What I think Tennessee's recruiting dominance means for the Vols and their rivals
I know. You’ve heard it before.
You heard at the start of the Butch Jones era that the Vols were on their way back. You heard before the start of the 2016 season that Tennessee was going to win the SEC East. You heard before the 2019 season that the Vols were going to make a significant jump.
By “you,” I’m referring to anyone who paid any attention to Tennessee football in the 21st century. That means Vols fans and non-Vols fans. There have been plenty of times when you saw the Tennessee hype train pick up steam, only to watch it go completely off the rails (end of the Butch Jones era) or come to a screeching halt (end of the Lane Kiffin era).
When Tennessee has a run of recruiting dominance like the one it just had — perhaps I shouldn’t use past tense for that because the Vols probably will have another commitment by the end of this sentence — it’s impossible not to think big picture.
What does this mean for Tennessee? And perhaps of equal importance, what does it mean for Tennessee’s rivals?
It’s not nothing (apologies for my second double-negative sentence of this column). In case you haven’t spent much time on Twitter recently, the Vols went on a recruiting tear past 2 weeks with commitment after commitment:
- April 26 — No. 1 WDE Dylan Brooks (5-star)
- April 27 — No. 13 S Kamar Wilcoxson (4-star)
- April 28 — No. 42 WR Julian Nixon (4-star)
- April 30 — No. 1 JUCO RB Tiyon Evans (3-star)
- No. 1 OLB Terrence Lewis (5-star)
- May 3 — No. 32 S De’Shawn Rucker (3-star)
- No. 9 RB Cody Brown (4-star)
- May 4 — No. 32 OT Colby Smith (3-star)
What do I take from that? Something tells me Jeremy Pruitt’s staff isn’t caught up on the latest season of “Ozark” yet.
At a time when nobody has much of any sort of momentum, the Vols have that in spades. Rising all the way up to No. 2 in the recruiting class rankings is significant, even though at a place like Tennessee, recruiting was never really the issue in the 2010s. It was development.
Starting with Jones’ first full recruiting cycle (2014), look at the imbalance between recruiting class rankings and NFL Draft talent:
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And in the 2018 NFL Draft after Jones was fired in November of the 2017 season, the Vols had 3 players drafted (I didn’t include that year for recruiting because Pruitt took over that class when he was hired in Dec. 2017). For a 5-year stretch, Tennessee averaged 2.4 draft picks per year. That’s for a program that averaged a borderline top-10 class in those 4 years.
That’s awful.
This isn’t news to Tennessee fans or non-Tennessee fans. What’s something else that everyone knows? The rivalry struggles.
Tennessee just pulled off an 8-win season, yet it went 0-3 against Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Even worse was the fact that the Vols were outscored 112-30. Check that. Even worse was celebrating being close with Alabama in the second half of a game and talking about whether a quarterback going rogue at the goal line could have flipped a 22-point result.
Fans of Alabama, Florida and Georgia will point to these numbers and say, “uh, tell us why we should care about Tennessee because they landed a few recruits.”
[table “” not found /]
You know what? I don’t blame rival fan bases if they say they’re not afraid of Tennessee right now. A team that went 3-27 vs. its rivals with an average margin of defeat of 3 scores (17.6 points) shouldn’t scare a ton of people.
But being “afraid” is a far different thing than being aware. Georgia is absolutely aware of what Tennessee is doing on the recruiting trail. I mean, the Vols just went into Georgia and landed 2 Top 25 recruits in the Peach State. And when the Dawgs don’t land a 5-star recruit from the South, these days, that’s considered noteworthy.
If you thought Georgia posting a video of last year’s 43-14 win in Knoxville in the midst of Tennessee’s recruiting run was a total coincidence, well, I’d say you’re a bit naive:
Check out all the 💥FIREWORKS💥 from our third consecutive win over Tennessee‼️#GoDawgs #ATD pic.twitter.com/00zYwmwWUT
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) April 30, 2020
That hit on Brian Maurer still makes me wince.
Here’s the thing. Is it petty for Georgia to post stuff like that? Probably. Should someone in the Dawgs’ shoes remind the college football world of how 1-sided the rivalry has been in recent memory? Absolutely.
But whether it’s Georgia, Florida or Alabama, recruiting against Tennessee is different now. Why? Pruitt and his staff already showed that they’re better at developing talent than any of the 3 previous head coaches before he arrived. Yes, I do think Pruitt operates under a more no-nonsense, Nick Saban-like approach than his predecessor. Does that mean Pruitt is going to become the former Saban assistant to finally take him down? No. At least not yet.
During his weekly appearance on Birmingham-based WJOX 94.5 FM radio program “The Roundtable,” Paul Finebaum had some interesting comments related to Tennessee’s recruiting success catching the attention of the program’s rivals.
“He’s getting players that Tennessee has not gotten in a long time, so he’s learned from others, especially his old boss in Tuscaloosa,” Finebaum said on the show. “I think he feels and senses the momentum, so he’s playing to it and no matter how you slice it, Jeremy Pruitt’s recruiting has been the story of this spring. And the reason why I’m convinced that Tennessee is on the cusp of returning to power is I am hearing criticism from other schools, competing schools – from rivals, that he’s not doing that great.
“I haven’t heard anybody mention Tennessee recruiting in so long, I mean you have to go back almost to me outside of a brief moment with Butch Jones and Lane Kiffin for about 20 minutes, you have to go back to the heyday of Phil Fulmer. It is amazing — the perception out there right now. There’s nothing going on so if you create a perception, it is going to carry you and I think they’re building off of it.”
I’ll agree to disagree that we’ve barely heard about Tennessee recruiting in the past decade-plus. And to be honest, I’m not going to sit here and say that the Vols are on the cusp of returning to power.
But here’s where I do agree with Finebaum. I believe Tennessee is following the blueprint to success. Sustainable success.
Like, if you had told Vols fans during the John Currie botched hiring that coming off Year 2 with their new coach that they had a top-30 defense in 2019, an 8-win season with 4 consecutive wins vs. SEC teams and the No. 2 class with multiple recruits rated 4-stars or better from Alabama, Florida and Georgia, I think they would have been ecstatic.
Pruitt hasn’t been perfect by any means. The aforementioned 2019 struggles against those rivals are still a punchline, as are the Georgia State/BYU debacles. But given what we’ve seen since mid-October of last year, I’m becoming more and more convinced of something — that’s how you build a program.
That’s is how you prevent a bad start from turning into season in which seniors bail on the program. That’s how you make sure you don’t have years without a Tennessee player drafted. That’s how you become champions of something other than “life.”
Now is the time when Tennessee has to capitalize on this. Capitalizing doesn’t mean “East or bust.” The Vols aren’t on Florida or Georgia’s level yet. Until they prove they have a legitimate SEC quarterback, their upside is limited. But capitalizing means not taking a step back in the win column. Capitalizing means staying on the field with the 3 rivals instead of praising hard-fought first halves after lopsided losses.
There’s no guarantee that happens in 2020. Until it does, Florida won’t treat Tennessee like it’s Georgia. Georgia won’t treat Tennessee like it’s Alabama. Alabama won’t treat Tennessee like it’s Clemson. That’s to be expected.
But if the Vols stop being the butt of their rivals’ jokes in the not-so-distant future, we’ll look back on this time with a more universal opinion.
Oh, I guess this was different.
Talk to me on signing day. We’re only 7 months away.
We will. And so you’ll understand what we’re saying we will use small words.
GBO
Can you use proper sentence structure too?
You forgot the comma after “structure.”
doubledeuce, No I didn’t. Typically you put a comma before the “too” if it is in the middle of a sentence. When the too is at the end of a sentence you typically leave out the comma.
For example:
I, too, like bananas.
I like bananas too.
Hope this clear it up for you!
As a neutral Kentucky fan observing this grammar/punctuation battle, I have to say I agree there should be a comma before “too.” Or maybe I should say, I think there should be a comma there, too. Indeed, I, too, think there should be a comma after structure.
God, I love this.
Cats over Vols this year, by the way.
???
@Volbeef88…………..Hey Volbeef, by the time it’s time to sign. Ill bet those 5 stars will have flipped!!!! Probably to UGA!!!
Remember these are young guys. Young guys get excited easy. They are only being told about how Tennessee ended their season.
What really happened was Y’ALL BASICALLY BEAT THE BOTTOM HALF OF YOUR SCHEDULE!!!!
Y’all were making fun of your own team losing to Ga State and BYU at the start. Y’all were talking real big when UGA had a BAD HALF!!!! But then we CRUSHED YOU IN THE SECOND HALF!!!!! And that was even having offensive problems.
All you need to do is look at your schedule. You play Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, UGA and the rest of the SEC teams you play. But that is 4 losses right there. And it puts a lot of pressure on you to win the other games that I’m not so positive you’ll win!!!!
But y’all ain’t taking a boatload of first year 3 star players and beating Florida or OU or Bama or UGA!!!! You’ll have your best chance to beat UGA only because it’s the end of the season. And iron sharpens iron!!! You’ll have played some great teams. But we ain’t gonna roll over!!!! I STILL SAY. 2020 will be a tough season for Tennessee considering all your expectations and who you play!!!
Too many expectations. Plus your NOT going to be #1 in the SEC in recruiting. UGA only has around 5 5 star players or more still having Crystal balls for UGA!!!! Not to mention. Kirby always pulls a few surprises!!!! I doubt Saban will stay at # 57!!! Florida will probably be ahead of you and LSU to!!! You’ll be lucky to take 5th in recruiting before it’s over!!!!
THE #1 REASON…….
BECAUSE ALL OF THESE TEAMS YOU MUST PLAY WILL PROBABLY CRUSH YOU!!!! Your recruiting will go way down by time you reach seasons end!!! So enjoy it while it last!!!
PS. UGA getting ready to begin the DYNASTY!!!! Go dawgs!!!!
King Negan
Send us some more players.
Thank you.
LOL – Pruitt and UT will be spanking mullet and the turds soon enough.
I guess we’re never really out of your head, even when the story isn’t about us.
LOL – Moron
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Showing an overall number obscures the trend.
@TheDawgsofWar………….Well honestly I’m not sure I care who wins between those two!!! I haven’t liked Tennessee since they HURT CHUBB AND A LOT OF OUR PLAYERS, THEN CELEBRATED IT WITH BIG SIGNS!!!
But the gators are still our biggest most hated rival!!! But I will say. I think Florida will probably beat Tennessee at least one more year!!! Tennessee has yet to shred the gators curse!!!
PS. I will be rooting for Tennessee. Only because of the gators overall EASY SCHEDULE compared to ours!!!
King Negan
I agree with you there. If it’s not on paper, it’s vapor. If we a have a good season, we might be able to keep them all. If we don’t, we can probably say bye to some of them. However, it’s still nice to see at least some momentum in our direction.
I think we should go ahead and award Tennessee the April 2020 recruiting award for the SEC. It sure looks and sounds better than a trashcan or even a box of Life cereal.
As the article says you know you are doing something right when your rivals start criticizing it as no big deal. The dogs have had their opportunity at a title, and choked it away. Should have capitalized, but you didn’t….
I’m not criticizing at all, I said give you an award. We could start a new SEC Award, maybe call it the “April 26 – May 4 Superior Recruiting Award” and engrave UT right as the first annual recipient. With all the trophies in your UT football trophy case, you might have to build an extension. I know trash cans take up a lot of space for sure!
We could give Tenn an award for “2nd best UNSIGNED class in May.” Since that’s exactly what this is. They could even put it on the rock. It’d be the biggest thing to happen to their program since losing to lowly Georgia State.
But if we give an award to Tennessee, I guess we might consider GA State for the “2019 Giant Killer” award, that is if you consider UT a giant.
Win a title and then get back to us.
Hey, Mikey likes it!
Agreed. This is way too early for any school to be all hyped up about commitments.
You’re right Connor. Ricky Pruitt is doing a great job recruiting over there right now.
I believe Ricky Bobby Pruitt said they wanted to play under the Bristol Motor Speedway lights!
We did that and curb stomped the Hokies.
I can’t get too excited about team recruiting rankings at this point in such an unprecedented cycle. Most of the usual suspects for top ten classes (outside of Ohio State) are still looking at around 10 or less commitments with average player ranking higher than UT’s. I mean, sure, good for them for getting the hype during the shutdown.
What’s really impressive is Ohio State and the numbers they have…no one is anywhere near them, how are they doing that.
Cash is King these days especially in Ohio.
How ironic that statement comes from a Georgia fan…. Georgia budgets & spends more money on football recruiting than any program in the country at $2.6M for the 2019-20 recruiting period. So we can assume that Georgia buys its #1 recruiting class and cash is king in Athen$ too.
Yes, we are loaded.
It’s still way too early. They’re benefiting from kids not being able to take visits or have coaches stop by. Most of these kids they’re landing they were on really early (like offering when they were freshmen). Their current class would be good for about 23 in the country last year. It’s a nice run, but finishing is more important.
sure it is absolutely how you finish but wouldnt you agree we have a better chance of finishing with a higher ranking at the end of the year by being where we are today rather than #23 or worse… You can downplay our recruiting success right now if you want but the snowball is rolling and you nor anybody else knows when or where it will stop. maybe its at #23 or maybe its at #1. But the one thing that is factual, we are getting all the attention right now and that is a good thing. GBO!
Ask Ole Miss about how it’s a good thing when you are getting all the attention in recruiting. I’m not stating that they are paying the recruits like Ole Miss did. Just saying attention isn’t always a good thing.
Unless those programs are comparable or there’s evidence of recruiting improprieties-not really a valid argument. As you said-no evidence of cheating.
Ole Miss hid their cheating pretty well, at least for a while……
They did-so tell me what evidence you’ve got? Better yet-take it to the SEC office. Wait-I get it-you have none, you’re being bitter, and you’re comparing two situations that aren’t comparable.
So why hasn’t Auburn been “benefiting from kids not being able to take visits”? Lazy recruiting, you tell us. As for the 23rd in the country comment, well now you’re just being silly.
Still 1-7 against Muschamp.
How long is Cocks win streak?
What happened last year?
Bye
How long has it been since Tennessee has actually had a good season? That 2008 picture on your wall has to be really faded by now.
2008 was not a good season. A lot of folks think it’s basically what led to the mess we’re in now.
For added perspective, 2008 was only the 2nd time in our history, up to that point, we had lost as many as 7 games in a season. 1977 (Johnny Majors’ first year coaching us) was the other time.
We’ve had lots of 7-loss seasons since then, and also suffered our first ever 8-loss season along the way, but prior to 2008 (and besides the 1977 season) the worst years in Tennessee football in the long, storied history of college football never got worse than a 6-loss season.
So these recent years seem quite bizarre.
I guess you can use 2008 as a ‘good’ season with how far Tennessee has fallen since then.
Alabama and Tennessee has basically transposed teams during their rise and fall.
It’s impossible to get an Alabama fan to talk about most of the their teams in the 00s.
“Cocks-Win-Streak” ? Muschamp’s Cocks don’t have much of any win-streak vs. anyone…maybe Charleston Southern or the Citadel…maybe. You need a Head Coach who is a Winner to have something called a “Win-Streak”.
First, 1-3 against him as SC coach.
Second, 1-1 against him as SC coach with Pruitt as head coach.
Third, probably only one more chance to face him as SC coach seeing the mess he’s created in Columbia and likely only came back due to his contract and buyout.
What are you trying to prove? 1-3 is terrible. What’s Muschamps record against UT in general? No one is worried about UT.
lol well you should be worried about UT and every other team in the east. You guys are reeling.
Do you think Mizzou will beat South Carolina? New Missouri HC Drinkwitz is 1-0 against Muschamp.
Fuzzy, pot calling the kettle black. Neh?
GamecockBrent- As a Carolina grad, please stop. We have literally nothing to be proud of during the muschamp era. He’s a joke, and right now, the gamecocks are a joke. Bragging about muschamp a record against TN while he was at other schools, coming from a SC fan is just sad..
Your program is a dumpster fire Brent.
You can thank UGA for Muschump getting another year, and I can guarantee you it will be sweet revenge in Columbia East this season.
Yeah…UGA you gave all of us SEC Fans another year to see a wreck-of-a-program at South Carolina. Gotta do much better this year vs. those Cocks.
Yeah….I mean how in the hell did you guys manage to lose to a 3-9 team??????
I am glad that Missouri got rid of Odom before it would have been a huge mess and no one would want to come to Mizzou. No one really knows what the east division will be like since it is really going to be a lot more competitive than the last few years.
@TrueLefty………Honestly, I think y’all made a huge mistake cutting Odom loose so quickly. Look at all he had going against him??? But he was NOT a bad coach!!!!
Will Muschamp is NOT a bad coach either!!! He has had a LOT of less talented teams to work with!!! If SC ever fires him. I hope UGA reaches out and brings him home to help coach the defense!!!! HELP COACH NOT TAKE OVER UNLESS THERE IS AN OPENING!!!!
Steve Spurrier quit after beating Alabama and I believe he won the east didn’t he? But even he couldn’t stay at SC. But if they didn’t have to compete with clemson for players. They would probably be a power in the east every year!!!!
Clemson is the reason for SC not recruiting great!!! Clemson should come over and play in the SEC!!! Send Vandy to the ACC. As is now, Vandy probably becomes a powerhouse in the ACC LOL!!!!
PS. But we know Clemson won’t DARE!!!
King Negan
I think Pruitt is 1-1 against USC. Doesn’t Muschamp have a losing record against Saban and Smart. He also has a losing record with Mullen after Mullin moved to UF. Did you have a relevant point?
During Tennessee’s worse stretch in modern times, it still recruited well, even with bozos like Dooley, Kiffen, and Jones.
What makes anyone think Vols won’t recruit great now?
Tennessee is an all time top ten program with facilities second to none, 3 Recruiter of the Year coaches on staff, and best developer of talent in the nation in Pruitt.
Only SEC team with longer win streak is LSU.
Who said Pruitt isn’t a bozo too? Amazing how Tennessee hypes this guy up, yet the forget he was their 37th choice after the first 36 turned them down to coach peewee football instead.
Uh, Saban and Smart and Jimbo say Pruitt isn’t a bozo.
Or a dumbass like some on here.
He’s an outstanding defensive coordinator and future head coach IMO but calling him “the best developer of talent in the nation” is laughable.
Good defensive coach, but best developer? have a brain when you start talking.
Saban, Smart, nor Jimbo made Pruitt the HC and face of the program either.
Pruitt was actually the first choice for UT’s current AD…
Best developer of talent in the nation?
You sound like the average Georgia Moron with over the top hype.
You guys have been recruiting great lately but don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s still very early in the cycle
102-41
Man you are so stupid
Bro- please explain how Pruitt is the “best developer of talent in the nation.” No wonder Vols get such a big head when there is any sort of momentum….many of the fans have the most irrational optimism during the brief seconds of success. It really makes it easy to cheer against UT lol.
“ Tennessee is an all time top ten program with facilities second to none”
Top ten in what manner? But seriously, facilities second to none? Have you ever been in their dump of a football stadium?
I am curious about correlation with TR leaving Tenn., his arrival at SC, and now this – somewhat cause for concern, maybe not ?
Uh what is your question and concern. Rocker is a good coach and average recruiter. His contract with UT was not renewed because Pruitt wanted a good coach and a good recruiter. Pretty simple really. You will like Rocker.
Uh, how many of those recruits are from Tenn. – like SC, they must do well w players from border states. Your state does produce what is needed to compete in the SEC.
I’ll say this–Rocker was pretty unsatisfactory at recruiting D-linemen at Georgia and his failure to land those top prospects probably had something to do with his departure from UGA.
what does that have to do with your first post and my response? Sure schools like UT and SC and many others have to recruit outside the borders well. Whats new? its been like that forever.
Rocker is a good coach but a poor recruiter. That’s why he’s no longer at UT.
Rocker has always been a great coach that dislikes the recruiting side of college football. That’s why he left for the NFL for a while. Given the opportunity, I bet he would jump back to the pros in a heartbeat.
Kirby – Didn’t Rocker get J. Rochester, Trenton Thompson and Ledbetter to come to UGA?
I think TR was a pretty good coach and I’m sorry we lost him. Still, I don’t believe Tennessee needs more quality coaching on Defense. I think they need higher calibre recruits to add and bolster Pruitt and Ainsley’s defensive scheme, which I believe to be is what they’ve added in 2020 and 2021 recruiting cycles. Within the next three seasons, I see Tennessee having a top 5 defence nationally. If they can get the same calibre of recruits on offence, Tennessee is going to be the team to beat in the east.
Wasn’t that the same from some of the past HC that ended up getting fired for not winning on the field after?
Wasn’t that the same from some of the past HC that ended up getting fired for not winning key games?
Well, Butch was promising something to the recruits that he couldn’t give which created a bad culture at the program. That was a large part of the reason it was so hard finding a new HC. I personally believe Pruitt is going to successful but like everything else, we’ll just have to wait and see
I think that Tennessee has finally gotten the right guy in Pruitt. He’s a helluva recruiter and his coaching pedigree is solid. If he can continue the momentum, Tennessee will be back back in contention for the East.
I agree.
mullet does goofy dances and runs his mouth, Pruitt recruits and coaches like there is no tomorrow.
Can’t keep Mullen and the Gators out of your puny brain
conjoneslicker
you have replied to every single post I have made today, just like you did the other day
speaking of obsession – do you ever get tired of being the bytch????
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BamaHeel…I tend to agree with you concerning Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee…as he provides “Stability” at a time in The Vols Program where that is definitely needed. The Recruiting-Buzz that they have going now is great…but every program still has to coach em and manage the games in order to Win some games. Seems to me that the Enthusiasm is back in Knoxville(barring any Ga. St. type games happening). The Vol-Orange is looking Brighter.
You think so? So that means Nick Saban is now on a declined. Is he going to retire in the near future?
Which former assistant coach will Bama hired as the next HC?
Alabama’s next Head Coach ? That’s a tough Question. But I surely would hate to follow The GOAT.
Not afraid of Tennessee. They’ve always had talent. They’ve not had a head coach that’s been their problem. They hire one buffoon after another and expect to win games somehow. No reason whatsoever the Georgias, Alabamas, and Floridas of the world should be worried until UT gets up off of it’s butt and hires a real head coach. Raping white boards on the sidelines and throwing your players under the bus every single week doesn’t turn an ex-circus clown into a football coach. At least Butch Jones owned up to his shortcomings and admitted that to the media every week, instead of blaming it all on the players like Potatohead does.
“They hire one buffoon after another and expect to win games somehow.”
Zook, Muschamp, McSharkHumper, Mullet …
Don’t worry turd boy – Pruitt and the hillbillys will have you wusses squealing pigs soon enough.
As if Mullen has not won games. Your obsession blinds you to reality and makes you look dumber with every post
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Stop drinking.
Gromit that is one of your more ignorant posts. Geez.
Hey-Butch is posting again. Did you remember Nicky’s creamer?
What a moron! “raping white boards on the sidelines”, what does that even mean? Spell check might be a big help for you, dumbass.
Jeremy Pruitt’s Blaming the players last year did surprise me, but I feel that he was shell-shocked by opening up Zero/2. It is a part of the learning-process of becoming A Head Coach I guess.
I didn’t watch that game, but I would have publically trashed on them too for getting pushed around by Ga.State. There’s no excuse for any SEC team to lose like that. He was probably tired of apologizing for that kind of horse crap.
I was unaware they had a NSD this past week Connor…congrats BlueTickU
How’d Smart lose to Cocks, of all teams? They couldn’t even beat UT.
It’s the story of the season. UGA lost to a team who lost to a team who lost to Georgia State…opening day…at home.
Or as your famous poster TruDawg would say, you always lose one you shouldn’t
Transitive property is only believed when it is a positive for Tennessee. :)
The SC game for UGA was a case of everything that could possibly go wrong did. And that game cost UGA dearly in the end, but the offense went down hill from there in production although it was still good enough to win close games.
Effort level on the Gamecocks was a bit of a difference maker though. You could see the Gamecock players refused to lose that game.
Georgia players walked in there expecting an easy win.
I felt Georgia played a little more sharp for the rest of the season after that game.
Will Muschamp personally took charge and Coached the Defense that week…making the defensive calls also. Although Will is a horrible Head Coach, he is a very good Defensive Coordinator. I still think that the Dawgs kinda took that game for granted….as I watched it, the intensity was just not there.
I honestly don’t understand why other SEC teams are opposed to Tennessee returning to relevancy and that there is a substantial chance that Pruitt can lead us to National glory. Three teams in the SEC east perenially finishing in the top 10 in the rankings is the kind of excitement and competition that recruits want to be a part of and fans pay to see. As much as I hope to see Tennessee whoop up on Georgia, Florida, and Bama every year, I love the competition and can’t wait for the matchups. I think the Vols have a real shot at beating Oklahoma in week two which will be a great warm-up heading into the game with Florida. There’s a reason we shout “SEC, SEC” after bowl games.
Yeah, no, I hate Tennessee and their putrid team colors and their idiotic fans (present company excluded) and that goddang brainiac Josh Dobbs. I’ll gladly watch them in the dumpster for another decade if I could. Unfortunately, that is not the way that blue bloods sway.
Hahah I get what you mean, but don’t you love beating a rival in a highly contested matchup? For comparison, did you enjoy the game vs Tennessee last year more than beating Florida?
Florida, obviously, but mostly because I hate them even more, the game had more significance, and because our game against UT felt sloppy and embarrassing. It wasn’t because of the points-margin.
For my part I am not one of those “SEC, SEC” types. Having said that, I do want competitive games. I mean do Clemson fans really enjoy the regular season?
I’m not entirely “SEC, SEC” either, I just acknowledge that it is the most competitive conference and that it produces the best matchups and best teams annually. TBH, it’s incredibly hard to recruit in the SEC when so many teams are good so I completely understand and agree with your perspective.
I would think so! It is about getting back to the playoff!
They do, they would prefer to destroy easy teams by half time so they leave the stadium and go drink outside instead.
Clemson’s Always Cushy Conference schedule empties their stadium in the 4th quarter during most ACC games…but alas they arrive for the Playoffs as a Healthy, Rested Team.
Hey Connor, how is this any different than Floriduh’s “recruiting haul” this time last year, when they got into the “top-3” of recruiting rankings?
How is it any different than when Floriduh barely finished in the top-10 or barely outside the top-10 depending on the ranking system when it actually mattered in December?
Have you actually looked at the composite ranking of these seventeen VERBAL committments? It’s 89. That’s pretty average. It’s about where they were last year. It’s about what Sideshow Dan the Clown has been pulling-in the last couple of years.
Do you know where that composite is nowhere close to? Bama and Georgia. You wrote all those words but never addressed anything real.
We know what Saban and Kirby will do in December. And thus, the gap continues to widen, even if every single one of these recruits actually do sign.
sideshow corch you have diarrhea of the mouth. Get a life and a job.
Sorry you don’t like dealing in reality, hillbilly. Reality like 43-14.
Win a game, and then you have the right to talk to me. Until then, shuddap.
Well if it takes winning something to talk you should probably stay quiet… It’s been 40 years since UGA won a NC…
Cut and paste. Tiresome. The best thing about insane people is that they are original. You prove the adage that there is an exception to every rule. Since you are a caricature of a person you should change your racist slur of a name to R.K. Maroon.
1… 2… 345, then dem Gatas don take no jive!
Only a Georgia Moron would put Kirby up there with Saban. But then again you guys don’t deal with reality just over the top hype and delusion. 1980
Over the last three years, Kirby has recruited better than Saban. And this is about recruiting. Or can you not read, ‘turd?
Oh… seriously… can you not read? Man. That’s… I’m sorry. It must be incredibly difficult for you.
And yet if you compare the results for both teams it makes you guys look even worse.
Better recruiting and worse performance. In other words less with more. Only a Moron would keep bringing this up
102-41
You are seriously a crazy person…
I can’t help but imagine Chaneys offense from 2012 (around 35 points per game) with a real defense. If that is what we are building towards then heck yes. But it’s early and these boys gotta get that orange and white helmet on first. Lets see how many stick around and how many get caught up in the excitement and reopen the recruiting.
GBO
Tennessee” recruiting dominance? Let’s tap the brakes just a wee bit. They had a good week of announcements, but as others have noted in other articles, their high class rank is skewed by a high headcount, most of whom are mid-range 3-stars. And as still others have noted, it is still eight months until ESD.
It is good to see a traditional East power coming back though. I look forward to the Tennessee-Florida game returning to being one of the biggest SEC games of the year.
I’m glad to see the Vols bounce back. I’ve said it before: when Tenn is good the SEC and CFB are better for it.
We all know that part of their recruiting ranking is their # of signees relative to others. When I look at their list of 17, I see a ton of 3 stars where Ga Ala Clem might sign 2 or 3 at most, and that for position needs like LS or kickers. Imo if Tenn has e.g. 6 slots left, it will prob take all 6 being 4 or 5 star for Vols to stay in Top 10.Top 15 looks very doable though and that’s a great improvement and reason for Vol fans to get excited.
Although I’m not happy with the Auburn Tennessee schedule change, it will make the Ga Tenn game more meaningful each year IMO. Even more so if Tenn gets back the their 90s mojo
Just looking at Tenn schedule. If they could beat one of Ala, Fla, Okla and not trip up against SC or others, they could be 7-2 rolling into Athens. Ive been season ticket holder for over 40 years. Thete have been maybe only 7 or 8 home games that the crowd was off the charts crazy. If Tenn rolls in 7-2, if Ga is no worse than 8-1, if it’s a night game, given the Mastwrs buzz that will definitely be there, that game could be one of the great crowds in past 45 years
In my time as season ticket holder these are the games where Dawg fans went a little nuts. Crazy from start to finish
1976 Bama
1978 Tech
1980 SC
1991 Clemson
2000 Tennessee the streak buster
2007 Auburn
2019 N Dame
Honorable Mention . The crowd didnt start crazy but was crazy by the end
1984 Clemson
2013 LSU
Couldn’t agree with you more, I think Tenn. vs. Georgia is one of the best matchups and I don’t think anyone wouldn’t want to experience another thriller like 2015. The schedule change kind of reversed roles where it benefits Tenn. and hurts Georgia but I think it will just make the game all the more exciting!
And what is interesting Bmekdeci98 is UGA and UT almost never played before 1992, very seldom. Not sure why but it happened only rarely.
It is interesting. You’d expect schools that really aren’t that far away from each other would have had more annual matchups. But since the matchups have become more competitive I think it is one of the better rivalries in College Football.
I agree.
That 2007 Blackout game was so loud! 2019 ND was pretty ripping couldn’t speak next day after either of those
goodgod we had a top 10 class last year with nine 3 stars, auburn had the #7 class with ten 3 stars, Texas A&M had the #6 class with eleven 3 stars, ohio state had the #5 class with eight 3 stars, LSU at #4 with seven 3 stars, clemPson at #3 withy six 3 stars, alabama at #2 with four 3 stars and the #1 class in the country last year was your UGA Booldogs with six 3 stars. Per 247. So I think we will have a top 10 class probably fairly easy, maybe top 5 if some dominos fall and we can hold on to them.
Interesting to see the “legitimate SEC quarterback” when in fact TN has Harrison Bailey coming in as a true freshman that will surprise a lot of people.
I think he’s probably the most talented QB the Vols will have on the roster this season, but without spring practice, I’m a little worried about them playing a true freshman, regardless of talent. There isn’t enough space to breathe in the QB room for Tennessee, so the competition will be great and it may even help Jarret Guarantano play like a 3rd year SEC starter.
Fromm did ok as true freshman
So did Tua (even though he didn’t start the season) but they are generational talents that I would place as exceptions to the rule. They were also both higher rated than Harrison going into college (not that ratings determine college success). I think Chaney and Weinke will make the right decisions either way.
Supporting cast matters. Tennessee should have a very solid running game next season, but I think there will be issues at receiver.
You guys also have some great starters coming back on the OL to help the QB stay upright. Harrison Bailey in high school competed in one of the most competitive divisions in all of the state of Georgia in high school and he played lights out of course with the help of Arik Gilbert catching his passes for Marietta High School. They were in the state playoffs.
that wont be a surprise doubledeuce, at least not to vol fans. many think he may be the next manning-esque QB on Rocky Top.
He has the size, skill set, arm strength, quickness and composure with leadership qualities. I have no doubt he will eventually be the starter for y’all during the upcoming season.
Why didn’t UGA get him?
Bailey may be the Starter by Week Five…if Guarantano continues to deliver inconsistent play. Gotta give him the Keys sometime.
Payin the money always gets results…
The default excuse for schools who cant keep up in recruiting is to claim other schools are forking over cash. It’s a loser excuse for losers
Darrell is a troll who says the exact same thing for every team.
Darrell, if Tennessee “paid” for this class, they need to get their money back.
I will go out on a limb and say UT has a higher ranked 2021 class than florida when all is said and done. It will be close but think we beat you out this season. Then we will see who needs to get their money back.
It is certainly possible that Tennessee could finish higher than Florida, although one problem you will soon run into is that with a nominal 25 man class limit, you’re getting close to full. Unless Pruitt starts pulling offers from 3-stars, it’s likely that Tennessee’s ranking will start falling as other elite programs start to gain commitments from still uncommitted 4-stars and up.
As much as I despise Georgia, it is true that they tend to close late because highly ranked guys with tons of offers often take longer to make their decision. Especially these days, when many have come to believe that they should have their five minutes of TV fame announcing at an all-star game or in their high school gym.
Tennessee has an excellent start on a good class. My remark was mainly intended to suggest to Darrell — who regularly suggests that various schools are bribing recruits — that it was unlikely that Tennessee was bribing the 3-star recruits who make up the majority of the class. I probably could have worded it differently.
@Nashville Gator That’s kind of what I’m thinking…he’s getting some guys on board right now and then later pulling offers from some 3 stars if he can get a big fish later on.
What?! You kidding? Tennessee fans are going nuts with what they have done so far this year in recruiting!
troll, troll, troll
Trash Talk is for the illogical tiny weiner types. Football is fun. Go Vols
“Trash Talk is for the illogical tiny weiner types”
isn’t that trash talking, just saying
If they can get over Florida’s avg win over them in the last decade alone 31-20, then I’d say the recruits are making a difference.
If they were to beat Alabama, it’ll be because Nick Saban suspended everyone from being late to their position meetings.
Tennessee is one year away from at least having a magical season (See LSU 2019).
One year? Ok I’d be saying stupid stuff too if I passed the weed store every day like Mr. Buffalo does cuz some days you dont pass lol.
Even though it was an awful loss to a bad team, UGA trip to Boulder was great. Great fans ,great college town
These recruits have to deliver Coach Pruitt a 10-2 season at least with a trip to Atlanta and an upset win against the West. If they don’t, there wouldn’t be any reason to continue mentioning The Vols Top 3 recruiting class…
Well it was revenge for that 2006 loss we had to ayaaayummm to a team that had ummmmmm beaten UAB and Western Kentucky already…Lol..We’re even!
It’s odd how weed is demonized but alcohol (extremely more dangerous) is not only accepted but encouraged.
My father and two uncles died from smoking! Smoking kills! There are more people I know are getting sick now from smoking. Eating the weed is fine but smoking it not good!
GBO – this many posts confirms they don’t want to see it come to fruition.
No reason to believe it yet but any good news during a q’tine and a chance to argue with rivals is still plenty of fun.
But if Guarantano is still under center in the fall, I don’t think much will change this year.
– All Vol Fans
Why you’re not positive about Guarantato this year? Maybe a new head coach that knows offense will fix the offense woes?
Missouri AD did just that! Mizzou will be a lot better because of the whole offensive coaches been replaced and the HC will be running the offense.
Becuase Guarantano is Guarantano…That’s the “Why” you’re looking for.
Signing Day is so far away. The blue bloods will show up and show out (not Vandy). However it all comes down to coaching. Which, UT has struggled with in recent past including the beginning of last year. Can’t wait to hear “Feels like 98” like every year under But h Jones. Fans will learn its way too early to get excited.
Right now UT is 2nd in the Nation in recruiting. According to 247 – the average recruiting ranking for UT is 89.21. UF’s is 90.71, UGA’S is 94.49, LSU is 93.61 and Alabama’s is 92.99.
Give UT a little credit, they have had a couple of good weeks, but they have done this through quantity more than quality. Last year’s class average? 89.92. LY for UF? 90.7. LY for UGA? 92.96. LY for LSU? 92.84 and LY for BAMA 93.56.
Last year Tennessee finished 10th, UF 9th, UGA 1st, LSU 4th and BAMA 2nd.
Long way to go; but I’m guessing that when it is all said and done, the three mentioned in the Top 5 last year will be right there again. UF? UT? Remains to be seen.
Way too early for anyone to be proclaiming that the VOLS are back.
Yep! Way to early for UGA to run the table to the playoff this year!
I agree it’s way to early to proclaim the Vols are back and it is also true that UT’s average recruit is currently below 90. However there are other implications of Tennessee’s recruiting that this doesn’t take into account. The last several years, several of Pruitt’s recruits have gotten bumps when the final recruit rankings come out. He’s certainly not a perfect coach, but I trust Pruitt’s evaluations and expect that 3-4 of these 3*s will turn out to be 4*s. Second, everyone (rightly) points out that NSD is far off and Pruitt will need to hold on to these players, but the reverse is also true. Having a class that’s further along can also be an advantage. For example, Colby Smith admits that he committed because he was afraid that Tennessee’s class would fill up. This perception of limited space, compared to rivals, is helping Tennessee land some blue chip players and they can use that momentum to trade up for better players if they wish. It’s still true that Tennessee has to hold on to them, but the inertia of people’s lives suggests that it’s easier to hold off a rival with a commit vs. an committed recruit. Several of the blue chips that TN has got in the last couple of weeks have also started peer recruiting for TN. That’s generally a bad sign for rivals wishing to flip them. It’s way too early to proclaim the Vols are back, but it’s also way to early to dismiss the recruiting momentum that Tennessee is building.
Where is all this “Pruitt can develop talent better than any coach in the country” talk coming from?
It’s a ploy to make Pruitt the recruiter of the year and give Tennessee fans something to talk about what if moments in this century!
Personally, i think a competitive Tennessee is really good for the SEC, especially for the SEC East, which needs to be more than a 2-horse race.
The Vols are not back…period! They would have to have 3 top 5 classes minimum. They have a limited amount of depth and yes consistent QB play. If they would have lost to mighty Indiana in the bowl game what would be the narrative now? They have 3-stars all in this class and probably won’t hang onto the 5-stars they have committed. Talk to me in December about recruiting classes. GO DAWGS!
From what I just looked up on Volquest.com 10RC has 12 three star players committed. Awesome. But really with what all 10RC has been thru lately if I was a Vol fan I would be over the top happy too. Gonna be a slow brutal drop when the usual suspects start filling their classes up though.
You have to give the Vols credit (at this point). After some stumbles, they are on an upward trajectory. The former coach Sgt. Carter had some good classes and success, but it went badly late in his tenure. The battles rage on. We look forward to defending the SEC East-again! Dogs on Top!!
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