The CheckerBoard

Really excited reading this. He does have a good chance to play early just due to the speed he has. Like the way the staff is recruiting.

govolsgo8586, AMEN brother! +1 A kid that is Tennessee to the core can make up for in effort and heart what he may lack in "star ratings." With guys like Foreman, we will be the most determined, motivated team in football.

Thanks, I was unaware Gray had that kind of speed. What has come of him? Can you foresee Gray and Foreman on the field together next year?

Not to be a downer but ESPN tests Foreman as a 4.52 40 yd guy.
Still not shabby at all....most times are never right especially
from the individual ath/coach.

While I agree whole heartedly about getting higher ranked players I would urge you to actually look at the numbers for each of those programs you mentioned, most of them average at least 10 or more 3 star players in their recruiting numbers also, including the mighty AL. If you look at the way players are evaluated a 3 star player is considered a Div I prospect that likely needs a red-shirt year or two to develop. 4 and 5 star players are usually those that figure to make an immediate impact. TN's roster has numerous 3-4 star players that have been in the program for a couple years and this should carry TN next year. Additionally TN is the mix for at least 3 5 star players that I know of and several 4 star players. Lets give the coaches that have been on staff all of about 3 weeks a chance to close out the recruiting class.....

Man...alot of truth here too.....Everyone seems to be making valid points. I must say Doc....this has been my point since the coaching change took place. Everyone "ragging" on the hire etc...etc....I think we will come out with a strong recruiting class. We all have to remember this. Every Dooley recruit is not always gonna be a fit for CBJ system. They will be focusing on putting the right players in place for the system they run. An athlete is an athlete...BUT....they aren't all created equal in their individual strong points. Some just aren't able to adapt well to a different style system, and the 5 star ranking drops to a low 3 to high 2 if they can't make the transition. Flip side of this is....It is not uncommon for a strong 3 star, low 4 star to exceed the other comparable 5 stars because they are incredibly efficient using their ability to adapt well.....Not a rule of thumbs, but very common none the less.

First, I'm not counting this class as done yet, my comment was only directed as to where we are currently as is evidenced by the last sentence of my post. Second, yes, truly, most top classes have lots of three star players, but what separates us from the Alabama's of the world, and what USED to separate us from the likes of Vandy and Miss. St., are the number of elite 4-5 star players we were able to sign. No team is going to compete for SEC championships signing a class full of 2-3 star players. the Big East, maybe, but not in the SEC, where typically half of the top 20 recruiting rankings each year are SEC teams. Just signing a top 20 class means you are staying LEVEL with the competition. Thus, my point was only this - we need to start getting commits from the elite players or this class will be one of the worst in the SEC, and one of the worst we have signed in a while. And with us likely losing Hunter, Bray, CP, Rivera, Rogers, that's not going to carry us through to our next class. We need impact players and we need them now.

As for the predicament of CBJ, you are right, it's a tough gig. But that's why he's getting paid 3 mil a year. You shouldnt get 3 mil a year unless you can produce results, irrespective of the ready made excuses. And he has plenty of excuses for not succeeding. So we can all rest easy knowing that if we are crap for the next several years, at least we have a good EXCUSE for it.

5'10 - 164 pds and runs a 4.52 according to espn.. And the only offers he had from SEC schools were Vandy and Kentucky. Scout rates him as a two star. I will say again, happy to have anyone who wants to wear the orange, but, at some point folks, we have to start getting commits from some elite players. If you want to get depressed, just run down the commitments of UF, Alabama, Georgia, and LSU..all of whom have over a dozen 4-5 star commitments. That's who we are competing against. And before you start typing, yes, I am aware of our circumstance versus theirs, but excuses dont win football games. We are only going to get further behind in the talent race if we dont close strong in the next month.

Hate him all you want in your heart. But we have higher standards on this board. Keep it up and risk VIP threads left and right that you will be unable to read.