6 Days out from National Signing Day!!! Reminder!!! You're invited to join us live on site as we are doing an unprecedented recruiting Triple Cast at Smoky Mountain Brewery @ Turkey Creek in West Knoxville. When I say we, I mean 3 different radio shows from 3 different radio stations, joining forces all in one spot to serve you the living common fan. I sure do hope that you will make plans to join us as Jason Swain will lead things off in the morning from 7a to 11a followed by yours truly from 11a-3p followed by Russell Smith from 94.3 FM.
Vol Colonel is my guy. This guy is fighting cancer and monitoring the situation at UT with complete aplomb. And he's a wonderful reader of the tea leaves. When I get appreciation from Vol Colonel for the way I'm reading the tea leaves myself, I know I've done good. And VC says to me today, 'kid, ya done good.'
Vol Colonel
'Tony, below is what CBJ said on Finebaum regarding the OC search. I think you were right. It sure sounds like he got blow back about DeBord and now he's trying to ease the guy in on the people.
“Now, it’s to bring somebody to take us to the next level, an expert of the game, someone I’d like to know. I think trust is big in our football program. Chemistry of a staff is very important. We have a lot of great candidates. Obviously, it’s a very attractive position. For us, it’s finding the right fit for us and our program as we continue to move forward.”
“Right now, we’re going through the phase of multi-tasking, trying to finish this last week of recruiting, but looking to fill that spot, find the best fit possible for our football program,” Jones said. “That search is going exceptionally well. I’m going to take my time. It’s all about finding the right fit. The fans want you to hire a resume and all that, but I know what’s best for Tennessee football. I know exactly what we need, and what we need to take the next step. I’m very thankful for Coach Bajakian and what he brought.”
“We’re multi-tasking right now, but everything is about a gut feeling and finding the right fit,” he said. “Everyone wants you to hire this person or that person based off resume, but they have to trust me. I’m the caretaker of Tennessee football. I know what our players need. I know what this coaching staff needs. I know what this program needs, as we continue to move forward. We’re going to get the best coach for Tennessee, and I can assure you that we will get the best of the best.”
- Quotes Courtesy Finebaum
Do you not love VC that CBJ did exactly what I said he would do on the day I called it. That ain't bad, is it. I would like to thank all who choose to help me behind the scenes. You know who you are, and you know I will always protect you.
'X', presented by Smoothie King and Fairways and Greens has you covered today as he tries to figure out some Butch Jones math.
'X' Says
'
If the unsubstantiated rumors have any semblance of truth that Tennessee does indeed have one scholarship left, I have no idea how Butch Jones is going to squeeze any more kids into this class.
I think for now you have to assume at the most Tennessee is working under the auspices they have one to two spots with one may two that are somewhat in flux.
Right now, Tennessee has a small recruiting board but more important than the number of prospects on the board is that each prospect on that board is a prospect you do not turn away.
Tennessee has already encouraged committed prospects to look elsewhere and told kids who privately wanted to commit they simply did not have room. For folks like me that have followed recruiting for years, this is unprecedented.
Of the prospects left. I can't imagine under any circumstance they want to turn any of them away. They may have to.
The small group of remaining targets is not without moving parts.
There is 4 star linebacker
Quarte Sapp. Most of the analysts believe Tennessee has lead all others for Quarte Sapp since early in the 2015 recruiting cycle.
Sapp is a kid I wouldn't want to play cards with. He has kept his close to the vest and has been difficult to get a feel on whether he was coming to Tennessee or heading elsewhere. I think he has been encouraged to show his cards if you catch my drift.
Sapp has allegedly moved up his announcement date up from next Monday to later today. Let’s see if he follows through. He is down to Tennessee, Michigan State, and Missouri. He hasn't visited Missouri. He has been to Tennessee countless times. There is no way Tennessee doesn't accept Sapp's commitment. I think there may have been some conversations between Tennessee and Sapp suggesting if his interest in playing for Tennessee was genuine he should reserve his spot before the weekend.
Pat Allen the 4 star offensive tackle from the Washington DC area. Allen was an odds on favorite to commit to Tennessee in early January.
My understanding is he on different occasions told Tennessee he was Tennessee bound. However, I am not sure he has affirmative enough with his decision to discontinue warming up to the new Georgia offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
Drew Richmond. An introduction of Drew Richmond is unnecessary to any orange-blooded Vol . Richmond has been one of if not Butch Jones' top targets of the 2015 class for over a year. Heck, I remember us chatting about Drew Richmond during Basilio's 2014 signing day Xtravaganza.
I also do not need to recount the high points and low points of the Tennessee-Drew Richmond courtship over the past 12 to 14 months. The important thing are signing day is next Wednesday,
Tennessee is getting Richmond's last official visit, Tennessee has all the momentum, and has a legitimate chance to land Richmond on Wednesday much to the disappointment of Ole Miss and Alabama.
As I write..... X is taking a big bite of crow because I felt like the Tennessee had little if any opportunity of landing Drew Richmond because their relationship seem to fracture this fall. If Butch Jones is able to sign Drew Richmond next Wednesday, well... it may go down as his most impressive signing of his first 3 recruiting classes.
In all honesty, a tip of the cap is warranted for getting Richmond to Tennessee for an official visit on the last visit weekend of the cycle. Impressive. Now, can Tennessee close the deal? The good news is Tennessee has momentum. The bad news . What can Tennessee show him this weekend they haven't showed him during numerous unofficial visits Richmond has taken to campus?
So if Tennessee has two spots left and Sapp takes one what do you do if both Richmond and Allen decide to be Vols? A difficult a decision as this is if it were to happen I remember many a recruiting cycles where Tennessee could best be described as in a scramble mode leading into the last visit weekend. A nice problem to have.
Committed Moving Parts:
Kendall Bussey a running back from Louisiana. My count is
Bussey has been publicly and privately committed to four different schools during this recruiting cycle. He is currently committed to Tennessee. He visited Texas A&M a school he flirted with before committing to Tennessee last fall. A&M's persistence has paid off.
Bussey will be in Knoxville this weekend. Here is hoping Tennessee locks this one down. The problem is Bussey may leave Knoxville firm to Tennessee and then A&M will call and well you know how these things work. This one may go down to who the kid gets off the telephone with last before he sends his fax in on Wednesday.
Venzell Boulware offensive lineman. Boulware is a vastly underrated offensive lineman that Tennessee has battled Georgia and Ohio State for since he committed to Tennessee last fall. Tennessee withstood an official visit to Ohio State last weekend. For some reason though this one concerns me and will be one I will watch until Sara Mitchell tells us Wednesday morning the Boulware fax is in. Distance is a huge factor with the family and Georgia continues their pursuit.
One last item concerning Georgia's recruiting and how it impacts Tennessee. Georgia would like to sign one more offensive lineman in their 2015 class. They have 4 prospects on their board two of which are Boulware, committed to Tennessee, and the aforementioned Pat Allen. I can't see a scenario where both Boulware and Allen both end up and Georgia. The better view is neither one will and both will be Vols. If you are asking me what I think happens on Wednesday..... I think Boulware winds up at Tennessee. Tennessee moves all its cards to the middle of the table for Drew Richmond and Allen unfortunately probably winds up at Georgia.
'X'
X: Will you really be watching Sara Mitchell just to see what she pulls off the fax machine? That is an excellent report from you. Really great stuff. Can't wait to spend tons of air time with you in 6 days during our signing day spectacular. Should be a lot of fun.
On the OC hunt at UT is Butch looking for a 'fit' or the 'best available' or can you get both with one hire?
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Hatfield IX Time:
Hatfield's Nine
'Tony,
We are a couple of days away from what should be one of the more interesting days in recent UT athletics history. Oh, there's also the small matter of the Super Bowl.
1. Tennessee did all the things you need to do to win on the road Tuesday night. They just couldn't get the shot down to force overtime.
2. The NCAA making a trip to Hattiesburg to talk to two specific players brings the investigation into Donnie Tyndall's tenure there into some focus. We'll have a reasonably clear picture of what the 'AA is looking for within a week.
3. Georgia is the stealth team in the SEC. Mark Fox has a veteran team that doesn't beat itself.
4. Anthony Grant has to be feeling the pressure at Alabama. The Crimson Tide simply cannot win close games.
5. James Franklin slithered out of Nashville just before people realized what a cesspool he had created there. Penn State is about to learn a painful lesson regarding the value of due diligence.
6. The big winner of the Super Bowl has already been decided. Once again, Budweiser has produced a commercial that people will remember 20 years from now.
7. The NFL's constant harassment of Marshawn Lynch is heavy handed nonsense. The world isn't diminished if Lynch doesn't participate in the media circus.
8. It's time to put Notre Dame on the list of Final Four contenders. The Irish are an offensive machine.
9. You have to have some sympathy for Trent Johnson. TCU is vastly improved, but the strength of the Big 12 keeps the results from accurately showing their progress.
Keith'
Tee Mail Time:
'Tony,
Meant to tell ya yesterday but...that Goodman was an outstanding guest! Great knowledge and love the way he comported himself. Carvell today, well... Not so much.
As a mid TN listener, your app has been outstanding to have. Really look forward to when Sincy and Beano are on too. Between those guys and your website contributors, it's outstanding! To think, this is something you are doing from your home... Well done Tone! So glad you went on your own 10 years ago! Just wanted to say keep it up!
Telling ya, Tony, you need to do the Swain thing and have a webcast on signing day- you, Sincy and X! Ok, i do kid. But seriously appreciate what you do. Though I subscribe to some Vol websites, I could listen to you and Swain and Russell and read your site and basically get all I need. Also RTI guys do a lot of good work.
But you are the common thread. Have done a commendable job of reaching out to all of those guys and not act like they don't exist. There's strength in unity. We can all learn from that.
Again just wanted to give ya an atta boy Tone!
Les in Midstate,
Les: A correspondence like that waters my soul. The bottom line is that I'm a blessed man to have so many able and capable folks who share the love on here and on the show. We're all having a great time. We don't always get it right....nobody does....But we do try our best to be the eyes and ears of the common fan. It has truly been a rewarding 18 months doing the show out of the Ray Mears Studio. The show is really growing like a weed too. I like to tell folks jokingly that I feel like a 20 year overnight sensation. All kidding aside, thanks for the kind words and I agree on most of the above though you're being a little hard on Michael Carvell. Though even 'X' was ripping him to me on the phone last night.
With signing day 6 days out, here's something that bears study. Look at all the 3 star high school recruits that will start in the Super Bowl for the two elite franchises in the NFL. This is really impressive and sort of surprising. Then again perhaps this is a function of the fact that there are more 3 star players out there than ones with 4 or 5 star designations.
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Congrats to former Vol Abrayo Franklin for landing a coaching job with the 49ers. Big time.
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Here's another great one. Where were Super Bowl MVP's drafted?
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This is great. Don't rush the court when you beat Duke. They're not good enough.
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Uconn won a LEAGUE game last night 87-32 over ECU. A LEAGUE game! What a sport!!
Rough crowd....
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Now, THIS is a GREAT tweet!
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