Why Does Tennessee Have Bad Instate Talent?

#1
ole_orange

ole_orange

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#1
I have never understood why our state does not match up with other states in the South when it comes to high school talent. We have a far greater population than Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina yet our talent is mediocre when compared to those states.

A state obsessed with football plus a fairly large population normally equates to a recruiting hot bed. Yet for whatever reason, we do not produce many D-1 players.

What do you guys think is the problem and how can it be fixed? Is it a geographical problem, is it a TSSAA problem or perhaps our kids for whatever reason are not big enough?

Just throwing this out there and wondering what some of you recruiting guys thought.
 
#3
#3
To much cornbread and buttermilk? Just kidding, I think it's because states like Florida have a larger population.
 
#4
#4
It is a pretty easy answer. It does not take a recruiting guru. Weather plus demographics is the recipe. We do not have the demographics.
 
#5
#5
There isn't a huge African-American population in the state like there is in the states you mentioned. It's just facts, not being racist whatsoever. But, the most talent in the state comes from Memphis, where the greater African-American population is. Last time I checked, the AA population in Knoxville, biggest city in East Tennessee, was less than 10%... that's not going to produce a large amount of in-state prospects. A few, but not big enough to count on. Even Nashville doesn't have a large AA population.
 
#7
#7
Demographically speaking, would it be fair to say that poverty stricken areas generally contain more blue-chippers as apposed to the suburbian communities?
 
#8
#8
Number of factors here. Some states have a better year round climate for outdoor sports which helps. You have a better financial dedication to sports in some other states whereas most coaches in TN are also teacher/coaches.
 
#10
#10
According to Scout... Tennessee is ranked 13th nationally in D1 scholarships vs. total number of football players...

One thing around the east tn region is the best athlete on any given team is usually playing qb or rb (because they have to)....where in college they wouldn't make it at that position....

Who is the last db recruit from east Tennessee you have heard of (not named Smith from ND)....

How many guys in Fla and Ga are there that specifically play where they project... a lot
 
#11
#11
All good points, but I've always thought since states like Tennessee and Kentucky have a less percentage of African Americans than a SC or Bama it hurt recruiting for the instate University.
 
#12
#12
kkep48 said:
There isn't a huge African-American population in the state like there is in the states you mentioned. It's just facts, not being racist whatsoever. But, the most talent in the state comes from Memphis, where the greater African-American population is. Last time I checked, the AA population in Knoxville, biggest city in East Tennessee, was less than 10%... that's not going to produce a large amount of in-state prospects. A few, but not big enough to count on. Even Nashville doesn't have a large AA population.
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I guess that makes sense. Not being racist also, but a lot of the "big time" high school programs in this state contain quite a few caucasion kids.

It is just a shame that Memphis is so far away from Knoxville and that they are not exposed to the lure of Tennessee football like kids in East and Middle Tennessee are.
 
#14
#14
ole_orange said:
Demographically speaking, would it be fair to say that poverty stricken areas generally contain more blue-chippers as apposed to the suburbian communities?
Click to expand...

Statistically a correlation may be found however it is not decisive. In Atlanta/Gwinnett there is a large middle class AA population. This population produces many prospects and Div 1 athletes. I would say just as many as the underprivileged AAs. I think the AA population is the big answer. We do produce big O linemen generally as a state. However, SEC football has advanced to state where those Oline need be very athletic now making it that much tougher on us.
 
#15
#15
It's also been my experience that for whatever reason the high schools in east TN seem to be more focused on basketball a lot of the time. That could just be my own personal experience though. It also seems like Memphis is more basketball minded as well.
 
#16
#16
rockydoc said:
Do you have anything constructive to add or you just want to continue your post sniper role!:banghead2::banghead2:
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I am more interested in learning more about your fantastic recruiting plan that gives substandard talent an extra star because gosh darn, they are a UT fan and resident of the State.


CLK will be calling with your job offer soon, so sit by the phone.
 
#17
#17
i guess noone on here has heard of golden tate,dennis rogan,aaron douglas,randall cobb
 
#19
#19
Demon_Vol said:
It's also been my experience that for whatever reason the high schools in east TN seem to be more focused on basketball a lot of the time. That could just be my own personal experience though. It also seems like Memphis is more basketball minded as well.
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Nashville is all football. We are just mostly white and lack size and speed.
 
#21
#21
AirVol3 said:
i guess noone on here has heard of golden tate,dennis rogan,aaron douglas,randall cobb
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Right, but for every Roganesque prospect in our state, there seems to be four or five of them in the Alabamas or Georgias of the world.
 
#22
#22
Maybe the high school coaching isn't up to par? Is Maryville the only dynasty left now? When I was at Oak Ridge, there were several in East Tennessee. Farragut, Kingsport DB, Chattanooga Baylor and Redbank, Sullivan East, Morristown just to name a few. I don't live in TN anymore, so I don't keep up with high school football. I know Oak Ridge hasn't been strong in a while, and it's been pointed at coaching. Could it be more statewide? I know here in south Florida, the coach at Pahokee and other Palm Beach County schools, the coaches are really good.
 
#23
#23
FlaVolFan said:
Maybe the high school coaching isn't up to par? Is Maryville the only dynasty left now? When I was at Oak Ridge, there were several in East Tennessee. Farragut, Kingsport DB, Chattanooga Baylor and Redbank, Sullivan East, Morristown just to name a few. I don't live in TN anymore, so I don't keep up with high school football. I know Oak Ridge hasn't been strong in a while, and it's been pointed at coaching. Could it be more statewide? I know here in south Florida, the coach at Pahokee and other Palm Beach County schools, the coaches are really good.
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uhmmm Alcoa
 
#24
#24
GoVols2003 said:
I am more interested in learning more about your fantastic recruiting plan that gives substandard talent an extra star because gosh darn, they are a UT fan and resident of the State.


CLK will be calling with your job offer soon, so sit by the phone.
Click to expand...

???

This thread poses a legitamate question that consequently effects our recruiting strategy against the likes of Urban Meyer and Nick Saban.
 
#25
#25
ole_orange said:
???

This thread poses a legitamate question that consequently effects our recruiting strategy against the likes of Urban Meyer and Nick Saban.
Click to expand...

Never said it was not a legitimate question. Just stating that we do not need a new thread asking this same question every other week.
 
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