Posted by BillVol on July 9, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BA players seem to look down their noses at Tennessee. I don't think he'll go to Vandy, either. Guessing he'll wind up at Ole Miss or South Carolina.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on July 9, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wonder why he didn't mention anything about BCS bowls and Tennessee? Hey Foolmore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Kosmo on July 9, 2008 at 1:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Its amazing how a 6'6 guy has so many offers from big schools even though he's stats are not as amazing. College football is going more toward potential than the numbers.

Posted by pdhuff on July 9, 2008 at 5:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ole Miss...

Posted by ThaiVolFan on July 9, 2008 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think he sounds like a real good player with a lot of upward potential. It would be nice to have a real dominating presence coming off the edge again. Our d line needs to be strengthened now and in the future. You guys stop being so narrow minded and pessimistic. If it is a recruit who is a skilled position player you all whine that he doesn't play the d line, now this article is about a good player who plays the d line and says right now his decision is between Vandy and UT. Yet, you're still complaining. Get a grip and get a life and go find another team to constantly malign.
Go Vols!

Posted by TigerVol on July 9, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this could be awesome to have his speed on one end and Ben Martin on the other. If we could find a few nasty cogs in the middle it could help the D-line return to greatness. Watch out for Ole Miss and the Irish....maybe Wiess tells the players either sign here or I am going to sit on you with my front butt...Go Vols!

Posted by TommyJack on July 9, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BillVol 12:13: How do you suppose the kid could look down on TN, then consider S.C.?

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 9, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Exactly TommyJack. Or Ole Miss?

Posted by hcjournals on July 9, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Vols could help make him a great player.....Could the others?

Posted by sjt18 on July 9, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

With that frame, he could carry 45 more pounds... could be the DT we've all been clamoring for. A guy with that kind of athleticism at DT would have a great shot at being drafted.

Posted by Brama on July 9, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of the Time Brentwood players dont pan out in college

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If we get him good if not it's o.k. A nice DT to go along with this guy would be nice. More of these kids need to have more pride in their home state. Me and everyone I hang with HATE N.D. and half these other schools that are mentioned , especially N.D.!!!! Nobody made it that way it just seemed to be instilled at birth!! Boy how these kids have changed, the glamour and lights have become top priority. Just don't go to N.D.

Posted by TommyJack on July 9, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Daddy: Fully understandable to me why a kid would strongly consider ND if offered.

8's enough.

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

T.J. good point about the 8 wins, but the bar has benn lowered to 4 wins/yr. at N.D. from what I can see. I see us having a better year than them this season.

Posted by TommyJack on July 9, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Daddy: Agree. Not really a big ND fan, but I'm sure their academics and tradtion appeal to many recruits. Also bet they don't stay down long.

Posted by marc_ash on July 9, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ,

I can understand ND's tradition, but can't think of a reason why I would want to go to south bend to play now. They are loaded with young talent and have much up side. However, there are a number of other schools I would look at first before ND.

I lived in IN for 9 years and ND is nice...but it isn't the promised land by any stretch. Suppose if he is catholic or has family in the area it would be a good fit. But who knows, he has his reasons for looking at Tundra Dame im sure.

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just hope he does not have a stinking press conference to anounce his pick. They are running that crap into the ground!!

Posted by GoIrish on July 9, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here come the Irish!! Charlie will sweep him up just like he did with Harrison Smith, Golden Tate, and Alex Bullard. The Irish will win 9-10 games again this year and be BCS bound and this kid will be swept away to the land of the Golden Dome!

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

GoIrish, Harrison Smith is gonna be a stud, maybe this season. But I'm not sure about 9-10 games. I will say that you can go 7 wins and get a B.C.S. bid. You guys need to give it up and join the big10 and you may get some respect!!!! Does the term Spygate ring a bell? I bet for coach Wies it does.

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CHEATERZ!!!!!!!!!! GOVOLS

Posted by MikeTheVol on July 9, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As bad as I hate to say it, I believe he will end up a Notre Dame. As someone said above, BA players tend to thumb their noses at UT.

Posted by GoIrish on July 9, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DaddyVol, Smith will be a great one, he really flourished this past spring. If you have seen our schedule, it is set up for 9 or 10 wins this year. We were VERY young last year and add a top 5 recruiting class to the mix. Michigan, Purdue, BC are all down this year. The three toughest games on our schedule are @ Michigan St, PITT, and @ USC. Most are predicting 9-3 (which will put us in a New Years Day bowl) or 10-2 (which will put us in a BCS game)

Posted by hiresanders on July 9, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Foolmore couldn't beat Charlie Weis on the field, and he hasn't shown he can beat him off of it either. Recruiting or in GPA. The only thing he has him in is more player arrests...stay the course.

Posted by dfreeman on July 9, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hiresanders - who is it that you pull for? What college football team is it that you pull for when fall rolls around?

GoIrish - you pulled that talent last year and won 2 games? 3? Nice!! Maybe with another top 5 recruiting class you can win four games!! LOL Charlie W is making Ty Willingham look like Bear Bryant!!

Posted by sjt18 on July 9, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ND's schedule is pretty lame this year. Don't sleep on UNC though.

I think ND will get 7 or 8 wins then return to relevance the next year.

IMO, the BCS schools should bond together and demand that the ridiculous ND deal be canned. They should be told to join the Big 10 or be left out. If all 6 BCS conferences went to 12 teams with a championship game, you'd have something much closer to a playoff.

Posted by givehim6 on July 9, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just hape he ends up in orang.

Posted by Colliervol on July 9, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dfreeman, hiresanderswife will never answer that question but it has always been suspected that he's a Kentucky fan. But it's pretty obvious he ain't a fan of the Vols. He feel into the Land of Ignore a long time ago.

And besides, how could anybody pay attention to anything a KY football fan says? They haven't seen enough good football up there to comment on anything. (Well, maybe they have from the visiting teams.)

Posted by Colliervol on July 9, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Fell into the Land of Ignore". Sorry for any spelling errors I might make over the next few days. Had a little minor surgery yesterday and the Lortabs aren't helping my typing skills.

Posted by marc_ash on July 9, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GoIrish,

You would hope so. Another top recruiting class and all that "supposed" talent. I would say with that talent you should be able to win a bowl game...how long has it been? 10 years?

Posted by marc_ash on July 9, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GoIrish,
If you don't think Michigan will be a tough game for you, then think again. It's a rivalry game...and it will be tough.

Problem I see with ND is their OL is terrible. Now, maybe they have some talent to fill the holes...but giving up an average of 4.5 sacks a game is not going to get you 9-10 wins.

Even the great Jimmy Clausen can't survive that type of protection.

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sjt18, once again I agree my brother!! If every conference would man up and have a conference championship, that would straighten a whole lotta things up!!

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll give Kudos to the ACC for doing so, and since then they have become a VERY competitive conference!!

Posted by 64vol on July 9, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How many top players will want to go to a school that has not finished in top 10 for six straight years? CPF strikes again!!

Posted by GoIrish on July 9, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good points fellas. UNC will be improved, but like us last year they are very young and I think they are a year away from Butch Davis working any magic in Chapel Hill. 13 of 22 ND starters last year were freshman. I don't care how good you are, when you line up a bunch of 18 year olds against 21-22 year olds, you are going to take your lumps. Jimmy was never healthy last year either after his arm surgery last summer. He has gained 20 pounds and is fully healthy this year, our OL is a year older and our skill players like Golden Tate are too. I still think 9-10 wins is logical given an easier schedule this year. I hope we get this guy from BA too. Good luck to you and the Vols this year, too bad we don't play anymore, we had some nice games together.

Posted by TommyJack on July 9, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GoIrish: Wish ND/TN was a semi-regular series..always fun. I see no reason ND won't get it together. If the large fellow can't get it done, there's enough dough in the ND pipeline to buy him out.

Posted by sjt18 on July 9, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GI, I'll admit that I don't like ND. But objectively speaking, Weis was playing his best or else torquing some upperclassmen to play for the future. My comment that ND will return to relevance in 09 isn't in the least bit based on Clausen. IMHO, he was very overrated and completely outclassed by Mallett in the Army AA game.

Last year, the other guy was much more impressive. I didn't see any real physical drop off, he didn't panic, and his grasp of the O was much better. I think JC will hurt your team this year if he ends up the starter.

Posted by GoIrish on July 9, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, SJ, JC is definately the starter and we are going to sink or swim with him since Dayne Christ isn't quite ready yet. We will be running ball more this year since Charlie isn't calling the plays anymore. Weis was playing the best he had last year because he only had 14 juniors and seniors on the entire team! Ty's last year and Charlies first year, the recruiting was horrible and we are paying for it now. We are about to go on a run a la the Holtz's halcyon years of the late 80's-early 90's...if not, God help Charlie.

Posted by RichRollin on July 9, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GoIrish, I don't like N.D. but you do have some class dude. You don't seem to be to biased, and that's what we like here!! You are always welcome to come talk football my man, but keep it real.

Posted by hueypilot on July 9, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BA players don't pan out? Don't know about all of them but Scott Wells and Bubba Miller were pretty good four year anchors in the O line.
Does anyone know the story on the kid from Maryville, who transferred from Florida State? Status? Likely to contribute? Wasn't he freshman all conference?

Posted by gainesville_vol on July 9, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To me, the ND fans are in the same category as the Florida fans expecting their defense to be better because they are a year older. To me, that just doesn't make much sense. While I would expect some improvement from freshman to sophomores, that improvement is usually in understanding the system, not physical.

The Florida defense last year was porous to say the least. They lost their best player in Harvey. Yet, UF fans expect to see Florida in the MNC because the defense will be better this year. I expect that Florida will continue to have problems putting pressure on the QB, stopping the running game, and covering in man-to-man defense.

I expect that ND will continue to struggle with the OL, as someone mentioned above. In the college game, you just don't see 6, 7, or 8 game improvements in one season. If GoIrish expects to beat Michigan, Michigan St, Purdue, USC, etc., and finish 10-2, I think he is drinking the green koolaid. If I were in his shoes, I would be estatic with a 7-5, 8-4 record and WIN a bowl game.

Posted by ThurmondEppy on July 9, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The Land of Ignore." LOL. It occurs to me that if we do this with all the unwelcome folks who crap on this site, and they stop getting angry reactions (which is what they want) they will simply go away.

Posted by murrayvol on July 9, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hcjournals @ 8:58 a.m.: Coaching can make players better, even good but you can't "make" players great. Great players are born not made.

Posted by hiresanders on July 9, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the kind words DaddyVol, it's always a pleasure to get to talk about the greatest sport God created, college football. Who knows, maybe the Irish and Vols can get together in a bowl game this year. BTW, gainsville, I don't remember saying Notre Dame was going to play in the MNC game. I just a BCS game was a distinct possibility with a 10-2 record. The two losses I think will be @ Michigan State and @ USC. However, look out when the Trojans come to South Bend in 2009 when the Irish will be a top 5 team again.

Posted by BillVol on July 9, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, I don't know. I don't understand it. But Tennessee private school kids look at us as another Walters State or Motlow State or Chattanooga State. Nothing more than a community college. But they look favorably at schools with less academic credentials than us, such as Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama, South Carolina... Auburn, especially, with its country club feel, is a big draw for the Tennessee privates. I do not get it.

Posted by pdhuff on July 10, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol 9:55 am - "Poor" players are also born.

And recruited......