Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stay the course.

Posted by waterskier3 on January 3, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ol fat phil better get someone that can recruit because he will be gone in two years.... some freak from mich will not get it done at UT... no mich ties.. they choke just like ut in big games

Posted by volguy on January 3, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I tell you what, waterskier3, why don't you go cheer for the Division 1-A football team that is undefeated this year. Oops, that would be no one! Heck, LSU is playing for the national championship with TWO losses. How many big games did they choke in this season and they are still playing for the national title? PLEASE go find another team to cheer for.

Posted by dfreeman on January 3, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't wait forever Phil, February is just right around the corner!! I know he usually finishes strong, but a recruit isn't even going to be sniffing knoxville air unless he knows who he's going to be playing for!! We need an offensive scheme so these recruits know what it is we'll be doing next year!!

Posted by awhill00 on January 3, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rivals.com currently has the UT recruiting class ranked 43rd. NO 5-stars, two 4-stars, and only eleven recruits total. I can't recall a year like this in eons. Fulmer and staff have huge work to do in the next month. Hiring a new OC that knows how to run a spread offense would help recruit some speed and talent heading into signing day. GO VOLS!!

Posted by dallasdog1 on January 3, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

two years of mediocre results does not equal a "pipeline".........however it is something for nattering nebobs of negativity to focus on. 3 hours credit to any vol who can id the man to whom the quote "natering nebobs of negativity" is attributed.

GO VOLS

Posted by VolsorCat on January 3, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice hatchet job Hooker! Miami has 6 commits from Northwestern High and I would bet that they were all going there anyway. The one thing that might help is that they have 27 commits listed. Do they really have that many open scholarships on a team that was pretty young?

Posted by dallasdog1 on January 3, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any of you guys who are wizards in your own mind with high school talent riddle me this.....how do you woo a guy who loves the spread and the I formation. Just give him the damn ball baby!

Does anyone know the guy from FRS who knew everything about everything...always fought with "Carl Pickens"? what was his name on FRS and is he known to be on this site? He was some good stuff.

Posted by dash727 on January 3, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

waterskier3 you are so predictable like your inbred pathetic life of misery. How is your fat belly in your speedo down at the the young gentleman's beach. I hear they don't like fatties like you. Obviously, one that continues to demean a very fine man and coach by calling him "ol fat phil" is a coward that hides behind a faceless forum and is probably a corpulent pig. A great ten win season capped off by a bowl victory. Congratulations Vols!

Posted by nmvol on January 3, 2008 at 10:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer better have enjoyed this year because unless he signs a top staff for offense that can recruit we are headed to the basement of the SEC fast.

Posted by 02champs on January 3, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hooker has to be the worst connected reporter I've ever seen.

Posted by TurboFan on January 3, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did we play the power I formation this year? Last year? How could we w/o a fullback?

Another point, recruiters recruit regions, not positions. i.e., Trooper wasn't going to coach Morley, Richards or Williams, much less Spence or Forston during their stays on the Hill. That Trooper left shouldn't have been the deciding factor.

Posted by dash727 on January 3, 2008 at 11:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hooker, is this the best you can do? You must be part of the disappointed losers that are frustrated by a successful 10 win season and an Outback Bowl victory. Trying to stir the pot before the new OC and staff are even selected. Your hype on the radio today for your article smacked of a need for acceptance as a journalist which you are not. Your writings and radio sound bites are shallow and immature. This blob has no content and would get an F in 10th grade English class. Did you even talk to the recruits or just plagiarize the content? This is just another reason govolsxtra is free. No one would pay for this negative poorly written dribble.

Posted by ONUV on January 3, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you've upset fulmer's boys. must be a good article.

Posted by TommyJack on January 3, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DallasDog1: Spiro Agnew?

Posted by skyhawk836 on January 3, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dallasdog1- William Safire (sic). Speechwriter for Nixon and Agnew?

Posted by Ironcity on January 3, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Guess what guys, we will get new coaches and they will actually recruit. At the end of the day we will be OK. Take a deep breath and relax. It will all be good come signing day. Not sure why everyone is ticked at Hooker. He is just reporting what he has.

Posted by brdteton on January 4, 2008 at 1:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Varying levels of success:

QUALIFYING!

Great article.

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on January 4, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Not sure why everyone is ticked at Hooker. He is just reporting what he has."

Which appears to be next to nothing.

Posted by Plasticman on January 4, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THis recruiting class is slow coming together. But remember, Demetrice Morely and Gerald Williams may both be part of it when it's all said and done. THese are 2 players that could come in and contribute immediately. It's obvious we're not going to have a Top 5 class, however, I think we will end up in pretty good shape when it's over.

Posted by jdcvols on January 4, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see CPF's little kids are back. I guess the overpowering victory over Wisconsin has Dash drinking the kool-aid 24/7. What is Dave supposed to report? If we sitting today in no mans land in recruiting just what do you want him to report on?

It laughable to me when you sensitive "True Vol" fans get upset about anything negative posted about Tennessee. So blinded by the drink. So CLOSED minded.

Posted by stroker on January 4, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

natering nebobs of negativity by Spiro Agnew

Posted by marc_ash on January 4, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So.....Deoin Walker said he was "worried about where he would fit in" and is concerned about playing time as a freshman...buuuuuuuut, he is considering Southern Cal where there is no way in the world he will play as a freshman? Come on, if you are going to make excuses, at least make them believable.

Posted by arkyvol on January 4, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

note to mr. hooker (the writer), there's no such word as "renig". there is a word "renege" which, given the context, appears to be appropriate. the misspelling was unfortunate.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

UT will get renewed interest from a lot of uncommitted kids when the new staff is hired. Just a natural consequence of the excitement and anticipation it will bring.

UT NEVER had a "pipeline" to south Fl. They got a few players... that's all.

As far as this class being ranked 43rd or whatever... and I've repeated this ad nauseum... wait until it is over. There are several schools ahead of UT that have lower star avg's and have filled their classes. If UT signs all 3* from here on out then they'll probably crack the top 25. If the supposed silent commits that Bailey talked about are for real then they may get to the top 15. This class was NEVER going to be top 10 with or without Trooper. Last year's class was in part because Tn had one of its best years ever for HS talent.

And again... the 3 guys most likely to make immediate impact for UT probably won't count toward the recruiting rankings: Faison, Warren, Morley. Two of those guys would be 5* if they counted since they've already proven they can play successfully at the highest levels.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, the loss of TT pales in comparison to the lost of Cut with regards to recruiting. These Miami guys were a long shot anyway. They want to stay together... and a couple just aren't leaving Miami. Cut on the other hand had the nation's best player regarding UT as his favorite.

Nothing that can be done about it... but Trooper wasn't really reigning any one in this year that I can tell by reading those who follow UT recruiting very closely.

Posted by 99gator on January 4, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

one thing i notice about this newspaper is....

that at times they write fluff pieces kissing the backside of tenn and its staff....

and other times, they write a piece like this totally designed to make the program and the staff look bad.

i don't understand it. this piece is so slanted its sad.

as sjt18 said, and i live in florida, tenn had no pipeline to south florida or anywhere in the state. randy shannon is trying his best to put a fence around miami like the "U" used to way back when. it starts with miami northwestern this year as they have 7 or so legit D-1 prospects. tenn and most other schools never had a chance with anyone at that high school in particular.

one more thing, it doesnt mean much when a kid says he considered your school. kids consider a lot of schools. most kids are legitimately torn between two or three and other schools they mention are schools they like but honestly never had a chance.

Posted by pmidude56 on January 4, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Waterskier...why do you even bother contributing to these threads when all you can do is bash our coaching staff? Is it because your some toothless, overweight BAMMER fan trying to create a ruckus. Guess that's it. Carry on my pathethic friend!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 4, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The other day, I was throwing the pigskin with some of my Malaysian youth. After realizing I can still sling that thing 32 yards... I've decided that I will play college football.

I have narrowed my choices to Tennessee and Pellissipi State.

Posted by jimr07 on January 4, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dallas dawg--Spiro T. Agnew. and, he hit it on the head.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, UT has gotten some good players out of FL... but they have no more of a "pipeline" than any of a number of out of state schools. Mich, OSU, PSU, Rutgers, WVU, Clemson, USC, NC St, UK, etc all get about as many players out of FL as UT does.

As for the attitude, watch who the author is. I haven't noticed Hooker being particularly uneven but Adams is. Drew is usually more positive.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, Ga, AL, Va, La, Ms, and the Carolinas are ALL more important to UT recruiting than FL.

Posted by 99gator on January 4, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

agreed. everyone gets players out of florida. the only school i can think of, out of state, that has a true pipeline is auburn and that is with one high school, fort lauderdale dillard. i don't know if the high school coach there is an auburn grad or what, but if you are a d-1 prospect out of that high school, you go to auburn.

Posted by Singaporehillbilly on January 4, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN - I thought you would be happy with all the turnover of Fulmers staff. You comments remind me of John Kerry as you "flip -flop" with every post.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"HOW CAN YOU GO FROM TOP 5 TO 43???"

a) the class isn't finished. UT will likely move up

b) there's a different focus for this class. UT recruits by need

c) the prep talent in Tn this year is down overall. Last year, there were 10 4-5* prospects... this year there are 3.

d) The players with the highest probability of making an immediate impact won't count on the recruiting rankings. Warren is looking like a go. Morley IS a go... he's been accepted. Faison IS accepted... and has already been a professional athlete for 8 years.

All of those guys would probably rate 5*'s if they counted. That would put UT in the top 25 right now even with 10 or 12 signees yet to commit.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN, Morley has been accepted at UT for the spring term. Williams looks to now qualify as well.

I agree that Miami recruits are very troublesome. They are very often behavior and academic problems. If it were my resources, I wouldn't spend alot of time there either.

Just making sure you had the latest info on these two individuals.

Posted by Ironcity on January 4, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN you made an error today. YOu were suppose to only bash Fulmer about the coaching situation until late January. Then bash him about the recruiting through early February. I guess you can get back on track when one of the players transfers from the program in February or March. Really you have become so predictable.

Posted by VolnDothan on January 4, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PUHLEESE. There are huundreds of good recruiters out there, including Taylor, that can fill our needs.

Remember, everyone panicked a few years ago when Rodney Garner (?) bolted for Georgia and we were just fine afterwards.

Relax guys...

Posted by MemphVol on January 4, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you VolnDothan, of course you always hate to loose a recruiter like Taylor, BUT, just a reminder to all interested: UT WAS A GREAT COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROGRAM LONG BEFORE TAYLOR ARRIVED, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE LONG AFTER HIS DEPARTURE!!!
Here's a quick quiz; Did Trooper Taylor recruit any of the following? A)R. White, B)R. Gault, C)H. Shuler, D)P. Manning, E)A. Wilson, F)L. Little, G)T. Martin, H)None of the above.
For those who chose H, you pass. You are true Vols fans and know the history of the program.
For those who chose anything other than H. You need to study more.....CLASS DISMISSED!!

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolnDothan: Wrong. The loss of Rodney Garner to GA is STILL being felt.

Posted by jdcvols on January 4, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TommyJack, you are right. The GA pipeline that Garner created is gone.

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on January 4, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TDTN...you used to be occasionally amusing and every once in awhile actually contribute a good point. But since the bowl game you have devolved into an embarassing and predictable bore. Perhaps a break would do you some good...it would this forum.

Posted by brdteton on January 4, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where is that Berry kid from??? Chris Scott? Anthony Parker? Jerrod Parish?? Lamarcus Thomson (Stud LB to Be), Chad Cunningham (Punter to be and kickoff duty THIS YEAR)...

Yeah, the GA pipeline has pretty much dried up...

LMFAO....

Posted by johnlg00 on January 4, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Surely everyone understands at some level what a crap-shoot recruiting ALWAYS is. Some of the 4- and 5-star recruits were guys who matured physically early in life and got by on natural ability in high school, but a) never learned how to WORK or take coaching, b) never learned how to compete with players as good as they were, c) have limited room for improvement in technique, size, and strength, d) can't qualify or stay eligible academically, e) get homesick, f) get buried on the depth chart, h) get hurt early and never get "it" back, etc., etc. Every year, there are college All-American players that no one ever heard of in high school and there are high-school All-Americans who are the subject of "what ever happened to..." stories, if they are not totally forgotten. I know, I know, big, fast, and mean may not win every fight, but that's the way to bet. However, statistics don't apply to individuals. I hope we wind up with the recruits we really need, rather than the "names" that some think we need.

Posted by EricBerryTheMan14 on January 4, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well after seeing what michigan did to flordia in the bowl game, it is hard not to want the michigan coaches

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

brdteton: I didn't say it had dried up. But anyone who thinks we recruit in GA like we once did is loopy. You think great recruiting got Berry to TN? lmFao, moron.

Posted by pdhuff on January 4, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jdcvols- the Garner pipeline thrives only pumping into Athens. It was reconnected there.

TJ - my guess on nattering nabobs was Ishkabibble. Don't guess I get the 3 hrs credit.

TDTN- Have you gotten your Outback Bowl Champ t-shirt yet?

Beware the Dookies!

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD: Ishkabibble: Now there's a name I haven't heard in many moons. Sorry about the 3 hrs...maybe we can donate them to the A.D.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT does OK in Ga. There's alot of talent to go around.

In case no one saw it... Poole will enroll for the spring term. He's no longer a question mark. Some well informed folks think his 3* rating is a Rogan-like underestimate. He graduated early so that has to be a plus.

Posted by jdcvols on January 4, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

brdteton, LMAO, Berry to UT because father played at UT!!!! Would you compare these guys to Jamal Lewis, Grant, Cosey Coleman etc. These are the guys that Garner brought to us!!

Think before you type!

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18: Enough talent to go around? Now there's an aggressive approach to recruiting.

Posted by VOLinDAWGland on January 4, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Garner recruiting GA was certainly a factor for our previous talent haul, also a factor was GA was down and floundering for several years after Dooley retired so some of the GA talent naturally migrated to more successful programs TN being one of the more successful SEC programs in the 90's. Richt has done a great job getting GA back and the talent is naturally staying home. Garner going back to GA didn't help but was not the only reason.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, It is just a fact. Ga is a state that alot of programs recruit. UT gets its fair share of those who aren't die hard Dawgs.

jdcvols, Parker is a genuine NFL prospect and Scott probably will be. Whether they end up as good as Coleman really isn't a fair question... how many Vol OL's from anywhere have?

No idea what Poole will do or if he'll ever compare to Lewis.

Berry is the best looking DB I've ever seen at UT regardless of why he came... and he strongly considered UGA before committing so it is fair to mention him.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great point about the lull in the UGA program VOLinDAWGland.

Posted by brdteton on January 4, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jack'nTommy,

Where did Berry come from? He is much better than Deion (Burnt Toast) Grant at this stage? There are plenty of kids whose pops played at UT and go elsewhere. So, something was done right.

Anthony Parker, Yup, I think he is getting close to a Cosey Coleman level.

Jamal, Lucky to get him and he was one of a kind. Name another back thought to be as good as him five years before and up to this point.

BTW, when recruiting against GA in the 90's, the coaches were Jim Donnan and Ray Goff.. They have stepped up in the 2000's with Richt.

So, where did these contributors come from and how did they choose TN? Must of been a academic recruiter.

I was just pointing something out that I thought a bit of a falicy.

JDC,

Sorry I disagree with You. Someone that disagrees with You. I am concerned because it seems to be something that cracks into a fragile confidence to illicit such a reaction from You and JacknTommy. I am non more than a very vague aquantance.

I will skip the name calling and hang up and listen to Your nasally wine.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on January 4, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This info is not article worthy. Fulmer needs to get an OC in soon to bring a couple more guys and we will be fine. Miami recruits can't keep themselves straight....better off without them.

We have done well in NC, GA and VA in the past....I would like us to start picking off more guys from PA and NJ....good talent with a weak big 10 being our biggest competition.

Posted by LouneyTom on January 4, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Surely everyone understands at some level what a crap-shoot recruiting ALWAYS is. Some of the 4- and 5-star recruits were guys who matured physically early in life and got by on natural ability in high school, but a) never learned how to WORK or take coaching, b) never learned how to compete with players as good as they were, c) have limited room for improvement in technique, size, and strength, d) can't qualify or stay eligible academically, e) get homesick, f) get buried on the depth chart, h) get hurt early and never get "it" back, etc., etc. Every year, there are college All-American players that no one ever heard of in high school and there are high-school All-Americans who are the subject of "what ever happened to..." stories, if they are not totally forgotten. I know, I know, big, fast, and mean may not win every fight, but that's the way to bet. However, statistics don't apply to individuals. I hope we wind up with the recruits we really need, rather than the "names" that some think we need.

AMEN!!!!!

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

brdteton: Sorry, but that post was incoherent to me. What??? BTW, there was very little fall-off in GA recruiting during the Goff/Donnen days...just lackluster coaching. GA always recruits. And we once did better there than we do now, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

Posted by pdhuff on January 4, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

True, TommyJack, if Richt can coach and avoid another UT brain f##t, it will be tough in Athens next fall.

Look for Dawgs to be top 3 preseason and as much as I hate to say it, a force in the SEC. They jumped a big hurdle in the Gators and should ("should") smash USC next fall. Athens wiil be lively next season.

You are correct in that they lose very few players to the Vols now. Ck the AJC Top 100 to see how we're doing.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's see if I can get this straight...

If CPF can't raid Ga or loses Barrett Jones to Bama then it is because the program is falling apart and he's incompetent... but if Berry comes to UT it is only because his father told him to? Any player that has recently come to UT out of Ga can't possibly be as good as one whose careers we now are looking back on?

I guess that's consistent inconsistency...

Posted by Volalumnus on January 4, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad all these coaches are leaving.
Enough are leaving that something has to change.
Even if the offence gets worse then it is still good because we will already be that much closer to geting someone else again.
Some are right in that some are jumping on all these coaches leaving and bringing up the problems but two points about that.
They wanted them fired - not to leave. The difference is in one your program is defining a standard, the other the coaches are jumping ship.
Second - they are more or less making fun of several who have noticed to point it out that they we indicating TN could not fire these coaches because they were too valuable and the program would fall apart without them.

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18: Hey man, all I ever said was that we miss Rodney Garner as a recruiter. No need to get all weird, for cryin out loud. You seem to take issue with everyone that doesn't think exactly as you. Are you a Democrat?