Using EB's #14 to get big time DB recruits?

#1
M

MrBamSeydu

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#1
Guys, I just had an epiphany... and maybe the coaching staff is ahead of me on this one, at least I hope they are.

I know Alabama used to use the #2 jersey back in the 90s to get big time athletes at the WR position. It was almost like an honor for a player to be able to go to Alabama to wear that jersey. They would basically sell it as "Listen, you're the only guy in this recruiting class that we'll let wear #2. If you don't come, noone will wear it. You're big time enough to wear it and we want you to carry on the tradition of great #2's here."

So, instead of retiring jersey #'s, why don't we just hold them out for basically the #1 overall DB every 3-4 years? Tell Deitrich Riley or Joyner that they are the only 2 guys that we'd let wear #14 and that we're going to start a tradition of #14's at UT!! I'm sure we won't get both, so whichever commits first can wear it next year after he leaves for the NFL. If for some reason he doesn't leave, they can wear another # their freshman year, then switch to #14 when it's available. But they have to prove they are a superstar to keep it.

I just think that would be a great tradition to start, a nice recruiting tool, and also give us maybe that extra little edge every 3-4 years for that spectacular DB in the class.

Again, maybe the coaches have that in mind already. If not, someone throw them a bone for me. I really think that'd be awesome to have a #14 be a constant in the secondary and no other position for years to come. Heck, it could go Eric Berry... Deitrich Riley.... Evan Berry :rock:......so on, so forth.....

Thoughts?
 
#2
#2
They might do that, but his jersey will likely be retired eventually. Don't know how long it will take for them to retire it though (it took about 9-10 years for Peyton IIRC)
 
#4
#4
I think in order to qualify for jerseys being retired they must stay all 4 years, even though EB probably deserves it anyways. Just sayin'.
 
#7
#7
orange_blood said:
I think in order to qualify for jerseys being retired they must stay all 4 years, even though EB probably deserves it anyways. Just sayin'.
Click to expand...

they don't have to stay all 4 yrs.

jmva1 said:
They might do that, but his jersey will likely be retired eventually. Don't know how long it will take for them to retire it though (it took about 9-10 years for Peyton IIRC)
Click to expand...

Berry has not yet met the criteria to have his jersey retired

http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/tenn/graphics/football/history/retirement.pdf
 
#12
#12
I'm not really sure I like the idea. Don't want the newbies thinking they are anything special just for stepping on campus. Let them make their own # special

Dudleys87 said:
ooo sorry.
Click to expand...

geez, I went to all that trouble to add the link and you just skip over it :p
 
#15
#15
I know that my whole life, everything I ever did that needed a number, I was always the same number. I played football, soccer and raced motocross, and I always used the same number. If I was ever good enough at any sport to make it to the college level, I would still want my same number, somebody else's number would mean nothing to me. Thats just me though.
 
#19
#19
Pete Carroll does the same w/ the #54, I believe. It goes to the best defensive player after the current 54 graduates. It's a huge honor at SC.

I don't like retiring jerseys. With all the great players UT has had over the last 100 years, why should we retire players' jerseys. I think you should pass them on as a special incentive to worthy recruits like Carroll does. Single-digit jerseys are already made a big deal by Kiffin, which I'm happy with.

That's my take.
 
#20
#20
I can honestly see us doing that. Pete Carrol does the same thing at USC. I'm not sure if its always been that way there, but they give either number 55 or 56 (whichever it is) to their best linebacker and it's obviously worked for them with Tatupu, Malaugua ect. (pardon my spelling).
 
#23
#23
Those are challenging criteria, but EB can meet them. It won't be easy... and it shouldn't be, but he's going to be an NFL stud after his days on the Hill are done.
 
#24
#24
volguy0992 said:
I can honestly see us doing that. Pete Carrol does the same thing at USC. I'm not sure if its always been that way there, but they give either number 55 or 56 (whichever it is) to their best linebacker and it's obviously worked for them with Tatupu, Malaugua ect. (pardon my spelling).
Click to expand...

Pete does it with number 55. Great linebacker tradition. Chris Claiborne, Junior Seau, and most recently Keith Rivers. I'm not sure what number Tatupu was, but I know Malaugua was 58.
 
#25
#25
Right, see... I think it's a great idea. Yes, it's true some high school players would just assume wear their own jersey number... which is totally fine. But in each class there are 2-3 DBs that could wear #14 and do it justice. By no means would they ever be the original Berry, but they wouldn't fuzz out like a Hefney or something. At anytime, just like Kiffin does with single digit numbers, the player wasn't dominant enough to wear #14... simply put it on the shelf.

I know Evan Berry will wanna wear #14!!
 
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