Below is a list of this year's Tennessee Volunteers football signing class as it stands right now. May still be an iron or two in the fire, but the Vols address some needs ... and some are left unanswered. Still, not a bad class overall. The only addition today was Cordarrelle Patterson, but what a huge addition he was.
Korren Kirven chose Alabama, Quinshad Davis chose North Carolina and Amos Leggett decided to stick with Marshall. Below are the capsules for this year's signees ... so far.
1. LaDARRELL MCNEIL, 6-1, 190 S DALLAS, TEXAS [WILMER-HUTCHINS HS] Rivals 4* No. 7 safety No. 86 overall player in the nation No. 11 player in Texas, Scout 4* No. 6 safety, ESPN 4* No. 12 cornerback No. 28 player in Texas, 247 4* No. 7 safety No. 115 overall player in the nation No. 14 player in Texas. Chose UT over Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Nebraska, Arizona State, Arizona, Baylor, California, Clemson, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Syracuse, TCU, Texas A&M, Southern Cal, Utah, others .
2. DANNY O'BRIEN, 6-2, 290 DT FLINT, MICH. [POWERS CATHOLIC HS] Rivals 4* No. 12 defensive tackle No. 161 overall player in the nation No. 2 player in Michigan, Scout 4* No. 18 defensive tackle, ESPN 3* No. 56 defensive tackle, 247 4* No. 23 defensive tackle No. 6 player in Michigan. Chose UT over Michigan, Michigan State, Florida, Alabama, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt.
3. DEION BONNER, 5-11, 185 CB COLUMBUS, GA. [CARVER HS] Rivals 4* No. 19 cornerback No. 227 overall player in the nation No. 37 player in Georgia, Scout 3* No. 28 safety, ESPN 4* No. 15 cornerback No. 20 player in Georgia, 247 3* No. 35 cornerback. Chose UT over Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Southern Cal, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, South Carolina, Florida, others. [Note not all these offers were committable].
4. ALTON "PIG" HOWARD, 5-9, 180 WR ORLANDO [EDGEWATER HS] Rivals 4* No. 47 wide receiver No. 41 player in Florida, Scout 3* No. 76 wide receiver, ESPN 4* No. 150 overall prospect in the nation No. 22 wide receiver No. 29 player in Florida, 247 4* No. 121 overall player in the nation No. 14 wide receiver No. 19 player in Florida. Chose UT over Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, West Virginia, Ohio State, UCLA, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Miami, Michigan State, Michigan, South Carolina, Utah, Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, others.
5. DANIEL MCCULLERS, 6-6, 380 DT RALEIGH, N.C. [SOUTHEAST RALEIGH HS/GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE] Rivals 4* No. 6 overall JUCO player, Scout 3*, 247 3*. Chose UT over Alabama, Mississippi State, N.C. State.
6. JASON CROOM, 6-5, 220 WR NORCROSS, GA. [NORCROSS HS] Rivals 4* No. 41 wide receiver No. 19 player in state No. 246 overall, Scout 4* No. 44 wide receiver, ESPN 3* No. 55 wide receiver, 247 4* No.20 wide receiver No. 15 player in the state No. 178 overall. Chose UT over Auburn, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Florida State, South Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, LSU, Southern Miss, Miami, others.
7. DAVANTE BOURQUE, 6-3, 200 RB CROWLEY, LA. [CROWLEY HS] Rivals 4* No. 14 athlete No. 4 player in state No. 196 overall, Scout 3* No. 29 running back, ESPN 3* No. 49 athlete, 247 4* No. 8 all-purpose back No. 14 player in the state. Chose UT over LSU, Texas A&M, Miami, Arizona State, Arkansas, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Southern Miss.
8. JUSTIN KING, 6-3, 215 OLB DUNWOODY, GA. [DUNWOODY HS] Rivals 3* No. 64 athlete No. 63 player in state, Scout 3* No. 79 outside linebacker, ESPN 3* No. 46 outside linebacker No. 49 player in state, 247 3* No. 96 player in Georgia. Chose UT over Arkansas, Cincinnati, Georgia State, Louisville, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Central Florida, Virginia and Wisconsin.
9. GEORGE BULLOCK, 6-2, 195 PK KNOXVILLE [KNOXVILLE WEST HS] Rivals 2* kicker, Scout 3* No. 9 kicker, ESPN 2* No. 32 kicker, 247 2* No. 15 kicker. Chose UT over Navy.
10. DANIEL GRAY, 6-0, 165 CB LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLA. [BOYD ANDERSON HS] Rivals 3* cornerback, Scout 3* No. 105 cornerback, ESPN 2* No. 103 cornerback, 247 3* No. 98 cornerback. Chose UT over Nebraska, Kansas, Ole Miss and Texas Tech.
11. DRAE BOWLES, 6-1, 205 WR JACKSON, TN. [JACKSON CHRISTIAN HS] Rivals 4* wide receiver No. 127 overall player No. 3 player in Tennessee, Scout 3* No. 48 wide receiver, ESPN 4* No. 15 wide receiver No. 101 overall player No. 2 in Tennessee, 247 4* No. 25 wide receiver No. 212 overall No. 4 in Tennessee. Chose UT over Vanderbilt, Auburn, Arkansas, Cal, Cincinnati, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina, Notre Dame and others.
12. QUENSHAUN WATSON, 5-9, 175 RB ATHENS, GA. [CLARKE CENTRAL HS] Rivals 3* running back, Scout 3* No. 105 running back, ESPN 3* No. 51 running back, 247 3*. Chose UT over Indiana.
13. LATROY LEWIS, 6-4, 225 DE AKRON, OHIO [ARCHBISHOP HOBAN HS] Rivals 3* No. 28 weakside defensive end, Scout 3* No. 58 defensive end, ESPN 4* No. 29 defensive end, 247 3* No. 36 weakside defensive end. Chose UT over Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Illinois.
14. ALDEN HILL, 6-2, 215 RB ALLIANCE, OHIO [MARLINGTON HS] Rivals 3* No. 48 running back, Scout 3* No. 65 running back, ESPN 2* No. 100 running back, 247 3*. Chose UT over Michigan, Northwestern, UConn, Bowling Green, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Illinois, Ball State, Buffalo, Iowa.
15. TINO THOMAS, 6-0, 190 ATH MEMPHIS [MELROSE HS] Rivals 3* No. 56 ATH, Scout 3* No. 93 WR, ESPN 3* No. 138 ATH, 247 3*. Chose UT over Southern Miss, Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Memphis and Mississippi State.
16. CODY BLANC, 6-2, 204 ATH KNOXVILLE [CENTRAL HS] Rivals 2*, Scout 3* No. 88 safety, ESPN 3* No. 131 athlete, 247 3* No. 76 athlete. Chose UT over Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt.
17. TRENT TAYLOR, 6-3, 270 DT LAKELAND, FLA. [LAKE GIBSON HS] Rivals 3* No. 19 strongside defensive end, Scout 4* No. 29 defensive end, ESPN 3* No. 26 defensive end, 247 3* No. 40 strongside defensive end. Chose UT over Miami, Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Auburn, South Florida.
18. JUSTIN MEREDITH, 6-5, 220 TE ANDERSON, S.C. [T.L. HANNA HS] Rivals 3* No. 13 tight end, Scout 3* No. 17 tight end, ESPN 4* No. 6 tight end, 247 3* No. 57 tight end. Chose UT over North Carolina, Clemson, Auburn, Cincinnati, Duke, Illinois, Mississippi State, NC State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest.
19. NATHAN PETERMAN, 6-2, 205 QB FRUIT COVE, FLA. [BARTRAM TRAIL HS] Rivals 4* No. 10 pro-style quarterback, Scout 3* No. 18 quarterback, ESPN 3* No. 39 quarterback, 247 3* No. 15 pro-style quarterback. Chose UT over UCONN, Cincinnati, Florida, Florida State, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Florida International [note: Scout has him with Florida and FSU offers. Miami, South Florida and Nebraska called to gauge his interest in the past month].
20. DARRINGTON SENTIMORE, 6-3, 273 DE/DT NORCO, LA [DESTRAHAN HS/UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA/GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE] Rivals 3*, 247 4*. Chose UT over Alabama, Mississippi State, Florida, Texas A&M.
21. CORDARRELLE PATTERSON, 6-3, 205 WR ROCK HILL, S.C. [NORTHWESTERN HS/HUTCHINSON (KAN.) COMMUNITY COLLEGE] Rivals 4* No. 1 overall JUCO player, Scout 5* No. 1 overall JUCO player, 247 Sports 5* No. 1 overall JUCO player. Chose UT over Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn and many more.
2 recs | 169 comments
Props to you Brad....and to RTT
This has been my one-stop-shop for all of my recruiting info.
I don’t get into it as much as most, but I do appreciate not having to click around to 25 different places to find out what is going on.
gramsey712 - February 1, 2012
Brad's recruiting coverage is to me
like Nicorette is to a smoker, sort of. I mean, I don’t want to totally quit following recruiting, but the coverage here is a perfectly reasonable amount for me. Enough to keep me informed, but not so much that I waste hours of my life.
PdxVol - February 1, 2012
Means a lot, guys.
I can assure you that, for the most part, I do my own evaluations with just enough information sprinkled in from the pay sites that they wouldn’t miss it or mind it.
I can’t tell you that we’re as in-depth as those places because we’re not, but I can assure you I take the information from those places, watch their film and give my own evaluations. Granted, I mostly have a rosy view of kids who commit to TN, so I’m not exactly unbiased, but I’ll try to give you guys an honest but optimistic opinion.
I love this stuff. Glad to bring a little of it to an already great site. The leg work I did over the past few weeks made today manageable. Tonight, we’ll have a daily reflection and tomorrow I’ll have a position-by-position grade breakdown.
Brad Shepard - February 1, 2012
Let me pile on
and say you’ve done a really good job, particularly in boiling everything down to something that’s manageable and fun to follow. Made NSD much more fun and much less stressful than normal for me (though I’d imagine you’d probably like some of the stress-free-ness back :D )
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Kudos
Synthesis and summary are highly valued. Especially on a day like today.
memphispete - February 1, 2012
Yup, kudos.
I did the recruiting legwork for RTT for a couple years, and it’s an absolute boatload of work. Brad’s done a much more in-depth job of it than I ever did, so I can only speculate how much time it took.
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
The best vol site with the most accurate vol info hands down.
cerebralfish - February 1, 2012
No doubt
The most inciteful and respectively lively debate forum as well.
phil g - February 1, 2012
CLAAAAAAAAAAY
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
check that..."insightful"
Inciteful would apply to CLAAAAAAAAAAAY…lol
phil g - February 1, 2012
truth
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
WR: A++++
DL: A- (great at DT, Sentimore is big, would’ve been nice to have Autry)
LB: F- (sorry, Justin. I love you, but we can’t have just one guy)
OL: D+ (would’ve also been an F- if we didn’t have 10 guys in the last two classes)
all other positions: yeah, whatever
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I guess the early question is:
Who would make a good JUCO OL target out of the current crop of HS seniors? I have a hunch we’ll be going that route in 2 years.
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
definitely
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
also seemed like we did well at DB this class
not nearly as deep as DL and WR but quality – a B maybe?
dmiles - February 1, 2012
notice I didn't give any B's
I lumped them all into “yeah whatever.” I’d also give QB a B, and running back is probably also a B, maybe B-
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
but McNeil should be awesome
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I did notice - I just thought maybe DB stood out a little more
dmiles - February 1, 2012
I'm just as pleased with Peterman as with the DB haul
McNeil himself is better than any get at QB or RB, but overall, I’d say DB and QB were about even
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Gauging Peterman just by the offers he had
he looks like a good pickup
dmiles - February 1, 2012
hmm
you think the McNeil kid might have a chance to play next to Randolph as early as next year? As for RB, Q. Watson and D. Bourque bolster a questionable unit. Bourque could always get shifted to LB if need be.
Also, don’t forget about Georgie Bullock! I grew weary watching the Palardy snap-hook kicks this past year. Maybe a little competition will be good for the kicking unit as a whole.
Can’t wait to see the “Danny & Danny” show on the DL this year. Couple of hog-mollies up front. UT might actually have a pretty good front 7, assuming Jacques Smith moves to OLB. He and Maggitt might be a pretty decent pincer attack with AJ and J. King in between them.
pound the rock - February 1, 2012
I would not be shocked to see McNeil get early playing time
although if Brewer is fully recovered from his ACL, he’ll be hard to beat out
with you on the other points, except that I don’t think Justin King is ready to step in immediately
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I hope Brewer comes back full speed
The difference in recovery times for ACL’s in just the past 10 years is staggering. Maybe Brewer can beef up and become a fearsome S/LB hybrid.
Off topic, but is the “Tar Volon” ref in your sig a WoT reference? (nerd alert)
pound the rock - February 1, 2012
most definitely
woo WoT nerds!
also, me too. But Hunter’s ACL takes precedence over Brewer’s.
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I'll just leave this here...
I loved those books, but, dang the middle part of the series just DRAAAAGGGSSS
ChicagoVol - February 1, 2012
that's what happens when you realize that you have 10,000 perspective characters
and 9,000 storylines
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
My sister is/was a huge WoT fan.
When we lived in Charleston, Christmas shopping for her was the easiest thing on the planet. Wait for new book. Get new book autographed. Hold new book until December. I think we got four or five for her. Something like that.
He always looked at me oddly because I just handed him the book, said thanks, and didn’t stick around to ask questions. It’s not my cup of tea, and I didn’t want to hold up the fan parade.
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
I'm 100% sure I'm the biggest WoT nerd here.
bobothevol - February 1, 2012
I don't imagine I can take that title
I’ve only read the series through twice, and I haven’t touched it since Towers of Midnight. If 14 is coming this October, then another re-read probably ought to be a summer project
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Meanwhile, I gave up after book 10.
Hey guys, I’ve got a great idea! Let’s not advance the timeline at all over 650 pages!
Chris Pendley - February 2, 2012
that's what happens when you have 10,000 perspective characters
and 9,000 storylines
George R.R. Martin is in danger of a little of that
Incipient_Senescence - February 2, 2012
rec'd
I’ll take any reference we can get to the WOT, as I desperately wait for the end of this year and the final book to be published. Been waiting 10+ years for this series to reach completion.
VolfromBYU - February 1, 2012
Red Eagle Games...
Was working on a Wheel of Time MMORPG, but they haven’t publicly said anything in nearly two years… Obsidian Entertainment(Fallout: New Vegas) has apparently acknowledged that they’ve been doing the 3d animation for the WOT MMO and at least one other WOT video game within the last 6 months, but that would be the opposite of what I’d heard until then.
If Red Eagle does pull it off, they are also the folks with the film rights to the Wheel of Time and were attempting to cast for The Eye of the World back in 2009. Apparently they are working with Universal.
I have always wondered why there was only a single Wheel of Time video game ever made, a really average first person shooter using the Quake 2 engine back in 1999.
Caban - February 1, 2012
Daunting.
bobothevol - February 1, 2012
Assuming a 3-4 set
I would say our starting LBs would be Jaques Smith, Curt Maggit, AJ Johnson, and Herman Lathers. Additionally LaTroy Lewis is considered LB prospect with the movement to 3-4, however I have a difficult time seeing him or King or any of the other of our current LBs beating out this starting 4
docrok - February 1, 2012
not sure which guys are inside though. AJ is
but the other three all look like OLBs to me
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I think Lathers
becomes the other inside guy. Maggit and Smith being the OLB
docrok - February 1, 2012
I agree.
I think Maggitt is a prototypical outside guy, so you hate to move him.
That’s one thing that still really eats at me about this move to the 3-4. I really loved AJ and Maggitt in the 4-3.
TennesseeTyrants - February 1, 2012
Ehh I prefer 3-4
I think LBs can cover more space than down lineman and that makes them more versatile in my opinion. So an extra LB is better in my opinion. But that being said you have to have big down lineman to make this work
docrok - February 1, 2012
Oh, there's absolutely no doubt it's more versatile.
And truth be told, the base looks aren’t a lot different at the end of the day. You’ll still see a lot of rushing 4 total, you just get to mix up what 4 those are. But now you’re open to bring up your OLBs for a 5-2 look. Step your SS up into the box for a 5-3 look. It’s very versatile. I do see the benefits.
My brain likes the 3-4, my heart still loves the 4-3.
TennesseeTyrants - February 1, 2012
AJ was too slow to be an OLB against spread offenses
Maggitt is a prototypical OLB
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Perfect description
gramsey712 - February 1, 2012
My thoughts
exactly. Thanks Brad.
GhostDance - February 1, 2012 via Android app
I like this class.
It’s very heavy on WRs, DBs, and DL, but the depth was much needed at those positions, and the players we picked up seem like high quality guys.
Hanging onto one of those linebackers would have helped, but what’s done is done. Let’s hope some of the guys already on the roster can step in and make a difference.
TennesseeTyrants - February 1, 2012
Truthfully...
those LBs may hurt us down the road, but we should be OK this season barring attrition there.
Caban - February 1, 2012
Just puts added pressure on the 2013 to deliver hits not busts
But we’ve been down this road before recently with the frightingly low supply of DL and OL a couple of seasons ago.
phil g - February 1, 2012
this
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
although, come to think of it
I’m not quite sure who our 2nd ILB is. would’ve been great if Dalton or Otha could’ve come in and contributed immediately
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Dontavious Sapp?
We may be forced to drop a DE back to either MLB, or OLB with one of the natural OLBs moving inside.
Caban - February 1, 2012
please please please please Christian Harris be good
he’s the prototypical ILB of the lot.
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
ooh
forgot about him. did he redshirt last year? man would’ve liked to have gotten Peters today. No reason for Dooley not to have used all of the Official Visits allotted. Maybe next year the staff will load up big on the final 2 weekends before NSD.
pound the rock - February 1, 2012
yeah, he did
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Yeah, this is huge.
If Christian Harris can break out as our other inside guy, then we have Maggitt and Lathers on the outside, and guys like Smith filling in as pass rush specialists at OLB.
TennesseeTyrants - February 1, 2012
OLB are definitely easier to come by
kinda like the trouble we’ve had the last few years with DE vs DT
dmiles - February 1, 2012
yep
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
excited about LaDarrel Mcneil
I thought he’d be a defection. He’s a huge get!
PdxVol - February 1, 2012
You got the JUCOs eligibility remaining?
Caban - February 1, 2012
From what I'm hearing about Cordarrelle...
He’d preferred UT for quite a while, but was being pushed away from the program by nearly everyone except the UT staff due to the program’s current instability.
Decided to go with his heart at some point in the past couple of days.
Caban - February 1, 2012
Makes sense
And the instability clearly was a factor with the LB stuff. Win a decent number of games next year, which we’re posed to do, and things start looking a lot brighter. I honestly think we’re doing pretty dang well for a team that has posted back-to-back lousy seasons.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Losing Sirmon really hurt and CSS didn't have time to recover it
phil g - February 1, 2012
Highest ranked recruiting class
of any team with a losing record last year. That’s good, right?
pound the rock - February 1, 2012
Highest ranked for any team that lost to Kentucky?
;-)
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
TOO SOON
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
you know me better than that.
;-)
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
In women's basketball?
/twists knife
Chris Pendley - February 1, 2012
Heh.
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
't will always be
too soon.
GhostDance - February 1, 2012 via Android app
Any thoughts about the remaining scholarships?
Seems like 4 more spots are open. Will they go to someone already on the team?
SLSmi - February 1, 2012
I'd imagine at least one will go to the best uncommitted LB we can find
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Will be interesting to see who bites.
Or at least picks up the phone.
SLSmi - February 1, 2012
Dooley interview up in a min or 2 on espnU
just a heads up
cerebralfish - February 1, 2012
4:30 for the presser, right?
Are we going to stay in this thread for it?
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
let's just stay here
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
Gotta admit
Dooley’s very good at making it sound like we aren’t riding the Titanic.
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
From the presser:
Dooley says he felt we were very young and deep at OL (11 last 2 years), wanted to focus on other areas
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Dooley says that for recruits that committed, says a lot about their character that they stayed
as they were getting “barraged” by other programs following the coaching departures.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Also said
Deion Bonner came across as very remorseful, and that Dooley feels that Bonner has turned his life around and can represent the University of Tennessee the right way.
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
Says the 25 player limit is a pinch
Particularly with so many players deciding on NSD. Not a fan of the new rule.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Says other schools love to talk up the "fear and paranoia"
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
And talking about never hiring R. Shannon
in the context of being forced to be ‘always on the defensive’ as a result of social media. Also acknowledged a lot we brought on ourselves.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Says the LB decommits were disappointing, but not surprising
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Says his "sell" on recruiting
was almost entirely selling the program, the University, and not on a particular coach or potential teammate
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
JAMES FRANKLIN HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHESTBUMPING AND HOTSAUCE
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Franklin has another, more important question
how to win
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
Really proud of current team, says #1 thing is making sure new players mesh well
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
also #1 selling point
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Can't have an injury
and lose the entire season, especially the qb
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
lulz
just cussed on-air
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
oh no
what’d he say?
sddbaker - February 1, 2012
"we can't bitch about. . . "
not enough for Fulmerization
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Talking about the 25 player limit
Said, “Those are the rules, can’t bitch about them.”
Then “Oh jeez I can’t believe I just said that. 2 years without a slipup.”
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
It was pretty funny
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Defending oversigning now
Says people are over-reacting to a few bad situations
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
also defending 1-year scholarships
compared it to the academic scholarships
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
if coaches really want 1-year scholarships to be acceptable...
immediate transfer eligibility needs to be the rule.
Sorry coaches, but it’s YOUR screwup if you fail in your evaluations badly enough to give scholarships to bad football players. It’s one thing if the guys are lazy, but it’s unfair to promise a poor kid a college education and then yank his scholarship(typically with literally zero notice) because he simply isn’t good.
The NCAA needs to force EVERYONE to honor their scholarships… and if they do, than any of the typical excuses most coaches pull out become irrelevant.
Caban - February 1, 2012
that's a whole can of worms
but immediate transfer eligibility if the coach doesn’t renew your scholarship? that is a smaller can of worms and might be a decent idea
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I agree
particularly immediate transfer eligibility (if the coach doesn’t renew scholarship).
But to play the devil’s advocate, some people who get academic scholarships to schools don’t do well, or there’s a more deserving student next year, etc.
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
people on academic scholarship who lose it because they don't do well
can immediately transfer schools (and try their best to get an academic scholarship)
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
If a coach releases a player from scholly
He is eligible to transfer immediately and receive a scholly elsewhere I thought. Hence the players such as Milton and Nance that did so this season
docrok - February 1, 2012
can't play immediately though
unless you go to FCS
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Depending on the circumstances
That is true but the conversation was in regards to the kids having to pay for school which they dont.
docrok - February 1, 2012
in Caban's original post, he said "eligibility," not "scholarship"
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Do the NCAA bylaws
Not allow immediately allow for eligibilty when a kid is release from Scholarship? I thought that was kind of the big stink with Arnett he was getting a full release to play whereever he wanted?? And the coaches wanted him to stay if a kid is granted A full release are they not immediately eligible
docrok - February 1, 2012
no
it allows for scholarship immediately if released, not if not released.
eligibility is still a one year delay either way, unless you go to FCS or lower
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Well I do not know the NCAA rules
I just go by seeing players transfer and play immediately the next year! And I am sure they are special cases And I agree if a coach releases a player by the coaches choice he should be eligible immediately
docrok - February 1, 2012
yeah, you need a special waiver for that
(see: Alex Bullard, Tyler Smith)
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Yes...
and athletes also have to maintain minimum grades, and scholarship offers have been implied to be 4-5 years since the 1930s. This 1-year scholarship idea is something that has been pulled out of thin air in the last several years.
And let’s be honest here, guys on footballs scholarship are disproportionately from socio-economic backgrounds where it’s often very difficult to absorb a hit like the loss of a scholarship.
Caban - February 1, 2012
I know I sound like an advocate of the coach and school
But in reality I think that all of the participants, the unversity, the coach, the recruits bear a responsibility in where college football is right now. 20 years ago NSD was no more than a blip on the radar, today its a multi-billion dollar industry in which the schools and coaches get rich the and really good athletes get a pretty good ride if you will, ask Trent Richardson and his wife whom are driving expensive cars..LOL At any rate College Football is what it is and it is about winning. Look at this site. How many people…..MYSELF included have stated that Derek Dooley’s 7 yr contract isnt worth the papers its printed on if he don’t make it to 8 wins
docrok - February 1, 2012
Agree. I also think the elephant in the room is there not being any regulation on coaching moves, at all.
Slap everybody that leaves without giving 3 months notice a 1-season show cause, I’d feel like the whole field was a bit more level.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
This is not only Unlikely
But also not good for College Football which thanks to all of us fans has become BIG BUSINESS!! If coaches could not move or be fired, (the institution bears some responsibility here too) then when a program is floundering or a lower tier coach is hot coaching it removes some of the excitement and fans will lose interest.
docrok - February 1, 2012
psssshhht
I certainly wouldn’t. And I’m not saying banning all coaching moves. Just cut down on the rampant Todd Grahamism. You set up a system that rewards people for relentlessly promoting only their own self-interest, people are goin to relentlessly promote only their own self-interest.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Also emphasized explosive players,
noted we have one guy currently who can return the ball.
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
Terry Joseph and Sal Sunseri...
make 247’s list of the top 50 recruiters. Kinda surprised Randy Garner wasn’t on there.
Caban - February 1, 2012
I truly Believe
Hinshaw should be on that list also. I really think he is a great recruiter and him and Joseph I believe are the main reason this class did not fall apart
docrok - February 1, 2012
this year's WR haul proves Hinshaw's value
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I agree
docrok - February 1, 2012
yuuuup
_trey_ - February 1, 2012
This just in the Red Cup Rebellion people can be hostile
If you tell them you’re a Vols fan who goes to Ole Miss
Ben Miller - February 1, 2012
haha
can’t say I’m that shocked
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I suddenly find myself craving a Krispy Kreme Boston Kreme Doughnut ...
mmmmmmm
Caban - February 1, 2012
You know, this isn't a bad class at all for a team that just went 5-7.
Consider that we replaced most of our coaches in the middle of recruiting season, it looks even a little better.
After we win 10 games this year, we’ll be right back in the top 5 in recruiting, where we belong. ;)
TennesseeTyrants - February 1, 2012
I agree
But I did drink from a big glass of Dool-Aid ’round 4:30 today.
FEAR THE PANTS!
GO BIG ORANGE!
Master Jedi Starkiller - February 1, 2012
This Class, Impact Players
Its possible that it could just be my naive optimisim guiding this thought, but it seems like DD has recruited difference makers for the here and now. I can only imagine what a Cordarrelle Patterson is gonna make the pass attack look like. We have a 6’6" monster tackle coming in who I believe will be a dominate force at the dt, as well as Sentimore sealing up one of the ends. In a clutch year where everyone expects wins right away, this class seems to be the right medicine for the right illness *(lbs not withstanding). Thanks for all the hard work brad, and its been fun joining this blog this year!
EastT - February 1, 2012
Word.
GhostDance - February 1, 2012 via Android app
Is it possible...
to get the baseball schedule on an SBNation site?
I just ask because I have a feeling we’re going to be doing a lot of talking about Serrano and Company come February 17th. That’s the date of the opener vs. Northern Illinois.
Also, the new TV contract should result in the majority of games being on ESPN3 at a minimum… I’m thoroughly fired up about a sport that we might actually be surprisingly good at.
Caban - February 1, 2012
the schedule...
for those wondering
2/17 – NIU
2/18 – NIU
2/19 – NIU
2/21 – Western Kentucky
2/24 – Seton Hall
2/25 – Seton Hall
2/26 – Seton Hall
2/28 – MTSU
3/2 – at Houston
3/3 – vs. #5 Texas(at Houston)
3/4 – vs. #6 Rice(at Houston)
3/7 – Ball State
3/9 – UL-Monroe
3/10 – UL-Monroe
3/11 – UL-Monroe
3/13 – Tennessee Tech
3/16 – at #25 Georgia
3/17 – at #25 Georgia
3/18 – at #25 Georgia
3/21 – Florida International
3/23 – Kentucky
3/24 – Kentucky
3/25 – Kentucky
3/27 – Mississippi Valley State
3/28 – Mississippi Valley State
3/30 – Alabama
3/31 – Alabama
4/1 – Alabama
4/4 – Memphis
4/6 – at #2 South Carolina
4/7 – at #2 South Carolina
4/8 – at #2 South Carolina
4/11 – at East Tennessee State
4/13 – #1 Florida
4/14 – #1 Florida
4/15 – #1 Florida
4/17 – East Tennessee State
4/19 – at Mississippi State
4/20 – at Mississippi State
4/21 – at Mississippi State
4/24 – Austin Peay
4/27 – at Auburn
4/28 – at Auburn
4/29 – at Auburn
5/4 – #12 Vanderbilt
5/5 – #12 Vanderbilt
5/6 – #12 Vanderbilt
5/9 – at Memphis
5/11 – at Ole Miss
5/12 – at Ole Miss
5/13 – at Ole Miss
5/15 – at MTSU
5/17 – #8 Arkansas
5/18 – #8 Arkansas
5/19 – #8 Arkansas
5/22 thru 5/27 – SEC Tournament
6/1 thru 6/4 – NCAA Regionals
6/8 thru 6/11 – NCAA Super-Regionals
6/15-26 – College World Series
Caban - February 1, 2012
baseball? that's a thing? that people watch?
I guess if it’s Tennessee, I have to cheer for them, but. . . this sounds like a perfect opportunity for multi-tasking
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
Um, generally seconded.
Depending on the feedback, it could be a continually bumped open thread type thing (with game recaps). Depending on availability, it’s something I can do; it’s been ages since I’ve written about baseball.
Chris Pendley - February 2, 2012
I know Brad's a baseball fan, and I believe Will is too
so my guess is that if we have baseball coverage, they’ll take the lead. But I don’t want to commit them to something without asking them first
Incipient_Senescence - February 2, 2012
I absolutely love baseball.
But I’ve never followed it at the college level, just because it’s never been very available to me.
Me living in Knoxville coupled with some RTT coverage of it will probably lead to me following UT baseball a lot more closely.
TennesseeTyrants - February 2, 2012
Yeah, but they're both Braves' fans.
Figure that we’d want someone writing who’s seen a team win something in the last decade.
[x] winning 1st overall pick in the draft counts.
Chris Pendley - February 2, 2012
Hey!
The Braves won the NL East in 02, 03, 04, and 05.
TennesseeTyrants - February 2, 2012
We will definitely take a look at it
And I agree with the multitasking comments – what I love about baseball is that your team plays almost every day, and all summer it’s there for you like an old friend. I love the Braves, but I don’t do the live or die on every pitch thing until August/September unless it’s an important series.
I had a lot of fun in the mid-90s and again in 2001 following UT’s team; haven’t seen a pitch in the last four years, but as they get good again we’ll definitely get involved here.
Will Shelton - February 2, 2012
Providing even decent coverage of UT baseball...
would give RTT a near monopoly of it.
And if, as I suspect, our team has a huge turnaround and becomes popular… it could drive some serious readership. Particularly considering the desire of Tennessee fans to have ANY good team to follow.
Caban - February 2, 2012
as in...
I might try a few series matchup writeups and open threads for each series(or game) early in the season and adjust based on response.
Caban - February 2, 2012
I feel like I could contribute to baseball as a former stat nerd
but as far as actually watching. . . just not that interested. maybe while doing other things
Incipient_Senescence - February 2, 2012
I hadn't really thought that much about it...
but someone asked me how many Braves games I watch. Last season, out of the 162 games, I probably watched 130 to 140. Quite a few I watch on the DVR, delayed by an hour or two.
AKA: I guess I need to get a life. :-)
sddbaker - February 4, 2012
I would be happy to take over UT tennis responsibility
Were people actually reading my tennis stuff last year? Be honest.
If so, I could fire that back up.
kidbourbon - February 3, 2012 via mobile
Tennis is one of those things that I’d love to know more about. Love the game. If I’m being honest, though, it would probably be one of those things where I’d get more interested as we got close to end-of-season tournament time (or whatever it is for tennis.) But I’d love to see it on the site, and I enjoyed it when you were doing it.
Joel Hollingsworth - February 3, 2012
Agreed
Caban - February 3, 2012
HEY!
Watch your mouth, young man. Baseball is wonderful.
sddbaker - February 1, 2012
sports I enjoy watching:
football
soccer
hockey
basketball
.
.
.
c’mon, there has to be something else to put here
.
.
.
something
.
.
.
baseball
(seriously, I played baseball for a long time, but when I lost interest, I lost interest)
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
cheerleading?
lacrosse?
women’s beach volleyball?
nascar?
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
competitive eating?
falconnuke - February 1, 2012
Curling!
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
definitely curling
I’m not even being sarcastic
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
so, random
there’s a brewery in Raleigh with a shuffleboard table in their taproom. I was playing some buddies after a hockey game, and whenever I had the last stone in a round, I told them I had the hammer, and they couldn’t beat me when I had the hammer. I think it freaked them out a little bit. I was amused.
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
That's pretty awesome.
David Hooper - February 1, 2012
The Ponies.
_trey_ - February 2, 2012
Co-sign all of this
kidbourbon - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Well...
most of my baseball fervor is spent on MLB, but I might try to watch some BaseVols games. A Twitter friend, who works for the public radio station at UT, said he was going to interview a Vols catcher who plays the banjo. I’ll let you all know what is revealed!
sddbaker - February 2, 2012
I'm surprised basketball doesnt
beat out soccer and hockey. Soccer? What a snooze fest. Hockey? Everybody else seems to like it but I’m from South FL originally so I couldnt be more disconnected. I played the big 3, but I still cant watch baseball, although I do enjoy an afternoon at the park if I get a chance to see a game live.
cerebralfish - February 2, 2012
soccer rules...
yeah, there aren’t a ton of scores… but to be fair until the modern era American football was the same exact way. And I’ve never seen a basketball crowd come close to what even an average soccer team(outside the US) can do. I also like having an international sport that literally every country plays that doesn’t just result in a US walkover vs. 98% of the teams out there.
I played the big 3, plus wrestling… and I can only watch any game not involving UT or the Braves when its a really close game in the late innings. But with UT or Atlanta, I can watch the entire thing if it stays reasonably close. I also find it disappointing that UT dropped the wrestling program… Tennessee High School wrestling is among the best in the country, and a UT program wouldn’t be lacking for talent.
Caban - February 2, 2012
Knocking soccer?
Pistols at dawn, sirrah. I will not tolerate such.
Chris Pendley - February 2, 2012
soccer is awesome
the World Cup is the best tournament in any sport. I am a little biased because I played through college though.
I’m a Tampa hockey fan, just got into it in the last couple years. I have a 14-game ticket plan to Carolina now that I moved to Raleigh, and hockey live is possibly more fun than any other live sport (although it doesn’t compare to football just in sheer size of the crowd). I’d strongly advise going to a game if you ever end up living near an NHL town. Also, if you’re from South Florida. . . the Panthers are leading their division right now. And of course the Bolts have a Stanley Cup to their name
Incipient_Senescence - February 2, 2012
yeah...
strongly recommend actually attending a Predators game if you are anywhere remotely close to Nashville before totally knocking it. It’s a pretty awesome experience.
Caban - February 2, 2012
From west palm beach, but currently live in johnson city, TN.
I would check a hockey game out live, but the only soccer game I would consider attending would be a women’s soccer game.
cerebralfish - February 3, 2012
I went to a women's soccer game in Charleston
USA vs Mexico. And no one was there and it was kinda boring. But I saw the US men against Trinidad and Tobago at LP Field and the crowd was standing literally the whole 90 minutes. And Jozy Altidore got a hat trick in a 3-0 win. Nashville put up a much better soccer crowd than I was expecting. Small (~30,000), but good.
Incipient_Senescence - February 3, 2012
I wasnt going to the women's game for the crowd atmosphere
or the soccer for that matter.
cerebralfish - February 3, 2012
aaaaaahh. . . a bit slow on the uptake
I hope you watched some of Alex Morgan in the Cup last summer.
Incipient_Senescence - February 3, 2012
I wasnt familiar with her, but she is already my favorite player.
cerebralfish - February 3, 2012
she had a goal in the semi-final and final last year
and the kid’s only 22. what am I doing with my life?
Incipient_Senescence - February 3, 2012
final bit of humor for the night
checked out ASoB’s signing day thread (first bit of humor: ASoB has an NSD thread), and one UK fan claimed that if they can get remotely competent QB play, they (and I am not making this up) should beat UT this year.
I would use this of an example of how far we’ve fallen if I could stop laughing long enough
Incipient_Senescence - February 1, 2012
I tried to go over and make friends on Red Cup Rebellion.
I may have been a tad too sarcastic for some however.
Ben Miller - February 2, 2012
NSD is generally not a good day to befriend RCR.
It’s tough being a Rebel some days.
David Hooper - February 2, 2012
I honestly should have know better.
But one of my buddy’s from high school signed there, and he’s actually really good so I was giving a little insight. Unfortunately I mentioned my Tennessee loyalty mixed with my school, and they did not take kindly to that. Then one thing led to another and names were called, barbs were thrown, and foul language was uttered. So I think they’re really warming up to me.
Ben Miller - February 2, 2012
Ole Miss fans always come off to me as extremely cocky
compared to their level of historical success. They were good from like ‘55-’62, then the late 60’s with Archie.
VolfanatETSU - February 2, 2012
That's funny
Most of the Ole Miss fans I’ve met have been passionate about their team but haven’t been obnoxious, same with most of the students here. But the people on RCR are just a different breed I guess.
Ben Miller - February 2, 2012
Eh, a lot of my first hand experience comes from my Ex's family
who were the most obnoxious fans of any program I’ve ever met so I may be biased :p
VolfanatETSU - February 2, 2012
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