Tennessee's 2010 football recruiting class has center stage for now. But after being analyzed and celebrated the last few days, it will be mostly forgotten over the course of the next season.
Later, the best of the bunch will ascend the depth chart and remind fans why their choice of schools created such a hubbub in the first place.
This class' time will come. But with a few exceptions, it won't come this year.
The SEC's long history of turning four-star recruits into forgotten freshmen has taught us that much.
That's not to minimize the significance of UT coach Derek Dooley's two-minute recruiting drill, which salvaged much of a class that could have unraveled beyond recognition when coach Lane Kiffin left the Vols for Southern California.
Give this class time.
Give the last class the next season.
If the Vols are to rise above the unflattering predictions for 2010, the 2009 class is the one that will matter most.
So much was made of Kiffin's one-and-only UT recruiting class, you could conclude it was a disappointment.
In fact, it contributed to UT's turnaround from 5-7 to 7-6; it just didn't yield a player with the star power of recent SEC freshman sensations like Georgia's A.J. Green, or Alabama's Julio Jones and Trent Richardson.
You don't evaluate a class solely on what it accomplished in a first season.
You have to weigh its potential.
Safety Janzen Jackson quickly established himself as a freshman starter, though he later proved more talented than dependable. He drew a one-game suspension for an off-the-field issue and made headlines for being a passenger in the same car that two former teammates used in a feeble attempt at armed robbery.
A reasonable question: Will Jackson become an All-SEC player or just another curfew casualty?
You might wonder about the mindset of others in this class as well. Several of the most heralded recruits - running back Bryce Brown, for example - signed with UT because of the coaching staff, more so than the program. Imagine how they felt while sorting out their football future in Kiffin's getaway dust.
Their opportunities shouldn't be any less promising under Dooley. The new coach might have arrived here via the WAC, but he shares the SEC's core values - running and defense - and, like Kiffin, preaches physical football.
Next season's running game should rely heavily on Kiffin's recruits - Brown, David Oku and Toney Williams - as well as veteran Tauren Poole, who probably deserved more playing time than he got last season. And perhaps Marsalis Teague will emerge as a productive wide receiver as a sophomore.
Tackle JerQuari Schofield, who was redshirted as a freshman, could be crucial to the development of a depleted offensive line.
The defensive line will count on rising sophomores Montori Hughes and Marlon Walls at tackle.
Hughes was dominant at times in scrimmages last year and played regularly as a backup.
Walls arrived late to preseason camp and was hampered by injuries in the fall.
Linebacker Greg King asserted himself before an elbow injury ended his freshman season. Freshman Darren Myles was a highly touted, athletic safety, but he wasn't as precocious as Jackson. A year later, maybe he will start alongside his more advanced teammate.
And maybe King and Williams will recover fully from injuries that required surgery, Brown won't be affected by two concussions, and Jackson will stay out of trouble.
All those maybes remind you that, even in a week for debating the potential of a new class, the potential of the last one remains more relevant.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 72
TNParker writes:
Good football article
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
Coach Dooley biggest challenge is to build the trust of his players so that the coaches can get the most out of them. He has to do that while he continues to recruit and also train his staff. It will be fun to watch him go to work!!! GBO!
Mule_Days_King writes:
Nice article, Mr Adams.
Circumstances reveal character and I believe we have plenty of quality individuals on the field and on the sidelines of this team. Go get 'em guys!
Brillovol writes:
I've actually been thinking along these lines for a while now. We all said it would take at least 2 classes back-to-back to have the talent base we need to be competitive again. We were competitive last year without this class. Well, now that we've got it, why can't great things start to happen? I'm tempering expectations, but should I?
CarthageVol writes:
John, I like your articles. While in school at UT, I couldn't stand the powder puff Q and A with some of our coaches. If we look good, parade 'em around town. If we looked bad, burn 'em to the ground. You are pretty much the same week in and week out. Mostly, right on. If we suck, you say we suck. If we look great against good competition, you write it. Enough with the a!! kissin. We are spending real money up there and we should see some results. I know we are a few years away. I predict BIG things in 2012. The class of 2011, we'll promise the farm to many big uglies on both sides of the ball. How have BAMA and LSU won, BIG UGLIES. 2012 will have a strong home schedule, by then, Athens will be in ruins, and Arkansas and Miss State will be on the schedule. The Old Ball Coach will be gone by then, and Kentucky and Vandy will still have to field a team. But no matter the weakness of our opponents, I truly think CDD will have us in the same breath as UF, Bama, and LSU. And I do expect some SEC Championships for Dooley's tenure, but National Championships, well, they take some luck. And you can't recruit or coach that. The most important thing to remember over the next couple of years is "NO ONE STAYS ON TOP". It's a cycle and I think we are at about the 7:30 position. The Orange Nation will Rise Again!!! Go Big Orange!
CarthageVol writes:
2012 we start off with NC State, UNC, and Florida at home. Throw Troy in the mix. Another thing to think about, the 07 class was considered #3 overall. But CDD says we only have 53% of that class still on the roster. Berry and Rogan leaving hurts the value of that class. I still can't believe what happened CPF last year. Outside of top 25 recr. class and a loosing season. Two head coaching changes later, I would just like to see some steady, not incredible, consistancy for three years. Is that too much to ask?
Slystone writes:
Good article and one that should be posted for these young men too see.
CHITOWNVOL writes:
i think hook is short changing last year's class. Oliver and Gordon might even find starting gigs in the secondary. Mitchell-Thorton, Askew, and Nelson will be on the field a lot at Linebacker. Sykes and Jeffrey on the DL will add depth as well. I'm excited about our RB situation, and even are QB situation for next year. 5 QBs, who would have guessed that.
Does anyone know the status of Austin Rogers, McNeil, Adderly, Gerald Williams, and Warren? Are we going to see those 5 next year?
CHITOWNVOL writes:
sorry, meant adams not hooker...
Couchdummy writes:
A very good article. Hope Coach Dooley now turns his focus toward repairing the damage to the 2009 players, who I am sure need some reassurances and better ideas of the path forward. They have seemingly been supportive and patient in light of the initial needs to work on the 2010 class and staff assembly.
SwamisBigOrangeCrystalBall writes:
He got all his info from me
volsoutwest writes:
Okay guys we've pounded Adams pretty good in the past, let's give him his due. This was a pretty well thought-out article.
I totally agree that the contributions of the 09 class will be key to our success in the next season. However, with that being said, next season's schedule will be brutal, so let's not expect too much. But you never know we at least have hope, since games are played on the field and we do have a favorable home schedule upcoming.
txvolsfan writes:
Rogers got 6th year, McNeil gone, Gerald Williams back and Warren dismissed from team.
Not sure who Adderly is.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Yes you should as this class is not as good as it would have been without the coaching turmoil and as Adam's rightly noted, this class won't help much next year. The losses of Berry, Williams, Scott, McCoy are greater than any players ready to replace them next year.
If anyone thinks we're ready to jump back to the 10+ win record with BSC potential in the next two years, you will be very disappointed.
This year's coaching turmoil set us back at at least one year so I'm pushing out our full turnaround from 2011 to 2012.
Liberal_Vol writes:
Glad to see some intelligence being posted here.
VOLume27 writes:
Good article John Adams.
SwamisBigOrangeCrystalBall writes:
I'm seeing 7-5 and a bowl win next year. The new kicker will give us one big upset.
ClayMolder (Inactive) writes:
imagine how bryce feels? why dont you ask him adams. when did reporting turn into exclusive op/ed? not all of us care what you think.
Cldvols1 writes:
Good article, I strongly believe that the 09 class will become more useful in a positive light. There are a few playmakers in the 10 class that will be contributors as well this Fall. Go Big Orange!!!
tnbuzzman writes:
Is there a way to allow some of the players that Kiffin ran off from the 2007 class to rejoin the team?
RODGERVOLS writes:
I have to agree with several of you, it was a good article.. IMHO I think the development of a QB will have alot to do with how the 2010 Big Orange look... We need someone who can protect the ball and limit the costly delay of game penalties that kill so many drives.. Can't wait for start of the season.... Go Big Orange!!!!!!
Hounddog writes:
Great article. Thank you. I think we should hand it to Bryce Brown, OKU and others from former Coach Kool-Aid's class, their support of the school has been their patience and silence. Nice to see.
Hounddog
nocleats writes:
Lineman Need 2-3 years before they are ready to become SEC caliber Lineman.. An 18 yr old isnt ready to fight down after down with a 22 year old. It takes time, and hours and hours in the weight room. Sure there have been a "few" true fr lineman do it but for every one of them, there were 25 who needed time. Be patient ! Be Loud !! Remember the enviroment and energy, we the fans show next season is what future recruits and current players feed on...
nocleats writes:
Agreed , I think Coach Dooley still has a little recruiting to do as he probably needs some eyeball to eyeball time with each of the players on the team.. I am sure there are some hurt, confused and deflated players that need to hear from their coach.. He also needs to identify his team leaders and get them to help circle the wagons and close the ranks and lead this team up.
roloyo writes:
Is it September yet? Good article Adams............did Climer write it?
GBO
rockytopatl writes:
Good to see the voices of reason prevailing on this thread. I was rolling my eyes yesterday reading some of the Kool-Aid drinkers predicting 10 or more wins next year.
This is going to be a long process and there will be bumps in the road along the way. Hopefully, we keep it on the positive side of .500 and stay in bowl games. If we get good quarterback play and an OL that gells, who knows? But fans need to be patient and not expect the moon and stars next year.
WhiteHotBleedOrange writes:
"Two minute recruiting drill"...great metaphor!! LOL on that one.
Very nice article.
CHITOWNVOL writes:
thx for the info. FYI, Adderly is the TE brought in by Kiffin after NSD that had to sit and did not burn a scholarship last year. he was supposed to be solid. I was hoping Warren could sway Dooley to let him back on to the team. i thought i heard he's been showing up at workouts. unfortunate about McNeil, has anyone heard any talk about who's pegged for playing Center? one of the Frosh would be sweet. I know everybody seems to hate Austin Rogers for some reason, but I've always saw him as talented. If he's healthy, I could see him as a #2 or #3 receiver. yes, i'm waiting for peeps to tell me I'm stupid and he's too slow. I thought he looked like NFL material in Ainge's last season.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Why don't you two get a room....Jeeeez.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Clearly next year is another step to a long road back to the top of the SEC..The front end of the schedule is brutal..For fans it should be entertaining given the fact this team has lots of talent at skill positions..We are totally loaded at RB;have lots of potentially good QB's and endless possibilities at WR..Unfortunately the holes on both sides of the line will be our downfall..Like it or not freshman and sophomores will have to step in and play.Iam sure there will be some experimenting with a 3--4 defense but it can't work without a really good dominate nose guard and near as I can tell we don't have one..
TommyJack writes:
Everybody does NOT hate Rogers.
tn_rockytop writes:
well i thank we got tallent and real good coaches that could coach these kids up into shape this year i realy thank we are better off with the staff and Dooley than the lame x staff.i believe that this class of recruits is one of the best ones we have had in a long time. I look to see us do better in 2010 i would say
9-3 and just maybe 10-2
OrangePride writes:
Some interesting thoughts from Adams. Indeed, high mark recruiting classes do not always lead to a team being in the NC run......but WELL DEVELOPED talent, more often than not, is the foundation on which most success is built. Also, Tauren Poole.....he was most definitely underused last year. In watching his running style and his quickness, I think he is capable of being a Hardesty type back. Yes, he needs a little more power and some maturation on his reads, but this is a young man with EMENSE upside. Don't be surprised to see him as one of Tennessee's feature backs next year. GO VOLS!
NorthwestVol writes:
With all the 'Rogers' we have we could have "Rogers split right, Rogers split left, Rogers in the slot". Announcers would love it.
RoadTrip writes:
Early returns are that Cody Pope will have a look at center along with Revis. Revis was a CPF recruit that was a center from Rhea County that redshirted last year to add strength and weight.
Ignore Naffy on Austin Rogers. Rogers has good speed and is a very good route runner that is unafraid to go over the middle. His hands were suspect with too many drops - but so were G-Jones' and D-Moore's until they got coached up better. With a year to get his knee in order he will have his opportunity to work with an excellent receivers coach and provide some help next year.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
I'm pretty sure Austin Rogers announced that he won't return. He already graduated and got married, he and his wife are working on their Master's degrees. I think the guy is moving on with his life. Too bad, I would've liked to see him return.
LaneViolation writes:
The best post that I've read in quite some time. I think that you are spot on with a disturbing bit of confidence. I will look for your post on a later date Carthage.
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Excellent article Mr. Adams!
An oldie but a goodie for this dreary Saturday afternoon (turn them speakers up high).....Go Vols!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txlOre...
CHITOWNVOL writes:
at least there are some prospects then. i was surprised that Pope did not emerge as a starter at this point. he's got to be like 22 by now. glad 2 hear i'm the only one that thinks rogers has potential. strange news about him not wanting to come back though... i would hope shaw, carson anderson, D. thomas and some of the previous 3/4 star recruits finally step up and fill the void on the OL as well. not too much to expect i would think
VolinCalif writes:
Brill I'm with you. I think we have a team full of talent. We've only had one medium recruiting class in the pass five years. The only truly bad playing year was the last year of CF and that was confusion more than anything. Lane did OK with the players he had when he arrived and should have won a couple of more games. Also he recruited very well last year. Give DD and staff this Spring to get with the players and they will be ready come fall. One must remember that this staff has been use to working with much less talent than they have at UT. BS, La Tech played great ball last year and CJC, CLT know the players and wanted to stay at UT. Both the lather are great coaches, know talent and that speaks lots about what they feel this next year will bring
Go get'em Vols
volnnwbama writes:
what about the reviez boys, sorry if spelled it wrong, but they both comeback next year don't they?
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Yes, they are both back. We are very deep at LB
CHITOWNVOL writes:
shane didn't play that much last year. nick is recovering. there is an article from a week or so ago about his recovery process. sounds like it is going slow. i would be surprised if he is ready to start in the fall. if he is thinking long-term and NFL, he might consider sitting all of 2010. would be great to have him back for 2010 though
CHITOWNVOL writes:
we must be thinking of different teams... deep at LB is an overstatement. lathers, reveiz(s), king, askew, mitchell-thorton, frazier, thompson etc.. not bad, but think of the Ole Miss game and depth will have a different meaning
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
By 'deep', I was thinking that we have a lot of bodies at LB. If you count them all up, we have at least 8-10 coming back. Plus we just signed another 2-3. So we have at least 12 in the mix. Of that bunch, 4-5 of them are pretty good. We shall see. Hopefully Nick will be back at the start.
I've erased that Ole Miss game from my memory
Psychovol writes:
Who else redshirted last year? Inquiring minds want to know.
utnut#215669 writes:
Who are you, and where is JA? Good Article!!!!!
tnsportsman writes:
Good article Mr. Adam
Nick Reveiz will be back for sure in 2010, his leadership will be a huge asset!
Austin Rogers will not be back, he could have gotten the 6th year but declined acording to Rivals.
I certainly hope Warren gets a 2nd chance with Coach Dooley. Warren figured out our Former Coach quicker than we all did. He is all Tennessee and knew what was going on about Traditions!
IMO the talent level is better now than in several years at UT.
We all are worried about DTs but when you study the ones coming back and the 2010 additions we should have a double rotation all year, subject to few injuries.
The LBs and DBs will be OK. Freshman will need to step up and play. Nick will be a great defensive captain on and off the field.
The O Line looks to be OK without injuries, just not deep. Center needs to be addressed quickly.
The 5 QB's will be very interesting. IMO Tyler Bray or Simms will earn the job. If, and it's a big if, Stevens proves out and wins the QB Job, then by redshirting UT will look real good at QB for a few years. IMO Tyler Bray will be at least a 3 year starter!
The RB position looks Great Right Now! Great rotation of fresh RBs all year!
The WR position will be Great before Sept. What can you say but WR U now.
Way to early to tell what our 2010 record will be. We will have a pretty good picture coming out of Spring Practice. But IMO and just a guess, with Coach Dooley and this great Staff, the Big Orange should add at least 1 additonal win and be 8 & 4.
GBO VOLS!
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
Excellent analysis!
tnsportsman writes:
Thank You, Is it 'Football Time In Tennessee' yet? LOL
GBO!
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