Star Watching (merged)

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Offer lists are important. No question about it. The next class is always the most important class.

I do think that Dooley is trying to stabilize the attrition. There is merit to that. The way we are beefing up right now this class will be impossible to rate for a few years. Overall, bigger names with bigger offer lists will be necessary in order for Dooley to maintain his employment status with UT.

I would say that by 2012, if we aren't in the race for a Top 5 class, I would be REALLY worried.

 

[Sabanocchio]

Just what we needed: Another thread so we can argue about stars! Thanks Sab! :crazy:

Most of VN recruiting threads have now become pointless arguments about stars. What a waste! :no: I can't wait until we have real football games to discuss.

:hi:

Lucky for you there is an "ignore thread" feature.

 

[Dudleys87]

By 2012, I think that is a strong possibility. Thank goodness we will never know though, because I'm really happy it didn't come to that.

During what some believe would be our championship run.

On another note I would love to know what Kiffin promised Brown to pick UT.

 

[Dudleys87]

How do they even judge a star rating?

Sab, Eric? Any takers?

I know its probably a dumb question I just always wanted to know how you say well hes a 5 but thats kids a 3.

 

[orangespirit]

Brilliant addition to the conversation.

It was the topic heading. Point is that I trust the coaching staff to evaluate and bring in players over disappointed fans on a message board. We haven't seen his product on the field this year or how this 2011 recruiting class ends up. Ut needs to fill up the trenches to run and stop the run. That is what has killed ut football the most lately. I remember south Carolina running over 200 yards on ut. That shouldn't cut it. I wouldn't care if ut's class is bottom top 25 this year as long as they get players in to stop the run and open up holes for a running back. Ut had walk ons on the offensive line last year, but everyone seems more worried about star gazing. It's crazy.
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[Montrell Hardy]

You are either coveted by big-time programs or you are not.

Exactly. It really has nothing to do with "stars". Either big-time schools want you and offer you or they don't.

 

[LWSVOL]

I disagree. I feel that this staff is perfectly capable of recruiting top-tier talent to Tennessee. They showed it in their short time with the last class and continue to show it if only in numbers this season. I think part of the problem is in the plan that is being executed. I do not think we are swinging for the fences such as we did last year. We are settling way too much because of the situation we are in and the sheer numbers we need to have at certain positions.

you believe this staffs recruiting resumes are equal to the last two staffs? I would rank them, just based on resumes,

1. CLK
2. CPF
3. CDD..


that is what I was trying to say in initial post. Not how well or bad this staff may do..

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

It's not an argument. It's an observation.

Early returns are a good indicator of where you will end up and I'm not even talking about stars here. I'm talking about the caliber of athletes we have committing up to this point. There is no argument there. You are either coveted by big-time programs or you are not.

Where was Tyler Bray at this time last year?? What about Michael Taylor??

I think the ending is MUCH more important than the beginning. Remember, we were sitting here last year having the same conversation saying that the guys committing to us were the diamonds in the rough. Now, we are sitting here arguing/observing the same concept we were all OK with last year at this point, but yet people are discounting this staff's ability in July/August, no referring to you BTW. I just find it comical that stars can be argued in July/August right now. You never know what will happen closer to NSD, and in-home visits taking place. We all saw what Dooley could do in-home last year.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

How do they even judge a star rating?

Sab, Eric? Any takers?

I know its probably a dumb question I just always wanted to know how you say well hes a 5 but thats kids a 3.

Stats, film, in-person evaluations, offer lists, and other things.

 

[LWSVOL]

Sab, hate to be the one to say this but couldnt we agree that UT would be under investigation with Kiffin and his antics?

they currently are so yes, I would agree.

 

[Dudleys87]

Eric, you had to mention MT didnt you... :cray:

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Eric, you had to mention MT didnt you... :cray:

Sorry bro.

 

[kptvol]

Just curious. How many commitments can we take this year versus last year (28 last year, right?), and how many commitments did we have last year at this time versus this year. I'd like to see some percentage comparisons. I do remember a few freaking out last year about things.

 

[thunder5]

Also, I think the star argument is a weak one in July/August. Let's have this same argument in January/February, and see if we see the same as we do now.

I agree with this...it's just too early to tell at this point...

I feel like several of these prospects are in the same position Jequori Schoefield was at this point of his recruitment...If I remember correctly he was either a 0 star or a 2 star per Rivals...then a strong senior season and a good showing at an all star game and he was a 4 star...

Bottom line is I believe we're setting the foundation for this class with these early commitments...some are truly high level prospects (IMO...Posey, Crowder, Smith, Worley...maybe Randolph and Coleman) the rest have the ability to be solid contributors for us...

IF we get to January and February and it turns out these players are the headliners of the class then I will feel exactly how Sab feels right now...but for now I'm reserving my judgement until I have something alot more substantiative than late summer star ratings to base that opinion on

 

[Montrell Hardy]

Where was Tyler Bray at this time last year?? What about Michael Taylor??

I think the ending is MUCH more important than the beginning. Remember, we were sitting here last year having the same conversation saying that the guys committing to us were the diamonds in the rough. Now, we are sitting here arguing/observing the same concept we were all OK with last year at this point, but yet people are discounting this staff's ability in July/August, no referring to you BTW. I just find it comical that stars can be argued in July/August right now. You never know what will happen closer to NSD, and in-home visits taking place. We all saw what Dooley could do in-home last year.

Last year's recruiting class at this point was far and away better than what this year's is. It's not even comparable. There are no guys in this class that had the offers Copeland, Ambles and some others had.

Also we aren't talking about just some individual guys like a Bray and Taylor (although he had elite offers at this point last year) last year, but an entire recruiting class seemingly made up of guys who aren't wanted by the elite programs.

 

[xXRockyTopXx]

Well, wasn't it said earlier that Dooley doesn't want a commitment from a kid unless that kid is 100% sure that he wants to attend UT? I'd say that if Dooley was more of a Riverboat Gambler instead of a slowhand we might have more stars on the board.

I have to think that Dooley is getting a solid base and then we'll focus on the high talent guys that are, lets face it, pure luxury items for us at this point.

I believe this to be true as well. I'm sure they are trying to pull in some "top" talent, but are more concerned with establishing a good foundation of solid players that will get it done both on the field and in the classroom at this point.

Don't forget that it's only August and is still very early in the process. I know other schools have pulled in some top talent already, but folks are failing to realize/understand some pretty important factors. We have new coaches, new schemes, and a new way of doing business. Kids like a proven system with stability and we can't offer that right now. Give this staff some time and let them get the players they feel we need.

Patience people....patience.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Just curious. How many commitments can we take versus this year and last year, and how many commitments did we have last year at this time versus this year. I'd like to see some percentage comparisons. I do remember a few freaking out last year about things.

We had more no-star guys last year, IIRC, that probably wouldn't have ended up qualifying in the first place. So, right now, we are poised to have 1 for sure, maybe 2, out of the first 8-9 commitments last year on campus.

 

[Sabanocchio]

During what some believe would be our championship run.

On another note I would love to know what Kiffin promised Brown to pick UT.

He promised quite a lot actually. A starting spot, a heisman campaign and a lot of schools were offering money to Brown to try and sway him. All I will say additionally is that the NCAA has already investigated it and we came away clean.

 

[Dudleys87]

We have more commitments than last year... Just saying.

 

[Sabanocchio]

Just curious. How many commitments can we take this year versus last year (28 last year, right?), and how many commitments did we have last year at this time versus this year. I'd like to see some percentage comparisons. I do remember a few freaking out last year about things.

Depends on who qualifies and who doesn't and how many early enrollees we can backcount.

 

[Dudleys87]

He promised quite a lot actually. A starting spot, a heisman campaign and a lot of schools were offering money to Brown to try and sway him. All I will say additionally is that the NCAA has already investigated it and we came away clean.

Thanks Sab, I didnt hear that. :hi:

 

[Montrell Hardy]

IF we get to January and February and it turns out these players are the headliners of the class then I will feel exactly how Sab feels right now...

I'm holding you to this! Hopefully it doesn't turn out this way, but I'm very skeptical. Tennessee just isn't positioned well with more than a handful of big-time prospects. And I'm talking better than 4th/5th on a prospects list.

 

[Sabanocchio]

Where was Tyler Bray at this time last year?? What about Michael Taylor??

I think the ending is MUCH more important than the beginning. Remember, we were sitting here last year having the same conversation saying that the guys committing to us were the diamonds in the rough. Now, we are sitting here arguing/observing the same concept we were all OK with last year at this point, but yet people are discounting this staff's ability in July/August, no referring to you BTW. I just find it comical that stars can be argued in July/August right now. You never know what will happen closer to NSD, and in-home visits taking place. We all saw what Dooley could do in-home last year.

It's pointless to argue with you, Eric. You never seem to see reason even if it slaps you across the face and calls you "Daddy."

I find your constant defense of anything this staff does and, at the time, the last did "comical."

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Last year's recruiting class at this point was far and away better than what this year's is. It's not even comparable. There are no guys in this class that had the offers Copeland, Ambles and some others had.

Also we aren't talking about just some individual guys like a Bray and Taylor (although he had elite offers at this point last year) last year, but an entire recruiting class seemingly made up of guys who aren't wanted by the elite programs.

So, your arguing about WHO we had committed at this time last year, instead of who we signed. Again, it's about February, not July/August. We also know how those last year panned out, but at this point last year, there we people freaking out a bit of some of the guys we were talking commits from as well. I see more needs this year in our class, from guys who are more likely to make it, than last year.

 

[Montrell Hardy]

We have more commitments than last year... Just saying.

That could be taken many different ways. Such as the staff settling for a prospect too early, or all the big-time prospects not even considering us or telling us they aren't interested so the staff has already moved on to B and C-listers, etc...