'19 SC WR/DB Kenney Solomon (Tennessee signee)

[Jackcrevol]

FYFYP

will you morans quit fmp's? you can't mess with greatness....blue



fawnt.

 

[McGeesPub]

While I understand some folks criticism. You are going off the data/stars you see. But remember that South Carolina is an Under recruited state. There's a lot of talent that's not discovered or recruited. Darius Leonard, DJ Swearinger and Josh Norman are perfect example of that. While I'm not saying he will be that good you have to keep in mind the talent in SC goes under evaluated year after year. Take jump the worst thing that happens is he doesn't workout and transfers. Its 1 player out of an 85 man roster

I get it, but I take the opposite approach. If you don’t get someone high priority, and you think you are going to do a better job with a deeper 2020 class, save the scholarship. There’s a good chance that the 27th player in the 2020 class will be better than the 24th player in the 2019 class.

And I’m talking based on evals, not chronologically.

 

[sjt18]

Do you remember the statement that Pruitt made on NSD last year? He said that we would have a top class in the country in 2019. When we start hearing that it's not looking good with our top recruits and all the sudden a 2 star whose best offer is UCF gets offered 6 days before NSD, this isn't the top class that Pruitt was referring to.

Are you more concerned about recruiting rankings or wins? Not being a smart aleck here but I've seen a couple of guys run through UT over the last 9 years who were more concerned about the impression they made on NSD than the quality of players they were getting.

I want Pruitt to be the kind of coach who is driven to get the best players... and to "win" on NSD. But more than that... I want him to find and develop players that win games. If he can do that with 5* recruits or with walk-ons... the standard doesn't really change nor the measure of it.

 

[Boston_Vol]

I get it, but I take the opposite approach. If you don’t get someone high priority, and you think you are going to do a better job with a deeper 2020 class, save the scholarship. There’s a good chance that the 27th player in the 2020 class will be better than the 24th player in the 2019 class.

And I’m talking based on evals, not chronologically.

True but then you are operating on data that doesn't even exist yet to support that decision. So much can happen in a 12 month period. He has the measurables and it looks to me that CJP is taking the strategy of finding elite measurable (since he's not in position to recruite all the Blue Chipper) speed, height, etc with the confidence that he can raise their football IQ through his elite coaching staff. Thats exactly what he did with the development of walk on Rashad Johnson at Bama. Your process or thinking may not be wrong. It just doesn't fit his strategy

 

[McGeesPub]

True but then you are operating on data that doesn't even exist yet to support that decision. So much can happen in a 12 month period. He has the measurables and it looks to me that CJP is taking the strategy of finding elite measurable (since he's not in position to recruite all the Blue Chipper) speed, height, etc with the confidence that he can raise their football IQ through his elite coaching staff. Thats exactly what he did with the development of walk on Rashad Johnson at Bama. Your process or thinking may not be wrong. It just doesn't fit his strategy

No, but there are many times in life where you have to make decisions based on incomplete data. The coaching staff probably (hopefully) does have some data set already for 2020. I’m not sure your idea fits his strategy either. May not truly know until we see whether this guy is or is not part of the class.

 

[Boston_Vol]

No, but there are many times in life where you have to make decisions based on incomplete data. The coaching staff probably (hopefully) does have some data set already for 2020. I’m not sure your idea fits his strategy either. May not truly know until we see whether this guy is or is not part of the class.

That data you are talking about isn't incomplete it does exists. Purely speculative. At this point all of 2020 is evaluated that won't be complete until late summer. Maybe the top 100 have true ratings today

 

[lilesrt]

"a top class"

kinda depends on how you want to define that. and pruitt meant it. and he certainly approached it that way.

and there will be some that will get bent about the rank # by our name come NSD and use that as some stick to beat a dead horse with. Pruitt has already said it has to be better going forward. said it on ESD. he knows how the lay of the land works...he's been at UGA and Bama. he knows we're not there yet talent wise, and knows where it has to get to if that's what kind of program we're going to be.

but i would just say this, way back when this cycle first started, Crouch was #1 prospect, Wright was #2 and Morris was like #15....all 5*'s. Keyton, Mcollough, Harris etc...were all top 100-150 guys. and as we've seen prospect rankings shuffle, perception shifts and those that want to throw shade now, will do so as a result.

there's nothing wrong wiht this class. no matter how it closes.

it can ONLY get better if we close who we want to close with. it will not get worse if we don't. and at the end of the day, it's going to be an ELITE OL class we get, which is still our biggest need mind you....and it's a VERY good defensive back class, also a big time need.

people getting hung up now on the last 1 or 2 guys. cool. won't matter one bit, this class has guys that are going to be good players for us.....and will be part of winning again here.

We’ll know how good this class really is in 2-3 years.

 

[sjt18]

Here's a truth that if you guys would agree to... could settle this argument.

UT is in a hole. We've been here a long time. Better players, development, and coaching will be needed to move up. You can look at "better players" two ways. One, somehow convincing the exact same players that Bama and Clemson want to come to UT instead... right now. Two, compare to Jones' mess and get incrementally better until higher level recruits believe- focus on beating the weaker programs for players and games then moving on to Bama and UGA.

There are risks both ways.

But the key is this... the guy who turns it around at UT is going to catch some breaks. It will take more than just his talent. He'll need to find some 2* recruits who become 5* performers along the way. He'll need to catch some breaks on game day... in injuries... in S&C... in player development.

UK has more recruiting credibility right now than at any time in my lifetime. They caught some breaks with some underrated players that helped them win more games. UT's ceiling is much, much higher... but we need some breaks too.

 

[AngryButchJones]

Do you remember the statement that Pruitt made on NSD last year? He said that we would have a top class in the country in 2019. When we start hearing that it's not looking good with our top recruits and all the sudden a 2 star whose best offer is UCF gets offered 6 days before NSD, this isn't the top class that Pruitt was referring to.

I don't have time to dismantle your whole argument right now, but I'll point out the one big error here: Kid wasn't offered six days before NSD. He was offered back in early January. Best offer at the time was UCF. He now has offers from Louisville and a handful of other lower-tier Power Five schools.

 

[jakez4ut]

We’ll know how good this class really is in 2-3 years.

No disagreement.

 

[lilesrt]

Here's a truth that if you guys would agree to... could settle this argument.

UT is in a hole. We've been here a long time. Better players, development, and coaching will be needed to move up. You can look at "better players" two ways. One, somehow convincing the exact same players that Bama and Clemson want to come to UT instead... right now. Two, compare to Jones' mess and get incrementally better until higher level recruits believe- focus on beating the weaker programs for players and games then moving on to Bama and UGA.

There are risks both ways.

But the key is this... the guy who turns it around at UT is going to catch some breaks. It will take more than just his talent. He'll need to find some 2* recruits who become 5* performers along the way. He'll need to catch some breaks on game day... in injuries... in S&C... in player development.

UK has more recruiting credibility right now than at any time in my lifetime. They caught some breaks with some underrated players that helped them win more games. UT's ceiling is much, much higher... but we need some breaks too.

Nice post.

I look at the first 3 signing classes under Pruitt as foundation classes. If he continues to build and improve each season, so should his recruiting ability/results. If we’re sitting at 6-6 in year 3, I think we’ll start to see a decline.

I am holding out hope that the players Jeremy Pruitt signs are alot like Rick Barnes and the players he signs. Hard working under-developed prospects that contribute and grow within the program for 4 years. Building blocks.. that is how I see this class.

 

[ScottishVol]

Nice post.

I look at the first 3 signing classes under Pruitt as foundation classes. If he continues to build and improve each season, so should his recruiting ability/results. If we’re sitting at 6-6 in year 3, I think we’ll start to see a decline.

I am holding out hope that the players Jeremy Pruitt signs are alot like Rick Barnes and the players he signs. Hard working under-developed prospects that contribute and grow within the program for 4 years. Building blocks.. that is how I see this class.

Block by Block?


I'll see myself out...

 

[jakez4ut]

Here's a truth that if you guys would agree to... could settle this argument.

UT is in a hole. We've been here a long time. Better players, development, and coaching will be needed to move up. You can look at "better players" two ways. One, somehow convincing the exact same players that Bama and Clemson want to come to UT instead... right now. Two, compare to Jones' mess and get incrementally better until higher level recruits believe- focus on beating the weaker programs for players and games then moving on to Bama and UGA.

There are risks both ways.

But the key is this... the guy who turns it around at UT is going to catch some breaks. It will take more than just his talent. He'll need to find some 2* recruits who become 5* performers along the way. He'll need to catch some breaks on game day... in injuries... in S&C... in player development.

UK has more recruiting credibility right now than at any time in my lifetime. They caught some breaks with some underrated players that helped them win more games. UT's ceiling is much, much higher... but we need some breaks too.

1st break...we do have a lot of returning production this season....need it to really improve over htis off season, especially OL. and hope the DL and front 7, in general, can "not suck".

2nd break...the schedule lightens up a lot.

we have an opportunity to kinda break out of our funk this coming season. get 8 wins, and a decent bowl. beat the teams that histroically we have generally beaten. in other words, be in that next tier down from the UGA, Bama, UF, LSU....where you can look at that 4 or 5* and say "we're there. just need guys like you to get over the hump and really compete at THAT level".

that opportunity is there this season. and if we take advantage of it, i think the 20 class could be the keystone class to pruitt's tenure here. this class will lay the foundation cause it addresses two major needs at OL and DB. and you're adding some really nice pieces elsewhere as well. and many will be expected to contribute as freshmen. so you'll see the fruition of the early PT promise come true, and you'll hopefully see the fruition of the "development promises" on the guys that come back.

combine that with some w's, and who knows.

 

[lilesrt]

Block by Block?


I'll see myself out...

Blocks. Not Bricks.

 

[lilesrt]

While I understand some folks criticism. You are going off the data/stars you see. But remember that South Carolina is an Under recruited state. There's a lot of talent that's not discovered or recruited. Darius Leonard, DJ Swearinger and Josh Norman are perfect example of that. While I'm not saying he will be that good you have to keep in mind the talent in SC goes under evaluated year after year. Take jump the worst thing that happens is he doesn't workout and transfers. Its 1 player out of an 85 man roster

DJ Swearinger should have signed with us.

 

[sjt18]

Nice post.

I look at the first 3 signing classes under Pruitt as foundation classes. If he continues to build and improve each season, so should his recruiting ability/results. If we’re sitting at 6-6 in year 3, I think we’ll start to see a decline.

I am holding out hope that the players Jeremy Pruitt signs are alot like Rick Barnes and the players he signs. Hard working under-developed prospects that contribute and grow within the program for 4 years. Building blocks.. that is how I see this class.

Barnes is a near perfect example of what I'm trying to say.

He's a fine coach. But his coaching talent alone didn't get him to where he's at. Without a couple of major recruiting breaks... he could just as easily be on a hot seat right now. But he got those breaks. He held the pieces together. He found players that fit a brand of basketball that he could coach and win with. He hasn't had crushing injuries.... and SEC competition consider UF and UK lately is a peg below what it was.

Pruitt needs things to fall into place for him similarly... and needs to have the talent to take advantage of the opportunity.

 

[jakez4ut]

Barnes is a near perfect example of what I'm trying to say.

He's a fine coach. But his coaching talent alone didn't get him to where he's at. Without a couple of major recruiting breaks... he could just as easily be on a hot seat right now. But he got those breaks. He held the pieces together. He found players that fit a brand of basketball that he could coach and win with. He hasn't had crushing injuries.... and SEC competition consider UF and UK lately is a peg below what it was.

Pruitt needs things to fall into place for him similarly... and needs to have the talent to take advantage of the opportunity.

only real difference is that Barnes hasn't recorded any major recruiting wins (that are currently productive members of this team)...

this team is a developmental team. and it took 3-4 years to get there. it will probaby be the same for pruitt, and even then, it may not be as productive as what we're seeing in bball. part of that goes to the competitive landscape of the conf, like you said....UK and Fl are down, Auburn, LSU, MSU are up...not the case in football...though i'm all for any/all of UGA, UF or Bama falling off a cliff.

that would be a great break lol.

long story short, i think it's just going to take some time, and that will require some level of patience from us. this isn't happening over night. we're going to have to be aware of the steps involved in improving this program and acknowlege them for what they are......not what they aren't (division title, conf title, playoffs etc..we're a ways off from that level of acheivement).

 

[SSVol]

Do you remember the statement that Pruitt made on NSD last year? He said that we would have a top class in the country in 2019. When we start hearing that it's not looking good with our top recruits and all the sudden a 2 star whose best offer is UCF gets offered 6 days before NSD, this isn't the top class that Pruitt was referring to.

You know what else Pruitt said? He said that he didn't need recruiting services to tell him what a good football player looked like. I don't know if that is true, but I don't think we have enough evidence to disprove it.

 

[NashVolDavis]

Do you remember the statement that Pruitt made on NSD last year? He said that we would have a top class in the country in 2019. When we start hearing that it's not looking good with our top recruits and all the sudden a 2 star whose best offer is UCF gets offered 6 days before NSD, this isn't the top class that Pruitt was referring to.

Pruitt said that before we went 5-7. He was telling people towards the end of the season that we needed 6-6 or better to “maintain credibility on the trail.” I think that’s what we’re seeing. Go out and win 7-8 next season and we’ll be much higher with the 2020 class, especially considering all the in-state studs we have early momentum with.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Talked with Kenny Solomon...

The South Carolina native has a full scholarship with Tennessee. He has NOT hosted a coach in home though and his trip here on Jan. 18 was an unofficial visit. He remains a blueshirt candidate. Like Jerrod Means, he's a guy Tennessee's recruiting office (Hughes, Stiff) discovered. Pruitt loves his speed and ability as a punt returner. Kid told me he's clocked a 4.35 before. Solomon will announce a decision on Wednesday morning. He will pick between UT, Rutgers, Louisville and Colorado, where he told me he has canceled his OV this weekend.

That's the latest there.

-Simonton

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

Vol if we want him

 

[Volfan76]

Pruitt said that before we went 5-7. He was telling people towards the end of the season that we needed 6-6 or better to “maintain credibility on the trail.” I think that’s what we’re seeing. Go out and win 7-8 next season and we’ll be much higher with the 2020 class, especially considering all the in-state studs we have early momentum with.

Ah yes...the familiar mantra of a Vol fan....next year!

 

[Volfan76]

Are you more concerned about recruiting rankings or wins? Not being a smart aleck here but I've seen a couple of guys run through UT over the last 9 years who were more concerned about the impression they made on NSD than the quality of players they were getting.

I want Pruitt to be the kind of coach who is driven to get the best players... and to "win" on NSD. But more than that... I want him to find and develop players that win games. If he can do that with 5* recruits or with walk-ons... the standard doesn't really change nor the measure of it.

I'm not saying he should be drug out of town and tossed out of a moving car. He should get his chance to prove what he can do, but that opportunity is not infinite. I see some red flags that i'm very concerned about and if it becomes obvious that Pruitt isn't ready for this level yet, I think he a Fulmer should be replaced.

 

[NashVolDavis]

I'm not saying he should be drug out of town and tossed out of a moving car. He should get his chance to prove what he can do, but that opportunity is not infinite. I see some red flags that i'm very concerned about and if it becomes obvious that Pruitt isn't ready for this level yet, I think he a Fulmer should be replaced.

If Pruitt doesn’t work out, he and Fulmer will definitely be gone. Fulmer’s chips are all in on CJP. I think he’s gonna he successful here, though. Just gonna take 3-4 years to establish quality depth and solidify the culture to even have a chance at Bama/Clemson level. Once we’ve got the roster situated we’ll be able to see how the staff really stacks up as coaches.

 

[sjt18]

I'm not saying he should be drug out of town and tossed out of a moving car. He should get his chance to prove what he can do, but that opportunity is not infinite. I see some red flags that i'm very concerned about and if it becomes obvious that Pruitt isn't ready for this level yet, I think he a Fulmer should be replaced.

I believe the standard remains the standard regardless of who it is.

I don't see a reason to fire Fulmer if he acts decisively with Pruitt. But that would be a significant change of behavior for Fulmer. A distorted sense of loyalty as much as anything else got him fired to start with. If he had held some coaches responsible and let them go when he started falling behind... he'd probably be the HC now.