We won't put up a fence around TN.

[TRIONZ VOL]

We wont shut down Memphis for sure. There are too many atheletes out there. Bama is closer to Memphis, I think. Who cares if they get some guys out of Memphis. Its the thought of tryin to lock down our state that is what I like to see. Fulmer let a lot of guys go who would have loved to play for UT. I mean ya we will lose guys to other schools but as long as we go after the ones we really need. I mean the WR from Mem that has already committed. Who cares! Do you realize how many WRs are in this next class? This will be a deep field for WRs. So to all Vol fans, and Seth. To all the trolls who love bringing up that a Memphis kid has an offer or may go to another school. It's the change of our culture now to TRY and keep our in state guys. I mean thats all we can ask for as fans. IMO

Go Vols

 

[orangeblur]

We wont shut down Memphis for sure. There are too many atheletes out there. Bama is closer to Memphis, I think. Who cares if they get some guys out of Memphis. Its the thought of tryin to lock down our state that is what I like to see. Fulmer let a lot of guys go who would have loved to play for UT. I mean ya we will lose guys to other schools but as long as we go after the ones we really need. I mean the WR from Mem that has already committed. Who cares! Do you realize how many WRs are in this next class? This will be a deep field for WRs. So to all Vol fans, and Seth. To all the trolls who love bringing up that a Memphis kid has an offer or may go to another school. It's the change of our culture now to TRY and keep our in state guys. I mean thats all we can ask for as fans. IMO

Go Vols

you have to care about one of the most fertile recruiting areas in your state...regardless of where it is...you have to out work everyone..you cant concede memphis to anyone.....if Miami can get memphis kids...why cant UT..if UGA can get memphis kids why cant UT...if AU....you get my point.....

 

[VolSwaff]

Memphis is our Mobile. Why are you willing to give it up? Too much competition??? gimme a break.

 

[CagleMtnVol]

I don't get the whole locking down the state thing either. I just want Tennessee to be able to cherry pick the guys we really want. I'm sure there will be players that Tennessee will pass on do to lack of need at certian positions or just getting a higher quality guy out of state.

I also thing that other parts of the state such as Chattanooga and East Tennessee is starting to come up. This past year you had a kid from McCallie sign with Vanderbilt. The kid out of South Pittsburg with MTSU and this year you have Smith from Ooltewah (Chattanooga) and I'm sure there is some other quality talent around the area thats not been mentioned yet. I have heard there is a DE at Boyd Buchanan School in Chattanooga thats getting some big time attention.

Plus you have the VW plant on the way that I think will bring in more families from out of state than they are saying it will.

 

[Rockytop]

you have to care about one of the most fertile recruiting areas in your state...regardless of where it is...you have to out work everyone..you cant concede memphis to anyone.....if Miami can get memphis kids...why cant UT..if UGA can get memphis kids why cant UT...if AU....you get my point.....

I think what the OP is trying to say is that we have to be able to recruit there, but getting every single high rated player out of Memphis is just going to be unreasonable, they're too many variables involved. Getting the guys that we want should be the goal. Its a stretch to think anyone would be able completely lock down Memphis, IMO.

 

[EBerryIsYourDad]

I think what the OP is trying to say is that we have to be able to recruit there, but getting every single high rated player out of Memphis is just going to be unreasonable, they're too many variables involved. Getting the guys that we want should be the goal. Its a stretch to think anyone would be able completely lock down Memphis, IMO.

this.

The odd geography of Tennessee is a hindrance. It's kinda like Memphis is it's own state. We'll probably get more than our fair share of stud players out of Memphis, but I agree that it will be very difficult to completely lock it down.

 

[OHvol40]

this.

The odd geography of Tennessee is a hindrance. It's kinda like Memphis is it's own state. We'll probably get more than our fair share of stud players out of Memphis, but I agree that it will be very difficult to completely lock it down.

This is true, NE TN is closer to Canada than Memphis.

 

[govols87]

This is true, NE TN is closer to Canada than Memphis.

I've never realized that, but it's true. Plus, the fact that the state is so long, the culture in Memphis is more "deep south" than is Knoxville. I sometimes have to remind myself that Memphis is in Tennessee. I'm 20 minutes from VA and 30 from NC, so you see a lot of Va Tech and UNC paraphernalia around.

 

[Bear Bryant]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Nooooooooooooooooooooo How dare you, HOW DARE YOU?

What is this sir, I dont care about the location of anything, this is Tennessee land CLK will own this and everywhere he pleases. Don't be afraid don't fear, dont think about the old, there is no Fulmer this is a new land CUM is afraid of UT stealing talent, CUM is afraid of UT he knows the beast that lurks. EVERYONE!, let us think of this as a resurgance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TennesseePride]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Nooooooooooooooooooooo How dare you, HOW DARE YOU?

What is this sir, I dont care about the location of anything, this is Tennessee land CLK will own this and everywhere he pleases. Don't be afraid don't fear, dont think about the old, there is no Fulmer this is a new land CUM is afraid of UT stealing talent, CUM is afraid of UT he knows the beast that lurks. EVERYONE!, let us think of this as a resurgance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

please go away...

 

[KingNick865]

For recruiting purposes, Tennessee is three different states.

 

[VolinDawgland]

Rod Wilks will lock down the state of Tennessee

 

[M-I-Z-V-O-L]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Nooooooooooooooooooooo How dare you, HOW DARE YOU?

What is this sir, I dont care about the location of anything, this is Tennessee land CLK will own this and everywhere he pleases. Don't be afraid don't fear, dont think about the old, there is no Fulmer this is a new land CUM is afraid of UT stealing talent, CUM is afraid of UT he knows the beast that lurks. EVERYONE!, let us think of this as a resurgance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so your a Bear Bryant fan who claims allegiance to the Vols living in Michigan??
you have a serious identity crisis going on

 

[s1216]

For recruiting purposes, Tennessee is three different states.

Pluheeesssse. Then I guess Texas is 20.

The fact is that if you live in TN, that is your home state. This geography swill is just excuse making. UT is the top football program in TN, they should be getting most of the players in the state they want - period - whether they live in Bristol or Shiloh.

 

[SmokeyTop]

I don't think we will get every player from Tenn. that we go after each year. But a lot of people have failed to realize that the staff got everyone they wanted this year but one, so that is a good start.

 

[KingNick865]

Pluheeesssse. Then I guess Texas is 20.

The fact is that if you live in TN, that is your home state. This geography swill is just excuse making. UT is the top football program in TN, they should be getting most of the players in the state they want - period - whether they live in Bristol or Shiloh.

So you say....Plus, there are like 10 teams in Texas, all of which recruit in Texas.

Also, it could be argued that Texans have more of a sense of pride than Tennesseans about their home state.

 

[jwells]

Pluheeesssse. Then I guess Texas is 20.

The fact is that if you live in TN, that is your home state. This geography swill is just excuse making. UT is the top football program in TN, they should be getting most of the players in the state they want - period - whether they live in Bristol or Shiloh.

No it's not. Throughout Tennessee history the 3 grand divisions have been just that: divisions.

Our welcome signs used to say "Welcome to the three states of Tennessee."

Memphians (?) have more in common to Mississippi and Arkansas than they do Nashville. Knoxville has more in common to Asheville than it does Nashville.

You can have fans of UT football throughout the state, but chances are, at some point, those folks came from East Tennessee or have a legacy of attending the school.

Kids growing up in Memphis see more Ole Miss, Alabama, and Tiger High than they do UT. Saturdays in West Tennessee aren't automatically UT Gamedays.
UT is the top program in the state, but kids don't want to come to UT for the sake of it being in Tennessee. Winning helps, but being from TN will never mean a kid is a UT lock.

 

[KYVOL77]

When CLK say "lock down" he is not literally saying I want every single kid in Tennessee. I think he wants to put UT back on the map where that UT is in every recruits Top 3 or Top 5. He just wants anyone comming in to the state to recruit a kid to know that your going to have to fight us for him.

 

[Big Orange Expres]

I live in West TN about 90 miles east of Memphis. I work in and around Memphis every week. UT is bashed each and every day in Memphis by sports talk radio. These kids grow up hearing nothing but negativity about the Big Orange. They hear more about Memphis and Ole Miss. Hell, they even carry Ole Miss games on radio in Memphis.

That being said, CLK must attack recruiting in Memphis. There are to many talented players in Memphis, and UT must get the ones they want and need every year. With Coach O and his experience recruiting this area, we will see a resurgence for UT recruiting in Memphis and West TN.

 

[Big Orange Expres]

No it's not. Throughout Tennessee history the 3 grand divisions have been just that: divisions.

Our welcome signs used to say "Welcome to the three states of Tennessee."

Memphians (?) have more in common to Mississippi and Arkansas than they do Nashville. Knoxville has more in common to Asheville than it does Nashville.

You can have fans of UT football throughout the state, but chances are, at some point, those folks came from East Tennessee or have a legacy of attending the school.

Kids growing up in Memphis see more Ole Miss, Alabama, and Tiger High than they do UT. Saturdays in West Tennessee aren't automatically UT Gamedays.
UT is the top program in the state, but kids don't want to come to UT for the sake of it being in Tennessee. Winning helps, but being from TN will never mean a kid is a UT lock.

Not sure what you have been smokin', but there are more UT fans, 20-1, in West TN than there are Memphis or Ole Miss fans. We didn't come from East TN. We are true orange fans thru and thru. Memphis is a culture of its on and definetly has Arkansas and Ole Miss ties, but don't lump the rest of us West Tennesseans in with the crowd in Memphis.

 

[Big Orange Expres]

When CLK say "lock down" he is not literally saying I want every single kid in Tennessee. I think he wants to put UT back on the map where that UT is in every recruits Top 3 or Top 5. He just wants anyone comming in to the state to recruit a kid to know that your going to have to fight us for him.

You are dead on. CLK wants to make sure that UT is getting the cream of the crop and leaving the rest for everyone else. If he does that, we will all be happy!!!!!!

 

[OrangeHammer]

We wont shut down Memphis for sure. There are too many atheletes out there. Bama is closer to Memphis, I think. Who cares if they get some guys out of Memphis. Its the thought of tryin to lock down our state that is what I like to see. Fulmer let a lot of guys go who would have loved to play for UT. I mean ya we will lose guys to other schools but as long as we go after the ones we really need. I mean the WR from Mem that has already committed. Who cares! Do you realize how many WRs are in this next class? This will be a deep field for WRs. So to all Vol fans, and Seth. To all the trolls who love bringing up that a Memphis kid has an offer or may go to another school. It's the change of our culture now to TRY and keep our in state guys. I mean thats all we can ask for as fans. IMO

Go Vols

Sounds to me like Fulmer's has rubbed off on someone. Memphis is STILL in the state of TN. If these kids aren't playing for Memphis, then they should be playing for UT.. PERIOD. No excuses in the recruiting battle. California is 3000 miles away, so what if those recruits choose USC right? What a crock man, check yourself.

 

[OrangeHammer]

Not sure what you have been smokin', but there are more UT fans, 20-1, in West TN than there are Memphis or Ole Miss fans. We didn't come from East TN. We are true orange fans thru and thru. Memphis is a culture of its on and definetly has Arkansas and Ole Miss ties, but don't lump the rest of us West Tennesseans in with the crowd in Memphis.

Ole Miss ties would be with ole Eddie Orgeron. SO you can now count them as UT ties. Let's all just "pray" that no it doesn't come down to someones Grandma (cough M.Brown) to make their desicion for them.

p.s.-Marlon, my friend, enjoy your time at GA. I promise you'll have a good time, and probably meet some of those nice lookin girls Athens has to offer. I also promise you this, our defense is hungry for you my friend. Watch coming over that middle, or your rookie QB hanging you up with a high ball. I don't care how good you think you are, Eric Berry and Co are gonna snatch them cookies. You will HURT after every game that you play against the Orange. Write that down..

 

[byobbio]

I don't think we'll lock down memphis. I'm from there. The cops have been trying to do it for years. I think CLK is a little brassy at times but I like the way he talks. Apparently, Grandma Brown didn't like the way Coach O talked. Hell i can't understand him either. I wouldn't put it past him that he let a few F bombs fly. We'll get the lion's share of players from Memphis and that's all you can ask for. We will also fill needs from around the country so it's really not that important that we use all 22 scholly's on Memphis players. Time will tell, however.

 

[Hudro]

We will never get every kid in the state that is a good player. Some will want a total change in surroundings. (I grew up in Oak Ridge and went to Auburn partly to get away from home. ) Some may not have grown up in Tennessee and may have moved to Tennessee in the last few years because of a family job change. Their high school coach may have not be in UT's corner. And finally like Lane said recently some may be turned off by the intensity of our staff. I think as long as we get 8 out of the top 10 we will be fine.