Some things are "necessary evils" when you have roughly 2 months to assemble a staff, try to retain the currently committed recruits you still want, and try to build the rest of the class. I think Kiffin and staff are doing a great job trying to expose these recruits to the "new" Tennessee. I'm sure he's pissed many other coaches off in the process but he's just doing his job and I'm sure that even Meyer would do the same if put in the same shoes. I think it's kinda funny that Saban has reportedly been telling his commits not to visit Tennessee.
I think Gaetrez was making a pun, it's a well known criticism of Urban that he continues to recruit committed players. In fact those who don't like Urban say that he has a goal of convincing several previously committed players to change to the Gators to sort of let you know he's the big dog and you only get what he doesn't want...or something like that. :roll: :roll:
Actually ... I suspect there are a number of "committed" players still being recruited by UF .... both guys committed to UF and those who aren't. We don't really know how many guys who've committed to other schools are still getting calls from UF. UF's chasing Trent Richardson, who's a verbal to Alabama. UF's chasing Teague ... as are UT and Alabama ... and he's a UF verbal. UF's still recruiting Nu'Keese Richardson and Andre Debose who are both UF verbals but are being heavily recruited by UT and FSU, respectively. Also, I think Miami is trying to get Debose to vists this weekend. Unless a guy "shuts it down" and stops listening to the "sales pitch" ... they're fair game. Those types of commits are just "holding a spot" ... but still accepting offers. Problem is, they could get bumped if a school so decides, which for these guys just gives them one less choice.
I think Gaterz was being facetious. That's why the " :wink: " But again, the kid's still making visits...
I agree. If the kid visits he must have some interest and if he visits he should be recruited. Saban didn't want commits visiting UT because Coach Lance Thomas left Alabama a couple of weeks ago for UT after recruiting some of these guys right up to the last minute.
Interesting stuff on Teague. The UF "insiders" seem to think it's a battle between Alabam and UF, with home state UT being back a little at #3.
And that's different for Tennessee fans from this past year, how? I agree that there will be some teams ready and willing to deliver a punch in the nose but overall I think Kiffin has the program heading in the right direction. I think expectations should be kept at a low level for this coming season and for the current recruiting class. However, it doesn't take orange tinted glasses to see brighter days ahead: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...l/01/29/tennessee-salaries/index.html?eref=T1 The Vol Nation is in a bit of an uproar about the Thigpen kid being more or less sent packing. I'm anxious to hear more about this story as it comes to light. Thigpen never wavered from his commitment through the coaching change. There is speculation that he was told he just wouldn't be able to play RB at Tennessee. Most Vol fans wish him great success wherever he decides to end up. If he becomes successful, however, I could see this as a potential mark against Kiffin.
Saw the stuff about Thigpen. And, I see that Dan Mullen is selling him on being MissSt's version of Percy Harvin/Brandon James.
I thought Urban Meyer would be taken to the woodshed by SEC coaches, while his first year wasn't exactly a triumph he wasn't exactly taken to the woodshed either and since then he's been pretty competitive. So with the staff that the Vols have assembled I'd be suprised if you guys don't immediately improve to something like 8 or 9 wins next fall. Terry
Eric Martin committed to NU They must have finished shoveling (or hiding) all the snow by the time he made his visit :wink:
LOL, probably someone familiar with natural search (engine) optimization. Google "nu'keese" and see what you get!!!! BTW ... I though at least guys with "apostrophied" (or "apostrophized"??) surnames would understand?!!
Well his name is right on top that's for sure....but since they picked out this name 18 years ago before google or search engines they were prescient. Nu'Keese is a clan name? Son of Keese?
Preliminary reports out of Knoxville indicate that the big weekend didn't go so well. As they say in recruiting though, it ain't over til the fax lady sings.... However, I'm curbing my optimism a bit considering the limited amount of time that Kiffin and Co. had to recruit.
"nu'keese" Not sure Terry ..... I sort of thought it may be another french term for "nubile young women of majority age"???!! 8) Aquila Any word on Marlon Brown or Brandon Moore?
Jawanza Starling has trimmed his list to 2 schools. ND and USC. He has an teamate at USC no doubt giving them the edge. But he is supposedly interested in academics which would make ND a slam dunk. I'm not confident on ND getting his signature. It would be an upset if his fax arrives in South Bend tomorrow. The Irish also likely to finish 2nd to UCLA for Thigpen. Word is that UCLA told him he had to commit or they wouldn't hold a scholarship for him so he could go past Wed and take a visit to ND. So unlikely he'll risk being shutout at UCLA just so he can take a peak at ND and see if he likes it.