The CheckerBoard

Just to clarify, I wasn't intending to be a smart a$$ with my OP. I was just reading through so many posts and they all seemed to be centered around what UT "had to do" before it could get a recruiting class like the one Ole Miss is working on now. Win 7 or more games, show that we are relevant, etc. It's almost like UT fans are waiting for that one silver bullet that will impact recruiting and it just isn't out there. The bottom line is whether or not Jones can convince the best players in the country that UT is the best place for them to attend college. Regardless of their current situation; whether it's good, bad or ugly that's what every coach in America has to do every year.

Agree 100%. Whether you go 12-0 or 0-12, good coaching staffs will convince the kids this is the place to be. But, a proven winning coach has a leg up on the losing coaches, IMO. Stability in the staff, and relationships for more than a month also factor in. To me, it's all about establishing the connection and nurturing the connection, and we all know that 18 year olds are easily swayed by random variables. Personally, I was swayed by the West Point coach asking me if I would go to the prep school for a year (their grey shirt program) to see if I would grow any more. It doesn't take much to bust the pride of an 18 year old..., and that did it for me. Looking back now, I should've probably sucked it up and gotten bigger and faster at prep school.

Oxford town...Oxford town...everybody gonna have their head bowed down in Oxford town.