One of the things that struck me this weekend was something I wrote for a web pubication 2-3 years ago. At the time, the NCAA had changed the recruiting rules so that schools couldn't use their own planes to fly recruits in and out of their official visits. I was thinking about that and wondering if that would have an effect on the Vols ability to recruit considering they recruited so many out of state players and didn't pay a lot of attn. to some of them in-state...almost considering them a "given." Last night, I looked over the Rivals site just to see how they had players rated, who was committed to UT, etc. Out of their top 10, 5 of those players have already committed out of state. #'s 1,3, and 7 to Bama. #6 to FSU, and #9 to Wisconsin. They currently have 3 of the top 10, 2 remaining and the #10 guy doesn't even have UT listed as a team he would consider. So, at best, they will end up with 4 of the top 10 in their state. When you look at 11-15, UT has 1, Ole Miss and Arkansas also have 1. The other two don't have a clear cut favorite. In other words, they are going to lose over half of their top 15 players to out of state schools. A lot of their fan base has been upset with the record on the field the last few years. At one point, I considered the SECE title as something that may take a little heat off of that staff. But, considering how they are losing their in-state recruiting battles, I wonder if that seat that Fulmer is sitting in is any cooler than it has been. I suspect Wisconsin may have it in them to run the ball on UT, almost at will in their bowl game. Does UT get embarrassed, again? I think it is apparent that their "on the field" woes have had a direct effect on their recruiting efforts...at least, the number certainly make it appear that way. On another note, I received a note from a fellow I know in Memphis who said he had heard that 11 of the 19 recruits Arkansas had verbals from are now opening up their commitments. There is some talent in the SEC that is just sitting there, ripe for the taking right now.
Tennessee has never been a team to focus on in state talent as there is not much to choose from. However, they have been probably the best national recruiter other than FSU for the last decade even through some struggles and it is surprising how much it has declined in the past two years. I believe it has more to do with the new coaches in the southeast and how good of recruiters they are, ie) Meyer, Saban, Spurrier, Miles.
That's my one of my points TB3. When the NCAA took away their ability to recruit nationwide (as in you couldn't send a jet to pick them up) you don't see recruits driving a 1000 miles to a recruiting weekend. Now, if they have parents with the $ to afford a visit, yes. What astounds me is they haven't changed their recruiting focus. Letting this many players get out of state doesn't make sense. Their focus, as their fans have told me, is they are focusing on the DL position only. That, floors me.
I was going to mention that. I know Saban, as do most coaches work within a 200 mile area and will look at some nationwide guys that have contacted the University. This seems to be the best route if you are in a talented radius, as Tennessee is. Tennstud is a good recruiter though, he will still get some guys. Wait, I mean Fulmer.
The bastion of anti segregation when it comes to boys. I know Roy from when I lived in Mphs in the 90's. He makes Pauly Shore look like Billy Graham.
Tennessee has done a good job recruiting nationally for top tier talent, but that haven't done so well with mid-teir talent. It seems to me they get a few high 4/5 star type guys, and then a bunch of low 3's. Not to say that they don't get any solid 3/4 star players - just that their distribution isn't as well done as other schools.
