I can’t see the Hardy thread.... any noteworthy nuggs?

IMO he’s the most realistic big fish I hope we can land.

Then sprinkle a few quality transfers. Or grad transfers.

I'll be shocked if we take any transfers honestly.

signed 21 already, 2 more we're willing to take and in on at least 4 to 6 recruits still on the board.

I'd love to see a full class of 25, but I also believe Pruitt isn't taking bodies just to fill the class either.

 

[SSVol]

If any news pops up in the Washington thread, please drop a note in here. It’s just become a stream of consciousness in there

You need to stop punching randos at the gym, and apparently stabbing Mrs. Bass, and maybe people will do nice things for you.

 

[SweetasSoda]

Love this class. Character, winners, speed and size. Lots of potential for these coaches to work with. And we have already seen what they can do with potential with willingness to work. Next year we can add the Jamal Lewis and Albert Haynesworth types to continue working our way back to the top.

 

[85SugarVol]

Well, duh. I wish we had Parker Lewis. Because, well, you know why.

Man, that dude just can’t lose

 

[bignewt]

I have OD on ignore so I can’t see the Hardy thread.... any noteworthy nuggs?

IMO he’s the most realistic big fish I hope we can land.

Then sprinkle a few quality transfers. Or grad transfers.

So you think there won't be ANY new names surface next month?

 

[Big Gucci Sosa]

I dont want to watch another basketball this game. It's so bad

 

[85SugarVol]

Actually looks like some bumps happened after ESD. We now have all 3 ILBs in the top 15. Oregon (#1 & #2 ILBs), LSU (2 in the top 7) and Bama (2 in the top 8) are the only schools that have better ILBs this class.


So imo I'd say the 3 spots this class could still improve are:

OL - A 4 star OT would really be nice, but any good high 3 or 4 star additions would be welcome
WR/TE - putting this together because landing Washington would be enough imo
RB - I like both, but neither is truly "elite"

And then really best available after that, I think this 2020 class has a lot of DL talent so wouldn't be surprised if we're taking another 1 or 2 DL/OLB type guys

I get what you’re saying from a comparative standpoint on the ILB’s. Very few schools got better ones than we did (by the rankings). Still doesn’t mean we got the elite ones.

If there are 3 elite QB’s in the NFL draft, and your team signs the 4th best, are you thrilled? You signed a better QB than “most” teams.

I like Whitehead though. Excited to see what Pruitt can do with him.

Agree on DL. Think we already have a great group signed for this class. Would still love to see another athletic edge defender come aboard.

 

[BigOrangeVols]

Under reported observation: Vols didn't take any JUCO players (and it doesn't appear that they will this cycle). I see that as confirmation that the staff likes the way the current roster has developed, and that they don't see a glaring hole in the roster that needs a stop-gap measure.

Didn't notice that. JUCOs can be good but we've relied on them too much recently.

 

[smokeyz1]

Can anyone explain to me the huge difference in methodology in class rankings between ESPN (18) and Rivals (9)? (I don't mean simply that DisneyESPN sucks.)
@Devo182

Edit: O, I just found ESPN saying they don't go by numbers, but move teams around according to how they want them to place. How we determine our class rankings

Rivals: Rivals.com - Rivals.com Football Team Recruiting Rankings Formula

Another thing I have noticed about ESPN rankings is they do much fewer re-ranks during the year. So their higher ranked players tend to be players who were higher ranked during their junior years. So if a player is a late bloomer with a very good senior year, the other sites (247 and Rivals) tend to raise their rankings, but ESPN does not. One really obvious example is that Reggie Grimes is still the overall 17 ranked player on ESPN whereas the other sites have dropped his rating this year.

Since we seemed to sign quite a few players in this class that were late risers with really good senior years, it would make since that ESPN would rank our class lower than 247 or Rivals.

 

[85SugarVol]

pretty much agree, but i'm willing to put RB to the side for now. that room is pretty good and we got deeper yesterday.

i'd switch RB on your list for pass rusher. we need more of those....as many as we can get.

Agree on RB. would have loved a true game breaker in this class, but no way should we take a 3rd this cycle. Really need a stud next year though.

And agree on pass rusher. I said athletic edge defender for my biggest want to round this class out.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I get what you’re saying from a comparative standpoint on the ILB’s. Very few schools got better ones than we did (by the rankings). Still doesn’t mean we got the elite ones.

If there are 3 elite QB’s in the NFL draft, and your team signs the 4th best, are you thrilled? You signed a better QB than “most” teams.

I like Whitehead though. Excited to see what Pruitt can do with him.

Agree on DL. Think we already have a great group signed for this class. Would still love to see another athletic edge defender come aboard.

Right and everyone defines elite differently, it's subjective.

Oregon truly got the only elite ILB group...there's no way anyone can say otherwise. They have benefited greatly from the Pac-12 powerhouses (USC, Stanford, Washington) declining.