Tennessee has qualified for a bowl, clinched a winning season and beaten every team in the SEC East except Florida. But it has accomplished something else this season that could have a greater long-term impact.
It has made a significant contribution to recruiting. The evidence is all over the depth chart.
And UT coaches don't need a billboard or a helicopter to spread the word. The numbers speak for themselves.
Coach Lane Kiffin and his staff can point to almost any area of the team and show improvement. You can't emphasize that enough to recruits, who aren't asking "What can I do for UT?"
They're asking: "What can UT do for me?"
Kiffin's answer: "We'll make you better."
They won't have to take his word for it. The improvement is as obvious as a Power T.
Take quarterback for the best example. In 2008, Jonathan Crompton threw four touchdown passes, five interceptions and played poorly enough to lose his starting job. September of this season didn't look much better.
Two months later, Crompton ended the regular season as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the SEC. The transformation was so startling, some UT fans couldn't believe what they were seeing.
But the numbers are indisputable. Crompton completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 2,565 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Next, take Crompton's backfield mate, tailback Montario Hardesty, who had never rushed for more than 384 yards in a season before Kiffin. This season, he ranks third in the SEC in rushing with 108.8 yards per game and has rushed for almost as many yards in the last two games as he did in any previous season.
Tight end Luke Stocker's numbers have improved as well. In his first two seasons at UT, he had 17 catches for 150 yards and one touchdown. This season, he has 27 catches for 370 yards and five touchdowns.
You don't need stats to detail the improvement of offensive linemen Cory and Cody Sullins. Just check the depth chart. For four years, the former walk-ons weren't even on it. They both became starters as fifth-year seniors under Kiffin and played well enough to help UT average 169.8 yards per game, compared to 122.9 last season.
Aaron Douglas, another offensive lineman, hasn't just improved. He has improved at a new position. After being redshirted as a freshman, he moved to offensive tackle in the spring, then won a starting position before mid-season. He was the SEC's offensive lineman of the week for his performance against Memphis.
In fact, the entire offensive line has improved, especially in pass protection. Last year, the Vols allowed 25 sacks for 170 yards in losses. This season, they allowed 12 sacks for 87 yards in losses.
The improvement of defensive players isn't as obvious, but it's still evident.
All-American safety Eric Berry has played a different role this season, so his interceptions are down from seven to two. But, as Berry has become more involved in stopping the run, he has surpassed his number of tackles and tackles for loss. Although his interceptions have declined, he has recovered two fumbles and forced another. He didn't recover or force a fumble last season.
Senior defensive tackle Dan Williams also has better numbers. Williams has 13 more tackles than last season with a bowl game yet to play.
Linebacker Rico McCoy leads UT with 112 tackles and four forced fumbles. He had 87 tackles last season and didn't force any fumbles.
UT's best players haven't just improved. They have improved their stock with the NFL.
And that's what recruits want to hear.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 42
vol_chaz writes:
Its about time we start hearing from some of these EE recruits. We'll know soon enough. Come to UT and get coached up.
west_tn_volfan writes:
Its called player development and they are doing a great job of it. I think we are a couple of years away from the kind of roster we really need to compete and win at the highest level, but we are on our way and things should only get better.
nocleats writes:
Add some depth to help against injuries and then watch how much teaching and improving our coaches can do.. They made 3 walk ons SEC caliber starters on the fly!!! GBO
asleep#212036 writes:
That seems to be the biggest difference so far between Fulmer and Kiffin. Fulmer's great players were born great. So many of this year's great players have been made great by great coaching. Crompton's turnaround is truly nothing short of remarkable and I'm really surprised more folks in the national media haven't talked about it. If that won't convince a top qb to come to Knoxville, I don't know what will. This bodes well for the future - as the base talent level improves, the coaching up will really turn this team into a powerhouse. Go Vols!!!
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Don't forget that the decline of LSU and the impending firing of Weis at ND and Bowden at FSU will open up a lot of recruits for this staff.
CLK finished his first regular season with a better record than Saban at Bama! 7-5 vs 6-6
FEAR THE KIFFIN!!
Orangeblood13 writes:
i almost passed out reading this, JA giving credit to UT
stop the press
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Gonna be tough next season though with the departing seniors on the O-line. Still got a tough schedule, but i'm thinking 8-4. Then, in 2011, it's on. :)
balloonman writes:
john.....absoltely ridiculous anlysis....hardesty has been hurt almost his entire career until this season....no one deserves credit for his development!..... it's his persistence....Jason Micheal, then a graduate assistant at the time of his signing, said he is a far better back than any of the 5 stars ahead of him!
txvolsfan writes:
The Zone blocking by the O-line did help Hardesty a lot this year. All of the backs
ran harder this year and they all felt a little
boot in their butt. Yes Hardesty has been injured and has always been our best back but he has been helped by this staff.
This was a well written and truthful article.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
forkball writes:
Hardesty has had injuries, but he wasn't hurt last year as he watched Foster start against UCLA and we know how that turned out. As a matter of fact, he got us back in that game with a late touchdown run. He also wasn't hurt the day the coaches "forgot" about him. He knew he was good enough to be on the field and it's a testament to his character that he didn't throw in the towel. Over 200 carries and no fumbles says it all, you win games with guys like Hardesty.
hueypilot writes:
Wasn't Hardesty the one that Fulmer said they "forgot about" when he didn't get to see the field in an embarassing loss to Florida? While MH was injured at times in his career, Foster always got the nod when both were healthy, and from the first carries (remember Hardesty's breaking two tackles and taking it to the house as a freshman against Cal in Knoxville) it was obvious to me that Hardesty ran harder than Foster, got more after the first hit than Foster, ran with better body lean and fell forward better than Foster and damned sure practiced better ball security than Foster. Phil liked big backs, and Foster was bigger. Sorry but this was Phil's biggest mistake in coaching, IMO, always reverting to Foster as his lead back. Coker(I know he was a head case) and Hardesty were both better but when all were on equal footing healthwise, Foster would start and Phil was just plain wrong to make that pick.
therev writes:
I can't stand Adams most of the time but I have to give him points for this one.
seacondor writes:
great post!
kevin151 writes:
True. Stocker and McCoy were by far some of the most improved players. McCoy played like all sec this year, and last year he couldn't tackle the ball boy. Monte definitely played a role.
seacondor writes:
your quoting jason micheal...not much their. What makes you think hardesty was not banged up this year at times? Read between the lines, I live in New Bern. I'll quote AD Hamilton. "It was time"
seacondor writes:
Wow! Bama should have fired Nick after his 6-6 season? I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes you were the Alabama AD! Dang the luck, your a Vol fan?
leedsvol2007 writes:
I thought the thing that bodes well for the future is the development of the offensive line. Albeit it was a start due to injury last night Ramone Foster started for Pittsburg.
Our offensive line last year on paper had better players. They never came close to their potential.
Defensively until all the injuries and suspensions we were better particularly on third and long. And it appeared our inside line play was better as well.
Another post has documented the development of Hardesty and Crompton.
Finally, I think you have to say that game day coaching was much better. The last two years Saban and Meyer looked smug on the sideline at the end of the game. This year both had looks of real concern.
I think they realized that at best they are best even with this staff when it comes to strategy and motivation and they are now in for a fight every year.
GoVols!
seacondor writes:
can't resist...Elite programs fire coaches for 5-7 records. Probably a typo on your part?
VolFanFtl writes:
Another inane post from a Florida fan that obviously has nothing better to do in his sad life.
First, no one predicted Tennesseess to finish second in the SEC East. Most accounts had them in 4th or 5th place.
Second, there is not one person on this site that cares what you think about Kiffin or how you find him 'insufferable', in fact, the more insufferable you Florida fans find him, the more we like him.
Third, no one believes 7-5 is a record for an elite program. Again, let Tennessee fans worry about his future.
As far as he being a "qb coach after he gets canned in 011." Stop being a typical delusional UF fan. Please do yourself a favor - get a life.
arkyvol writes:
i'm a longtime fulmer fan, but i agree with adam's premise. for the decade preceding this season, the vols seemed to sign more than their quota of 4 and 5 stars players, but nothing ever came of them. they just disappeared as crompton seemed to be doing before kiffen. i hope this is the start of something good.
UrbanCryer writes:
he wasnt hurt last year and didnt see the field. btw he was recruited as a db out of high school
VolunteerLifer writes:
And I - as well as many others on this board - find you "insufferable on many levels." Your opinions are worthless, you bring nothing to the table, because you are just a florida homer who roosts here to sew discontent among UT fans and potential recruits, not to talk football in a give and take with UT fans. You have no credibility on this site. Get lost.
BreatheUT writes:
Though there is some truth in what you are saying about Hardesty's career being defined more by injuries and this year he just stayed healthy, Adams article hit the nail on the head. You can attribute Hardesty's improvement to being given an opportunity, but you can also attribute it to a better weight training program that kept him healthy, or a better offensive line with a staff that was committed to run the football. Also, in the past I thought Hardesty didn't see the hole well and ran straight into the offensive linemen. This year, he found the hole and didn't fumble all year. He displayed the great vision, balance, strength, and speed UT great running backs of the past. Hardesty was developed to reach his ability.
Go Big Orange
JohnnyVol writes:
I can't help but see Hardesty in the same light as Terrell Davis. Davis was a perennial all-pro, and maybe a Hall of Fame running back. He never really started consistently in college. Of course his coach - I believe - was Ray Goff. Goff was a great recruiter, but never seemed to "coach up" the mid-level talent. Honestly, most teams have some stud players. But, those coaches that coach up the mid level talent are probably going to be most successful.
I would love to see Hardesty go on to an all pro career.
murrayvol writes:
Fulmer was wrong about a lot of things hueypilot.
What impressed me most about this team as a whole and Hardesty in particular was ball security. Everybody preaches it but this staff (and team) delivered.
Ayres_Hall writes:
Nice work JA but the list goes on... Wes Brown was a DE until converting to DT and he had a very solid season for an under-sized DT. Walk-on and under-sized Nick Reveiz at MLB running the defense until injured and eventually beating two SEC teams with a third-string MLB.
micbrooks#212023 writes:
The punishment that an SEC back takes every week cannot be overstated. What many don't know is Hardesty had his knee drained several times during the season, most notably before he torched Memphis for a gazillion yards rushing. The guy is TOUGH, and he runs like it. At the very least, he should have shared the tailback duties with Foster a lot more last year. But, it is also true that this year's coaches did much better at designing a running game that really worked!!!!!
tuscavol writes:
I totally agree with you. I always felt like Hardesty was the better running back. His vision, pad level, explosiveness, and second effort after contact were all better than Foster. Did you see how hard he hit those holes in the fourth quarter against Kentucky? He would not be denied. One more example of why Fulmer lost his job. Hardesty will be missed next season.
Souther writes:
From darkest night to brightest morning! UT under Fulmer was becoming North Carolina --- i.e. the place where great players go to become mediocre. No development, no playing time for talented guys, no enthusiasm.
The future's so bright, I have to wear a welder's mask!
hueypilot writes:
He showed amazing toughness this year and Saturday night was the crowning moment. 39 carries, even tho, as Earl Campbell pointed out, the ball's not that heavy, is real old school stuff but the amazing thing to me is that on that 39th carry, he looked like he had more energy than anyone else on either side of the ball when the blew through that hole on the last play of the game. Both he and Crompton, and the Sullins kids, and Wes Brown, are great postscripts to Kiffin's and the staff's first year on the Hill.
Txvol57 writes:
First year he was injured and had to redshirt, second he had an ankle problem and third year it was a knee again but not as serious...JA is refering to the fact that Foster played all last year when Hardesty was completely healthy and sat the bench...GOD only knows why....If you remember Hardesty didnt get one single carry in the Alabama game and he was so mad he didnt show up for sunday meetings.
dowhatsright writes:
Great article.
kjvols writes:
dthenc don`t forget to bookmark the Irish site,you my want to start visiting there
Madkels writes:
Don't forget, it makes those juniors and senoirs work harder as well because they know their position on the depth chart is not guaranteed. Gotta love it!
Madkels writes:
Me thinks that dthenc is losing a little sleep these days. Let's see d, could Timmy and Urby be gone? Is the Lane Train gotcha worried? Could UF lose more recruits to UT or other schools since Timmy is leaving and no one knows what Urby might do? I recommend you start drinking often and heavily.
allvol32 writes:
Alas poor dthenc...or whatever your handle is at the moment.
I hope you get treatment for your mental illness - namely an unhealthy and unnatural obsession with UT athletics.
You post more on this website than the most enthusiastic Vols fans. How many times has KNS banned you now?
Every time you post it is yet another desperate cry for help in dealing with your obsession.
You are a sad pathetic albeit sick loser but I do hope that you get the help that you seem to need so desperately.
Maybe when you are cured you will be able to find a nice Florida fan site where you can post all of the positive things you can think of about your team.
KNS - don't be an enabler - "It's Time" for the broom yet again...
ncvol17 writes:
Let's be honest and realize the state of Florida has more than enough recruits yearly to keep UF stocked. That doesn't mean they can't be beat. Tebow, like Manning, was a once in a lifetime QB. We will never see his like again at UF, thankfully. This dude comes on our site to rile us up (successfully I'm afraid). We will recruit well, develop players, and will rival UF for the eastern championship well b4 UF fans would like. Until then they will come on our site and get their jollies getting under our skin..
HowBoutThemVols writes:
OK I've heard enough!
I can't stand to see another post talking about Hardesty being hurt his entire career until this year. Sure he has been hurt - some - with mostly minor stuff. But he has been hurt this year, too - with minor stuff.
Hardesty has been our best RB for the last four years - hurt or not! No disrespect intended to coaches or players, but I would have taken a hurt Hardesty over a 100% well Arian Foster any day.
I also remember that first memorable TD run against California in 2006. Simply unbelievable! But somehow, the coaching staff couldn't remember to play him for the next three years. Give me a break!
This was symptomatic of the last few years of the Fulmer era. It's just a fact. No bashing intended. As the article points out, virtually all of the senior players who have achieved so much this season did so in large part because of the coaching and opportunities they received from this new staff.
We have some great talent on this team that will soon have used up all of their college eligibility. This season just goes to show have much of a shame it is that they didn't get more chances earlier in their careers - or better coaching quite frankly.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Great Post, I could not agree more. Foolmer was just a plain old Dumbarse!!!!
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Your last statement sums it up.....Better Coaching!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You should have waited even longer before posting trash like this. Not only did UT improve its won-lost record this year, it lost by 24 fewer cumulative points against the best the SEC had to offer, and at their places to boot. One might argue that neither UF nor Bama are as good as they were last year, but the last I saw they were still #1 and #2 in the country.
I think eight Vols in the draft may be a bit of a stretch, but, even if so, it was the performance of the REST of the squad that unquestionably improved over the way they performed the last few years of the former regime. So I--and every other Vol fan on here--reject your characterization of our coaching as "amateur [correct spelling] hour."
Finally, I don't know who you root for, but surely you have noticed that every other team in the country plays teams like Memphis and WKU, so UT's wins over teams of that ilk--the likes of which pushed the last few UT teams to the limit--should no more be disparaged than those of any other power team over THEIR "creampuffs".
So just shut up and go away. We are WAY over our quota of interlopers and trolls as it is, though I DO understand the fear that is building among such as yourself over the impending return of the Vols to the nation's elite.
CHITOWNVOL writes:
well said!
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