Top 5 reasons…….

[Volizona]

Tennessee will have a recruiting advantage over Alabama in the near future.

1. NIL - this has created a level playing field. Now other schools, including Tennessee can pay players as much or more than Alabama. I have to think UT had just as much revenue and perhaps more big name donors than Alabama. I can’t even think of any high profile graduates from Bama outside of players. Since the average education level is about a sixth grade education in AL they have fewer graduates to choose from vs UT.

2. Heupel vs Saban - nobody likes Saban. I don’t think any recruits play for Saban because they like him. If someone pays them enough they’ll play for him. He’s old, grumpy and is not relatable to recruits. Heupel - polar opposite. He’s likable, younger, has more energy, and relates well to the younger generation.

3. Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa - no brainer. Knoxville is beautiful, Tuscaloosa is a dump. No recruit is going to Bama so they can live there. Knoxville, on the other hand, is always rated as a top 20 place to live in the nation.

4. Region - is Alabama really surrounded by better recruiting markets than Nashville, Memphis, Carolinas, some Georgia? Maybe comparable, but not better. See NIL above. Can Bama still steal National recruits?

5. Atmosphere - may be biased here, but Neyland is bigger and louder. Vol Navy, all of the festivities and energy we bring can’t be matched.

As the popular meme says “tell me I’m wrong”

 

[RockyTopTexas]

you are wrong

saban will retire one day tho.. and we better make sure it doesn't go to Dabo

 

[Volizona]

you are wrong

saban will retire one day tho.. and we better make sure it doesn't go to Dabo

Lol. You are probably right, but tell me why we SHOULDN’T have an advantage over them? Why is this so hard to imagine? Dabo? We just crushed him in our bowl game. Why are we worried about him?

 

[orangebloodgmc]

Lol. You are probably right, but tell me why we SHOULDN’T have an advantage over them? Why is this so hard to imagine? Dabo? We just crushed him in our bowl game. Why are we worried about him?

Correct. We are not.

 

[peaygolf]

Tennessee will have a recruiting advantage over Alabama in the near future.

1. NIL - this has created a level playing field. Now other schools, including Tennessee can pay players as much or more than Alabama. I have to think UT had just as much revenue and perhaps more big name donors than Alabama. I can’t even think of any high profile graduates from Bama outside of players. Since the average education level is about a sixth grade education in AL they have fewer graduates to choose from vs UT.

2. Heupel vs Saban - nobody likes Saban. I don’t think any recruits play for Saban because they like him. If someone pays them enough they’ll play for him. He’s old, grumpy and is not relatable to recruits. Heupel - polar opposite. He’s likable, younger, has more energy, and relates well to the younger generation.

3. Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa - no brainer. Knoxville is beautiful, Tuscaloosa is a dump. No recruit is going to Bama so they can live there. Knoxville, on the other hand, is always rated as a top 20 place to live in the nation.

4. Region - is Alabama really surrounded by better recruiting markets than Nashville, Memphis, Carolinas, some Georgia? Maybe comparable, but not better. See NIL above. Can Bama still steal National recruits?

5. Atmosphere - may be biased here, but Neyland is bigger and louder. Vol Navy, all of the festivities and energy we bring can’t be matched.

As the popular meme says “tell me I’m wrong”

I’m not saying that UT can’t get the upper hand soon……but right now, today….

 

[RockyTopTexas]

Lol. You are probably right, but tell me why we SHOULDN’T have an advantage over them? Why is this so hard to imagine? Dabo? We just crushed him in our bowl game. Why are we worried about him?

We just don't recruit the same bud.. we have absolutely zero depth. Bama is currently plug and play

Dabo will take over at Bama once Saban leaves.

Tennessee has always recruited well and will continue... but Heup need a playoff appearance and 2 solid classes after that and then we should have what it takes..

You have to think.. We have not had a steady/succesfull coach in some time
We just went through worst years in program history
Give it time

 

[VolFanNC09]

Tennessee will have a recruiting advantage over Alabama in the near future.

1. NIL - this has created a level playing field. Now other schools, including Tennessee can pay players as much or more than Alabama. I have to think UT had just as much revenue and perhaps more big name donors than Alabama. I can’t even think of any high profile graduates from Bama outside of players. Since the average education level is about a sixth grade education in AL they have fewer graduates to choose from vs UT.

2. Heupel vs Saban - nobody likes Saban. I don’t think any recruits play for Saban because they like him. If someone pays them enough they’ll play for him. He’s old, grumpy and is not relatable to recruits. Heupel - polar opposite. He’s likable, younger, has more energy, and relates well to the younger generation.

3. Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa - no brainer. Knoxville is beautiful, Tuscaloosa is a dump. No recruit is going to Bama so they can live there. Knoxville, on the other hand, is always rated as a top 20 place to live in the nation.

4. Region - is Alabama really surrounded by better recruiting markets than Nashville, Memphis, Carolinas, some Georgia? Maybe comparable, but not better. See NIL above. Can Bama still steal National recruits?

5. Atmosphere - may be biased here, but Neyland is bigger and louder. Vol Navy, all of the festivities and energy we bring can’t be matched.

As the popular meme says “tell me I’m wrong”

Some of the recruiting advantage is that Saban has put a lot of people in the NFL as first and second round picks. When we can keep putting together good drafts, we can even that recruiting advantage.

 

[kiddiedoc]

On #1: Google number of billionaires by state

 

[Volizona]

On #1: Google number of billionaires by state

I’m afraid to look. That will ruin my weekend if Alabama is even in the top 10. How could that be?

 

[kckempf]

On #1: Google number of billionaires by state

Texas and Florida in the top 4. Good thing we at least don't have Texas in the conference. Oh wait. . .

 

[Volizona]

I’m afraid to look. That will ruin my weekend if Alabama is even in the top 10. How could that be?

Not sure if I pulled up the same site as you, but if so maybe the discussion should shift to TX A&M, the Wrong UT and Florida.

 

[Volizona]

Texas and Florida in the top 4. Good thing we at least don't have Texas in the conference. Oh wait. . .

Yup. That’s what I saw.

 

[norrislakevol]

We just don't recruit the same bud.. we have absolutely zero depth. Bama is currently plug and play

Dabo will take over at Bama once Saban leaves.

Tennessee has always recruited well and will continue... but Heup need a playoff appearance and 2 solid classes after that and then we should have what it takes..

You have to think.. We have not had a steady/succesfull coach in some time
We just went through worst years in program history
Give it time

Maybe. Dabo has/had a huge buy out in his contract known as the "Alabama clause". If he chose to leave for Alabama the buyout is huge....or it was at one time at least.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Tennessee will have a recruiting advantage over Alabama in the near future.

1. NIL - this has created a level playing field. Now other schools, including Tennessee can pay players as much or more than Alabama. I have to think UT had just as much revenue and perhaps more big name donors than Alabama. I can’t even think of any high profile graduates from Bama outside of players. Since the average education level is about a sixth grade education in AL they have fewer graduates to choose from vs UT.

2. Heupel vs Saban - nobody likes Saban. I don’t think any recruits play for Saban because they like him. If someone pays them enough they’ll play for him. He’s old, grumpy and is not relatable to recruits. Heupel - polar opposite. He’s likable, younger, has more energy, and relates well to the younger generation.

3. Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa - no brainer. Knoxville is beautiful, Tuscaloosa is a dump. No recruit is going to Bama so they can live there. Knoxville, on the other hand, is always rated as a top 20 place to live in the nation.

4. Region - is Alabama really surrounded by better recruiting markets than Nashville, Memphis, Carolinas, some Georgia? Maybe comparable, but not better. See NIL above. Can Bama still steal National recruits?

5. Atmosphere - may be biased here, but Neyland is bigger and louder. Vol Navy, all of the festivities and energy we bring can’t be matched.

As the popular meme says “tell me I’m wrong”

6. Campus differences

You forgot about all the crime and shootings on campus at Alabama as a negative.

Of course on the pros, it is easy for players to get out of crimes there!

 

[Dadof2Vols]

you are wrong

saban will retire one day tho.. and we better make sure it doesn't go to Dabo

Dabo won’t go there now that he can stay at Clemson and automatic into playoffs every year now.

 

[Just a VolinTears]

You forgot the #1 reason, and it leans towards Saban: getting guys to the NFL

 

[LittleVol]

you are wrong

saban will retire one day tho.. and we better make sure it doesn't go to Dabo

It can go to Dabo and we'll pound him too.

Dude has no innovation whatsoever

 

[Starchief13VFL]

6. Campus differences

You forgot about all the crime and shootings on campus at Alabama as a negative.

Of course on the pros, it is easy for players to get out of crimes there!

I can assure you, UA players no longer get no special treatment from the police dept in Tuscaloosa

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Maybe. Dabo has/had a huge buy out in his contract known as the "Alabama clause". If he chose to leave for Alabama the buyout is huge....or it was at one time at least.

I believe the buyout amount for that specific clause is $10M. Not sure what the amount is for everyone else but less than the AL clause. Saban is still a force on the recruiting trail. To think he is not is just dreaming. What coach would want to follow Saban anyway. The expectations for you would be unattainable.

Dabo don't want that pressure when, as a post above said, he is comfortable at Clemson as long as he wants.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Tennessee will have a recruiting advantage over Alabama in the near future.

1. NIL - this has created a level playing field. Now other schools, including Tennessee can pay players as much or more than Alabama. I have to think UT had just as much revenue and perhaps more big name donors than Alabama. I can’t even think of any high profile graduates from Bama outside of players. Since the average education level is about a sixth grade education in AL they have fewer graduates to choose from vs UT.

2. Heupel vs Saban - nobody likes Saban. I don’t think any recruits play for Saban because they like him. If someone pays them enough they’ll play for him. He’s old, grumpy and is not relatable to recruits. Heupel - polar opposite. He’s likable, younger, has more energy, and relates well to the younger generation.

3. Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa - no brainer. Knoxville is beautiful, Tuscaloosa is a dump. No recruit is going to Bama so they can live there. Knoxville, on the other hand, is always rated as a top 20 place to live in the nation.

4. Region - is Alabama really surrounded by better recruiting markets than Nashville, Memphis, Carolinas, some Georgia? Maybe comparable, but not better. See NIL above. Can Bama still steal National recruits?

5. Atmosphere - may be biased here, but Neyland is bigger and louder. Vol Navy, all of the festivities and energy we bring can’t be matched.

As the popular meme says “tell me I’m wrong”

1. NIL - Maybe UT has the advantage BUT....
2. Heupel vs Saban - Rings, people in the NFL, success at the highest level for many years vs 1 year for Heupel. NIL money is chicken scratch compared to getting in the league in an early round. Heupel needs to keep it up on getting kids into the next level consistently and winning.
3. Knox vs Loosa - To a college athlete one college town looks like another. At a high level college athletes are in a bubble wherever they are with folks managing a lot of their time. Yeah, Knox is a far better town for me but I doubt it's much different for the athletes than Loosa.
4. Region - If we aren't recruiting the nation, we aren't going to be successful. Period. All successful programs recruit the best players regardless of region. Region is a 1950s topic.
5. Atmosphere - There is nothing like Rocky Top and the guys running the Power T. Nothing.

It boils down to Saban. He wins. He puts guys in the league. He hires lots of talent to run the machine under him. He's a slowing juggernaut but still a juggernaut that's hard to beat. We tore down goalposts because we beat Saban for the first time since he got to Loosa.

Slow your roll and let's give Heupel time to build.

 

[jasonvol18]

Lol. You are probably right, but tell me why we SHOULDN’T have an advantage over them? Why is this so hard to imagine? Dabo? We just crushed him in our bowl game. Why are we worried about him?

Beating him one time in a bowl isn't going to factor into much. It's one game. And you know Dabo is using playing a true fr QB in his 2nd start and missing players as an excuse. Just like we can argue we beat them with our backup QB, top 2 WR's out, a LB out and half our secondary. We would have gotten Ronan if beating them was a deciding factor.

 

[jasonvol18]

Tennessee will have a recruiting advantage over Alabama in the near future.

1. NIL - this has created a level playing field. Now other schools, including Tennessee can pay players as much or more than Alabama. I have to think UT had just as much revenue and perhaps more big name donors than Alabama. I can’t even think of any high profile graduates from Bama outside of players. Since the average education level is about a sixth grade education in AL they have fewer graduates to choose from vs UT.

2. Heupel vs Saban - nobody likes Saban. I don’t think any recruits play for Saban because they like him. If someone pays them enough they’ll play for him. He’s old, grumpy and is not relatable to recruits. Heupel - polar opposite. He’s likable, younger, has more energy, and relates well to the younger generation.

3. Knoxville vs Tuscaloosa - no brainer. Knoxville is beautiful, Tuscaloosa is a dump. No recruit is going to Bama so they can live there. Knoxville, on the other hand, is always rated as a top 20 place to live in the nation.

4. Region - is Alabama really surrounded by better recruiting markets than Nashville, Memphis, Carolinas, some Georgia? Maybe comparable, but not better. See NIL above. Can Bama still steal National recruits?

5. Atmosphere - may be biased here, but Neyland is bigger and louder. Vol Navy, all of the festivities and energy we bring can’t be matched.

As the popular meme says “tell me I’m wrong”

I do agree with you that TN is the better option, but players not liking Saban just isn’t true. Most of his players love him and he's not going anywhere anytime soon. I wish he would, but he's got atleast 5 more years left and probably more.

 

[ftsandersvol]

From what I’m seeing on the recruiting trail, some recruits are already picking us even though they have offers from both Bama and GA. We just need to have that trend grow.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

There are so many criteria high schoolers and their parents use to decide which college fits best. Can divide some of the most common into three broad categories:

1. Career/Athletic (including business and financial considerations);
a. Strong path to the NFL (money later)
b. NIL $$ (money now)
c. Expert coaches (preparation for next tier)
d. National exposure (to grow personal brand)

2. Personal:
a. Childhood favorite school (Jack Jones is a perfect example)
b. Family legacy (did a parent, grandparent, or sibling go there? Is a family member there now?)
c. "Fit" (whatever makes the recruit comfortable--family atmosphere, or a brotherhood, or gangsta, or great beach scene, or whatever)

3. Academic: this has become a rare one. But there still are recruits who consider the academic reputation of the school and/or the degrees offered.

I think there are probably 100 more considerations that could be added. Each recruit, and each recruit's family, comes up with their own list of important things to look for. It could be literally anything, like how good is the chow, or how spacious are the dorm rooms, or anything else.

When you run down this list, the Bama and UGa advantages become a little clearer than outlined in the OP. Tennessee is rapidly catching up...but we need to start winning some conference titles and competing for national crowns, and get a lot more players into the NFL on a repeat basis, before we overtake our brothers south of the border (the Tennessee border, heh).

Go Vols!

 

[turbovol]

you are wrong

saban will retire one day tho.. and we better make sure it doesn't go to Dabo

Ha: I can see Dabo taking the bama job when Saban retires. He's been at Clemson a long time, accomplished a lot there, and he might just be ready for a change of scenery/career reset in a couple of years---and what better way to do that than at his alma mater and the premier program in the country. I'd put the odds on him being offered and taking the job. If he opted not to take the job, it would be because he doesn't want to follow a college coaching legend and all the pressure that would come with taking over at bama. He's established the Clemson program, made it what it is, and so might want to carry on there. But he's an Alabama native, I believe, a bama grad and former player, and the lure of leading the tide will be hard to pass up.