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Quick thought on Vols' class...

  • Before Butch Jones presser starts at 4ish and we all start talking about that, I'd just like to make the following, simple statement.

    Tennessee is going to sign a top-25 class despite missing bowl games the past two seasons and hiring a new coach in December.

    Is this a home run? No. But it's not a strikeout. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

    And JMO, but people should be thrilled about Dobbs' decision. I really like that kid.

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    Senior Writer, govols247 Email: wrucker@247sports.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/@wesrucker247 Facebook: www.facebook.com/wesrucker247

    Wes Rucker

  • I agree. It's hard to recruit when u can't win a damn game.

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    bUTchSlapped ●

  • Wes Rucker said...

    Before Butch Jones presser starts at 4ish and we all start talking about that, I'd just like to make the following, simple statement.

    Tennessee is going to sign a top-25 class despite missing bowl games the past two seasons and hiring a new coach in December.

    Is this a home run? No. But it's not a strikeout. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

    And JMO, but people should be thrilled about Dobbs' decision. I really like that kid.

    Agree 100%, Wes. Thanks.

    You're right that it's not a strikeout, but it's hard to feel like that when our league is hitting triples, homers, or grand slams all around us.

    I think this class has some very talented kids in it. I hope that Butch & Co. get more out of the others than that other guy ever could and we surprise some folks.

    This post was edited by Denver Vol on 2/6/2013 at 1:53 PM

    "People think I'm the greatest damn coach in the world, but Neyland taught me everything I know" -Bear Bryant

    Denver Vol

  • Wes Rucker said...

    Before Butch Jones presser starts at 4ish and we all start talking about that, I'd just like to make the following, simple statement.

    Tennessee is going to sign a top-25 class despite missing bowl games the past two seasons and hiring a new coach in December.

    Is this a home run? No. But it's not a strikeout. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

    And JMO, but people should be thrilled about Dobbs' decision. I really like that kid.

    Agree 100%. Just heard Butch on XM91 with Bill King, and I like that guy more every time I hear him speak. Dobbs is considered the top QB in the country by some quality analysts. He'll fit the Jones offense like a glove, and he was an absolute steal...

    allwillbeorange

  • We'd all be on cloud nine were it not for Bell. But even the Negative Nancys have to admit our hat wasn't even on his table until Jones clocked in.

    This league just keeps getting tougher. We rank 25th nationally, but that translates into 11th in the SEC. This league is getting one third or more of the top players in the country. That's staggering.

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    RockytopATL

  • Dobbs is a player and a smart one at that. Great pull by Jones.

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    CheckerboardVol

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    tnbear66

  • I agree 100% with Wes...step back and realize this program has been down for a while. I fully expect improvement on the field this coming season.

    Bigorange2bone ●

  • Wes Rucker said...

    Before Butch Jones presser starts at 4ish and we all start talking about that, I'd just like to make the following, simple statement.

    Tennessee is going to sign a top-25 class despite missing bowl games the past two seasons and hiring a new coach in December.

    Is this a home run? No. But it's not a strikeout. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

    And JMO, but people should be thrilled about Dobbs' decision. I really like that kid.

    Think the class was in the high 40s when the staff took over, and two of their eight weeks or so were dead periods.

    Lot of work in a short amount of time.

    Kevin Ryan

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    Ryan Callahan ●

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    bUTchSlapped ●

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    hdrizzle21

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    Ryan Callahan ●

  • RockytopATL said...

    This league just keeps getting tougher. We rank 25th nationally, but that translates into 11th in the SEC. This league is getting one third or more of the top players in the country. That's staggering.

    This is the key point as far as I'm concerned. This is just my opinion, but national recruiting rankings are almost meaningless now for Tennessee, given the SEC dominance in recruiting. What matters is how we rank in our conference, and 11th isn't going to get it done. Note, I am NOT dogging CBJ and company, I think they clearly worked their butts off after inheriting a recruiting cycle that was covered in mothballs and cobwebs. Can't fault them for our ranking, and frankly, it could have been worse without their effort. But I'm not gonna lie, it hurts missing out on so many big names.

    Now I want to see some real live coaching up for our players, and ZERO letup in the recruiting effort that our staff has displayed so far. It's the only way we are going to be able to start landing the blue chippers. Go Vols!

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    MiltonVol

  • Great point!

    utkdominic ●

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    tnbear66

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    hdrizzle21

  • I think this class is solid, not spectacular, and could have been much worse. We held on to who we needed to (keeping Carr was huge), and let go of some of the reaches that weren't the caliber needed to compete in the SEC. I'm thrilled the staff didn't choose to go after "filler" type guys just to round out the class and we have 4 more scholarships to backcount for next year as a result.

    We were bridesmaids to three 5 star players and Bell clearly knocked the wind out of our sails. But credit Jones' effort to have us in the running in such a short time. Can't wait to see what happens with a full year of recruiting and 29 scholarships in his pocket!

    memphischic ●

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    tnbear66

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    bUTchSlapped ●

  • I would grade the class based on the team rank compared to the other 126 teams listed. We currently sit at 27. That's roughly a grade of 79 = C+.
    1-(27/127)=79. This is fair when compared to their peers, signing the young man who followed his head rather his heart would have probably rated a "B". if we finish in the top 25 it would be a "B". The other thing worth noting is climb of roughly 25 spots from when Coach Jones started that's awesome.

    I want to see how these young men perform and we will know their true grade in the next 3-4 years, but I believe if their heart is here and with Coach Jones this class has the potential to be an "A" which is the same grade I would the staff for effort. Coach Jones has lots of enthusiasm and that rubbed off on us having some unrealistic expectations for 13, but without those high expectations we grow to accept the unacceptable.
    The high expectations this staff places on them selves first will transfer the field and I feel the wins will come next year. 8+ wins with a bowl victory and this staff having a year to develop relationships will be huge. I will be at every home game and some away games this fall, and I when I get there, as always I will believe the Vols will win.
    Go big orange, the orange and white game can't get here quick enough and neither can this fall.

    streamwalker ●

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    hdrizzle21

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    Formally known as govols011 - follow me on twitter @C_Dillard6

    bUTchSlapped ●

  • Wes Rucker said...

    Before Butch Jones presser starts at 4ish and we all start talking about that, I'd just like to make the following, simple statement.

    Tennessee is going to sign a top-25 class despite missing bowl games the past two seasons and hiring a new coach in December.

    Is this a home run? No. But it's not a strikeout. It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

    And JMO, but people should be thrilled about Dobbs' decision. I really like that kid.

    Agreed 100%

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    Kooper

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    OrangeVol79 ●

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