Seven rounds of the NFL draft came and went this weekend without Tennessee defensive back Jonathan Hefney or offensive lineman Eric Young hearing their names called.
Those two players, expected by many to be among the 252 players selected, likely will sign as free agents.
Injury likely played a factor for Young, who started UT's first eight games in 2007 at left tackle before suffering a season-ending knee injury against South Carolina.
Hefney, meanwhile, started 50 consecutive games for the Vols. He, according to his agent, Jason Chayut, signed a free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.
More updates at www.govolsxtra.com, including Vols who sign free agent contracts.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
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Comments » 68
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I wish you both the best and that you make the most of your NFL opportunity. Work hard and stick to fundamentals!
smashmouth98 writes:
i'll be interested to see where these players sign. same with Karl Good Luck Vols
hglover40#234154 writes:
jcvet - Check your facts before posting -
2004 recuiting players drafted
1 USC 10
2 LSU 7
3 FL ST 3
4 Miami 3
5 Michigan 6
6 gEORGIA 4
7 FL. 2
8 Oklahoma 4
9 Ohio State 3
10 Texas 5
11 UT 3
Does 3 seem bad to you now?
VolPride_13 writes:
Wow, i am surprised that those two did not get drafted!! Good luck to both of them!!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Though jcvet's stats are off, I think the point he's making is that the UT's draft trend over the past few years hasn't been that good. We've had a quite a run through Fulmer's career, but the past few seasons have raised eyebrows, to say the least.
Folks can say what they will about UT's program, but the statistics don't lie (for once!). UT is averaging 4 losses per season this decade. That's not upper-echelon football--the facilities certainly are, and the fans have been generally faithful.
But the product on the field (and off) has fallen well short of what's been invested into it.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Though jcvet's stats are off, I think the point he's making is that the UT's draft trend over the past few years hasn't been that good. We've had a quite a run through Fulmer's career, but the past few seasons have raised eyebrows, to say the least.
Folks can say what they will about UT's program, but the statistics don't lie (for once!). UT is averaging 4 losses per season this decade. That's not upper-echelon football--the facilities certainly are, and the fans have been generally faithful.
But the product on the field (and off) has fallen well short of what's been invested into it.
rabidvol1998 writes:
hglover - quit spoiling jc's negativity with the facts.
vtvol#210290 writes:
In retrospect it seems as though Jonathan Hefney sacrificed a LOT to return for his senior season. I believe he was 1st team ALL-SEC at the end of the 2006 season and was projected to go late on the first day of the draft. Thanks Jonathan for all that you achieved in the orange and white.
MrBamSeydu writes:
I'm not surprised at all that Hefney wasn't drafted. He should have came out after his JR season when everyone was fooled, because last season he was clearly outplayed by his freshman counterpart who WILL be a first rounder in 2 years.
As for Young, he never really lived up to his high school recruiting stars. Even when he played his best, he didn't rank among the top 15-20 tackles in college football. So with the injury, he stood no chance of getting drafted.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
you guys just friggin' don't get it do you?? This isn't the 'old day' of last millenium.
The competition for talent is ultra-fierce. This talent is now going where it can play early, it just doesn't hang around waiting for a UT or UGA to decide it's time.
As for 'poorly trained', what a load of phooey. Why do you think so many free agents are signed out of UT?? Why do you think there are so many vols in the pros???
I've said this for yeas, that to some large degree UT spends more time on training players for the nest level and less about winning games than is maybe good for it. However, that is part of CPF's recruiting tactic: "look at our track record of putting players in the pros".
We are a good progarm tha occasionally cracks the top 5, sometimes makes a run for no. 1. It's been that way for ages, probably not going to chanbe.
If you can't hadnle that, go front-run with whoever's that years darling team.
MrBamSeydu writes:
hglover40: you realize of the stats you posted UT is at the bottom with 3 players drafted right? i mean, you can say "well Ohio State and Florida..." etc. but Texas, USC, LSU, and Michigan had more players drafted. plus you have to look at the round and overall choices for each team. Mayo was huge, and I think Cottam did well to be picked in the 3rd but Ainge was being talked as a 1st rounder after last season and went in the 5th. USC had more players drafter in the first 28 picks than we did all weekend.
what you SHOULD post is UT's # of draft picks from 1995-2001 per year. i'm pretty sure we had more than 3 every single year in our glory days.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
mparker, I agree with you.
On another note, you make my point, indeed. Competition for talent is fierce and there is much more parity in college football today.
The fact that teams are more even now than ever PUTS A PREMIUM on COACHING. Coach Fulmer has the experience and the brains, but he's left a lot of plays on the field this decade. Not only that, a good majority of the games we lost were games in which we were simply outcoached, outprepared & outhustled. Those areas belong to the man at the top.
I don't know why, but something happened in our coaching staff's mind when we lost the 2001 SEC Championship to LSU...ever since that game, we've never been the same.
GerryOP writes:
OK hglover40, add these to your list:
Cal - 5
UCF - 3
San Diego State - 4
Arizona - 4
Arizona State - 5
Arkansas - 6
Auburn - 5
Ga Tech - 3
Kansas - 4
Kentucky - 4
Louisville - 5
Texas A & M - 5
Vanderbilt - 3
Virginia - 3
Va Tech - 8
Wake Forest - 3
W Va - 3
Wisconsin - 4
And your point is?????
hglover40#234154 writes:
GerryOP - My point was to post that jcvet made - he implied that our # of drafted players should be higher based on our 2004 recruiting class. I just pointed out that several teams with higher recruiting classes had similar draft days.
yemmusdarb - UT is last on the list because I only listed UT and the teams that had better recruiting classes than us in 2004.
bigbluevol writes:
hglover, your point is well made. If you watched the draft today you might have heard Kiper talking about a d tackle from Texas A&M. Coming out of high school, he was believed to be a no doubt first rounder. He was taken in the 3rd or 4th round. All this recruiting and projecting is inexact. Last year Brian Brohm was a sure fire franchise qb and top 5 pick. This year he's in the 2nd round. Mayo is a 3rd rounder when he declares, yet works his way up to number 10 overall. He's drafted by a coach who is believed to be one of the greats. That coach then says that Mayo played at a top program, was well-coached and played at a high level.
The point is: to the detractors, it's not as bad as it seems. To the enthusiasts, it's not as great as we would like it to be. However, to say that this is evidence that we have slipped is not true. Look back to, I believe the 05 draft. The first player we had selected was Dustin Colquitt, in the 3rd round. We didn't have an offensive player taken until about the 5th. Since then we have had 3 straight years with a first round pick. Brighter days are ahead.
hglover40#234154 writes:
BigVolinCarolina - Nothing happened in our coaches mind in 2001 - but it good to know you can read minds.
Here's what happened since 2001 -
average recruiting by team in SEC
1 - Ga
2 - LSU
3- FL
4 - UT
Hard for any coach to win the conference when you average the 4th best talent in the conference.
I think we've done about as you would expect in the SEC, but my disappointment comes from the bowl games; that is where we seem to lay down to teams with less talent.
bigbluevol writes:
One more thing, regardless of the number drafted or not, let's see how many UT alums wind up in the NFL and for how long as compared to the players from other schools. There are a lot of guys from UT who last a long time, doing a good job and are around longer than some of the standouts from other schools.
GerryOP writes:
So, hglover, I guess your conclusion is that UT ranks right up there with those traditional powerhouses like Wake Forest, UCF, Vandy, and San Diego State? Is that to imply that these powerhouses had recruiting classes that ranked below ours yet still equaled or exceeded our draftees? Recruiting class rankings don't mean diddly!
Ahhh, mparker, trying to read your post it indicates you are either suffering from extreme angst or you are having trouble focusing on the keyboard!
However, you are absolutely right -- "occasionally cracks the top 5, sometimes makes a run for no. 1" When was the last time we cracked the top 5? Except for 1998, when was the last time we made "a run for #1?" Mediocrity indeed!
And, yup, yemmuswhatever, let us indeed talk about our glory days. When were they? Or are you talking about the '50s and Gen. Neyland?
C'mon, guys, the number drafted in any given year is not a true indicator of program success. However, lest we forget, our #1 draftee this year was a Junior and our second draftee was a guy who hardly played at all! Guess the pro guys can see raw talent when they see it!
Phowell23 writes:
Actually recruit stars doesn't matter to Draft Picks. Look at the first round. Only 5 stars were part of the 1st round, most were 4 stars, several 3 stars, some 2 stars, and I believe one or two unranked recruits got drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft this year.
GerryOP writes:
hglover40 - 9:01 PM, and whose responsibility is it to recruit? If the best UT can do is rank 4th in recruiting since 2001, perhaps we need a better recruiter. Mediocrity indeed.
movol77 writes:
You are all brilliant. You should be coaching Vols and Titans at the same time with all your brilliance! No one could beat you because you would only pick the best players ALL the time. Go genius go!
hglover40#234154 writes:
GerryOP - MY post was to say that our recruiting class of 2004 and draft day results this year didn't seem to be much different when compared to those schools with similar 2004 recruiting classes. you see jcvet had implied we should have more players drafted based on our 2004 recruiting class. Do you follow?
Also, For most folks under 40 - the years we remember as glory years of UT football happen to be the first 8 years with CPF as head coach.
His second 8 years we have been maybe the 3rd or 4th best team in the SEC and that almost lines up perfectly with the recruiting rankings. what a coincidence.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
In all seriousness, I wish them well.
How about we get back to the issue at hand!
Winning the Damn SEC Championship!!!
Lets talk about the Vols effort and results under the current HC. NINE years of NO RINGS!!!
10 wins in last 28 outings versus top 25 teams!!
When are free passes and warm and fuzzies going to be over and face facts? NO RINGS!!!
Accountability?????
Soon to be TEN years. If this is acceptable to you, fine.
For me, ENUF!
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
BigVolinCarolina....that is probably the first coherent critique I have heard in 2008. I appreciate the perspective. I must also suggest that some of it may simply be the cycle of football, although some facts may provide evidence to the contrary.
I still believe we can be an 11 or 12 win team...but this next season will be telling of where we stand.
hglover40#234154 writes:
GerryOP - TN doesn't have the near in state talent of FL,GA,LS,NC,SC,BAMA, or MISS, but CPF and his past staffs have kept us near the top of the SEC recruiting battles. I beleive his new staff will do even better. When you considering the changes CPF has made this year, and consider the talented guys coming back - can you not be excited and hopefull for next year? You seem so angry and negative; being a "fan" must be to much for you. Have you thought about giving it up?
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
btw...Hefney probably would have at least been drafted last year, had he decided to enter. But a terrible senior season among a decent draft of secondary players proved to be his undoing.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
gerryop, it's the eyes, man, and I can't type all that well. sorry about that, it happens to me all the time (sigh).
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
back to football, my point is that we don't get the talent that we once did, for various reasons. I think CPF and staff DOES coach them up, as we get a lot of guys playing as free agetnts. Rashad Baker and Jamari Greer come to mind as good examples.
GerryOP writes:
Sorry I got carried away hglover40. I tend to get a bit irrational when folks attempt to rationalize how well the UT football program has done in the 21st century. I few weeks ago I voluntarily opted to STFU until the season starts on Sept 1. Think I had better revert to that stance! I believe that the 2008 season will be a pivotal year in the career of Coach Fulmer.
Oh, BTW, the tradition of excellence in UT football was established long before the '90s. Sorry you younger folks missed those days.
Be well my friend.
GerryOP writes:
Nope, hglover40, I will never give up being a fan of UT athletics. I truly do not like what is happening right now with UT football, but, it too shall pass. Be well....
Ironcity writes:
I am surprized about Young. I thought he was pretty good. I think he has a real opportunity as a FA to pick a good spot for himself. Good luck to all the Vols trying to get to that next level. This draft also shows us why these guys should never lose sight of why there at UT. Get that diploma and everything will work out.
hglover40#234154 writes:
PDHUFF - I count 11 wins out of the last 22 games
against top 25 teams. (top 25 when we played them)
07 3-3 lost to #1 and #3 team in country
06 2-2 lost to #1 and #3 team in country
05 1-3 lost to everyone
04 3-2 lost to #2(twice) lost to #6
03 2-1 lost to #6 in
please recheck your #s.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GerryOP. stay the course! Enuf of this covering up facts.
Sad, but true. NO SEC championships in nine years.
Pour the koolaid!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
hglover40 - I'm glad you're happy with no rings in nine years and that's your right.
Maybe you enjoyed 141 point to Cal-Fla-Bama. That's your right!
One top ten since 2001!
Some of us don't accept that as ok.
That's our right. Good post!
I guess some Vol fans suffer more than others.
N2Motorsports writes:
GerryOP - Tennessee's football program is not mediocre at the current time. Tenn's record in the 2000s is 71-31, that 69.6%. So Tenn has won 70% of their games in the 2000s and we're simply "mediocre?" Tennessee is not mediocre. They are good. Not excellent, not great, but good. Not mediocre, not bad. Just a consistent top 15 program. Now, I'm not saying that that's good enough, b/c by our standards (and mine) it's not. The point I'm trying to make is that while we aren't at the top of the heap, we are not a mediocre program just spinning out of control in the world of college football. My baseball team in high school my junior year finished the season 14-16. We were a mediocre baseball team. We went on to finish 1 out away from advancing to the TN state tournament. Before you call someone mediocre, make sure they are actually that before doing it.
GerryOP writes:
pdhuff, September 2008 will tell the story. I will try to restrain myself until then. Maybe if Coach Fulmer would stick to teachin' and mentorin' and leave the coachin' to the experts the season might turn out to be a success.
hglover40#234154 writes:
pdhuff/GerryOP -
SEC is tough!!! In 2003-04-06- and 07 to win the SEC you had to win the NC.(I count Auburn as CO-NC in 2003) In 2002 Ga was SEC champion and finished 3rd in the country. It's not like winning the big 10.
Not winning the SEC, I know it is frustrating; but what can we do? I think CPF will be here till he is ready to go, and I beleive too much negativity on these post hurt last years recruiting. On the other hand, I guess the frustration people displayed here may have lead to the exciting changes CPF has made. You are right next year will be pivotal, I'm excited - it may be a great year or a big downer !!!
movol77 writes:
Tennessee forever. Fulmer forever. Whiners forever.
Couchdummy writes:
Just logged on. Seeing all the bickering and negative charge here, I think we all need to take a deep breath, realize that Fulmer is here til he wants to leave, recognize that we have some good potential for next year, and THANK GOOGNESS THAT CUT IS GONE! We have a chance to redirect the ship with a more robust team, and get back to being a real offense again!! The defense is fine, I think! Give things a chance to unfold. GO VOLS!
movol77 writes:
Couchdummy, don't come on here and attempt to be reasonable. You are wasting your time.
GerryOP writes:
Good post nnease15, however, 14-16 is not mediocre, it is a losing season!
See pdhuff's post at 10:07. A lack of recognizable championships in the 21st century is mediocrity. I guess some of us have standards and expectations higher than yours.
BTW, on the surface, 71-31 does indeed sound good. Until you check and see who the Ws were against and to whom we had the Ls.
movol77 writes:
Coach Gerry for President too.
LargeOrange writes:
GerryOP - Were you alive to enjoy the General Neyland era? I am not being sarcastic, it is feasible if you are in your 70's you could have been a teenager in the 50's When the General had his final run with the Vols. If that is the period you are referring to that us younger folks missed, we surely did and you are right. Those were the days when a tradition of excellence was established. After the General died, we didn't exactly keep up that tradition for the next 40 years. The second period of what could be considered "the glory years" would have to be in the late 90's with Back to Back SEC championships and, of course the 13-0 National Championship in 1998. Please clarify if you disagree.
invisiblekid writes:
With the injury to Parker and the horrible year by Hefney, I don't think anyone should be suprised. I hope they both get free agent deals and make a career of it in the NFL though.
As far as recruiting versus NFL success, there isn't much of a correlation that I can see. If there were, then USC's entire graduating class would be drafted every year since they rarely sign less than 3 star guys and tend to have more 4 and 5 star guys.
In talking about the talent dip and number of NFL draft choices for the Vols, Pennington covered that ground a couple of years ago. My ultra-shorthand version is that the talent has been way down from 2002 on as compared to the glory days of the late 90's. Here are a few links for anyone so inclined:
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2005/n...
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2006/a...
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2006/a...
People always slammed Pennington for the song quotes and the fact that he had his tv show stating he wasn't a true journalist. Those were usually the same folks offering up excuse after excuse for 2005 and wanting to keep their heads in the sand in lieu of the facts. Like him or not though, he did a better job of compiling data and offering some interesting analysis than what we have seen lately.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
hglover 10:18 "What can we do"?
We can wish and hope for a change from "stay the course"!
We're all Vol fans, but some of don't blindly support Phil regardless.
Some of believe the fire is out. Think about recruiting, 35th!!! 58th in run defense- 84th in pass defense per NCAA!
That's what you'll see the next two or three seasons.
Losing record vs 6 of 11 SEC coaches!
Other than the anomolies vs Ga, what big game have we won lately?
Be well.
invisiblekid writes:
Does WI count as a "big win" pdhuff?
GerryOP writes:
No, I do not disagree LargeOrange and, yes, I did experience the glory of the Neyland years. And, yes, the '90s were good years. Where I have a problem is the 21st century. We could have and should have done better. The downfall of the '50s and '60s were not of Neyland's doing, whereas, the downfall of the 21st century is of Fulmer's doing. In retrospect, I feel that the best thing Fulmer could have done was to take his wife's advice after the '98 NC!
CoverOrange writes:
Didn't Hefney come back for his senior year so as to play CB instead of Saftey? Taking one for the team may have hurt his chances. I hope he gets a fair shake with somebody at CB but that position is difficult to get via the free agent route.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
I'm surprised Hefney did not get taken, not because he was great, but good enough to get drafted over these smaller school players who didn't have to defend against the size and speed that Hefney did for 4 years.
MrBamSeydu writes:
mparker: Can you tell me the last time we cracked the top 5 without google'ing it? My guess would be 2005 pre-season, and we all saw where that went. Feel free to prove me wrong.
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