A few random football recruiting statistics/facts:
-The last 3 UT recruiting classes (2014-2016, Butch Jones' first 3 full recruiting classes) have signed a combined total of 46 prospects rated as 5* prospects and/or 4* prospects. That total is the highest number UT has signed in a 3-year period in school history (Rivals.com began rating football prospects in 2002). The breakdown is: 11 total (1-5* & 10-4*) signed in 2016 class, 17 total (4-5* & 13-4*) signed in 2015 class, & 18 total (2-5* & 16-4*) signed in 2014 class.
-Using those same statistics comparatively, Tennessee has signed the 4th most combined 4* prospects & 5* prospects in the nation during the last 3 signing classes (2014-2016). A more detailed breakdown looks like:
Total 5* & 4* prospects signed from 2014-2016 (by school):
1) Alabama: 53
2) Florida State: 50
3) Ohio State: 47
4) Tennessee: 46
T5) Southern California: 45
T5) Auburn: 45
7) Louisiana State: 43
8) Georgia: 39
9) Notre Dame: 37
10) Texas A&M: 35
11) California Los Angeles: 34
12) Clemson: 33
T13) Texas: 32
T13) Oklahoma: 32
15) Florida: 30
-Interesting note: The only 3 college football programs ahead of Tennessee on that list (Bama, FSU, OSU), have all won a National Championship during that time-period (2014-2016).
-During the previously mentioned time-frame (2014-2016), UT has signed the #5 class in 2014, the #5 class in 2015, & the #15 class in 2016 according to Rivals.com rankings. That averages out to UT signing a class ranked 8.3 during that 3 year period. That 3-year average would rank Tennessee tied for 8th in the nation in that category. The full list is:
Average Class Rank From 2014-2016 Recruiting Classes:
1) Alabama: 1.3
2) Florida State: 3.0
3) Ohio State: 5.0
4) Louisiana State: 5.3
5) Southern California: 6.3
6) Clemson: 7.3
7) Georgia: 7.7
T8) Tennessee: 8.3
T8) Auburn: 8.3
10) Texas A&M: 10.7
11) Notre Dame: 11.3
12) California Los Angeles: 14.0
T13) Texas: 15.0
T13) Florida: 15.0
15) Ole Miss: 15.7
16) Oklahoma: 16.0
17) Stanford: 16.7
18) Miami: 20.0
19) South Carolina: 20.3
20) Penn State: 20.7
21) Michigan State: 21.3
22) Oregon: 23.7
T23) North Carolina: 25.0
T23) Arizona State: 25.0
25) Kentucky: 27.3
26) Michigan: 28.3
27) Arkansas: 28.7
28) Nebraska: 29.3
29) Mississippi State: 29.7
30) Baylor: 31.7
Butch has been amazing to Tennessee's football program in terms of program image, brand promotion & recognition, social media use, recruiting, etc. He has been a total revitalization to the football program & has helped the team in showing slight improvement on the field.
BUT, Tennessee has to/needs to (yes, I said it) win NOW. Butch certainly isn't considered to be on the "hot seat", but anything short of not solely winning the SEC East & making the SEC Championship game appearance is a complete disappointment. IMO.
Elite coaches win. It is time for Tennessee to win. No more excuses. No more room for that. Butch Jones is entering Year-4 at Tennessee. Excuses are in the past. If a HC is still making/using excuses in Year-4, then it is 100% the coaches' fault & responsibility. I'm not necessarily saying Jones does this or will do it, but Butch cannot blame Fulmer, Kiffin, Dooley, injuries, roster depletion, assistant coaches, YOUNGEST ROSTER IN NATION, or anything else anymore. It is Year-4 & he has had ample time to mold the roster & coaching staff into what he wants/ thinks he needs to be successful.
I'm glad Butch Jones is Tennessee's HC & will always be appreciative of the job he has done in 3 years no matter what the outcome is, but if Jones can't lead Tennessee to start winning big immediately then I don't know if I'm completely confident he is the HC to lead Tennessee back to championship level football. JMO. The statistics don't lie. The talent is there. In fact, Tennessee has assembled a roster that is easily one of the Top-5 most talented teams in the nation. Well, arguably anyway. 4th-most total 5* & 4* players signed in the last 3 years are on UT's roster. The only 3 teams that have signed more have won a National Championship the last 3 seasons. The coaching staff has improved (Shoop, Scott). I'm not saying that Butch Jones isn't a good coach or that he needs to win a NC next year or he will be fired. Nothing like that. But I don't think replicating last season's win total or even finishing 9-3 can be viewed as a success at all. I think Tennessee has to AT LEAST earn it's way to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. With the talent UT has collected, anything else would be a disappointment, IMO.
Disclaimer: I fully believe Tennessee will improve on last season's win totals, beat Florida, make it to the SEC Championship, & ultimately have a successful season. I hope I am correct.
GBO. Vols, B****.
Later Rednecks!
