Recruiting Forum Football Talk II

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

This idea that Jeremy Pruitt, who is on one of the hottest seats in the country, knows there are better players available and he would rather lose than play them, is comical.

HB will be good in time, I still think that. But he isn’t ready to lead an offense yet and he will be picked on in short order.

It’s been talked about the younger players being better and we still aren’t playing them. I do believe he is mismanaging his roster at certain spots. Moving players around so much where they never one true position. And I think he is playing the wrong QB. I don’t think he trusts a freshmen to lead the charge. I hope he plays and shows what he can do. It’s better than losing with JG and him throwing ten times.

 

[UTSuave’]

The best thing that could happen for the Vols this weekend is to play HB, let him throw and if nothing else, try new things and have some fun. Nobody at UT is having any fun, and this is not lost on recruits.

Last year, the SRs turned things around. This year, it's the young guys' turn. HB and Hyatt-- it starts there.

But has Pruitt been advised to do so ? Your statement is logical sense to us but is it to Pruitt? UT has had enough of their fair share of arrogant hard headed coaches to be honest @LA Vol

 

[Kingston Vol]

I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. There is no agenda or “loyalty” in continuing to play JG over other options.

It is legitimately because Jeremy Pruitt and Jim Chaney think he is the QB most likely to lead them to victory each weekend.

Either that will change and HB will play more because they think he is the best option, or they will give up on the season and start playing for the future. But color me skeptical that second option ever happens for a coaching staff with very little good will built or job stability garnered.

They can’t afford to throw games away.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I don’t care that it was UCF, he looked good.

Concern would be that injury.

He said he was feeling almost back to full health. Cutting and stuff like that in practice. He is the scout team QB. I say take him tbh

 

[LA Vol]

I agree with you in theory. In a season gone to hell, start developing your building blocks of the future.

But I don’t think football coaches, and Jeremy Pruitt in particular, think that way. His goal is to win on Saturday, as short sighted as it seems to us on the outside. And his goal is to keep all of his “future” ammunition unused, that way he can sell the potential to boosters and fans who are calling for his head.

As soon as HB comes out and throws three interceptions and we keep losing, what can he point to as justification for keeping his job?

I don’t think recruiting can be “saved.” We had that great run in May and still topped out around 10th in the country. A very average class for Tennessee - we just did it in the Spring vs. Signing Day.

Now our class is likely to be picked apart by teams actually selling a winning product. I don’t think “hey, we’re still losing, but now we’re losing with younger players!” stems the bleeding at all.

Opposing coaches are telling our prospects, and our current players, that Pruitt is a dead man walking. And they’re right. Whether the ax falls this year, next year, or the year after is irrelevant. Prospects see the guillotine being readied, and the sight of that has spooked them and it’s the only thing that matters.

IDT anybody is under any illusion that CJP is a long-termer at UT-- and that includes CJP. And recruiting is what it is. But the other part of that equation is keeping the young players we already have and making them believe UT football can be fun again-- the sooner the better. UT is a miserable place right now. The young guys aren't as jaded and ready to fold as the older guys. They still believe.

 

[Kingston Vol]

IDT anybody is under any illusion that CJP is a long-termer at UT-- and that includes CJP. And recruiting is what it is. But the other part of that equation is keeping the young players we already have and making them believe UT football can be fun again-- the sooner the better. UT is a miserable place right now. The young guys aren't as jaded and ready to fold as the older guys. They still believe.

Again, I agree with you in theory, but you and I have said this exact same line for three years in a row.

“The older players hate it here, but gotta keep the young guys happy.”

And that’s valid, but if you don’t win, they either transfer or become the old, jaded guys we’ll be talking about next season.

Winning is fun. Losing, no matter how you get there, isn’t. It’s really that simple.

So Pruitt is going to prioritize winning, because it benefits him and his job prospects while also benefiting the team. And to this point, he thinks playing the more seasoned players gives them the best chance.

 

[MrVolton]

IDT anybody is under any illusion that CJP is a long-termer at UT-- and that includes CJP. And recruiting is what it is. But the other part of that equation is keeping the young players we already have and making them believe UT football can be fun again-- the sooner the better. UT is a miserable place right now. The young guys aren't as jaded and ready to fold as the older guys. They still believe.

If everyone including CJP knows he’s a short timer, then we better hope for a coaching change ASAP. Between the transfer rule and a tanking recruiting class, we could be looking at permanent Vandy status. Surely the powers that be can see this.

 

[SCvol333]

Wouldn't blame him 1 bit. Would put up a gazillion yards in that offense.

you’re right muffins was worse. He had to play non scholarship and 3rd string DTs on the Oline. Yet still competed w bama...

 

[Johnny Majors' Ghost]

Again, I agree with you in theory, but you and I have said this exact same line for three years in a row.

“The older players hate it here, but gotta keep the young guys happy.”

And that’s valid, but if you don’t win, they either transfer or become the old, jaded guys we’ll be talking about next season.

Winning is fun. Losing, no matter how you get there, isn’t. It’s really that simple.

So Pruitt is going to prioritize winning, because it benefits him and his job prospects while also benefiting the team. And to this point, he thinks playing the more seasoned players gives them the best chance.

Pruitt eyeing that UAB job I suppose. He's a loooooong way from ever being in the conversation to take over at his alma mater.

 

[MrVolton]

Pruitt eyeing that UAB job I suppose. He's a loooooong way from ever being in the conversation to take over at his alma mater.

His best shot at that would be to go be Saban’s DC until he retires. And the sooner he does that, the better.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Again, I agree with you in theory, but you and I have said this exact same line for three years in a row.

“The older players hate it here, but gotta keep the young guys happy.”

And that’s valid, but if you don’t win, they either transfer or become the old, jaded guys we’ll be talking about next season.

Winning is fun. Losing, no matter how you get there, isn’t. It’s really that simple.

So Pruitt is going to prioritize winning, because it benefits him and his job prospects while also benefiting the team. And to this point, he thinks playing the more seasoned players gives them the best chance.

And yet we still aren’t winning... which means switch things up and play the younger players. It is literally the definition of insanity continuing to do the same things over and over and expecting different results.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Let’s test it.

I've done it many times before.

 

[Kingston Vol]

And yet we still aren’t winning... which means switch things up and play the younger players. It is literally the definition of insanity continuing to do the same things over and over and expecting different results.

I’m not arguing against you. I personally feel the same way.

But I don’t expect Pruitt to change course.

 

[SSVol]

I've done it many times before.

You can immediately tell who the business owners are, no?

 

[Batman1948]

Tiger WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOds

The boy just took a 10 on a par 3 but he's gonna win again some day

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

A lot of people around here are going to shocked when CJP is still the coach here in 4-5 years.

 

[LA Vol]

Again, I agree with you in theory, but you and I have said this exact same line for three years in a row.

“The older players hate it here, but gotta keep the young guys happy.”

And that’s valid, but if you don’t win, they either transfer or become the old, jaded guys we’ll be talking about next season.

Winning is fun. Losing, no matter how you get there, isn’t. It’s really that simple.

So Pruitt is going to prioritize winning, because it benefits him and his job prospects while also benefiting the team. And to this point, he thinks playing the more seasoned players gives them the best chance.

Of course he's going to prioritize winning. But what he's doing isn't winning. It isn't even losing with competitiveness or pride. I'm not saying CJP is going to play HB and nobody but HB going forward. I'm saying UT wants to try some new things and get the young guys more involved. UT wants to put a younger face on the program.

Now who will play, when or how much-- nobody knows. The staff will figure that out this week and put the game plan together. But HB has had some very good practices and he needs game reps to develop. JG has been limited. And Phillip hasn't been around-- but he will be. It will be interesting to see.

 

[KPT_VFL]

I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. There is no agenda or “loyalty” in continuing to play JG over other options.

It is legitimately because Jeremy Pruitt and Jim Chaney think he is the QB most likely to lead them to victory each weekend.

Either that will change and HB will play more because they think he is the best option, or they will give up on the season and start playing for the future. But color me skeptical that second option ever happens for a coaching staff with very little good will built or job stability garnered.

They can’t afford to throw games away.

The season is lost anyways. I’d understand this take if needed to make a bowl or what but we’ve already lost to two awful teams and we just need to play the young guys.

 

[Batman1948]

Harbaugh making like 8 million a year, crazy.

That's like stealing in broad daylight

 

[mr.checkerboards]

The season is lost anyways. I’d understand this take if needed to make a bowl or what but we’ve already lost to two awful teams and we just need to play the young guys.

So, will Phillip push for JG to start? Or would Phil rather see JG?

 

[LA Vol]

If everyone including CJP knows he’s a short timer, then we better hope for a coaching change ASAP. Between the transfer rule and a tanking recruiting class, we could be looking at permanent Vandy status. Surely the powers that be can see this.

No coaching change ASAP. Not this year.

 

[Batman1948]

I’m ki hoping we get another bye week instead of playing Florida
That’s going to be awful

We do have a plan B and that's a rash of positive Covid tests. That would work

 

[MrVolton]

No coaching change ASAP. Not this year.

Even if the recruiting class and transfer rule situation start nosediving?

 

[rjd970]

I’m honestly ready for the season to just be canceled. I can’t stand watching UT lose and Bama probably winning another title.

 

[MrVolton]

Of course he's going to prioritize winning. But what he's doing isn't winning. It isn't even losing with competitiveness or pride. I'm not saying CJP is going to play HB and nobody but HB going forward. I'm saying UT wants to try some new things and get the young guys more involved. UT wants to put a younger face on the program.

Now who will play, when or how much-- nobody knows. The staff will figure that out this week and put the game plan together. But HB has had some very good practices and he needs game reps to develop. JG has been limited. And Phillip hasn't been around-- but he will be. It will be interesting to see.

If Fulmer hasn’t been around practice, but will be going forward, that’s the best news I’ve heard in a while. Screams assessing the situation.