'24 Transfer Portal

[allvolrecruiting]

I think he will be a good fit. Curious to see how he fills out the staff and if he is able to get some of our portal guys back on roster. Only 4hs commits rn so hopefully a few pull the trigger this weekend. Nick Vattiato is our savior

Keeping Holden Willis was big. I’m super high on Flip Credle and am glad we will actually use the run game now. Also got McDonald back for the secondary and Parker Hughes for dime backer. Other than that, a center, and special teams, it’s gonna be all new guys so fun

 

[Adam Sandler]

FTR, Heupel said himself that 30 months of negative recruiting was the hardest part of the whole NCAA thing.

Josh Heupel: Negative recruiting was 'the hardest thing' Tennessee faced during NCAA investigation

That hurts the "we should have flipped the roster by now, no excuses" argument.

Hardest part of the whole ncaa thing but that doesn’t mean it was the hardest part of recruiting in general. I’ll have to do some digging, but I recall him being asked about it and saying that it had come up here and there but that it wasn’t a major deterrence to recruiting efforts, because the recruits understood it was a previous staff and the expectation was that ncaa penalties would be minimal due to how we handled the investigation. I want to say it was quoted in an article regarding the Arkansas rb, but I’ll need to go looking for it for you.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Pre NIL logic does not function in today's recruiting world. The BIG unknowns are IF those programs you mentioned, or others, are paying more than our asssesment of value for those players. On top of that we have no idea of how many players we have info on through networking that will enter the portal before it closes in early Jan. after the bowls, or maybe even in the May 1 through 15 window after going through spring, completing graduation milestones, or both. Some really good players stuck behind other really good players may elect to bolt in hopes of playing more this season.

MIGHT just work out that we can get better players than the overpriced ones that fill up our competitions rosters jumping on the early entries. Bottom line wailing and moaning about use of the portal before both windows are fully exercised does not demonstrate a lot of intelligence or they are simply agenda motivated posts. The Portal fat lady is not even warmed up yet.

You got me. I am an unintelligent fat lady.

If there’s a missing piece to our recruiting that’s not money related, I don’t know what that could be. Certainly don’t think uf, miami, auburn have anything of utmost importance that we don’t have. Maybe occasionally distance from home a factor? Or a position coach with a long relationship. I dunno.

All I know is big time talents at position of need enter and go elsewhere without mention of involvement from us. Then we hear we’re looking for the Cody shraeders of the world, which are fewer and farrer between with less likelihood to pan out. So yeah I’d like to see us more aggressive in the portal in getting top talent and I’d like to see us close on some recruits that we supposedly lead for and could have been difference makers for the program.

 

[Jordan Bone Enthusiast]

Keeping Holden Willis was big. I’m super high on Flip Credle and am glad we will actually use the run game now. Also got McDonald back for the secondary and Parker Hughes for dime backer. Other than that, a center, and special teams, it’s gonna be all new guys so fun

I wouldn’t be 100 percent sure flip is coming back. But I’m not worried about running back at all. We red shirted a guy middlebrook who everyone in the program is very very very excited about. Holden is very very good. Keeping Sherman will be big as well. Oline is in bad bad shape tho

 

[Adam Sandler]

The missing piece is first round NFL draft picks along with consistent winning/results. Since 2010, the number of 1st round NFL draft picks is:
Alabama - 43
Georgia - 18
Florida - 17
Tennessee - 6

Elite players believe Saban and Smart can get them to the 1st round of tghe NFL draft better than Tennessee.

Well we better come up with a better pitch than looking back at Pruitt/butch/dooley in reference to our ability to develop you into a nfl draft first rounder. Cause that obviously doesn’t tell the story of this staff, nor a story that is to our benefit.

 

[tnvolfan16]

Just stop looking around.

Problem solved.

OK, sounds like you are guaranteeing that we can stand pat on what we have and we will go from 8-4 to 12-0. sorry i guess i didnt see what i saw last year. classic "who you gonna believe, me or your lyin eyes?" thanks for the help

 

[MarcoVol]

OK, sounds like you are guaranteeing that we can stand pat on what we have and we will go from 8-4 to 12-0. sorry i guess i didnt see what i saw last year. classic "who you gonna believe, me or your lyin eyes?" thanks for the help

You read my post and decided it said what now?

 

[VolGee4]

You read my post and decided it said what now?

LOL.

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

Convincing almost the entire OL to come back is proof that Spyre is effective IMO. That’ll make a bigger impact than any other portal addition we could’ve gotten.

And one thing to keep in mind with these FCS targets- those SO and JRs are part of recruiting classes that would’ve been heavily impacted by COVID. Losing up to a whole year of practices/games in HS is going to effect development and scouting, and then they were less scholarships to go around with the COVID year being granted and all the extra eligibility for players that were in college. There will always be a few that sleep through the cracks but there’s probably a disproportionate amount right now.

Getting our Oline back intact, or at least 80%, is the best thing that can happen for a young QB. A good running game travels anywhere and allows Nico to not have the weight of the entire game on his shoulders. He will have to make throws but he's going to do it with a vet Oline and vet receivers

 

[volsagain]

Excuses!

The Usuals prolly

You got That right too many on here don't see the difference in excuse and Reason. Nico needs to be what we all think he is. Lead us to the promise land, not necessary a championship but to the playoffs while he's here.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

I wouldn’t be 100 percent sure flip is coming back. But I’m not worried about running back at all. We red shirted a guy middlebrook who everyone in the program is very very very excited about. Holden is very very good. Keeping Sherman will be big as well. Oline is in bad bad shape tho

O-Line in bad shape but it wasn't physical or good at all last year outside of Rutledge so reworking it isn't the worst thing. Middlebook looked solid when he played. Had a lot of depth at WR so losing Olson, DJC, etc doesn't really hurt too much. Losing Metcalf hurts tho. But Willis/Sherman a strong duo

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Getting our Oline back intact, or at least 80%, is the best thing that can happen for a young QB. A good running game travels anywhere and allows Nico to not have the weight of the entire game on his shoulders. He will have to make throws but he's going to do it with a vet Oline and vet receivers

We appear to be keeping most of our D line back as well. Both lines appear to have key seniors returning. We lost Baron, but the others that can return seem to be like they are indeed returning. This is the big thing nobody is talking about yet. GBO

 

[Jimmyandjoes]

We appear to be keeping most of our D line back as well. Both lines appear to have key seniors returning. We lost Baron, but the others that can return seem to be like they are indeed returning. This is the big thing nobody is talking about yet. GBO

Exactly. If you can stop the run, keep the opponents scoring lower, like this year, you allow Nico not to have to put up 40 to win games. This is a LOS league and we are bringing back proven studs

 

[Carp]

Didn't I see in here that Maalik Murphy might go to tOSU?

It might be starting to happen.

What might be starting to happen?

 

[vavolfan6]

have to be a little jealous looking around and seeing schools like Mississippi, who went 10-2, see that they need defensive upgrades to get to the next level, so they swing hard at players like Barron and Walter Nolen. At the same time we need a severe upgrade of proven talent at pretty much every unit on the field and we are shopping in the 2-for-1 bin at the local discount store. even more so that a team like jawja just says "well, we dont need a RB, but we will go after the etienne kid because we have all this money and nothing to do with it"

The one thing I'm growing concerned about that has been mentioned on this board by others as well, is Heupel's loyalty to current players.

Kiffin will go out and recruit guys regardless of who is still on his roster. For example he went out and signed Spenser Sanders last year as a grad transfer after starting 4 years at Oklahoma State as well as a former 5 star QB in Walker Howard despite having their starter, Jaxson Dart returning last year too. When questioned about the ethics of bringing all these guys in, he just responded that the goal of his as head coach was to make the team better and improve the QB room.

And now yet again, he isn't afraid to go after the top portal transfers. This after telling the media after the Ole Miss loss to Georgia that his roster wasn't good enough to compete.

I am noy completely bashing the loyal, familial culture Heupel has built, but it has negatives with the positives and maybe he needs to give a little more.

 

[Weezer]

If we don’t want Barron, and Ole Miss does, does that really mean Ole Miss is “swinging hard”? If we wanted to keep Barron we would.

Baron isn't how they're swinging hard. They're making a push for Nolen, the top player in the portal. They've already landed the top LB in the portal. They're pursuing the top Edge in the portal (the kid from FL, not Baron). And I'm not comparing what they're doing to what we are, just pointing out that yes, they really are swinging hard to upgrade their defense. Not sure where all the money is coming from, but Lane is on a shopping spree.

 

[Weezer]

Just stop looking around.

This is just the VN way. Always want what others have or are getting.

Problem solved.

Is it wrong to want to see Tennessee get better talent? I'm just curious? Anytime anyone laments our lack of enough talented players, someone feels the need to belittle them. Yet the first time we struggle in the regular season, the first thing we'll hear is how we just don't have the talent, YET. Here's a chance to go get some talent.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Baron isn't how they're swinging hard. They're making a push for Nolen, the top player in the portal. They've already landed the top LB in the portal. They're pursuing the top Edge in the portal (the kid from FL, not Baron). And I'm not comparing what they're doing to what we are, just pointing out that yes, they really are swinging hard to upgrade their defense. Not sure where all the money is coming from, but Lane is on a shopping spree.

Well, outside of that LB, let’s see who they actually end up landing. I’m not going to give them credit for swinging hard. Let’s see who they land when it’s all said and done.

It’s been discussed already ad nauseam, but we are clearly not pursuing Walter Nolen because of how that recruitment went the first time around. It’s a conscience decision we made even if we might have had a chance to land him if we pursued.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

What might be starting to happen?

He's in the portal. I'm surprised he's not already announced that he's signed with Ohio State but maybe there's other interest.

 

[Ten_Titans]

Just stop looking around.

Problem solved.

Lol. I care a lot about UT football. I do not care enough to worry about the 2024 roster before we've played our 2023 bowl game. I know that's how it is now, but count me out. I'll look at the roster and start worrying about July . If I'm gonna think about UT football year round I'm gonna need some of that NIL money myself.

 

[Weezer]

Well, outside of that LB, let’s see who they actually end up landing. I’m not going to give them credit for swinging hard. Let’s see who they land when it’s all said and done.

It’s been discussed already ad nauseam, but we are clearly not pursuing Walter Nolen because of how that recruitment went the first time around. It’s a conscience decision we made even if we might have had a chance to land him if we pursued.

And I've acknowledged why we aren't pursuing Nolen ourselves. You questioned if OM was truly swinging hard. I showed you they are. Now you're moving the goalposts to "Yeah, but who will they land?". No idea who they'll actually get, but they're pursuing top talent.

 

[VolGee4]

The one thing I'm growing concerned about that has been mentioned on this board by others as well, is Heupel's loyalty to current players.

Kiffin will go out and recruit guys regardless of who is still on his roster. For example he went out and signed Spenser Sanders last year as a grad transfer after starting 4 years at Oklahoma State as well as a former 5 star QB in Walker Howard despite having their starter, Jaxson Dart returning last year too. When questioned about the ethics of bringing all these guys in, he just responded that the goal of his as head coach was to make the team better and improve the QB room.

And now yet again, he isn't afraid to go after the top portal transfers. This after telling the media after the Ole Miss loss to Georgia that his roster wasn't good enough to compete.

I am noy completely bashing the loyal, familial culture Heupel has built, but it has negatives with the positives and maybe he needs to give a little more.

We know that Tyler Baron and Tamarion McDonald aren't going to help OM compete with Georgia.

It is pretty clear that Kiffin has stopped having much interest in developing talent from high school and primarily looking at transfers. Not sure that is the best way to build a program, but maybe at Ole Miss.

 

[Carp]

Kamari Ramsey is still my top choice. I know we have interest. Hopefully we can get him on a visit.

 

[VolGee4]

Is it wrong to want to see Tennessee get better talent? I'm just curious? Anytime anyone laments our lack of enough talented players, someone feels the need to belittle them. Yet the first time we struggle in the regular season, the first thing we'll hear is how we just don't have the talent, YET. Here's a chance to go get some talent.

VN: We need better talent.

Baron and McDonald visit OM.

VN: OM is aggressive and swinging for the fences.

4 other DB's enter the portal.

VN: Why is so much of a secondary leaving?

 

[Weezer]

VN: We need better talent.

Baron and McDonald visit OM.

VN: OM is aggressive and swinging for the fences.

4 other DB's enter the portal.

VN: Why is so much of a secondary leaving?

Find where I've used that logic? You won't.