The CheckerBoard

Thanks Ryan. Not really sure how I feel after reading that. I hope CBJ and staff can make this kid feel wanted and comfortable this weekend. Our competition went 25-1 last year and have been recruiting this kid for much longer than this staff has been. Hopefully, the "fan" in VB will come out this weekend. They need to put Tiny, Curt and AJ on this kid when he shows up. I just don't see how we overcome our obstacles with VB... Hope I'm wrong.

Great piece, Ryan. Sounds like the Bell family and Coach M have done a very good job throughout the process. I bet they'll be as happy it's over as we are on 6 Feb...

loo on the bright side we do have as good as chance landing him as bama or ohio

number 1 -hes went to alot football & basketball games..with butch and staff our
chances our at least much better if dooley was here.
in the end i thin tenn it's self wins bell over.and i think butch lands bell if we get bell
our defense will be so much better with speed at corner or saftey..im excited
about this weekend..if we dont get him..hay it aint the end of the world butch still going to get it done..2014 class ..wow'''''what a class it could be with these coaches
have a full year..thanks ryan

Great update. I'm still scratching my head...let me rephrase, BEATING my head against a table, baffled on what the hell Dooley & Co. was doing with the Bell recruiting situation?! As reported a while ago by the TFP, it's becoming crystal clear that Dooley has screwed the pooch with many high school coaches & players and CBJ's got a ton of repair work to do...just unbelievable. How could Dooley dropped the ball so badly w/this kid? Am I missing something?

Anyway, big shout out to CBJ & staff with the "all hands on deck" approach trying the make up lost ground w/Bell. I'm going to remain optimistic, BUT realistically, no one should be surprised if Bell leaves TN at the alter. Pains me to say it, but I wouldn't blame him given how his recruiting experience w/TN has played out and what the Bama/NFL farm program has to offer.

For those of us that can't get enough, here's a related story from CTFP...

After reading this I'm suddenly feeling very positive toward Bell. It all stems around the coach saying Bell is a relationship guy.

Why am I suddenly positive? Cuz Jones is a relationship guy. Remember we're talking about a guy who has ever kids cell number, makes them takes tests on the names of their teammates and is focused on team unity.

Are we behind relationship wise with him right now? Yes but I could see Bell thinking their could be a lot to build on in the future

The coaches have UT in position at least to land Bell. He would be a huge pick-up obviously. The Bell family is in a great position with those three football programs and universities. Hopefully, UT feels like home to him and his family. Vols!!

Gonna be an interesting NSD for sure. Alot of positives at both schools and I think Ohio State is out of the picture.

Great piece Ryan. Blue Collar Recruiting Tour slap gettin' it done. Spend the in home visit sharing the philosophy of the new defense. Bring every D coach in to cover all bases. Laying the foundation with Bell, parents,and HS coach since they all will part of the decision making process. This weekend, in Knoxville, it will be ALL about Bell. Showing him how he fits into the master plan. This is good stuff guys. Butch and Co. understand recruiting. BCRT has put UT in position for an excellent class. Don't know what else we could expect from them. Think Orange. GO VOLS!