This is the most talented team we've had since 2016...

[LittleVol]

Something this staff has been strangely averse to.

Thornton (Oregon)
Bru (USC)
McCoy (Oregon St)
Pili (BYU)
Heard (LSU)
Campbell (Miami)
Staes (Norte Dame)

And many many MORE.

Why do you keep spouting such nonsense when all anyone has to do is look at the roster???

What is wrong with you?
Just look at the roster!

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Going back and looking at the 2016 roster makes me a little sick. Butch wasted a lot of talent. I do think this team has more front line talent and depth almost everywhere.

This team should go 11-1 regular season. 10-2 is acceptable, but 9-3 is a disappointment.
Tennessee should not lose in Neyland for the next 5+years.

lol. Every single year the same crap. Don’t ever change

 

[Matt2496]

Going back and looking at the 2016 roster makes me a little sick. Butch wasted a lot of talent. I do think this team has more front line talent and depth almost everywhere.

This team should go 11-1 regular season. 10-2 is acceptable, but 9-3 is a disappointment.
Tennessee should not lose in Neyland for the next 5+years.

9-3 is not a disappointment LMAO.

 

[LittleVol]

I was just looking at the roster the other day and was amazed at how much talent Huepel has been able to recruit the last 2 years. This team is stacked with talent at just about every position. Especially along the defensive line. Now most of the talent is young. Which means that 2025 might be the more likely breakthrough season but man am I excited for this season.

I think we could be the best team in the country if all the young guys can live up to their potential.

I think we’re a top 10 team even if that means we’re 5th most talented in the SEC

A few things that help teams win championship we do have
1) Veterans on the Offense and Defensive lines.
2) Pass Rushing ability. James Pearce leading the way, but Joseph’s , Herring. West at SDE, along with the interior lineman and even our LBs can blitz well especially Telander and Spillman.
3) Elite QB play- this is still uncertain but given Heupels track record, it’s almost certain he will get Nico ready to shine, by letting the football go.
4) We have the RBs to control the clock- Sampson in year 3 is ready to explode, but the 4 behind him all will get their chances to prove their worth.

So we have all the elements get us to the Playoffs and make the dream happen.

But so do other teams.

The Oklahoma game will tell us much, with their 5 star Arnold at QB coming to try and win at home for their opening SEC game. OU and Tennessee are similar. Except Tennessee is a faster overall team.


Tennessee needs to build over the season and not peak in order to upset some more stacked teams that will also make the playoffs. Our schedule kind of sets us up for that exact opportunity.

Well see. But yes, this is the most talented team we’ve had in some time.

 

[Nationdom]

9-3 is not a disappointment LMAO.

The only way it’s not is if Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are 3 of those 9 wins.

 

[Nationdom]

I think we’re a top 10 team even if that means we’re 5th most talented in the SEC

A few things that help teams win championship we do have
1) Veterans on the Offense and Defensive lines.
2) Pass Rushing ability. James Pearce leading the way, but Joseph’s , Herring. West at SDE, along with the interior lineman and even our LBs can blitz well especially Telander and Spillman.
3) Elite QB play- this is still uncertain but given Heupels track record, it’s almost certain he will get Nico ready to shine, by letting the football go.
4) We have the RBs to control the clock- Sampson in year 3 is ready to explode, but the 4 behind him all will get their chances to prove their worth.

So we have all the elements get us to the Playoffs and make the dream happen.

But so do other teams.

The Oklahoma game will tell us much, with their 5 star Arnold at QB coming to try and win at home for their opening SEC game. OU and Tennessee are similar. Except Tennessee is a faster overall team.


Tennessee needs to build over the season and not peak in order to upset some more stacked teams that will also make the playoffs. Our schedule kind of sets us up for that exact opportunity.

Well see. But yes, this is the most talented team we’ve had in some time.

Our D line should dominate the OU game. O line is a weakness for them and we have the best D line in the country.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

The only way it’s not is if Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are 3 of those 9 wins.

Then that means we lose to Oklahoma, NC State and Kentucky or Arkansas. I would be highly disappointed if we once again $hit the bed against lesser teams after beating the big 3 or some combination of them.

 

[Nationdom]

Then that means we lose to Oklahoma, NC State and Kentucky or Arkansas. I would be highly disappointed if we once again $hit the bed against lesser teams after beating the big 3 or some combination of them.

It would be disappointing losing to 3 of those 4, but it would be acceptable if we beat the 3 teams that matter and go 9-3.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

It would be disappointing losing to 3 of those 4, but it would be acceptable if we beat the 3 teams that matter and go 9-3.

It would be interesting to see if we made the CFP with that sort of jacked up Jekyl and Hyde resume .

 

[volmanNC]

I was just looking at the roster the other day and was amazed at how much talent Huepel has been able to recruit the last 2 years. This team is stacked with talent at just about every position. Especially along the defensive line. Now most of the talent is young. Which means that 2025 might be the more likely breakthrough season but man am I excited for this season.

I think we could be the best team in the country if all the young guys can live up to their potential.

Let me start by saying we don't have Dobbs as QB..... But, that one of the positives!

Ok here goes;

Only two players were projected to the SEC all stars team(s). Not so good!

Our QB has never started in any SEC game, and played in very few only in mop-up duty. Potential to be great, YES!

Our RB room is thin with very little starting time. Sampson of course has the most experience but we need more! When will Seldon be able to play?

Our WR room has a lot of potential, but last year was a down year from the year before. Can we recover to have a big year at WRs? Time will tell.

Our OL has potential, but some new starters and changes in positions. Will the pass blocking be better this year? Time will tell.

Our DL seems to be a strong point for this team. Certainly with James Pearce coming off the edge this seems be a highlight for this team.

Our LB will probably be good against the run, but can they cover in the passing lanes? Time will tell.

I am most concerned about our DBs. There are a LOT bodies with potential, but will they work well as a team? Time will tell.

I think punting will be fine, but not a sure about field goals?

In general, there is a LOT of potential but there is also a LOT to prove for this to be a top 10 or even a top 20 team.

GBO

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

We will not be the best team in the SEC, much less the country

Who do you think can be better than us? I personally don't see it.

 

[livefaith]

Going back and looking at the 2016 roster makes me a little sick. Butch wasted a lot of talent. I do think this team has more front line talent and depth almost everywhere.

This team should go 11-1 regular season. 10-2 is acceptable, but 9-3 is a disappointment.
Tennessee should not lose in Neyland for the next 5+years.

Never change my friend. Never change.

 

[livefaith]

I understand what your Niko concerns are, Tennessee fans have become a bit gun shy. But so many in the know types such as Josh Pate believe Coach Heupel when he talks of Niko being the real deal. I hope it's not one of the to good to be true deals.

I never pump QBs like their the 2nd coming of PM around here, regardless of *s. But, I predict that this kid is about to break out onto the national stage in a big way this year. CJH has developed him perfectly as a backup and one time starter. It's exactly how you'd want a freshmen to develop.
But, this guy is special. We see the Bryce Young's of the CFB world do the unthinkable early. Nico Iamaleava has the same potential. I think this "unknown" is the reason, were ranked 7th in SEC. If the QB whisperer has what I think he has on his hands, then prepare thyself Vol fans.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Then that means we lose to Oklahoma, NC State and Kentucky or Arkansas. I would be highly disappointed if we once again $hit the bed against lesser teams after beating the big 3 or some combination of them.

He does this same stupid crap almost every year. All he does is do this so he can complain about how bad we underachieved.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Going back and looking at the 2016 roster makes me a little sick. Butch wasted a lot of talent. I do think this team has more front line talent and depth almost everywhere.

This team should go 11-1 regular season. 10-2 is acceptable, but 9-3 is a disappointment.
Tennessee should not lose in Neyland for the next 5+years.

Was Butch the one making the plays on the field in 2016?

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

Kiss of f'n death

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

Something this staff has been strangely averse to.

where do some of y’all come up with this stuff? Lol. 2 corners, a safety, a linebacker and a DTon defense; a tight end, a LT, and two receivers on offense. That’s 9 portal contributors on this team, 7 expected starters.

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

Was Butch the one making the plays on the field in 2016?

What point are you trying to make here? Cuz it sounds like you’re defending an absolute idiot of a former HC, but I surely must be wrong hahah

 

[Brave Volunteer]

where do some of y’all come up with this stuff? Lol. 2 corners, a safety, a linebacker and a DTon defense; a tight end, a LT, and two receivers on offense. That’s 9 portal contributors on this team, 7 expected starters.

247 Sports Transfer Portal Rankings...

#36 in the country in the 2023 transfer portal rankings.

#47 in the country in the 2022 transfer portal rankings.

I think it's fair to say CJH and this staff havent prioritized the transfer portal like many other programs have.

 

[Pride85]

Something this staff has been strangely averse to.

I am a little confused b this statement. We have quite a bit of good transfer talent. They balance the mix of transfers, High School and JUCO talent pretty well. In your opinion should they use ONLY the transfer portal?

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Going back and looking at the 2016 roster makes me a little sick. Butch wasted a lot of talent. I do think this team has more front line talent and depth almost everywhere.

This team should go 11-1 regular season. 10-2 is acceptable, but 9-3 is a disappointment.
Tennessee should not lose in Neyland for the next 5+years.

Anyone with expectations like yours should donate at least 100k to AD and/or collective each year.

Wow, this posturing game is fun!

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I am a little confused b this statement. We have quite a bit of good transfer talent. They balance the mix of transfers, High School and JUCO talent pretty well. In your opinion should they use ONLY the transfer portal?

As I posted earlier, we ranked 47th in transfer portal rankings in 2022 and 36th in 2023. I just don't think this staff makes it a huge priority. Plus, how were they not overhauling our secondary with transfers from the get go? I would've been bringing in anybody I could find! Why didn't we bring in a transfer QB last year to push Milton? Why was someone as talented as Walter Nolan not a take for us?? Why is a guy whos practically a walk on likely to be our back up QB this season? Why didnt we bring someone to shore up more depth at RB? Just some very head-scratching decisions made by this staff IMO.

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

247 Sports Transfer Portal Rankings...

#36 in the country in the 2023 transfer portal rankings.

#47 in the country in the 2022 transfer portal rankings.

I think it's fair to say CJH and this staff havent prioritized the transfer portal like many other programs have.

at a glance what you’re saying makes sense. However, in terms of average player ranking from the portal, we were 23rd in 2022, 19th in 2023, and currently 6th in 2024. We seem to be getting quality over quantity. We’re clearly not averse to the transfer portal.. we’ve had less roster turnover and have 3 fewer scholarships… Ole Miss, the “kings” of the transfer portal, have 16 three star guys coming in, most of whom are depth pieces.

Also, We only lost 13 guys to the portal, and, for example, Alabama lost 33, and Ole Miss 21.

My point being is that we’re not averse to using the portal, we’ve shown a willingness to use it, but because of scholarship restrictions and lack of roster turnover, we haven’t needed to use it much for depth. We’ve generally used it for players that are expected to contribute.

I also forgot about a couple players, it’s actually 12 expected contributors this year from the portal.

 

[Rockytop10nessee]

As I posted earlier, we ranked 47th in transfer portal rankings in 2022 and 36th in 2023. I just don't think this staff makes it a huge priority. Plus, how were they not overhauling our secondary with transfers from the get go? I would've been bringing in anybody I could find! Why didn't we bring in a transfer QB last year to push Milton? Why was someone as talented as Walter Nolan not a take for us?? Why is a guy whos practically a walk on likely to be our back up QB this season? Why didnt we bring someone to shore up more depth at RB? Just some very head-scratching decisions made by this staff IMO.

Hard to bring in a QB when Milton is the expected starter and Nico is the expected future. Not many guys capable of pushing Milton that would be okay with holding a clipboard.

We’re 3 deep on the DL and arguably the best DL in the entire country. We didn’t want to pay nolan 7 figures for a one year rental when we’re already so good there.

The coaching staff clearly believes that Merk or Moore Can handled the job. Again, no starter caliber QB is going to come to hold a clipboard, and it’s likely that Merk and Moore are better than the back up level portal options.

I’d have like to seen a RB, but I’m not stressing about that.

“Head scratching” is certainly an exaggeration.

 

[LittleVol]

at a glance what you’re saying makes sense. However, in terms of average player ranking from the portal, we were 23rd in 2022, 19th in 2023, and currently 6th in 2024. We seem to be getting quality over quantity. We’re clearly not averse to the transfer portal.. we’ve had less roster turnover and have 3 fewer scholarships… Ole Miss, the “kings” of the transfer portal, have 16 three star guys coming in, most of whom are depth pieces.

Also, We only lost 13 guys to the portal, and, for example, Alabama lost 33, and Ole Miss 21.

My point being is that we’re not averse to using the portal, we’ve shown a willingness to use it, but because of scholarship restrictions and lack of roster turnover, we haven’t needed to use it much for depth. We’ve generally used it for players that are expected to contribute.

I also forgot about a couple players, it’s actually 12 expected contributors this year from the portal.

Exactly.

Why would anyone be worried what are transfer portal ranking was anyway?

There’s a whole other standard of recruiting HS players that you build your team on.