The CheckerBoard

I'm not criticizing him for signing local talent. I'm criticizing him for taking commitments from kids that nobody else thinks is very good regardless of where they are from. I'm not saying that he shouldn't offer a kid unless he has more offers or is ranked by 247... If he thinks the kid can help us win he should without a doubt offer him a scholarship. What I am saying is that when UT's coaches are the only coaches or scouts who think a player is good, maybe they are wrong. Then again, maybe these players are really good but nobody else realizes it because they haven't been to many camps.. I don't know, but any time UT takes a commitment from an unranked player with zero offers I'm not going to get excited.

The real issue is convincing 4 star and 5 star rated players to commit to a class with alot of 3 stars. Perception is reality and really talented kids want to play with other talented kids. Its still early though. Ratings can change and I believe UT has a 9 or more win team.

Ever heard of a guy named Wes Welker? No D-1 offers until a recruit backed out of an offer from Texas Tech on NSD. So if this staff who has seen him in person and put him in different situations on the field under pressure to perform well say hey why don't you come play for the University of Tennessee then Im pretty damn excited. Nothing better than players who grew up dreaming of playing for UT they will give there all everyday and twice on Saturday.

Not promoting tos but there was a great story on the past years from1990 to present. That said one item I took away from the writing was int eh 1990-1998 we (VFL) took the bulk of our players from Tennessee. Strange as that sounds and from what we all are lead to believe that the state did no have deep talent--The Vols used to get those guys. When you look at 1999-2008 the numbers dropped a ton for the players from the state of Tennessee. The all SEC / all Ameicans / and our over all success has slide in those time frames as well. So being a numbers guy and history repeats itself I want us to get and and all of the players from our state--if they love the university and have success in football prior to the Vols I believe we will have success on the field. Don't put thoughts in my mind that you just take the kids from Tennessee to play that is not what I am saying but you have to have playrs that want to play for the university as well as those key skill guys from out of the area. The numbers also on the 5 star vs 3 star in the NFL should be used. A lot more than star power goes into a player. If they have the abilityand just don't get it or excell at it, or get coached up that is a factor in what happens. CDD has had 3 top 20 class in recruiting--we will see the end result this is important in thebuilding process as well.

The 247 analysts get paid to evaluate players but they can't evaluate them all. That being said, the 247 analysts also aren't coaching in the SEC and being paid Dooley's salary. I trust the evaluations of the guys on this site, if I didn't I wouldn't subscribe, but they aren't the ones on the field with the athletes day in and day out like a college football coach is. There are tons of guys in the NFL from small schools that weren't even evaluated by the recruiting services. I could list a few off the top of my head but that list would be very lengthy...Remember Jerry Rice went to Mississippi Valley State and current NFL sensations Victor Cruz (Umass) and Miles Austin (Monmouth) weren't exactly five star guys and those are only three of the thousands of guys.

Josh has done nothing but succeed. Check out his high school stats, his performance at the camp in Atlanta, his speed and his evaluation at camp with UT. The rating agencies repeatedly miss prospects. Check out this years NFL draftees. How accurate was the evaluation of Bryce Brown? Best running back in the nation and pretty much stayed home for 3 years.

I love seeing guys that dream of playing for UT get an opportunity to do so. You can't put a star rating on passion and investment in a program. If nothing else, these guys will give their all for Tennessee and show the out of state commits what a privilege and honor it is to wear that orange. These in-state guys are here because they are sold on the program, not on Dooley, and not on Chaney or Sal. They will be here regardless of whether we win a championship this year or if we win 2 games. In the very unfortunate case that we lose our great coach Dooley, we won't see as many players leaving the program like they did when Kiffin left. I can't wait to see Dooley turn the corner this year and surprise everyone with a very solid season.

That's a good point too. It's great to have both in a player: talent and a hometown guy.