The CheckerBoard

Sorry man - but I gotta disagree with this. Jones does not have "plenty of time" to build relationships with 5 star players that have not been seriously considering UT. And two weeks certainly has not been enough time. If the expectation was/is that Jones, or any other coach hired, was to have secured a string of 5 stars in two weeks after being hired, and challenge for an SEC title in his first year, then people better buy some Malox, Black Label, crack or something, because the next year or so is going to be a miserable. That was not going to happen if UT had hired Bear Bryant. Also, If the whole Cheek/academic requirement thing was a big enough deal that it came up with just about every coach that was talked to about the job, there is something to it. The more I learn about Cheek, the more I think it contributed significantly to Fulmer's downfall (HOF coaches don't just suddenly forget how to coach or recruit) and to UT not being able to get the bigger name coaches after Fulmer was fired. You don't have the stadium, following and facilities that UT has and struggle this much to find a new coach (although I think Jones is a good coach).

I'm definitely not judging CBJ at all, just merely wondering everyone's thoughts. It is something to be brought up and I definitely agree that he has PLENTY of time to bring in some good recruits. If we can get Bell, Green, Carr or some of the other notables, then I have no problem, but in all seriousness, if we go O'fer there, then there is room for concern. CBJ even said himself, if he can get them on campus, then there is no excuse. Well, time to see. I just don't want to get caught up in the "coach speak," twitter motivation, and winning press conference deals and see what he can produce in the recruiting ranks. He has a good staff with good ties and they should be able to pull something. I personally think he'll bring in some "studs" and we won't have concern, but it is a thought. Heck, in two weeks, Dooley got Da'Rick and Hunter! Good convo on here though.

I think he will land a couple this class. Bell, Green, North and Lawson would be awesome

It cost Dooley 2 schollys to nab Da'Rick, with Nash Nance coming in a package deal.

A few things,
- Butch Jones, at this time (I hope he grows it), does not have a national reputation or strong personal brand. So no, the expectation is not that he would stroll in and everyone would want to play for him. The recruiting challenge for Butch is can he close the elite players considering UT and despite his lack of reputation, generate interest among elite players who were not considering UT under Dooley.
- CDD closed several elite players in a few weeks, Jones has months.
- Because Jones doesn't have a strong brand, the expectation was not that in a few weeks he would have turned several elite players. That said, Strong for example is a candidate that could have drawn elite talent to UT immediately, he has that brand. I don't think anyone is saying a new coach would win the SEC East next year.
-Cheek wasn't a problem before CLK left and we were closing in on a top 3-5 class. Now that we are ranked 40th in recruiting he keeps getting brought up.

Oregon, SoCar, Auburn, OhioState, Michigan, Michigan State, USC...Those are just a few of the teams that offered a "lowly" 3 star commit that we have named Paul Harris. This same receiver shut down his recruitment after meeting with Jones. Harris is a true talent and his offer sheet proves others believe it too. He believes in Jones.

Jawuan James got recruited back to school by Jones, which also tells me something. I think he'll be fine and will have us in some battles for some highly rated guys and we'll win our share. Gotta win games first though .

I did know what you meant. And I think you meant that he needs judged accordingly, not like a coach that has a full year or even a full off season. However, he has had time to build some sort of relationship with them and get them excited about UT. But the overreactors are CRAZY.

Much different scenario. It was closing time at the bar when Dooley was hired. The undecided four and five star players generally had to chit or get off the pot by signing day, so they had to decide in two weeks. There were approximately eight weeks till signing day when CBJ was hired. You're talking about kids who oftentimes want to wait until the last day before committing. If he's going to get those four and five stars, it's probably not gonna be for another five or six weeks.