Recruiting Forum Football Talk IV

[LA Vol]

Thats kinda what I figured. I still believe you could see hefty money spent on a player that does fit the culture, wants to take on the challenge of bringing the Vols back, but still requires a large NIL deal. I think they'll be few and far between though.

It's an interesting strategy. It's going to be fascinating to see how it plays out. I don't think that strategy will win championships as Bama and GA will have talent stacked at every position. Jimmy's and Joe's are the most important part of the equation. I think UT fans need to temper expectations and be satisfied for competing for 2nd place in the east.

It would help if bigger-name in-state talent wanted to come to UT. Those would be players to build deals around. Unfortunately, a lot of Tennessee kids no longer want to stay in-state and are recruited to other schools by other Tennessee kids who play there. We've seen it in FB, WBB and SB, as teams like UK, Clemson, Oklahoma, Mizzou, SCAR and Ole Miss get stronger using Tennessee kids who negative-recruit UT. It's really bad at UK, where coaches make recruiting TN and slamming UT a focus. We have a similar problem with legacies no longer favoring UT-- also in multiple sports. There are problems to fix.

 

[Weezer]

Schools don't broker NIL deals for recruits. UT wants to recruit a certain type of player a certain way, and these players aren't always the flashy names that boosters might think warrant a big NIL deal. And UT has a touchy relationship with some boosters over, well, a lot of things that have happened over the past few years.

So our boosters don't want to work with our coaches? We are so dysfunctional. It's sad.

 

[UTSuave’]

Man

The Story of Scotty Hopson is a Story of Perseverance | Rocky Top Insider

 

[UTProf]

Banks.

I can't imagine that Banks is higher on the list than Mason. If Mason says no then we need to worry a little bit.

 

[volinbama256]

So now it's whoever has the most money to spend, will buy their team and buy their school a championship... and players can portal jump every year if they want to at this point... So unless something changes, we are probably looking to be a steady 7-5/ 8-4 team for the coming years... Will be very interesting to see how the landscape changes in the next 2-3 seasons... crazy.

 

[Volsdeep4]

It would help if bigger-name in-state talent wanted to come to UT. Those would be players to build deals around. Unfortunately, a lot of Tennessee kids no longer want to stay in-state and are recruited to other schools by other Tennessee kids who play there. We've seen it in FB, WBB and SB, as teams like UK, Clemson, Oklahoma, Mizzou, SCAR and Ole Miss get stronger using Tennessee kids who negative-recruit UT. It's really bad at UK, where coaches make recruiting TN and slamming UT a focus. We have a similar problem with legacies no longer favoring UT-- also in multiple sports. There are problems to fix.

are we throwing good NIL at the ‘23 QB from Cali? Nic Imaleva (sp) ? Seems like the type of player boosters would want to throw around and a program changer

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Thats kinda what I figured. I still believe you could see hefty money spent on a player that does fit the culture, wants to take on the challenge of bringing the Vols back, but still requires a large NIL deal. I think they'll be few and far between though.

It's an interesting strategy. It's going to be fascinating to see how it plays out. I don't think that strategy will win championships as Bama and GA will have talent stacked at every position. Jimmy's and Joe's are the most important part of the equation. I think UT fans need to temper expectations and be satisfied for competing for 2nd place in the east.

For a long time, which sucks. College sports are changing for the worse, if the Vols arent actually going to try for championships, I will eventually just walk away.

 

[LA Vol]

So what it would take for TN to get into the NIL game? Lets say, Year 3-5 Heupel goes 9, 10,9 wins. Would that be enough to get more money in?

I think it's going to take finding players who fit our profile and fulfill a need being perceived as worth the money they're expecting to get. Smaller deals for fewer stars don't move the needle a lot. And most recruits have an inflated view of what their talent is actually worth, fueled by those from other schools who'll spend indiscriminately to buy a chance at a championship.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

I think it's going to take finding players who fit our profile and fulfill a need being perceived as worth the money they're expecting to get. Smaller deals for fewer stars don't move the needle a lot. And most recruits have an inflated view of what their talent is actually worth, fueled by those from other schools who'll spend indiscriminately to buy a chance at a championship.

Thnx. That is depressing to hear. Goodbye Atlanta Goodbye championships. One or two stars aint gonna cut it

 

[InVOLuntary]

Whatever, u can compete for 2nd place in the East, Beta

K

 

[InVOLuntary]

It would help if bigger-name in-state talent wanted to come to UT. Those would be players to build deals around. Unfortunately, a lot of Tennessee kids no longer want to stay in-state and are recruited to other schools by other Tennessee kids who play there. We've seen it in FB, WBB and SB, as teams like UK, Clemson, Oklahoma, Mizzou, SCAR and Ole Miss get stronger using Tennessee kids who negative-recruit UT. It's really bad at UK, where coaches make recruiting TN and slamming UT a focus. We have a similar problem with legacies no longer favoring UT-- also in multiple sports. There are problems to fix.

There's very little state pride when it comes to UT. In addition to that these kids are treating it like a business decision. If they've got a chance to make $500K-$1M, money they've seldom dreamed about, they're taking that 9/10 times. Many of these kids are from poor families and parents will influence them to take the money. If UT isn't prepared or can't foster those NIL deals, we'll not be competitive to those that will. I think 8-9 wins is probably where we'll settle in.

 

[Jackcrevol]

K

kind of a cool compliment

 

[MrVolton]

It would help if bigger-name in-state talent wanted to come to UT. Those would be players to build deals around. Unfortunately, a lot of Tennessee kids no longer want to stay in-state and are recruited to other schools by other Tennessee kids who play there. We've seen it in FB, WBB and SB, as teams like UK, Clemson, Oklahoma, Mizzou, SCAR and Ole Miss get stronger using Tennessee kids who negative-recruit UT. It's really bad at UK, where coaches make recruiting TN and slamming UT a focus. We have a similar problem with legacies no longer favoring UT-- also in multiple sports. There are problems to fix.

Sound like a catch 22. $omething ha$ got to give.

 

[engineerVOL]

kind of a cool complimentView attachment 425726

Is that @Bassmaster_Vol ’s serial killing Betta?

 

[InVOLuntary]

For a long time, which sucks. College sports are changing for the worse, if the Vols arent actually going to try for championships, I will eventually just walk away.

I guess it will come down to whether huge NIL strategies pay off. I suspect it will. If those elite players only go to the programs willing to make them rich before they step on campus, those programs will dominate the ones that don't.

This also has coaching ramifications. The best coaches will want to go to the schools that are getting the best players.

I believe the teams that don't invest heavily in NIL deals will become farm teams for those that do. We're already seeing it this year. I fully expect that to continue.

 

[Volator]

Regarding the Banks discussion on doing more with less like CJH did on offense: Doug Mathews mentioned on his Sunday show that CJH brought most of his offensive staff with him so it was easier to install the offense while the defensive staff had not work together thus they had to learn each other and how to teach the scheme. Found that interesting and something I had not considered. He went over who is returning in 2022 and what areas should improve and what needs to be addressed. He speaks from a coach's perspective and thinks the younger talent will be better than what graduated in 2021 though I can't say I agree with all his observations (eg. Flowers and McCullough are solid safety's). Would recommend listening to his Sunday show as it focuses completely on the Vols. Hopefully this is the link to his podcast.
Coach Doug Mathews

 

[engineerVOL]

Sounds like we will never see a national championship in football ever again in this landscape. Maybe we’ll have a chance in @Ulysees E. McGill’s 124-team invitational college football playoff that starts in May.

 

[LA Vol]

A lot of boosters are contributing millions to facilities and academics. These funds are already pledged.

UT is rebuilding how it planned to rebuild with the kind of players it committed to bringing in. Academics, character and student leadership are important to UT, so the coaches are being selective and aren't going to be bringing in any more players that are highly rated but academically or ethically questionable like the ones that have been recently dismissed.

Pat Summitt did it, and Rick Barnes, Kellie Harper, Karen Weekly and Tony V. have been doing it for a while in the other marquee sports. Football is transitioning under CJH.

 

[Weezer]

There's very little state pride when it comes to UT. In addition to that these kids are treating it like a business decision. I'd they've got a chance to make $500K-$1M, money they've seldom dreamed about, they're taking that 9/10 times. Many of these kids are from poor families and parents will influence them to take the money. If UT isn't prepared or can't foster thise NIL deals, we'll not be competitive to those that will. I think 8-9 wins is probably where we'll settle in.

If UT is unwilling to work the NIL deals, we know we won't compete with programs like Bama, Georgia, Texas A&M, and even Florida in the long run. We're lucky that Florida has faced such disarray this year, but you know they'll spend the money. The question becomes, will we even match up with programs like Kentucky, South Carolina, and Mizzou, or will we just sit idly by as they outspend us?

 

[InVOLuntary]

If UT is unwilling to work the NIL deals, we know we won't compete with programs like Bama, Georgia, Texas A&M, and even Florida in the long run. We're lucky that Florida has faced such disarray this year, but you know they'll spend the money. The question becomes, will we even match up with programs like Kentucky, South Carolina, and Mizzou, or will we just sit idly by as they outspend us?

Good question. I get the feeling that UT is fine letting the big boys fight it out at the top. They are solely focused on culture, not necessarily a winning culture, but a clean program that doesn't stress winning championships.

Like I said earlier, winning championships doesn't necessarily mean a giant increase in revenue. I don't think they have that win at all cost mentality.

 

[Jackcrevol]

A lot of boosters are contributing millions to facilities and academics. These funds are already pledged.

UT is rebuilding how it planned to rebuild with the kind of players it committed to bringing in. Academics, character and student leadership are important to UT, so the coaches are being selective and aren't going to be bringing in any more players that are highly rated but academically or ethically questionable like the ones that have been recently dismissed.

Pat Summitt did it, and Rick Barnes, Kellie Harper, Karen Weekly and Tony V. have been doing it for a while in the other marquee sports. Football is transitioning under CJH.

the cat is out of the bag, there are some pre madonnas out there

 

[Z06VolinWV]

A lot of boosters are contributing millions to facilities and academics. These funds are already pledged.

UT is rebuilding how it planned to rebuild with the kind of players it committed to bringing in. Academics, character and student leadership are important to UT, so the coaches are being selective and aren't going to be bringing in any more players that are highly rated but academically or ethically questionable like the ones that have been recently dismissed.

Pat Summitt did it, and Rick Barnes, Kellie Harper, Karen Weekly and Tony V. have been doing it for a while in the other marquee sports. Football is transitioning under CJH.

Sorry LA, as much as I wished this would work, from the bottom of my heart, it won’t! That’s not the way of the world anymore! It’s a what are you going to do for me society, and the best athletes will go to the schools that pay the most, the rest will be fighting for the scraps! Glad most of us remember the 90s bc Tennessee football will never see that glory again with this approach. Like mentioned above, the occasional 8-10 win season will be the ceiling.

 

[Ron Swanson]

 

[tnvols72]

Banks.

I would trade Banks for D Mason in a heartbeat

 

[Paper_Towel]

Good question. I get the feeling that UT is fine letting the big boys fight it out at the top. They are solely focused on culture, not necessarily a winning culture, but a clean program that doesn't stress winning championships.

Like I said earlier, winning championships doesn't necessarily mean a giant increase in revenue. I don't think they have that win at all cost mentality.

RIP UT Football?