Poll: How would you rate Tennessee's 2013 signing class?

How would you rate Tennessee's 2013 signing class?

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Comments » 41

RockyToptoNeyland writes:

11th out of 14 teams in the sec, how would you rate it?
Sec Grade: 3/14= 22%=F
NCAA Grade=103/123=84%=B
Overall=54%=F

ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:

Given all of the circumstances surrounding this program and it's current state, the fanbase included I would rate it an A. Why? Averaging the three most "trusted" recruiting services would amount to 26th in the nation. As CBJ stated many times in the presser, this staff had 31 days and limited contact to make an impact. I don't want to hear about Auburn OR Ole Miss. How did Arkansas do? 2 years ago Auburn won a national champiionship, and the coaches they hired, all came from the SE. Our former Head Coach as constantly lamented by the legions, allowed for the deterioration of relationships in the high schools and the prospects they should have been recruiting. CBJ, at the eleven and half hour, at least was able to attract the interest of some 5* rated talent and kept some guessing until national signing day. This on top of coming into new territory, with a broken program, 4 coaching changes since 2008, no bowls in the last two years and consecutive losing seasons to go with it made the task that much more difficult. If half the the legions would realize that we are never going to get back to where we want to be unless we are all in, all the time and that others feel the excitement or negativity within a fanbase, and it's program. Otherwise you might as well go root for Bama or Vandy. Go VOLS and GO CBJ.

Orangeblood13 writes:

nothing like you and the rest of the negateers to jump right on. HOnestly we don't know how good or bad these guys will be until they don the pads and helments and put on the orange. As a fan, just hope this is the building block to a successful future ahead.

Orangeblood13 writes:

in response to ElizabethtonvolnNC:

Given all of the circumstances surrounding this program and it's current state, the fanbase included I would rate it an A. Why? Averaging the three most "trusted" recruiting services would amount to 26th in the nation. As CBJ stated many times in the presser, this staff had 31 days and limited contact to make an impact. I don't want to hear about Auburn OR Ole Miss. How did Arkansas do? 2 years ago Auburn won a national champiionship, and the coaches they hired, all came from the SE. Our former Head Coach as constantly lamented by the legions, allowed for the deterioration of relationships in the high schools and the prospects they should have been recruiting. CBJ, at the eleven and half hour, at least was able to attract the interest of some 5* rated talent and kept some guessing until national signing day. This on top of coming into new territory, with a broken program, 4 coaching changes since 2008, no bowls in the last two years and consecutive losing seasons to go with it made the task that much more difficult. If half the the legions would realize that we are never going to get back to where we want to be unless we are all in, all the time and that others feel the excitement or negativity within a fanbase, and it's program. Otherwise you might as well go root for Bama or Vandy. Go VOLS and GO CBJ.

fantastic

FearTheVols1252 writes:

Never understood the importance of rating a class at this stage. Let's rate it in 2 years when we have a better idea how they're performing. We've scored top recruiting classes in the past which turned out to be busts. Results on the field are the only thing that matter.

bogey74 writes:

in response to RockyToptoNeyland:

11th out of 14 teams in the sec, how would you rate it?
Sec Grade: 3/14= 22%=F
NCAA Grade=103/123=84%=B
Overall=54%=F

To the multitudes that whined about UT not hiring Charlie Strong - UL's signing class was ranked 57 after one of UL's best seasons ever. Butch and staff did a very respectable job!

RememberWhen writes:

Rating these classes is for fools! The real question is can this staff develop them quickly?? The clock has started.....

iowavol writes:

in response to Orangeblood13:

fantastic

That might be overstating it a bit, but agree. I wish kns would get behind this team. The negativity and the rabble rousing starts with them.

SavTnVol writes:

And just what are we supposed to rate them according to? Are you asking how we think the class rates against the star rating system and the schools like Bama , Fla, ND and the likes according to their "star" rating system? Or should we rate it according to the needs that the coaching staff determined that they needed for the team? Why don't we wait and see how this staff coaches these guys before we pass judgement? I for one am hoping that this staff could coach UP anybody they sign if they are 2 STAR OR 5 STAR. Lets give it time folks and see what they can do.. Geezzz....GBO

claiborneh writes:

If you want to compare recruiting classes to the rest of the country, then I suppose an A or B makes sense in trying to determine a nationwide scale. But if we are attempting to compete for the SEC Championship, and thus National Championship, then we get a big fat F. You simply are very unlikely to compete for a championship in our conference when you are the 11th best in recruiting. So I give our class an F because I want to beat Alabama, Florida, and LSU.

ncvol11 writes:

Obviously the best coaching staff in the country was not enough to impress Von Bells parents. The recruiting that this staff did was mediocre at best. Sure we flipped a few recruits but how many of the top tier recruits did we close. Butch Jones could have added Tee Martin (considered by many as extraordinary national recruiter) to his staff but he would not match his salary at USC. That is pathetic and it has already showed up in the result. Right now we are on par with Kentucky as Vandy has passed us up so we are still on the bottom in the East. I don't know how you spin that result any better than it is.

Olddogsrule writes:

Trent Dilfer told bUTch he considered the Volunteer's to have pulled in the top quarterback signing class in the nation.

Comments could stop right here 'nuff said.

wigmeister writes:

in response to ElizabethtonvolnNC:

Given all of the circumstances surrounding this program and it's current state, the fanbase included I would rate it an A. Why? Averaging the three most "trusted" recruiting services would amount to 26th in the nation. As CBJ stated many times in the presser, this staff had 31 days and limited contact to make an impact. I don't want to hear about Auburn OR Ole Miss. How did Arkansas do? 2 years ago Auburn won a national champiionship, and the coaches they hired, all came from the SE. Our former Head Coach as constantly lamented by the legions, allowed for the deterioration of relationships in the high schools and the prospects they should have been recruiting. CBJ, at the eleven and half hour, at least was able to attract the interest of some 5* rated talent and kept some guessing until national signing day. This on top of coming into new territory, with a broken program, 4 coaching changes since 2008, no bowls in the last two years and consecutive losing seasons to go with it made the task that much more difficult. If half the the legions would realize that we are never going to get back to where we want to be unless we are all in, all the time and that others feel the excitement or negativity within a fanbase, and it's program. Otherwise you might as well go root for Bama or Vandy. Go VOLS and GO CBJ.

Excellent post. We also have redshirts from last year playing. You don't get everyone you want. The proof will be more apparent 1 to 2 years from now. These are HS kids. Some will improve, some will not. We will have 4 quarterbacks to choose from unless 1 redshirts. We have receivers that redshirted last year. Picked up some DL's. Picked up some secondary. Picked up some great walk ons. Don't understand the continual gloom and doom from this fan base. Constructive comments or criticism is one thing. Negative a wholes are another.

Witch_Doctors writes:

Witch Doctor say with 4 coaches in 6 years, how some of our dumbazz fans treat players and former players...? Witch Doctor really shocked we got a top 25 class. Witch Doctor say if Butch can win(should with the kids left and these) he should get a really good class next year. Witch Doctor admit a little on the fence but hey whatch gonna do? Be a Vandy? or Wildcat? Witch Doctor say no no no no no.
Bones never lie.

HighPlainsVol writes:

in response to RockyToptoNeyland:

11th out of 14 teams in the sec, how would you rate it?
Sec Grade: 3/14= 22%=F
NCAA Grade=103/123=84%=B
Overall=54%=F

Wrong!!! You have to look at expections, where we were when Coach Jones came on board, and the late push garnering a couple of surprise pickups. I say at least a B. Next year expectations for a good class will be higher and he will have a full year to recuit. In that case, this class would be about a C or C-.

BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:

I'm going with a B+, just one more 4* earns an A- and Bell or Lawson certainly would of earned an A+ . Solid class of young men and the QB's look fantastic, which IMO makes or breaks a season..GBO!!

underthehill writes:

in response to bogey74:

To the multitudes that whined about UT not hiring Charlie Strong - UL's signing class was ranked 57 after one of UL's best seasons ever. Butch and staff did a very respectable job!

UK got the best recruit out of Louisville and had a much higher rated class than Louisville..after firing their coach and the new coach getting a late start..hard to figure.

ACWLY writes:

I rank this team NINTH in the SEC. I think we signed some very good players but it will take some time to get back to where we deserve to be. I hope this will just be the start of good things to come. Anyway, I like that new coach of ours, seems to have a little ORANGE in his Blood!

10SE writes:

in response to RockyToptoNeyland:

11th out of 14 teams in the sec, how would you rate it?
Sec Grade: 3/14= 22%=F
NCAA Grade=103/123=84%=B
Overall=54%=F

We will see how this class turns out. As for your comment, I give it an F.

rtrchatt writes:

in response to BIVOLAR_BEARE:

I'm going with a B+, just one more 4* earns an A- and Bell or Lawson certainly would of earned an A+ . Solid class of young men and the QB's look fantastic, which IMO makes or breaks a season..GBO!!

Alabama has beaten UT by 31 pts 3 YRS IN A ROW and an avg of 24 pts 6 yrs ia a row. If you think this bunch is a B+, the Bama class must be AAAA lol.... Make sure Butch puts that cry baby Ferguson from NC on the field in October.
Be careful what you ask for, it may come true.

BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:

in response to rtrchatt:

Alabama has beaten UT by 31 pts 3 YRS IN A ROW and an avg of 24 pts 6 yrs ia a row. If you think this bunch is a B+, the Bama class must be AAAA lol.... Make sure Butch puts that cry baby Ferguson from NC on the field in October.
Be careful what you ask for, it may come true.

Who asked ewe?? Go away trailerbillie, haven't you some hurricane straps to install?

VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:

in response to rtrchatt:

Alabama has beaten UT by 31 pts 3 YRS IN A ROW and an avg of 24 pts 6 yrs ia a row. If you think this bunch is a B+, the Bama class must be AAAA lol.... Make sure Butch puts that cry baby Ferguson from NC on the field in October.
Be careful what you ask for, it may come true.

scum bag troll bama bandwagon fan

VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:

in response to ncvol11:

Obviously the best coaching staff in the country was not enough to impress Von Bells parents. The recruiting that this staff did was mediocre at best. Sure we flipped a few recruits but how many of the top tier recruits did we close. Butch Jones could have added Tee Martin (considered by many as extraordinary national recruiter) to his staff but he would not match his salary at USC. That is pathetic and it has already showed up in the result. Right now we are on par with Kentucky as Vandy has passed us up so we are still on the bottom in the East. I don't know how you spin that result any better than it is.

several of the players Tee had committed to USC went to other schools

Orange_Power_T writes:

From just a recruiting standpoint....not bad at all. Not great but in consideration of all the peripherials, not bad. There is something to work with here.

Now all the naysayers are going to sling around the "11th in the SEC" quip. Well guess what? If you've paid attention to the last three seasons- it's as good as it gets. Imagine how poor this class could have been had there not been a coaching change? Imagine how better this class could have been if CBJ has been here five or six months? Our recruiting finished better than our standings nationwide. A five year loosing streak, a revolving door for coaches, and acceptance and admission levels all take their toll.

As far as how well our coaching staff pick turns out- remains to be seen. I truly hope that CBJ is the start of a successful new re-building process. I wont be shouting out for a winning season just yet- Dooley certainly broke me from that. CBJ seems to have the right emotions and work ethic, and normally that pays off in the long term. Here's to wishing the 2013 class success!
...

BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:

in response to Orange_Power_T:

From just a recruiting standpoint....not bad at all. Not great but in consideration of all the peripherials, not bad. There is something to work with here.

Now all the naysayers are going to sling around the "11th in the SEC" quip. Well guess what? If you've paid attention to the last three seasons- it's as good as it gets. Imagine how poor this class could have been had there not been a coaching change? Imagine how better this class could have been if CBJ has been here five or six months? Our recruiting finished better than our standings nationwide. A five year loosing streak, a revolving door for coaches, and acceptance and admission levels all take their toll.

As far as how well our coaching staff pick turns out- remains to be seen. I truly hope that CBJ is the start of a successful new re-building process. I wont be shouting out for a winning season just yet- Dooley certainly broke me from that. CBJ seems to have the right emotions and work ethic, and normally that pays off in the long term. Here's to wishing the 2013 class success!
...

Good point..I was recently listening to talk radio and the point about great coach's like Saban & Jimmy Johnson etc are workaholics. They constantly have their hands and input in every part of the practice, game planning, and execution. It appears that CBJ is cut from the same cloth and will work his tail off to succeed and never let up even if he obtains perfection (an undefeated season). As fans/alumni we demand this OC behavior from our HC, but I've got to say I wouldn't want to work for the guy..GBO!!

Mboroalum writes:

in response to VolFanInTheBoro:

several of the players Tee had committed to USC went to other schools

Unfortunately, I think Tee drank kittens kool-aid to quick and his salary demands were more than our OC and DC make. But Tee will be a good catch for someone after Lame gets fired.
And for all the Charlie Strong supporters, Louisville finished at 57th nationally. Gotta love that

bogey74 writes:

in response to underthehill:

UK got the best recruit out of Louisville and had a much higher rated class than Louisville..after firing their coach and the new coach getting a late start..hard to figure.

...and Spurrier has the USC program at an all time high and his recruiting class is only 4 spots ahead of UT. Calm down folks...

CantStandCantStandSaban writes:

in response to ElizabethtonvolnNC:

Given all of the circumstances surrounding this program and it's current state, the fanbase included I would rate it an A. Why? Averaging the three most "trusted" recruiting services would amount to 26th in the nation. As CBJ stated many times in the presser, this staff had 31 days and limited contact to make an impact. I don't want to hear about Auburn OR Ole Miss. How did Arkansas do? 2 years ago Auburn won a national champiionship, and the coaches they hired, all came from the SE. Our former Head Coach as constantly lamented by the legions, allowed for the deterioration of relationships in the high schools and the prospects they should have been recruiting. CBJ, at the eleven and half hour, at least was able to attract the interest of some 5* rated talent and kept some guessing until national signing day. This on top of coming into new territory, with a broken program, 4 coaching changes since 2008, no bowls in the last two years and consecutive losing seasons to go with it made the task that much more difficult. If half the the legions would realize that we are never going to get back to where we want to be unless we are all in, all the time and that others feel the excitement or negativity within a fanbase, and it's program. Otherwise you might as well go root for Bama or Vandy. Go VOLS and GO CBJ.

I agree. Not a bad job at all considering the circumstances and the decaying relationships that we're hearing that Dooley left in his wake. HOWEVER, I can help but recall how impressed I was when Dooley "came to the rescue" and salvaged a respectable class when Kiffin bolted. No, it wasn't a top ten class, but there were some solid recruits there...a couple of those guys will be playing on Sundays next year. Since my blood runs orange (perhaps a little darker than normal due my affinity for brown liquor), I have no choice but to hope that CBJ can get more out of this decent class than Dooley got out of his guys and Kiffin/Fulmer's leftovers. CBJ seems sincere. So did Dooley. CBJ is recruiting character players that want to play for UT. So did Dooley. Can he develop his players and continue to improve in the recruiting department every year? I hope so, 'cause that's what it's going to take get back in the Top 25 and still playing ball on NYD every year. Bama, just pulled in another #1 class. FL isn't far behind. And even Ole Miss is pulling in serious talent now. Ole friggin Miss, people (or, as Robert Nkemdiche would call them, "The University of Ole Miss"). It's not going to get any easier. Managing a football team in the SEC is a 12 month long grind. CBJ seems up to the task. Hope I'm saying the same thing next February.

GloryDays writes:

in response to claiborneh:

If you want to compare recruiting classes to the rest of the country, then I suppose an A or B makes sense in trying to determine a nationwide scale. But if we are attempting to compete for the SEC Championship, and thus National Championship, then we get a big fat F. You simply are very unlikely to compete for a championship in our conference when you are the 11th best in recruiting. So I give our class an F because I want to beat Alabama, Florida, and LSU.

I think you are being a little harsh. I know exactly how you feel 11th in the SEC is not good. Six of the top 25 prospects in the state of Tennessee. Its disappointing and frustrating. It is going to take time to turn this around. Coach Jones had 30 days to get the job done and that is a tough sale. It has been hard being a Vol fan for the last 4 year. I hate losing!
The best grade maybe "I" incomplete. Let Coach Jones and staff coach these boys up and create some excitement and next year at this time we will have a top 10 class! Keep your head up, and be patient winning is right around the corner! GBO!

ornglovinyankealum writes:

I have a suggestion. Since none of you, nor do I , know how to rate the Class of 2013, why don't we relax, take a deep breath and give credit to Coach Jones and his staff for their family sacrifices and exhaustive efforts to get the best recruits available in an abbreviated time frame. Forget who went where. That is water over the dam. I am impressed with his selectiveness and long range plans, and especially his integrity, which is not exemplified by a lot of other coaches. I think Coach Jones will be a winner in the long run. Let's give Coach Jones and his staff our full support. The report card will come later. GO VOLS!!

deputy658 writes:

The only way to rate a class is how it will impact the product on the field next season. I think the VOLS got some players that will help at wide reciever, DE and linebacker. Some of these players may have imediate impact. Bama signed four of the highest ranked running backs in the nation but they already have three of the best backs in the SEC so the players they signed will not have much impact for Bama for a year or two.

claiborneh writes:

in response to GloryDays:

I think you are being a little harsh. I know exactly how you feel 11th in the SEC is not good. Six of the top 25 prospects in the state of Tennessee. Its disappointing and frustrating. It is going to take time to turn this around. Coach Jones had 30 days to get the job done and that is a tough sale. It has been hard being a Vol fan for the last 4 year. I hate losing!
The best grade maybe "I" incomplete. Let Coach Jones and staff coach these boys up and create some excitement and next year at this time we will have a top 10 class! Keep your head up, and be patient winning is right around the corner! GBO!

I think an "I" incomplete is a more considerate way to put it. I realize "F" sounds harsh, but I believe in order to get to the top, you have to acknowledge there are changes that have to be made. Many schools would love to have recruited the class we have. However, they are not the better teams in the SEC. If Saban got our class, he would know he failed. We have to get to that point. That's why I'm not taking into consideration of the circumstances Butch Jones was dealt. It does not matter. I'm disregarding the sliding scale. It's either pass or fail for me. But I know where you are coming from with an "incomplete."

chattbud writes:

UT’s 11th in SEC recruiting! And the very fair weather UT fans that wanted Dooley Fired after three years, now rate Butch’s 1st Class: B or even Higher! LOL Dooley Beat down Butch & Cincinnati by 20-points in 2011! We play in the SEC! Not Butch’s Little EAST. 11th get you beat by,…everyone in the SEC! Who cares UT finished 29th in the national recruiting opinion POLLS. Not relevant! Dooley got fired because; He loss to Ga, Miss St, SC & MizzO all by less than seven point! no year Four, no excuses gone in Three. Close & improvement isn’t good enough with UT fans! You Fire Dooley & lost this year’s Class which was far superior to Butch’s 1ST class & NOW you rate Butch’s class an A! LOL LOL LOL,… can hardly wait until the SEC Season & the next KNS opioion poll.

cincykid82 writes:

Count on a couple of QBs leaving the program within the next 2 years. In Cincy, CBJ handled the QBs situation horribly, sticking with Munchie. Now he has 4 QBs that could probably start for a lot of D-1 schools.

Did you hear the interview on WNML with that QB recruit they flipped from Arizona State??? When he was told about the other top QB commit to UT he sounded like his dog had just died. All the energy went out of him - obviously Coach Jones lied to him - see if you can download the radio interview from the WNML website - it is very telling.

ncvol11 writes:

in response to claiborneh:

I think an "I" incomplete is a more considerate way to put it. I realize "F" sounds harsh, but I believe in order to get to the top, you have to acknowledge there are changes that have to be made. Many schools would love to have recruited the class we have. However, they are not the better teams in the SEC. If Saban got our class, he would know he failed. We have to get to that point. That's why I'm not taking into consideration of the circumstances Butch Jones was dealt. It does not matter. I'm disregarding the sliding scale. It's either pass or fail for me. But I know where you are coming from with an "incomplete."

The coach who has been on board for over two months and the athletic director are accountable for this class. These athletes need to be competetive with Fl., Ga, SC and consistently beat Vandy, Ky and Missouri. This is the reason behind the fact that Dooley is not head coach anymore. It is a sad fact but those are the consequences. Look at Bama. They went thru 4 coaches in 8 years before Saban. You do what you have to do.

budd#207344 writes:

The stupidity of people who try and project the performance of 17 & 18 yr old kids in two to three years is just overwhelming. The most important piece to winning football at the college level is the COACHING. If this staff can coach fundamentals and develop smart, aggressive players UT will win. If they cannot (see previous staff w/ 5 stars QB & receivers and solid 4 star offensive line)they will lose. So lets move on from this nonsense and start worrying about off season conditioning and spring workouts. That's when this team will be built.

budd#207344 writes:

in response to chattbud:

UT’s 11th in SEC recruiting! And the very fair weather UT fans that wanted Dooley Fired after three years, now rate Butch’s 1st Class: B or even Higher! LOL Dooley Beat down Butch & Cincinnati by 20-points in 2011! We play in the SEC! Not Butch’s Little EAST. 11th get you beat by,…everyone in the SEC! Who cares UT finished 29th in the national recruiting opinion POLLS. Not relevant! Dooley got fired because; He loss to Ga, Miss St, SC & MizzO all by less than seven point! no year Four, no excuses gone in Three. Close & improvement isn’t good enough with UT fans! You Fire Dooley & lost this year’s Class which was far superior to Butch’s 1ST class & NOW you rate Butch’s class an A! LOL LOL LOL,… can hardly wait until the SEC Season & the next KNS opioion poll.

Please explain how you make my case and think you don't. It isn't about recruiting its about coaching. Dooley lost to Ga, Miss ST, Sc, and Mizzo by less than 7 points with 5 star QB , 5 star receivers, and a solid 4 star OL. Why? Because he cannot coach. If this staff can take 3 star players and coach up the talent we have now, then UT will win. Then you can start to get 4 & 5 stars. But as shown by Dooley if you can't coach it does not matter the stars.

usnavyvolfan_on_duty writes:

OK, who REALLY thought CBJ was going to land a recruiting class anywhere near the top 25? Not this guy. THis guy is amazing at what he can do! NOw, to the amazement of some, we aren't going to win a National Championship next year, and I imagine when that happens, certain (classically uninformed) sectors of the fan populace will call for Coach's firing. I for one am quite excited at our prospects over the next couple years. GBO!!!!

clinton_vol writes:

Solid B. 20th in the nation. It may be 11th in the sec but that is just the reality of where we are right now. The toughest conference in the nation. The most concerning thing is finishing behind Vandy. CBJ has his work to do to win the in state battle right now but the success will be short lives for vandy. No way all those guys meet the strenuous academic standards at vandy. I think Franklin is trying to make some noise but it won't last.

rash writes:

in response to iowavol:

That might be overstating it a bit, but agree. I wish kns would get behind this team. The negativity and the rabble rousing starts with them.

VFL

6972 writes:

Jesus Christ was perfect, yet most of the people in his day didn't approve of him. It is just impossible to satisfy everyone.

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