'20 TN WR Holden Willis (USF commit)

[GUNTERSVOL]

PWO is absolutely nothing. I don't get why ppl think accepting this is a honor or anything other than what it is. You're still a walk on and used as a tackling dummy for the most part. I hate to see kids turn down real money and opportunity to be a glorified walk on. Its just kinda dumb and yes we've had kids do it, but we tell them what they're leaving in the table and risks they're taking.

That depends on whether they are asking him to come for the first year or maybe first semester and then if he meets some agreed upon goals being put on a scholly. Not all PWO offers are equal. Some color of SHIRT might be worth the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime dream, if that is his position. If not, then take the best paid shot.

 

[de1conley]

So these kids that just got put on scholarship it meant absolutely nothing to them when they accepted the PWO. If Tennessee is your dream school wouldn’t it mean something. These kids that are on the scout team are part of the TEAM. They have there roll to help the TEAM.

Look the hell you go through to earn a scholarship is bologna. Dream school doesn't or shouldn't outweigh a free education. In most cases a PWO is responsible for the financial and some get pennies. So miss me with the favorite team because you can cheer and love a place but in business you hv to roll with the benjamins unless financially you can withstand that cost. So in all that i say upfront money always outweighs that maybe it will come money my friend.

 

[ACvol3]

Look the hell you go through to earn a scholarship is bologna. Dream school doesn't or shouldn't outweigh a free education. In most cases a PWO is responsible for the financial and some get pennies. So miss me with the favorite team because you can cheer and loce a place but in business you hv to roll with the benjamins unless financially you can withstand that cost. So in all that i say upfront money always outweighs that maybe it will come money my friend.

What if an athlete's family can afford it and they like the school and the area better than schools offering a scholly?

 

[Nashvegas31]

Levi Wallace must have been stupid since he walked on at bama and became a starter and now rich but I guess he should have went to Kent St instead....shame on these kids for thinking they are good enough to earn a spot and prove people wrong... perhaps it’s not always about money to some... blue font

 

[allvol90]

Could he be a rudy? Yes, but he isn't SEC talent. With right coaching and a little work possible but TN isn't looking for projects. If Butch was still HC then the kid would be offered. Willis is more suitable for a program like UTC or MTSU. From what I have read about all of these camps and going up against 4 and 5* kids and winning his battles then why hasn't he been offered by the big power 5 schools?

 

[LittleVol]

Always funny to see how confident message board posters are in their talent evaluations. Not saying this kid is good or bad, but when it comes to evaluation, I'm gonna roll with our coaches, the guys who do this for a living and whose jobs rest upon their ability to do it at a high level.

There are coaches on this board.
AND do coaches get it right all the time??

 

[Rabid Vol]

Could he be a rudy? Yes, but he isn't SEC talent. With right coaching and a little work possible but TN isn't looking for projects. If Butch was still HC then the kid would be offered. Willis is more suitable for a program like UTC or MTSU. From what I have read about all of these camps and going up against 4 and 5* kids and winning his battles then why hasn't he been offered by the big power 5 schools?

I’m interested in seeing why you feel Willis isn’t SEC talent?

 

[Nashvegas31]

Never watched him play but if we are being real there is a stigma that can be hard to get over if your a white wr. Typical thought of as too slow and can’t jump. Probably why so many end up becoming walk on successes

 

[Rabid Vol]

Never watched him play but if we are being real there is a stigma that can be hard to get over if your a white wr. Typical thought of as too slow and can’t jump. Probably why so many end up becoming walk on successes

Saw him play a few games, he is not lacking in speed or jumping ability. It is to bad concerning those type stigmas though. At the end of the day he has scholarship offers and a PWO at UT, but which ever he chooses he do fine. Have to say I personally would like to see him play for The Big Orange.

 

[Weezer]

There are coaches on this board.
AND do coaches get it right all the time??

There are no college level coaches on this board. And no, coaches don't always get it right, but they get it right more often than the average fan. It's why they have the job they do. If they were bad at it, they wouldn't be in the career they're in.

 

[walkenvol]

There are no college level coaches on this board. And no, coaches don't always get it right, but they get it right more often than the average fan. It's why they have the job they do. If they were bad at it, they wouldn't be in the career they're in.

I’ve sure worked with a lot of folks through the years who were “bad” at their profession. Very few were ever processed out. Can’t imagine the coaching profession only has folks at the very top of the bell curve.

 

[Pepe]

Willis camped at UT.... they saw him up close and personal

Why can't you get it through your head that the coaching staff just does not evaluate him as highly as you do?

 

[volbeast33]

Why can't you get it through your head let the coaching staff just does not evaluate him as highly as you do?

I think you replied to the wrong person

 

[OHvol40]

Look the hell you go through to earn a scholarship is bologna. Dream school doesn't or shouldn't outweigh a free education. In most cases a PWO is responsible for the financial and some get pennies. So miss me with the favorite team because you can cheer and love a place but in business you hv to roll with the benjamins unless financially you can withstand that cost. So in all that i say upfront money always outweighs that maybe it will come money my friend.

Not every individual is motivated by the same thing. If a team-oriented individual wants to rep his favorite school then more power to him. If a kid wants to make “business” decisions and always look out for #1 then also more power to him. If a kid wants to go play for a service academy and sign up to serve their country while playing football, great... I don’t think there is one right answer.

Maybe the adults around these kids need to be wary not to let their own personal life experiences/philosophies shape how they advise an individual who might be very different than themselves.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Could he be a rudy? Yes, but he isn't SEC talent. With right coaching and a little work possible but TN isn't looking for projects. If Butch was still HC then the kid would be offered. Willis is more suitable for a program like UTC or MTSU. From what I have read about all of these camps and going up against 4 and 5* kids and winning his battles then why hasn't he been offered by the big power 5 schools?

Probably because he's white.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

There are no college level coaches on this board. And no, coaches don't always get it right, but they get it right more often than the average fan. It's why they have the job they do. If they were bad at it, they wouldn't be in the career they're in.

 

[Weezer]

Probably because he's white.

Yes, I bet that's it.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Yes, I bet that's it.

I'm not saying that to be funny. That is most likely the reason he hasn't gotten much pub.

 

[Weezer]

I'm not saying that to be funny. That is most likely the reason he hasn't gotten much pub.

I know. I'm familiar with your beliefs, Ras.

 

[LittleVol]

I'm not saying that to be funny. That is most likely the reason he hasn't gotten much pub.

There's been plenty of White skill players come through the conference.
Most recently to us being Zach Rogers who was the team fastest player.

This kid is a good player, and he's definitely overlooked a bit.

 

[de1conley]

Not every individual is motivated by the same thing. If a team-oriented individual wants to rep his favorite school then more power to him. If a kid wants to make “business” decisions and always look out for #1 then also more power to him. If a kid wants to go play for a service academy and sign up to serve their country while playing football, great... I don’t think there is one right answer.

Maybe the adults around these kids need to be wary not to let their own personal life experiences/philosophies shape how they advise an individual who might be very different than themselves.

The #1 goal in all that we do at NPA is to advise a kid on their best options. We've had kids go in every direction over 15+ yrs. We advise hs, college, and pros. So i think we've put in enough work to know what's best for whom. We don't have the reputation we have from TN to Cali to wherever in which ppl DM on Twitter, IG, and our website and phones to be a part of what we have. Not many can afford PWO but thise who can and their parents want it can. We've had 2 or 3 at UT and their parents couldn't and they're gone to other places who gave them money. Like I said its the best business decision. It makes ZERO sense to tear up your body for free under any circumstances. I'll never make PWO my 1st advised choice to anyone. Not to UT Not to USC, ND, Fla, or so on.

 

[de1conley]

I’m interested in seeing why you feel Willis isn’t SEC talent?

He just isn't a kid can be a really good HS talent but not be SEC. For instance Willis has all world stats but he doesn't play high level competition or in a high level classification. From what I got from a coach he just wasn't it in camp nor was he with the elite group. See when these camps go on depending upon how many kids are present kids a broken down into groups in reference to talent level and high level prospects vs someone they might want to see in a different grouping to fairly or accurately evaluate their individual skillset on all phases. This is just the info i got from coaches who worked the camp and are on staff. He's a mid tier guy UTC or similar. Go there and play get some good money and still be a lover if VOL football. If the option is available transfer for his last yr if the VOLS have a spot.

 

[appvol]

He just isn't a kid can be a really good HS talent but not be SEC. For instance Willis has all world stats but he doesn't play high level competition or in a high level classification. From what I got from a coach he just wasn't it in camp nor was he with the elite group. See when these camps go on depending upon how many kids are present kids a broken down into groups in reference to talent level and high level prospects vs someone they might want to see in a different grouping to fairly or accurately evaluate their individual skillset on all phases. This is just the info i got from coaches who worked the camp and are on staff. He's a mid tier guy UTC or similar. Go there and play get some good money and still be a lover if VOL football. If the option is available transfer for his last yr if the VOLS have a spot.

Just wondering then what makes Stephen Gosnell better than Willis then. Gosnell plays 1a football in North Carolina.

Stephen Gosnell, East Surry, Wide Receiver

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

He just isn't a kid can be a really good HS talent but not be SEC. For instance Willis has all world stats but he doesn't play high level competition or in a high level classification. From what I got from a coach he just wasn't it in camp nor was he with the elite group. See when these camps go on depending upon how many kids are present kids a broken down into groups in reference to talent level and high level prospects vs someone they might want to see in a different grouping to fairly or accurately evaluate their individual skillset on all phases. This is just the info i got from coaches who worked the camp and are on staff. He's a mid tier guy UTC or similar. Go there and play get some good money and still be a lover if VOL football. If the option is available transfer for his last yr if the VOLS have a spot.

Ok, we get that for some reason you do not want this kid to be a part of our program even though our staff has given him an offer to join as a PWO. Trust your own analysis or that of folks with insider information that you value. I am going to go with our staff. There is risk in trying to analyze players in lower divisions of HS ball. Got it. I am guessing he is aware of that as he has talked with all the schools that have offered him different opportunities. So why don't we let him analyze all of those and if he determines he is willing to risk one semester of his life to pursue playing football at a P5 school, the one closest to his home none the less, and he is comfortable with the honesty and integrity of our staff it can turn into a win win for both him and UT. If not, and he needs to be playing at a lower level he can transfer down and play immediately at his next school choice. It could be his safest choice, rather than wondering about the opportunity the rest of his life. An issue for most kids offered a PWO. Who knows what a guy with his tools can do with some natural maturity, a top tier training table and strength facility and a lot of hard work. Only one way to find out.

Further serial attacks on him are not necessary and certainly not productive. I am glad that if he is looking on this board he can easily determine by the number of responses to your post give him a more fair look into the composition of the Orange nation.

 

[Rabid Vol]

He just isn't a kid can be a really good HS talent but not be SEC. For instance Willis has all world stats but he doesn't play high level competition or in a high level classification. From what I got from a coach he just wasn't it in camp nor was he with the elite group. See when these camps go on depending upon how many kids are present kids a broken down into groups in reference to talent level and high level prospects vs someone they might want to see in a different grouping to fairly or accurately evaluate their individual skillset on all phases. This is just the info i got from coaches who worked the camp and are on staff. He's a mid tier guy UTC or similar. Go there and play get some good money and still be a lover if VOL football. If the option is available transfer for his last yr if the VOLS have a spot.

Ok, are you say you spoke with a UT coach about Willis? He played above his competition hence he broke the TSSAA single season TD receiving record + 1700+ yards receiving, finished 8th among elite receivers at the Nike open camp in Nashville and his numbers were close to the top 4-5, I would say that’s better than being mid tier guy. You say he’s not SEC talent, I say he is and we can agree to disagree. You’re right, playing 1A has hurt him somewhat, but he did all he could do to prove his worth as a high level football player.