Delayed flights. Traffic jams. Vending machine meals. Nights spent away from wives and children.
The usual challenges of the recruiting season didn't change for Tennessee.
And they weren't the only challenges the Vols faced.
For one, four of UT's nine assistant coaches agreed to other jobs just as bowl practice began in mid-December.
Tennessee also lost Gerald Harrison, its director of high school relations and a key member of its recruiting staff.
To top it all off, five players have been charged by police in the last four weeks, perhaps the most important stretch of the recruiting season for any program.
"It was a challenge, to say the least," UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Wednesday at a press conference announcing Tennessee's 19 football scholarship signees.
A year after hauling in the No. 3 class in the nation according to Rivals.com, the Vols had the nation's No. 36 class according to the recruiting Web site.
Wednesday, though, Fulmer acknowledged the challenges - and praised UT's new coaches for their efforts in helping finish this year's class.
"They didn't blink," Fulmer said. "I give them that. They went hard and long. We were all grabbing a pack of crackers and just going. Hardly stopped for dinner because we were in a lot of cases fighting for some great football players."
Those new coaches barely had time to blink before hitting the recruiting trail, and even less time in their new hometown.
Since being formally introduced in Knoxville on Jan. 12, wide receivers coach Latrell Scott estimates he spent only six nights in Knoxville - and all of those were on weekends when prospects were in town on official visits.
Running backs coach Stan Drayton, offensive coordinator Dave Clawson and tight ends coach Jason Michael likely had similar experiences.
For Scott, though, all that changed was the name on his shirt and the school he represented.
And, of course, the competition.
"The biggest difference in this thing is we're battling Notre Dame instead of James Madison," said Scott, who joined UT's staff after spending three seasons with Clawson at Division I-AA University of Richmond.
Fulmer said that recruiting at smaller schools can be a fertile training ground.
"Sometimes when you've coached at a Wichita State like I have, or a Vanderbilt when we were trying to get it going there, or Fordham or Richmond or Villanova, you understand the battles a lot more than if you've had a silver spoon in your mouth and not been at places like that," Fulmer said. "I don't think there's any question they'll be darn good recruiters and darn good staff members."
Replacing those coaches who left, though, took time away from recruiting.
So did an up-and-down regular season that ended in the SEC championship game, which cost the Vols a week that other conference teams were on the road recruiting.
"We lost a week of recruiting while we were practicing, which I'll trade any time we can do it," Fulmer said. "We were on the road really hard for two or three weeks after the championship game and then all of a sudden we start getting ready for the bowl game and the staff thing happened."
At that point, Fulmer said, the Vols had commitments from most of their targets on offense.
Since then, UT picked up quarterback Casey Kelly and 6-foot-5 wide receiver E.J. Abrams-Ward, perhaps the most highly rated prospect in this year's class.
Still, the Vols class is their lowest ranked in Rivals.com's archives, which date to 2002.
Fulmer acknowledged recent off-the-field issues, which range from disorderly conduct to DUI, gave rival recruiters plenty of fodder.
"That's part of it," Fulmer said. "It was very untimely."
Shortly after the fax machine stopped spitting out letters of intent Wednesday, Fulmer finalized recruiting territories for next year's effort. Coaches also discussed the class of 2009.
This week, Fulmer will begin interviewing candidates to replace Harrison.
Now it's time for a deep breath and a few days off before it all begins again.
"We're going to give the coaches a couple days off," Fulmer said. "We're going to take a few days and when we get back, we'll be starting the process all over again rejuvenated for the challenges we have in front of us."
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 59
FWBVol writes:
It doesn't sound as if Phillip Fulmer is complacent to me. It seems as if this recruiting class is already motivating him to go out and blow people away next year.
dfreeman writes:
FWBVol - Agreed!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
FWBVol,
It's all part of the game. Certain parties love to come on here and blast Fulmer for getting lazy in recruiting, game planning, discipline etc.
I'd love to see anyone of them stack their working hours against the hours and effort that he puts into the program.
It is very easy to shoot off at the mouth. But, can you objectively look at the facts and then come to a conclusion? Fulmer and staff work hard. Tough year, but they weren't looking for the flash of last year.
Guarantee next year will be top 10.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
A little perspective here. We physically knocked the national champions around the field all night and should have won the game in the SEC championship. We have 85% of our players coming back. If Crompton puts the time that Peyton, Clausen and Ainge did in preparation, we will be happy this fall. Morely may be back. Williams also. Others as well. Let's move on and forget how much we have overrated this time in the past. Look at Notre Dame.....The laughing stock of the country. They just got the number 2 class in the country. The rankings seem to be a little suspect in terms of reliability. These rating services must be not putting in enough time into evaluation and too much time taking the word of biased coaches and others for their rankings. We have good, solid players in the fold right now. We are in a good place. Hang tight.
snafu14u#241639 writes:
The only people the new coaching staff "brought" with them were family members.And that's nice that they did that, but we got our butt handed to us in recruiting. The loss of Cutcliffe and Taylor that late in the game was too much to overcome.All we can hope is that these guys are overachievers and play with heart. And it would be nice if the coaching staff would do just that, coach them to beyond their current rankings.Better cross your Big Orange Fingers. Bonzaivol
writer#358485 writes:
One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is how so many people today get their "lives" from the media. They are upset because the "media" doesn't rank this recruiting class very high. They attack the professionals in this field--our coaches--based on what the media tells them. I have a newsflash for all the nay-sayers. The media knows far less about this than the people who earn their living doing it. "Media expert" is an oxymoron. I know, I worked in the media for many years and had broad knowledge in many fields--but that knowledge wasn't nearly as deep as the people who worked full-time in those fields. The media dominates our society, likely to its ultimate destruction. You make a serious mistake if you allow it to dominate your life or beliefs--or believe they, or you, are "experts." Go Vols!
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
It sounds to me like Foolmer is trying to put a positive spin on being ranked outside of the top 30 nationally, outside of the top 8 in our conference, and outside of the top 3 in our own division. Who thinks we are on our way back now? Everyone says it's b/c of coaching changes...BS. Saban...errr...Satan had to replace both coordinators. Is that his excuse for not being ranked #1 in the country today?
VOLS4LIFE writes:
Fulmer is putting a positive spin on it. However, I'm not really worried about the ranking, it's all BS anymore anyway. Also, remember we get D. Morley and Brandon Warren along with these guys back this year! I bet every coach in the country would trade the signees they got yesterday for both Morley and Warren. Keep your head up VOL fans, we've got the talent and heart to go out and play some good football! GO VOLS!
ALLVOL12 writes:
We may not have any 5 star athletes this year, but it sounds like we got a bunch of solid kids. I know many of these kids have always dreamed of putting on the orange and running through the T. I know these kids will give 110% for Tennessee at all times. I'd take some kids like that over a 5 star stud athlete who is more concerned about the NFL scouts and himself than the beloved Vols.
losvolsganan writes:
Of course he's putting a positive spin on it. It's his job as leader. Would you prefer he come out and say "Uh, we really sucked at recruiting this year. We might as well all hang it up because we are really gonna suck on the field in a year or two."? Nope, he takes his lumps, reevaluates the plan and works (like heck) to make things better. That is what a leader does.
It's a down class after a great one, and who's to say that more of these low rated kids don't perform better on and off the field than previous high rated ones (Coker) did. That has more to do with heart, not Rival's or Scout's ranking.
On another note, should we now be known as "Linebacker U"? We have put some good ones in the NFL and we sure seem to be double loaded at that position. I imagine they will beef some of them up and put them in at DE, and try to beef some of the DEs up and put them in at DT. That would be in keeping w/ Chavis' "need for speed".
Go Vols!
rkastens writes:
There is so much negativity on this site it's ridiculous. Why put so much stock in "the experts". How many times have "the experts" picked correctly in August the exact order of the top 25 that will be present at the end of the year? Why is that? Because so much can happen during a season. If that is true for four months, it is even more true for 4 years.
No one can see how many of the super star recruits will flunk out of school, get thrown out for drugs/alcohol or other run-ins with the police, leave early for the NFL, stop growing, never develop, not have the brains to play big time college football, etc.
The conference champion is crowned in December and the national champion in January. They do not give out hardware for winning the National Recruiting Championship. How many big time programs were chasing Chris Lofton?
So many factors play into having a top level college player his junior or senior year. To criticize this class or the coaching staff's efforts (with so much staff turnover) is very premature and immature.
stroker writes:
hcjournals,writer,and many other good post!
losvolsganan writes:
The alternative to Fulmer's "positive spin":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtuLwW...
losvolsganan writes:
I would also like to point out that like a good leader, he already delegated the recruiting assignments for next years' class and discussed the plan with his coaches. You can be immature like Lazy frat boy and take shots at an aged ex-offensive lineman (show me one OL in his 50's that does not sag in the middle), or you can use your brain and recognize his hard work and determination to bring victory to the U he loves.
DadwasaVol writes:
Tennessee will win two of the three games next year against Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Two of the last four years' recruiting have been outstanding.
bigbluevol writes:
A lot of people keep saying that Saban had staffing turnover and that didn't keep him from getting the number one class. Applewhite left a lot later in the recruiting "season" than Cutcliffe did. You can say that Fulmer should have hired replacements immediately, but it's more important to make the right long-term hire than just get a quick fix. If he has to sacrifice one class for the future good of the program, that's an acceptable trade off. Reading this article and seeing the time and effort these guys put in is really astounding. Six nights in Knoxville and all of them only for the official visitors. That's hard on families and marriages and they risk it all for a bunch of fans to gripe about the fruit of their efforts. Judge the class by how it performs on the field. Be grateful for the new staff's effort rather than complain and say how it should be when you don't have any experience recruiting or coaching at the D-1 level.
4VolsnVA writes:
I'm not worried about the recruiting this year. I think Coach Fulmer made some valid points about the challenges the Coaches faced- losing a week for the SEC Championship, off the field incidents, and probably the biggest challenge, losing half of the coaching staff.
I agree with some of the other posters, the kids we got are dedicated Vols and will be proud to wear the Orange. That means much more to me than stars beside their names.
There will be no trophy presented to Alabama for being the "National Recruiting Champion".
GerryOP writes:
The press? Some of you are claiming that our opinions are based purely on what we read in the press? Gee, were our embarrassing losses to Cal, Florida, and Alabama simply manisfestations of the press? The by-the-hair-on-our-chinny-chin-chin victories over Vandy, KY, SC, and Wisconsin were not really that close? The press writeups made them seem that way? Wow, silly me! I watched the games and saw the scores! Little did I know that the scores were manipulated by the press! Wow!
losvolsganan writes:
I have a feeling that after his first season in the SEC, Coach Scott will replace that "battling Notre Dame" with "battling Florida, Georgia and Alabama".
You still down in ol' mexico, TD, or did they let you back accross the border??? (assuming there was anything left of you when Lupe was done w/ you... ;-P)
losvolsganan writes:
That's the right attitude, Laz. Instead of running around screaming about doom and gloom, let's wait and see and try to enjoy what we can along the way. I guarantee that if next year is a down year, you won't be alone in demanding change. But what if it turns out to be such a good year that you go around naked just to show off the T??? Could happen...
(Ugghh, a naked frat boy. Just stay way away from me if it comes to that, OK.)
DennisVols writes:
Being successful is a full time job and you can never take the time to dwell on victory or defeat.
This class does not look great on paper but the last time I checked Football was played on a field and not on paper.
Sometimes the most underrated have the most to prove and do so by trying harder than their competition.
To the players who chose UT welcome to the greatest fan base in the country.
Thank you for looking beyond the coaching changes, off field issues and the complaining by well meaning fans who want to be #1 more than any other university out there.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
It might not be the greatest class, but we have new offesive coaches(that have never coached at TN) for the first time in a long time, especially OC. That had to play a part of it. Maybe now that we have new coaches we will not need a top three recruiting class to be good, maybe we will coach up instead of coaching down. And don't forget williams and morely are back.
knoxtenor writes:
Kudos, DennisVols! I'm sure the fantasy boys are irate over your comment and our new class. They'll have a tough time in their off-season fantasy league play on CBS Sportsline. Stats and gossip are all well and good, but aren't worth a hill of beans after the first coin toss in September. It's not the quality of apples you have, it's the pie you make with them.
armyvol544 writes:
I agree with DennisVols.
The way I look at it is if we are getting what we need to build a better team then that is what we need. You can not play the 3 best quarterbacks in the land at the same time. I think Coach Fulmer knows what we need more than any of us great Vol Fans.
Go Vols
VOLinDAWGland writes:
We just now have to hope like heck that there's a bunch of good DT and a few OL prospects who choose Tennessee next year.
THE_VOL writes:
Sounds like another PERFECT STORM has upset FOOLmer's cart! And ANYBODY that believes this man missed a meal is smoking something funny! Does this man EVER run out of excuses??????
filmjr#558361 writes:
Two words for everyone worried about the number of stars by a recruit's name: Albert Toeaina.
Colliervol writes:
filmjr, good point. But how about Brent Shaeffer, James Banks, Lamarcus Coker and Onterrio Smith? All their stars didn't make a lot of difference either when it came to contributing at UT. Great players who couldn't get their act together in Knoxville. True, 4 and 5 star players look great on paper but some will pan out and many won't. Same with 3 star players. Just have to wait a couple of years and see.
On to spring practice. Next subject.
losvolsganan writes:
good point, sphs. Sadly, the stuff Davy Crockett and his volunteers were made of is in short supply in this country these days. And many of those who have it are serving in Afghanistan or Iraq.
armyvol544: greetings and appreciation for your service to our country, from the father of an active and decorated army volunteer.
FWBVol writes:
As someone else said after another recruiting/signing story in the last week or so, sometimes the difference between a 3 or 4 star player is the difference between 5.7 and 5.6 or Joe Right is ranked the 12th best safety and Bill Barnes the 13th best safety so Right is a 4 and Barnes is 3. All this is subjective.
Sometimes kids from the states that are considered high school hotbeds get ranked higher than those from stated like Kentucky and Tennessee because of the perception that the great kids in those states are facing inferior talent (in Ky, Tenn).
Linemen are the hardest group of players to evaluate. They often rely on their size to lean on smaller players in high school. Because of their size, many of them never learn how to move their feet and stay with a block if they are an offensive lineman, or get away from a block if they are a defensive lineman.
Today's rankings mean nothing about this class. Time will tell how good or bad it is.
HotlantaVol writes:
With a few exceptions, the majority of the posts here are pretty positive. I like that. I think it's good for the program in many ways:
1. Nothing for $aban to point to about hostile fans next year when recruiting against UT.
2. It doesn't hurt the confidence of any new Vols who may wander out here to see what is what in their new home.
3. Most people don't work well when under constant criticism. Phil has extremely thick skin, but it's got to be extremely difficult to keep a positive attitude and keep players motivated to work hard for next year when under the firestorm he has been under for the last 5 months. He won 10 games for Pete's sake, give the man a break.
4. It is difficult to stay motivated when you have just started a new job and your boss is being walloped by the fans, when you already never see your family and never get to stop and take a deep breath.
This class is worthy of the Orange-T-Helmets and, most of all, they want to be here. Treat them with the respect they deserve for the sacrifices they have made and will continue to make to keep the Vols moving in the right direction.
balloonman writes:
test
losvolsganan writes:
yawn... same predictable boring comments.
losvolsganan writes:
it works, balloonman. Welcome!
CoverOrange writes:
Davy Crockett fought valiantly, but if I remember correctly, he lost that battle.
The stake to the heart was Keith Wells picking Ohio State because of academics. Guess not every athlete wants a degree in communications.
volunteers4life writes:
It could have been better. I have no intention of down talking our recruits for this year b/c each one is special in some way. My only complaint is the fact that we missed out so many times in head-to-head competitions for recruits. I mean how in the hell does someone pick Ole Miss over UT??? That's like choosing McDonald's over Butcher Shop hamburgers!! Oh well, like people on here have repeatedly said, I'd take a kid that bleeds orange over one who doesn't love the big orange any day. We will be a contender next year regardless. No one will overlook us on their schedule, especially after this season's East Division win. Go Vols!! Now, let's look forward to UT Basketball, NCAA Championship here we come!!! Please note the lack of negativity in this post... I don't see there being as much negativity as people keep on mentioning here but I guess its all about perception...
HotlantaVol writes:
volunteers4life said "That's like choosing McDonald's over Butcher Shop hamburgers!!"
Or like going to Butcher Shop for a hamburger. Porterhouse, loaded baked potato, side of sauteed shrooms and tall Sam Adams, please.
jmatt62 writes:
The additions of Morley & Warren to the class make it much better than advertised, as you all have said. But having back 18 out of 22 starters to go with those two really gets a Vol fan excited about next year. Tell Cromp to watch some film and we'll be ready! And is D-Line our only weakness on the entire team?
GreerVol22 writes:
Guys, don't forget that we had a huge hole in the coaching staff. And the new guys were asked to come in and with in basically a month, get aquainted, move their families, buy orange shirts, and try to convince a recruit to come to Tennessee without ever having slapped the "Give my all" sign or ran thru the T themselves. These coaches will not have a real clue what it means to be a Vol until that happens in September. Once they are filled with the Big Orange spirit, only then can they look a recruit in the eye with conviction.
mgraham65 writes:
The University of Tennessee has a great program, a storied history, a wonderful campus and a myriad of other positive aspects. Even with having a revamped offensive coaching staff, it appears that we will have an outstanding leadership group to instruct and mold these young men. Although they aren't necessarily "ranked" by the gurus at the top of the recruiting classes, I hold out hope that the coaches will be successful in shaping these kids into a fine football team.
Many of the people who circle these blogs like vultures and constantly dump on Coach Fulmer, his staff and the current program can hold yourselves at least partially responsible for the rankings of this year's class. Each time a recruit goes onto a message board and sees the negativity that a program's OWN SO-CALLED FANS flood the site with, including the derogatory remarks and defaming comments, it is obviously going to create an unattractive environment for the kid.
With all that being said, I acknowledge that there have been several issues that have plagued the program over the past month or so. I don't see through rose-colored glasses. Each of these issues has not really been a direct reflection of the coaches themselves, but has resulted in the questioning of the character of a few of the players. In response to these issues, I believe that Coach Fulmer has taken positive steps towards holding them responsible, by administering in-house punishments (running at 6AM, etc.) and community service assignments, with the possibility of suspension or even termination of scholarships at stake as well.
Now, could the repercussions have been more severe? Sure. They certainly COULD have been. No, I don't believe proper steps were taken to handle disciplinary issues in several past incidents (prior to those that have occurred just recently). However, I think that the staff has redirected it's focus and is on the right path to making sure the players are aware of what is expected of them and what repercussions they might face if they don't live up to them. I trust the coaches are aware of the same standards that are placed on them.
I believe, and I think others would agree, that the team will survive and is destined for very good things in the near future. For example, the main piece of the offense that will have to be replaced next season is the quarterback, while there is also a need for a tight end. Jonathan Crompton (for all of you recruiting gurus) was one of the top QB's in the nation when coming out of high school. He's got the cannon arm and good mobility, a luxury we didn't have in 2007. Crompton really only lacks the recent game experience that you might look for in a starter. At tight end, we have Brandon Warren (potentially) and Jeff Cottam that will fill in nicely.
***CONT***
mgraham65 writes:
Defensively, yes, we have some big holes to fill up front and, admittedly, didn't get that addressed in this class. Gerald Williams looks like the only true answer to that D-line question and I really can't defend that one. So yeah, the D-line concerns even me. Sometimes you whiff. But try to look at what we DO have. Try to have some sort of positive words to say. Recruits do pay attention to this stuff.
Defensive backs - VERY SOLID
Linebackers - good experience - very good
No worries at either of those units.
Even at the defensive line positions we have some experience there. Ben Martin got PT and showed some positive flashes. Dan Williams played impressively. Chris Walker - we haven't gotten to see him much, but where was he ranked coming out of high school?
Look, the point is, we have good talent over there. Am I disappointed that it doesn't seem we bettered ourselves through this recruiting class? You bet I am. Do I think that it is at all possible that these message boards and websites that UT fans... err... followers, flood with blind statements about "the demise of the Tennessee football program" adversely affected the recruiting class? Absolutely. Do I think that we should be leaving a Ryder truck in front of a house somewhere in Blount County for the coach to pack his stuff up? People, we are fresh off of an eleven-win season and SEC Championship appearance. C'mon. Let the man do his job. Give him a chance to succeed without death threats to his staff or their families, or constant harassment about his personal appearance. I'm really surprised, at times; he would WANT to stay here.
Never mind the prospect of playing for Coach Fulmer or his staff. With the negative cloud some UT followers have cast over this program, the persistent destructive criticism at the very slightest indication of opportunity, along with the unfailing degradation of the kids and their talents, ask yourselves this - why would anyone want to play for YOU?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Doldrums slowly settling in again. It will get quiet until August.
Beat LSU & Rutgers.
gohawks1 writes:
mgraham65 - Are you working on your dissertation or writing an epic novel? (Just messing with you.) Lots of good points.
sphs_vol - Go away. I'm not speaking to you ever again.
losvolsganan writes:
Davy Crockett lost that battle, but his side won the war (at least they did until here recently...)
gohawks1 writes:
Here's one to think about: Which teams would have the highest recruiting rankings if you took an average of the last 4 (or 5 for that matter) classes? After all, the team does consist of redshirts, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Does anybody have those numbers handy?
TommyJack writes:
mgraham: Do you need oxygen?
gohawks1 writes:
Heh, heh. I've heard shorter Sunday sermons, TJ. I like ole graham, though. He tells it like it is.
murrayvol writes:
Well, I'll be damned: sphs_vol has breached. Back from the Bat Cave or Davy Jones Locker or the witness protection program.
Can't speak for the rest, big guy, but I'm still struggling to find all those recruiting presents under the tree. Yes, we corralled a few good ones, and some maybes but 36 is still what it is and that ain't a typical Tennessee number on the first Wednesday in February.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
sphs_vol did you say sorry to everyone for leading them on and on and on and on knowing full well you know less than the rest of us about "inside" ut football.... good luck???
3 things
1. football is over and we had a very bad year on the field and in recruiting.... I'm tired of talking about being average so i'm moving on
2. BB is here and at least we have a great chance of winning a championship boys or girls or both... GO VOLS!!!!!!
3. fulmer is on the clock and i can't wait til he's gone... he's gotten a free ride/to much credit for 98 and now he needs to pay up or retire...
GO VOLS lets pull for the real contenders and not the pretenders any longer until august..
tennesse is now a basketball school and kentucky is a football school..... the world must be coming to an end!!!
ThurmondEppy writes:
LAZ-
Do you also have "Dah Tee Dah" tatooed on your forehead?
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