Poll: What is the biggest area of need for the Vols in recruiting?

What is the biggest area of need for the Vols in recruiting?

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What is the biggest area of need for the Vols in recruiting?

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Comments » 69

RockyToptoNeyland writes:

well we got 0 offensive lineman commits and a terrible offensive line on hand, so take a hint

volsmith writes:

More four and five star recruits. Two and three star recruits aren't going to get the job done.

BodeaneVol writes:

You mean besides a new head coach?

FWBVol writes:

in response to RockyToptoNeyland:

well we got 0 offensive lineman commits and a terrible offensive line on hand, so take a hint

Our offensive line is not terrible. We had a running game that was terrible last year, but that was a combination of factors.

I've said it many times before, and I speak as a guy that played the line in high school and have talked to several coaches about blocking schemes, but run blocking, contrary to popular opinion, is more difficult for young offensive linemen than pass blocking.

Run blocking involves brute strength as opposed to technique whereas in pass blocking you can use a pass rusher's momentum to redirect him as the O-line form a pocket.

The average fan thinks that a QB sack is the results of a poor pass protection, and that can often be the case, but there are times the QB holds the ball too long.

By the same token, people tend to always blame the line on a poor running game, but often the running backs don't see the hole or hit it quickly enough. Running backs tend to free style more than any other offensive position, which is fine if they turn in numbers like Walter Payton or Emmitt Smith, but when they free style to a bad read it makes everyone look bad.

oldvoltimer62 writes:

A high powered Offense with a OC that knows how to run it IMO.GBO!

xvillefan writes:

in response to oldvoltimer62:

A high powered Offense with a OC that knows how to run it IMO.GBO!

The offense will be much better in 2012. Work on defense.

TNVOLNTX writes:

in response to volsmith:

More four and five star recruits. Two and three star recruits aren't going to get the job done.

You're either extremely ignorant or extremely uniformed. I won't even try to help with the first, but I'll make a contribution to the latter. According to Rivals, as of today, we have the 11th ranked recruiting class in the country. (With nothing but 2 and 3 stars, funny how that math works...huh?)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football...

xvillefan writes:

in response to BodeaneVol:

You mean besides a new head coach?

The life blood of college football is RECRUITING. No matter how much they are “coached up”, better athletes rise to the top in the system. A casual glance at the national rankings seems to reveal the VOLS are looking well above average. Among the 100+ major college football programs UT ranks #15 on RIVALS, #20 on ESPN and #23 on SCOUT.
However in the highly completive SEC, UT is lagging badly when compared to the opponents.
SCOUT judges AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, ARK, Auburn and Georgia have higher rated commitments than UT.
ESPN rates AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, Auburn and Georgia with higher rated commitments than UT.
Only RIVALS has the VOLS rated in the top four in the SEC behind Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.
I am sure the staff is well aware of these stats but they don’t seem to demonstrate any urgency in their actions. Just think how great it would have been if a few five star recruits had been singing Rocky Top with all the students at Thompson-Boling at Saturday’s game with Connecticut in that fantastic atmosphere. With signing day fast approaching there are only a couple of uncommitted three star athletes scheduled to visit in the next 9 days. These five final recruits probably will not make a big impact in the fall but for Dooley to survive after the 2012 season he has to give Hart and the fans some hope for the future by signing talent.

oskie_score writes:

in response to RockyToptoNeyland:

well we got 0 offensive lineman commits and a terrible offensive line on hand, so take a hint

With Coach Pittman's arrival expect significant (O-Line) improvement in 2012. IMO.

D-Line was primary area of focus for 2012.
O-Line will be addressed in 2013.

mdvol writes:

Does the poll mean greatest need or greatest need assuming our commitments stick? If we keep everyone committed then we could really use as stud RB.

born2ride writes:

in response to TNVOLNTX:

You're either extremely ignorant or extremely uniformed. I won't even try to help with the first, but I'll make a contribution to the latter. According to Rivals, as of today, we have the 11th ranked recruiting class in the country. (With nothing but 2 and 3 stars, funny how that math works...huh?)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football...

Scout has us ranked #19 behind 8 other SEC Schools. Good class overall but it is hard to compete in conference without 5 star players.

wigmeister writes:

Cement Trucks for OL and cement trucks with supercharged engines for DL.

BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:

Bulldozers and Earth movers..

seadaddy writes:

in response to BodeaneVol:

You mean besides a new head coach?

Attention Seeker nothing more nothing less...TROLL!

BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:

in response to born2ride:

Scout has us ranked #19 behind 8 other SEC Schools. Good class overall but it is hard to compete in conference without 5 star players.

Who cares what scout says, Rivals has us 11th..

Lane_Kiffins_Daddy_Wears_Diapers writes:

This is going to end up a good class (somewhere in the Top 15). I think (like the last two classes) that there will be an accumulation of good talent. The problem is our competition is also accumulating good talent plus some exceptional talent. Other than Justin Hunter (who was lower rated than 2 other receivers we signed in 2010), I don't see a truly "elite" player. I see good players (Bray, DaRick, Maggitt, Johnson) but not players that are dominant. If you look at the Top 10 by position (per Rivals), UT only has 2 guys committed that are in the top 10 at their positions (at Pro-style QB and Safety, which aren't positions of need, currently)

pingkr62 writes:

in response to BodeaneVol:

You mean besides a new head coach?

BOORRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!

BlakeyWakey writes:

Who remembers the Albert Hanesworths,and the John Hendersons... A good D line makes your whole defense look good.

BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:

in response to BlakeyWakey:

Who remembers the Albert Hanesworths,and the John Hendersons... A good D line makes your whole defense look good.

That was a massive DL and UT could run the 43 with 4 large down linemen like that..Unfortunately UT has been too light in the rear the last 9yrs to continue using the 43..Just a thought.

Vol43 writes:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEAR:

That was a massive DL and UT could run the 43 with 4 large down linemen like that..Unfortunately UT has been too light in the rear the last 9yrs to continue using the 43..Just a thought.

Did I just hear my number? No matter, back to the game and GO VOLS!

Bodeanvol writes:

in response to BodeaneVol:

You mean besides a new head coach?

a new gaaaaaayyyyyturd troll this one above is boring

wildmed writes:

in response to FWBVol:

Our offensive line is not terrible. We had a running game that was terrible last year, but that was a combination of factors.

I've said it many times before, and I speak as a guy that played the line in high school and have talked to several coaches about blocking schemes, but run blocking, contrary to popular opinion, is more difficult for young offensive linemen than pass blocking.

Run blocking involves brute strength as opposed to technique whereas in pass blocking you can use a pass rusher's momentum to redirect him as the O-line form a pocket.

The average fan thinks that a QB sack is the results of a poor pass protection, and that can often be the case, but there are times the QB holds the ball too long.

By the same token, people tend to always blame the line on a poor running game, but often the running backs don't see the hole or hit it quickly enough. Running backs tend to free style more than any other offensive position, which is fine if they turn in numbers like Walter Payton or Emmitt Smith, but when they free style to a bad read it makes everyone look bad.

one of the most intelligent posts I've seen on this site...

wildmed writes:

in response to xvillefan:

The life blood of college football is RECRUITING. No matter how much they are “coached up”, better athletes rise to the top in the system. A casual glance at the national rankings seems to reveal the VOLS are looking well above average. Among the 100+ major college football programs UT ranks #15 on RIVALS, #20 on ESPN and #23 on SCOUT.
However in the highly completive SEC, UT is lagging badly when compared to the opponents.
SCOUT judges AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, ARK, Auburn and Georgia have higher rated commitments than UT.
ESPN rates AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, Auburn and Georgia with higher rated commitments than UT.
Only RIVALS has the VOLS rated in the top four in the SEC behind Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.
I am sure the staff is well aware of these stats but they don’t seem to demonstrate any urgency in their actions. Just think how great it would have been if a few five star recruits had been singing Rocky Top with all the students at Thompson-Boling at Saturday’s game with Connecticut in that fantastic atmosphere. With signing day fast approaching there are only a couple of uncommitted three star athletes scheduled to visit in the next 9 days. These five final recruits probably will not make a big impact in the fall but for Dooley to survive after the 2012 season he has to give Hart and the fans some hope for the future by signing talent.

You forgot Texas A&M, ranked in the top ten, which will be a conference member as of July 1.

BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:

in response to Vol43:

Did I just hear my number? No matter, back to the game and GO VOLS!

Since you chimed in..Have you heard anything about that 4* LB from Ms that visited on the 13th?? I never heard how his visit went..

rtrchatt writes:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEAR:

Who cares what scout says, Rivals has us 11th..

Guess who EVERYBODY has #1????? ALABAMA.......

Looks like that overhyped Dalton Santos is all Vol lol....or has he just never been away from home and wantsto visit every school in the land. Texas isthe real UT anyway.

volsmith writes:

in response to TNVOLNTX:

You're either extremely ignorant or extremely uniformed. I won't even try to help with the first, but I'll make a contribution to the latter. According to Rivals, as of today, we have the 11th ranked recruiting class in the country. (With nothing but 2 and 3 stars, funny how that math works...huh?)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football...

Yeah, and Alabama has the #1 ranked class with a bunch of four and five star athletes, and they just won a national title. What do you want to do? Compete with other SEC schools or beat them? I'd rather beat them!

Vol43 writes:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEAR:

Since you chimed in..Have you heard anything about that 4* LB from Ms that visited on the 13th?? I never heard how his visit went..

Listened to Doug Matthews this morning. Recruiting sounds pretty solid. Don't recall anything specifically about this kid. Had one visitor this weekend. 8 more days. Keep your fingers crossed!

BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:

in response to rtrchatt:

Guess who EVERYBODY has #1????? ALABAMA.......

Looks like that overhyped Dalton Santos is all Vol lol....or has he just never been away from home and wantsto visit every school in the land. Texas isthe real UT anyway.

That's funny, every time you run your pie-hole I think of #2, not #1..As for UT, our university was formed before Texas was even a state, it's called American History..If you would have stayed in school past 3rd grade you probably would have known that..Consider this little History lesson on the house, ewe r welcome.

Vol43 writes:

in response to rtrchatt:

Guess who EVERYBODY has #1????? ALABAMA.......

Looks like that overhyped Dalton Santos is all Vol lol....or has he just never been away from home and wantsto visit every school in the land. Texas isthe real UT anyway.

suck it

BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:

in response to Vol43:

Listened to Doug Matthews this morning. Recruiting sounds pretty solid. Don't recall anything specifically about this kid. Had one visitor this weekend. 8 more days. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that Goldman beast..Ol Sal may have a trick up his sleeve..GBO!

orangecountyvols writes:

Vols,

We'll be fine. Recruiting is coming along and the tale will be told on signing date.

In the meantime............remember the Bodeane
troll........the copy cat kid, is yes, just an attention seeker and a loser.

Vols4life77 writes:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEAR:

That's funny, every time you run your pie-hole I think of #2, not #1..As for UT, our university was formed before Texas was even a state, it's called American History..If you would have stayed in school past 3rd grade you probably would have known that..Consider this little History lesson on the house, ewe r welcome.

Lol, nice post!

Vols4life77 writes:

in response to BodeaneVol:

You mean besides a new head coach?

Just curious, are you really a VOL fan? I have never heard anything positive come out of your mouth. You want a new head coach, so who would that be bodeane? Let me guess jon gruden, bill cowher, bill parcells, maybe phil Jackson he has time now. Waiting............

mrrs007 writes:

in response to xvillefan:

The life blood of college football is RECRUITING. No matter how much they are “coached up”, better athletes rise to the top in the system. A casual glance at the national rankings seems to reveal the VOLS are looking well above average. Among the 100+ major college football programs UT ranks #15 on RIVALS, #20 on ESPN and #23 on SCOUT.
However in the highly completive SEC, UT is lagging badly when compared to the opponents.
SCOUT judges AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, ARK, Auburn and Georgia have higher rated commitments than UT.
ESPN rates AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, Auburn and Georgia with higher rated commitments than UT.
Only RIVALS has the VOLS rated in the top four in the SEC behind Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.
I am sure the staff is well aware of these stats but they don’t seem to demonstrate any urgency in their actions. Just think how great it would have been if a few five star recruits had been singing Rocky Top with all the students at Thompson-Boling at Saturday’s game with Connecticut in that fantastic atmosphere. With signing day fast approaching there are only a couple of uncommitted three star athletes scheduled to visit in the next 9 days. These five final recruits probably will not make a big impact in the fall but for Dooley to survive after the 2012 season he has to give Hart and the fans some hope for the future by signing talent.

Garbage in....gospel out. I love how so many people put so much stock on recruiting ratings both individual and class. How many high school seniors are out there? And all of these services watch film on them? Game films or highlight films? Or do they look at how many offers the kid CLAIMS he has and rates him based on that.And who is doing the evaluation. A coach who has evaluated talent before or some snot nosed recent college grad or intern who doesnt have a clue on what it takes to play at this level.Sure any lame brain can figure a player like Jadavian Clowney can play but ranking 10-100 at any position is a dart board fest.I doubt ANY staff at the D1 level gives a hoot what Rivals thinks of their class.Nor should they.At best these "services" cant accurately differentiate between the schools rated 10-40 on their rankings. Three star ,four star,five star is nothing more than pablum for a fan base that craves any kind of news. So weep and gnash your teeth over the ratings.
Garbage in....gospel out

woodwr#217203 writes:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/st...

Transferred from UT RB beats Transferred from UT QB implies that keeping and developing is worse than recruiting at Tennessee.

Vols4life77 writes:

in response to rtrchatt:

Guess who EVERYBODY has #1????? ALABAMA.......

Looks like that overhyped Dalton Santos is all Vol lol....or has he just never been away from home and wantsto visit every school in the land. Texas isthe real UT anyway.

Even through some bad years Tennessee still has more kids in the NFL than your sorry tide! Shows you where the talent comes from!

volforeverandever writes:

in response to rtrchatt:

Guess who EVERYBODY has #1????? ALABAMA.......

Looks like that overhyped Dalton Santos is all Vol lol....or has he just never been away from home and wantsto visit every school in the land. Texas isthe real UT anyway.

You must be at Krystal.

VolFanInTheBoro writes:

in response to Vols4life77:

Just curious, are you really a VOL fan? I have never heard anything positive come out of your mouth. You want a new head coach, so who would that be bodeane? Let me guess jon gruden, bill cowher, bill parcells, maybe phil Jackson he has time now. Waiting............

Bodeane is a Gata fan. Former gatorzz among many other names. trolling scum

hueypilot writes:

in response to Vol43:

Did I just hear my number? No matter, back to the game and GO VOLS!

wrong sport 43. Speaking of which, how would you grade Martin's performance so far, 1/2 through his first season. Granted he's only scratched the conference schedule and hasn't had to go to Nashville, Gainesville or Lexington just yet, but I think he's done pretty well particularly since he's playing without a bona fide PG.

osbymartin75 writes:

in response to xvillefan:

The life blood of college football is RECRUITING. No matter how much they are “coached up”, better athletes rise to the top in the system. A casual glance at the national rankings seems to reveal the VOLS are looking well above average. Among the 100+ major college football programs UT ranks #15 on RIVALS, #20 on ESPN and #23 on SCOUT.
However in the highly completive SEC, UT is lagging badly when compared to the opponents.
SCOUT judges AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, ARK, Auburn and Georgia have higher rated commitments than UT.
ESPN rates AL, FL, South Carolina, LSU, Auburn and Georgia with higher rated commitments than UT.
Only RIVALS has the VOLS rated in the top four in the SEC behind Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.
I am sure the staff is well aware of these stats but they don’t seem to demonstrate any urgency in their actions. Just think how great it would have been if a few five star recruits had been singing Rocky Top with all the students at Thompson-Boling at Saturday’s game with Connecticut in that fantastic atmosphere. With signing day fast approaching there are only a couple of uncommitted three star athletes scheduled to visit in the next 9 days. These five final recruits probably will not make a big impact in the fall but for Dooley to survive after the 2012 season he has to give Hart and the fans some hope for the future by signing talent.

The rankings can be a little misleading..and can there really be that much of a difference in them that a team can have the #5 class in one and with the same exact recruits be ranked #18 in another. This is the case with UGA. ESPN is misleading because they dont rate JUCOs...we would be higher than #20 if they did with Sentimore and Mccullers...the recruiting system and the bcs is what it is and we are stuck with them at present time..

wononta writes:

in response to FWBVol:

Our offensive line is not terrible. We had a running game that was terrible last year, but that was a combination of factors.

I've said it many times before, and I speak as a guy that played the line in high school and have talked to several coaches about blocking schemes, but run blocking, contrary to popular opinion, is more difficult for young offensive linemen than pass blocking.

Run blocking involves brute strength as opposed to technique whereas in pass blocking you can use a pass rusher's momentum to redirect him as the O-line form a pocket.

The average fan thinks that a QB sack is the results of a poor pass protection, and that can often be the case, but there are times the QB holds the ball too long.

By the same token, people tend to always blame the line on a poor running game, but often the running backs don't see the hole or hit it quickly enough. Running backs tend to free style more than any other offensive position, which is fine if they turn in numbers like Walter Payton or Emmitt Smith, but when they free style to a bad read it makes everyone look bad.

Holy cow, finaly somebody gets it. From one end of the internet to the other I have virtually yelled the very same thing. Regardless of their body weight 18-19 Yr old kids body hasn't matured enough to develop man-muscles, and they simply cannot push 3-4 Yr veteran SEC defense's off the line of scrimmage. I cannot guess why thats so hard to understand. A tip o' the hat to you sir, good post.

BigHornBuckShot writes:

in response to TNVOLNTX:

You're either extremely ignorant or extremely uniformed. I won't even try to help with the first, but I'll make a contribution to the latter. According to Rivals, as of today, we have the 11th ranked recruiting class in the country. (With nothing but 2 and 3 stars, funny how that math works...huh?)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football...

According to Scout we have the 19th ranked recruiting class, which won't get it. You can find other recruiting services that has us lower, and when 3 more players flip, we will be back to 30. We still don't have a running QB, so next year will be just like last.

tartarsauce writes:

how did the visit from Bud Doobie go this weekend ?

TheVolSnake writes:

in response to BigHornBuckShot:

According to Scout we have the 19th ranked recruiting class, which won't get it. You can find other recruiting services that has us lower, and when 3 more players flip, we will be back to 30. We still don't have a running QB, so next year will be just like last.

You have gone with the lowest ranking on all the sites, to try to prove you point. TNVOLNTX is correct and I really think we will move up even more by the time all is said and done.

Now what does a running QB have to do with the whole thing? We run a pro set Not a west Coast offense.

As far as just like last year something to remember, we had the toughest Schedule in the SEC to play based on number of ranked teams and played 1 and 2 back to back.

Injuries killed us, seemed like every star went down. I know this happens but it seemed very bad last year, even Smoky was injured.

Little experienced backups and the starters played a lot which wore them down, which was indicated in the second half of a lot of the games. We were close to Bama and LSU till the second half, if we had some experienced backups this wouldn’t have happened as much.

Now before you start about the upcoming year you need to look at the players, new coaches and the schedule, I haven’t done an complete analysis of next year but I can tell you at a quick glance we will be a lot better.

Now can anyone answer me on the question? How does Miami have 31 commitments, I can see though creative moving around you could sign 27 or 28 but 31 and still working on more, I don’t know how they would work this. Maybe it’s a ACC rule where you can sign as many as you want and pay them without penalty’s.

I think not sure but 25 scholarships per year was the limit, some you can back date for the previous year.

Volalumnus writes:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEAR:

Who cares what scout says, Rivals has us 11th..

And still behind a lot of other sec schools - which was his main point.

TheVolSnake writes:

Something funny was said in the hiring of a possible Tampa Bay coach

By Matt Hinton | Dr. Saturday

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-d...

Part of the Article:

— dismissed it as interesting but idle chatter. (Possibly started by his rival at USC, Lane Kiffin, because that would be such a Lane Kiffin move with just a few days to go in the 2012 recruiting cycle.)

JBVols1698 writes:

in response to TNVOLNTX:

You're either extremely ignorant or extremely uniformed. I won't even try to help with the first, but I'll make a contribution to the latter. According to Rivals, as of today, we have the 11th ranked recruiting class in the country. (With nothing but 2 and 3 stars, funny how that math works...huh?)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football...

This post is funny cuz he calls the first guy ignorant for caring about the Star ratings then goes and posts how high we are ranked on rivals... which is a combination of the star ratings... lol

If it doesn't matter what players are ranked then it doesn't matter what players are ranked! not... it only matters when it benefits my argument!

snakeplissken writes:

in response to wononta:

Holy cow, finaly somebody gets it. From one end of the internet to the other I have virtually yelled the very same thing. Regardless of their body weight 18-19 Yr old kids body hasn't matured enough to develop man-muscles, and they simply cannot push 3-4 Yr veteran SEC defense's off the line of scrimmage. I cannot guess why thats so hard to understand. A tip o' the hat to you sir, good post.

This past season our offensive line was comprised of three 20 year old soph's, one 19 year old soph, and a 22 year old redshirt junior. All of them had at least one year of experience.

Florida had a much younger defensive front than Tennessee's offenive line did with three true freshmen starting.

Alabama and LSU played a lot of underclassmen in their defensive fronts.

I won't even mention that we couldn't even get a push against the creampuffs we played.

JBVols1698 writes:

I agree.. if you ask me, if we can't run on MTSU or Vanderbilt then our OLine IS terrible.

RockVegas writes:

I know alot of good 3* players,but if you are only going to pick up 3*s they have to be real good,with GREAT COACHING.See where I'm going.Saban wouldn't have won another Title with 3*s but you would have saw them get better.His teams got better from year to year.He won his first Title with Bama in his third year,now that's great coaching picking up the best players coming from high school,every year.

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