The work continues . . . on and off the field. A rejuvenated, hot football program on the field. The buzz school turning heads in recruiting off the field. The buzz is Tennessee football is on its way back. The way back is being lead by Masters of the Recruiting Universe.
The above chart is a tribute to the work ethic of the Vols coaching staff. While 2010 is yet to be complete (NSD is Feb. 03), one thing is clear. They will go to the ends of the recruiting universe to get who they want.
Epic Battles
Commitments from nine (9) states and counting. What’s more impressive is how they are going head to head with the Florida schools for players those schools want to and are making headway.
Jeff Luc is said to be close to pulling the trigger. Luc is an the number one ranked ‘Mike’ backer and an early enrollee.
Chaz Green is a big need OT out of Tampa who is another potential Vol.
As is Christian Jones, an OLB who is ranked #5 in the nation at his position.
Five star defensive back Matt Elam still holds to his Florida commitment. Stay tuned.
Chris Dunkley the standout wide receiver from Pahokee took an official visit with the South Carolina game.
Circling like Sharks
Mark Richt has always relied heavily on talent rich Georgia. Lane Kiffin isn’t being sneaky about it. He’s looking to take not just players from Georgia, but the best players.
It may not have been an Apache Longbow attack helicopter CLK and CEO canvassed the Atlanta area in a few weeks ago. But it might have as well been from the dread and disdain the Bulldog faithful feels right now.
Georgia is in trouble and you can see it. Underachieving with good talent is a terminal illness in the SEC. Lose to your arch rivals badly and consistently and your days are numbered. Doesn’t matter how nice of a guy you are.
There’s blood in the water and the sharks are circling. That number 3 from GA in the 2010 column will be bigger comes February fourth. If the Tennessee has there way, Juwuan James will fill a huge need for the Vols.
Loading Up
A four star recruit decommits (Demarco Cobbs), a big time juco wide out (Kenbrell Thompkins) takes the spot. A five star player is committed to Florida, hang on and watch the finish. And there in is the point. There are only so many spots left for this class to be part of something special.
If ‘being a part of something special’ sounds cliché, its not. No 4-4 team in the country is talked about as much as Tennessee in the media and by recruits. If Tennessee handles business and you know the coaches will have them ready, 8-4 is staring them in the face. A New Years Day Bowl (likely the Outback Bowl) would follow.
No Delusional Claims
Kiffin & Co. under chief strategist Ed Orgeron have taken recruiting to a new level of sophistication. Not a bunch of double talking gibberish. No delusional claims like Alabama fans singing they just beat the hell out of Tennessee after they collectively wet themselves a few weeks ago.
Real direction, real results such as Tennessee finishing with a top 3 class this year. Hopefully, the SEC fan bases will continue to deride and cry foul toward Lane Kiffin. He wouldn’t have it any other way.
Will Not be Denied
For a program that’s had its ups and downs this decade, things are looking up. To this point, everything Lane Kiffin has said he would bring to this program he has done. By having a great work ethic, clean program, great recruiting classes, and a swagger.
Now for the first time in a long time, there is no underlying uneasiness. Can the Vols keep it close with Florida and Alabama? Well, that questioned got answered in year one of the Kiffin era.
The recruiting landscape is a vast one. It’s not for the faint of heart. Recruits can wax and wane. But there is a strategy and a plan. A big plan that will not be denied.
Enjoy the ride Vol fans, we may never seen an ensemble this impressive again. A coaching staff known as Masters of the Recruiting Universe:
1 response to “Masters of the Recruiting Universe”
Great blog Dan. Good to see those numbers from TN, GA, FL, and CA.