No Visits, No Problem for Tennessee Recruiting

With yesterday’s decision by the NCAA to extend its recuiting dead period another month to June 30th, let’s take a look at a handful of ramifications for Tennessee recruiting:

It goes without saying that, along with Ohio State, Tennessee has flat out owned the COVID-19 imposed dead period.  The Vols have added 14 (!!!) commitments during this time span, including two 5-stars and six 4-stars.  This in turn has rocketed the Vols class ranking to #2 nationally behind only the aforementioned Buckeyes and made Tennessee the talk of college football.  So it goes without saying that, whatever Coach Jeremy Pruitt and his staff – from assistant coaches to the social media and player personnel teams – are doing is working better than what everyone else is doing.  One might therefore argue that an extension of this dead period, where no on-campus visits are allowed, is beneficial to Tennessee’s efforts going forward.  The old “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

Due to the extension of the dead period, several prospects that Tennessee is heavily recruiting won’t be able to take official visits to other schools that were planned for June.  Most importantly among them, instate TE Hudson Wolfe – one of the top priorities on Tennessee’s entire board – was scheduled to take an official visit to Ohio State the weekend of June 12th, when the Buckeyes were set to host Wolfe among at least a dozen of their current commitments.  With that visit off the table – and his mother was set to attend as well having never been to Columbus before – that could hurt OSU (the presumed leader) should Wolfe want to make a decision sooner rather than later.  Especially as Tennessee continues to recruit him harder than ever.  4-star DE Landyn Watson, who just named Tennessee among his final six schools, was set to take an official visit to Virginia Tech the following weekend, but that’s obviously cancelled.  With the Hokies thought to be the leader in that recruitment, this gives Tennessee more time to recruit Watson harder.

On Tuesday, the NCAA also passed a blanket rule lifting the limit on phone and Zoom-type calls for 2021 football recruits during the since-extended dead period.  By pushing that dead period back and month, that’s 30 more days (plus the rest of May) that recruits will be subject to constant harassment from schools if they don’t go ahead and commit somewhere.  Now, obviously, in this day and age a commitment doesn’t mean that schools stop calling, but it certainly slows it down.  It also allows a young man to just turn off his phone for a while since he’s secure knowing he’s got a spot somewhere that he likes and wants to be.  What does that mean?  Maybe nothing.  But it could absolutely accelerate the timeline even further for some prospects who are already tiring of the process.

With 21 commitments already and a board of realistic targets that in all honesty Tennessee would feel good about with about half that amount of pledges, the Vols sit in an enviable position vis a vis supply (of scholarships) and demand (number of elite recruits very much feeling the Vols at the moment).  And with the above changes to the rule, that could put Tennessee in a strong spot over the next 45 (or more) days as more and more recruits feel the urge to shut things down with a commitment.

Speaking of commitments, Tennessee looks to be in a very strong position to pick up #22 when TE Miles Campbell from South Paulding High in Douglasville, GA announces his decision Monday May 18th.  Campbell, already up to 6’4 and 235 pounds vs. his listed 6’3 220, will be celebrating just his 17th birthday the day of his commitment, making him pretty young relative to his grade.  That leaves even more room for physical growth for a young man who displays a tremendous amount of speed and body control for someone his size.  Campbell, who has offers from Auburn, Florida, North Carolina and Michigan among others, also shows the kind of willingness to block and take on contact (even as a ball carrier from the Wildcat on a few occasions) that is needed along with the pass-catching skills for what Tennessee wants in a TE.  With Tennessee in need of two Tight Ends in this class, Wolfe will absolutely have right of first refusal for the second spot if Campbell does indeed commit to the Vols.  If he decides to head elsewhere though, the Vols do have a nice board behind him.  Tennessee is in great shape with Jumbo ATH Trinity Bell from Albertville, AL, and appears to have a lead on instate Auburn.  The catch with Bell is that, at 6’7 and 250 pounds, he’s projectable at multiple positions from OT to DE along with TE.  So in theory the Vols could take a commitment from Bell and still have a TE spot open.  Tennessee is also right at the top for the #1 JUCO TE in the country in Quentin Moore and is competing with homestate Washington – the Huskies may have the lead for Moore but Tennessee is right there with them.  Finally, there is 4-star Nevada native Moliki Matavao, who has a top 6 that includes Tennessee, Washington (see above with Moore), UGA (who is more focused on Brock Bowers), Penn State (where he’s never visited), Oregon and UCLA.  Matavao visited Knoxville last year and appears to hold Tennessee in high regard, along with apparently having a relationship with star LB Henry To’o To’o.  Finally, of course, Tennessee also has commitments from two Dee Beckwith clones in Roc Taylor and Julian Nixon, who could both project as Hybrid WR/TEs

As long as Tennessee continues recruiting like it has been for the last 4-6 weeks or so, no one in Knoxville is going to complain about an extension of the dead period.  And with the upcoming commitment of Campbell next Monday along with a handful of other prospects who could be on the verge of pledging to the Vols, look for Coach Pruitt and Tennessee to continue to take full advantage and put on more steam.  They have proven that no matter the condition they are prepared to outwork, out-evaluate, and outdo the rest of the SEC and, frankly the rest of the college football world.

UT Commitment Edwin White Confident in His Talents

Had a chance to interview Tennessee 2021 DB commitment Edwin White last week.  White, from Mobile, AL, was offered by Coach Pruitt as a freshman in high school withing week of Jeremy Pruitt taking the Tennessee job and committed to the Vols in early March after a Junior Day visit.  Check out what the uber-confident defensive playmaker had to say below.

Q: What’s your current height and weight?

A: “6’0.5, 196 pounds”

Q: “ You were offered way back when Coach Pruitt took the Tennessee job, correct?  Talk about that relationship

A: “I talk to them every day.  I’m close with all the staff, really.”

Q: “How many times have you been to Tennessee’s campus?  Talk about the experience

A: “I’ve been on three visits.  Just a chill vibe, and it always feels like home there.”

Q: Do you feel like you’re going to be a leader for your team?  If so, what kind of leadership qualities do you bring?

A: “Yes sir.  I bring commitment, determination, and relentlessness.  I lead by example with those things but I’m also vocal with my guys.”

Q: Do you play any other sports?  Talk about those and how you think competing in multiple sports helps you on the gridiron.

A: “I’ve played basketball, soccer, and run track…hurdles my freshman year.  They wanted me to play baseball, too.  Playing all of those sports kept me in shape, but I might not have time for any of them except football this coming season.”

Q: What have you been doing workout wise during the shutdown?

A: “Ive been working on agility, strength and speed.  I’ve got a spot I can work out with my trainer.”

Q: I saw you tweeted that you knew Dylan Brooks was going to commit to Tennessee for about a week.  How well do you know Dylan?

A: “(Laughs).  Yeah, I know him pretty well.  We were supposed to play his team in the playoffs last season, but they lost.  I also know Juju (Julian Nixon) well too.  We’ve got a group chat with some of the commitments – Jordan (Moseley), Dylan, Kamar (Wilcoxson), Juju, Walker (Merrill), Roc (Taylor), (Jaylen) Wright, and Jay Jones.  We’re working on Lewis right now.”*

Q: Tennessee has five commitments now from the state of Alabama.  Why do you think Pruitt and Tennessee are having so much success there this cycle?

A: “The coaches just communicate a lot and build relationships.  They talk about more than just football, which isn’t the same as other schools.  More like a family.”

Q: Any other schools still contacting you?

A: “Kansas, UCF, South Carolina…Georgia texts me some too.”

Q: Which schools do you plan to see after the shutdown ends?

A: “I’ll probably try to see Georgia again.”

Q: You also tweeted, ‘No disrespect to the class of 2020 or 2021 safeties but y’all stats don’t come close to mine at all. These ranking and stars don’t mean nothing and the people who are doing them never got on that field.’  Do you feel like you’re underrated?  I mean, you had 9 picks, 6 PBUs, 4 fumble recoveries, 4 TFLs and a blocked FG just last season.  Do you think that’s because analysts question your top-end speed? 

A: “(Laughs) And 79 tackles, too.  Of course.  Look at the stats.  If you take some of the top 2020 safeties and corners, like (Texas A&M signee) Jalen Jones or (UGA 5-star signee Kelee) Ringo, or the top 2021 safety from Florida (James Williams)…they’re stats don’t compare to mine.  When I was at Georgia’s camp last year it was just me and Ringo taking all the reps and I did as well or better than him. Am I slow?  I’m a kick returner.  Ask other teams about me.  It all comes down to guarding the guy opposite you.”

Q: How does that motivate you?

A: “Just to be better.  But once you get to college things like rankings don’t matter anymore.”

Q: You mentioned potentially visiting Georgia.  How hard would it be for someone to steal you from Tennessee?”

A: Pretty hard, I don’t think it’s really possible.  They’d just have to really show me they want me more than Tennessee does, or Tennessee would have to lose a bunch of coaches or something like that.”

Q: Lastly, anything else fans should know about you?

A: “Just that I’m ambidextrous (laughs again)”

White is clearly a very confident young man.  Genial but with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder when talking about his competition, he’s the kind of player Coach Pruitt and Coach Ansley love and a prospect you can probably put in the “Underrated 3-star” and feel good about him outperforming that ranking if recruiting services don’t catch up with Tennessee like they did with guys like Jimmy Calloway last cycle.  White is all about competition and showing what he’s got on the field.  He’s got a longer relationship with Pruitt than most recruits, so Tennessee fans should feel fairly confident in his commitment sticking even if he does end up being offered by and visiting places like Georgia, but that will be something to keep an eye on for an important part of Tennessee’s secondary class.

*Interview was conducted on Wednesday, April 29th before Lewis committed on Thursday April 30th and of course the subsequent run that continued

Stories of the Decade: All We Have to Do Is Beat Kentucky

If 2014 South Carolina is the decade’s most rewatchable game, 2011 Cincinnati remains one of its most rewatchable offensive performances. Tyler Bray went for 400+ yards, Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter each had 10 catches for 100+ yards, and all three were playing just the second game of their sophomore seasons. It’s worth repeating: other than everything from the first half of 2016, no performance of the 2010’s made you feel like we were closer to being back than walking out of that Cincinnati game.

It made Justin Hunter’s ACL tear on the opening drive at Florida that much harder. Then Bray broke his thumb at the end of an eight-point loss to Georgia. Then the Vols faced #1 LSU, #2 Alabama, #9 South Carolina, and #8 Arkansas four of the next five weeks.

That part went about how you’d think; in hindsight it’s interesting to note the difference between Derek Dooley’s injury-plagued second team getting blown out by Top 10 teams and Butch’s last/Pruitt’s first teams getting blown out by Missouri and Vanderbilt. But in the moment in 2011, it felt like rock bottom from a competitiveness standpoint.

The building frustration led to Thumbwatch 2011; there was a great clip I can’t find anymore where Dooley, clearly tired of being asked about Bray’s health multiple times a week, just exclaimed, “He’s got a broken thumb!” When I get asked the same question too many times, that quote still plays in my head.

But Bray got the green light to return against Vanderbilt. This was James Franklin’s first season in Nashville, and after getting blown out by #12 South Carolina and #2 Alabama, Vandy only lost to Georgia by five, Arkansas by three, and Florida by five. Bowl eligibility was on the table for both teams.

2011 Vanderbilt is one of those games that wouldn’t matter much if Tennessee was “back”, but was really good in its moment, then lost so much of its meaning because of what we’re actually here to talk about today. The Vols went up 7-0 early, Vandy missed a field goal, then Bray threw an interception on the very next play. But he connected with Rogers on a beautiful third down touchdown pass to put Tennessee back in front 14-7.

We’re going along nicely from there, still up 14-7 with 3rd-and-goal with five minutes left in the third quarter. But Bray was pick-sixed, changing the complexion of the entire game. Vanderbilt took the lead three minutes into the fourth quarter. Tennessee made an epic 13-play drive to tie it again, capped by a fourth-and-goal touchdown from Bray to Rogers on a one-handed grab. And Prentiss Wagner ended Vanderbilt’s threat in regulation with an interception at the 35 yard line.

Well-acquainted with post-whistle shenanigans working against us the year before, this time the Vols caught the right break in overtime:

So now, the Vols are 5-6. More importantly, you can still believe the things you wanted to believe after the Cincinnati game: with a healthy Bray and Justin Hunter set to return next fall, this team could be all the things you wanted them to be. Maybe we’d even get a shot at redemption in the Music City Bowl as a nice consolation prize. Things were looking up: injuries took it from us in 2011, but we could really be back in 2012.

#6: All we have to do is beat Kentucky

Tennessee had beaten Kentucky 26 years in a row, at the time the longest-active streak in the nation among annual rivals, and the longest in the history of the SEC (since broken by Florida vs Kentucky at 31 years until 2018). Unlike Vanderbilt, which played in zero bowl games during Tennessee’s 22-year win streak from 1983-2004, Kentucky made the postseason eight times during those 26 years of losing to Tennessee, including the last five seasons in a row.

But they would not be going bowling in 2011. A 2-0 start and a close loss to Louisville were followed by blowouts. Florida won by 38, LSU by 28, South Carolina by 51. In November they did beat Houston Nutt’s final Ole Miss squad, then lost to Vanderbilt by 30. The week before playing the Vols they were feisty in Athens, losing to Georgia 19-10.

That loss knocked them to 4-7 and broke the bowl streak. Rich Brooks revitalized the Cats, who hadn’t made a bowl game since a two-year run with Tim Couch in 1998 and 1999. But Brooks led them to four straight seven-or-eight win seasons from 2006-09, including the memorable 2007 group who beat #9 Louisville and #1 LSU before falling to the Vols in four overtimes.

The rise under Brooks (and subsequent 6-6 campaign in Joker Phillips’ first year) made the Tennessee series closer, but didn’t change the outcomes. In those 26 years, only eight Tennessee-Kentucky games were decided by a single possession, and three of those came in 2006, 2007, and 2009. The Vols made memorable comebacks against Kentucky in 1995 and 2001. In between, including all the games against Tim Couch, the Vols won 56-10, 59-31, 59-21, 56-21, and 59-20. It’s like we were trying to make them so similar.

Sometimes I find that we talk about the current state of the Florida series the way Kentucky talks about us: either “surprise” blowouts, or an unbelievable sequence of events we can sum up in just a few words. Alex Brown. Gaffney. Clausen in the rain. 4th-and-14. The hail mary.

For us, they are particularly cruel and unusual mistakes. For Florida, it’s simply “finding a way to win.” For Kentucky against the Vols in the 2010’s, there’s a 21-0 lead with Jared Lorenzen, still tied for the third-biggest comeback in Tennessee history. A nine-point lead in Knoxville with 12 minutes to play in 2004, swiftly undone by (checks notes) Rick Clausen. There are any number of moments in the 2007 game, from the one yard line on the last play of regulation to just making a 34-yard field goal in double overtime. No Tennessee win has been of greater consequence in the last 13 years.

Even after the events of 2011 and 2017, when the Vols were somehow +4 in turnovers and completed a hail mary on the last play of the game but still lost, I’d imagine this mindset still creeps in for Kentucky fans. The 2017 game was almost a relief for us, the final nail for Butch Jones. But the last two years haven’t produced the results Kentucky fans had in mind against Jeremy Pruitt: blown out in 2018 with their best team since the 1970’s, turned away at the goal line in Lexington last fall. Kentucky still hasn’t won in Knoxville since 1984.

All that to say this: in 2011, you fully expected to beat Kentucky. But you especially expected to beat Kentucky on the heels of that win over Vanderbilt, when Kentucky is playing a wide receiver at quarterback.

Stats of interest from the box score:

  • Matt Roark: 4-of-6, 15 yards
  • Total Yards: Tennessee 276, Kentucky 215
  • Penalties: Tennessee 5-for-32, Kentucky 11-for-85

And yet.

Kentucky “drove” 62 yards in 15 plays to kick a field goal on their opening drive. Early in the second quarter, they blocked a field goal. On Tennessee’s next drive, the Vols had 4th-and-4 at the UK 31, went for it, and failed to convert. So the Cats led 3-0 at the break, but after that first drive had four punts on three three-and-outs. They opened the second half with another one, Bray was intercepted at his own 34-yard line, then Kentucky went four-and-out. The Vols punted. Three-and-out again.

When we say the Vols got beat by a wide receiver playing quarterback, it’s really the insult after the injury. Roark did his job in not turning the ball over. He did almost nothing else. But on 2nd-and-goal with six minutes left in the third quarter, and the Vols finally ready to quit screwing around…they fumbled. And Kentucky made one drive, including a 26-yard Roark scramble on 3rd-and-12, that found the end zone. The Cats led 10-0 with 14 minutes to play.

I still wasn’t worried. It’s Kentucky. And three plays later, Bray and Rajion Neal connected for a 53-yard touchdown pass. Word. Everything is back on.

Kentucky, as you’d expect, went three-and-out. But Bray was sacked on first down, and the Vols punted back. Kentucky got one first down and punted again. This time the Vols failed to convert a 3rd-and-4, punting it back from their own 26 yard line with 4:34 to go. And one more time, Tennessee’s defense produced a three-and-out. That’s eight for the game.

Needing a field goal to tie, Tennessee got the ball at their own 28 with 2:35 to go. Bray and Rajion Neal connected again, this time on 3rd-and-10, to move the ball to the Vol 41.

But two plays later Bray was sacked again. And then on 4th-and-17, he threw an interception.

It still feels surreal.

Joe Rexrode had a really good story on Derek Dooley and Daniel Hood in The Athletic this week. With almost a decade of hindsight, I’m not sure Dooley did any better or worse than a reasonable expectation of the guy who went 17-20 at Louisiana Tech and took over in mid-January. The biggest what-ifs with him are after this game, many of them named Sal Sunseri. But this is the game that made all those what-ifs carry so much extra weight. Losing to Kentucky – to this Kentucky team – cashed in any reserve goodwill he had. Tennessee fans really wanted him to work for a long time because he wasn’t Lane Kiffin. And the 2011 season in particular was full of so many legitimate reasons for the benefit of the doubt between the schedule and the injuries.

But none of that matters when you lose to Kentucky in the last game of the year, a bitter aftertaste that removed any benefit of all the doubt to come. A fun night against NC State led to a flickering moment of real hope against the Gators two weeks later, the Vols back in the Top 25 and ahead of Florida midway through the third quarter. But that lead vanished in quick and brutal fashion. The Vols were close a number of times against the rest of the 2012 schedule. But close wasn’t nearly enough, most especially because of what happened in this game the year before. The weight of the Kentucky loss carried over everything else to come for Derek Dooley, ultimately ushering in a new regime.

This loss meant a lot for Dooley’s career, but hasn’t changed much in the series overall, or Tennessee’s fortune as a program. The Cats are still trying to beat Tennessee. And the Vols are still trying to get back.

More in this series:

#10: Are you sure the referees have left the field?

#9: A Smokey Gray Almost

#8: How will we remember Georgia State?

#7: Josh Dobbs Ignites


Malachi Bennett On Tennessee’s Radar

Had a chance to catch up with Tennessee WR target the other day. The Birmingham-area standout talked about what he’s been doing during the shutdown, the current status of his recruitment, and more below.

Q: What’s your current height and weight?

A: “I’m 6’2, 185 pounds.”

Q: Tell me about your game as a WR.  What are your strengths and what are the major things you think you need to work on?

A: “ My strengths are attacking the ball, my jumping ability, and route running.  I’ve been working a lot on using my hands to get separation from DBs.”

Q: Do you feel like you’re going to be a leader for your team?  If so, what kind of leadership qualities do you bring?

A: “Yes sir.  I bring motivation to my teammates on and off the field.  And I’m big on showing younger guys the right way to do things.”

Q: Do you play any other sports?  Talk about those and how you think competing in multiple sports helps you on the gridiron.

A: “I play basketball, Small Forward.  It’s helped with my leaping ability.”

Q: What have you been doing workout wise during the shutdown?

A: “Drills, cone work, weights, and just a lot of running.”

Q: “How many times have you been to Tennessee’s campus?  Talk about the experience

A: “A lot, I think maybe six or seven times.  The facility really stands out.  The coaches just really treat you like you’re at home.  I’ve been to one game, UAB last season.”

Q: Who is your main recruiter on the Tennessee staff?

A: “Coach Niedermeyer has been recruiting me, but Coach Tee and I talk almost every day.  We talk about personal stuff, football stuff, school.  He’s just trying to get to know me better as a person.”

Q: What do you make of the recent run the Vols have been on?

A: “It shows me they’re doing a good job getting players.”

Q: Tennessee signed Reginald Perry from Fairfield Prep just this past February.  Do you know him well and what’s he told you about Tennessee?

A: “Yes, sir, we’re pretty close.  He said he loves it there, that’s it’s a real brotherhood, and that he loves the coaches.”

A couple of days after we spoke, Bennett put out a Top 8 of Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, UAB and Louisville and Kentucky.  He’s been to all of those campuses except Texas A&M, but he plans to see the Aggies as soon as the visit moratorium is up along with getting back to Tennessee, Georgia (where he’s been for a game but not a campus tour) and likely the rest again as well.  With Tennessee having recently gotten a commitment from Julian Nixon, the Vols now have four pass-catchers on their commitment list, so even if the Vols weren’t a ball of fire on the recruiting trail and likely more to come spots at WR would be at a premium.  Tennessee continues to try with 4-star Donte Thornton from Baltimore and Deion Colzie from Athens, GA, though both look like longshots at the moment.  At the same time, the Vols remain in the mix for a solid prospect like JJ Jones from Myrtle Beach, SC and is trying to get involved with recent Florida decommitment Breshard Smith, who at 6’3 and 5’8 respectively certainly are different types of players, with Jones obviously more of a “big WR” like Tennessee already has committed in Nixon and Roc Taylor.  The Vols are also very much in the mix for speedster Malcolm Johnson from VA who boasts an offer list as impressive as his track times. Bennett’s physical profile is more in between those two, and seems like a good fit with what the Vols have already brought in.  Just from the amount of time he’s spent on Rocky Top and his relationship it’s easy to see that he’s got a lot of familiarity with and fondness for Tennessee.  Should the Vols decide to push for him it’s clear that they would have a very good chance, although he is definitely impressed with the UGA offer and the Dawgs in particular will get a shot to impress him on a visit if they want to.  At the same time, he’s not in any hurry and doesn’t seem to be swayed by all of the momentum Tennessee has right now.  So, this could be a case where it’s best for both sides to let things play out and see what the landscape looks like in a few months.  In the meantime, don’t be surprised to see Bennett continue to pick up more offers – potentially from the instate powers – as his film is impressive as is his off the field personality.

Stories of the Decade: Josh Dobbs Ignites

It’s not on our countdown, but one of the best moments for Tennessee football in a decade full of lesser options came in early 2016: Peyton Manning beat Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game, won his second Super Bowl, and rode off into the sunset.

Manning had been Tennessee’s greatest hero for two decades. Not only did he rewrite SEC and NFL record books, he played 18 seasons at the game’s highest level. Thirteen of Tennessee’s NFL Draft picks taken during Manning’s NFL career made the Pro Bowl: Al Wilson, Jamal Lewis, Shaun Ellis, Chad Clifton, Travis Henry, John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Jason Witten, Scott Wells, Dustin Colquitt, Jerod Mayo, Eric Berry, and Cordarrelle Patterson. Arian Foster, a fantasy football god, makes 14.

Jamal won a Super Bowl in 2000 and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 (the same year Manning and Steve McNair split the MVP). Witten made 11 Pro Bowls; only 15 players (including Manning) have ever made more. Berry made five, and would’ve made more if healthy.

But no one ever came close to Manning, in accolades and in popularity among Vol fans. Some of it was the nature of playing quarterback, and the absence of any other NFL starter from Tennessee after him. Some of it was simply Manning.

By the time he retired, the Vols had been in the wilderness for seven years. No offense to Nathan Peterman – we’ll get to him in a minute, actually – but no Vol quarterback had taken meaningful snaps as a starter in the NFL since Peyton. Tee Martin, Erik Ainge, and Jonathan Crompton were all fifth round picks. Tyler Bray, once thought to have the brightest NFL future of any Vol QB since Manning, ultimately went undrafted (but has found stability and success as a backup with the Chiefs and Bears the last seven years).

For a Vol quarterback seeking this kind of long-term legacy, the shoes to fill are large, and have been largely empty since Manning. And into all that stepped a sophomore quarterback we weren’t prepared to expect much of.

#7: Josh Dobbs Ignites

Speaking of unfair expectations, Josh Dobbs’ first collegiate action came against Alabama, Missouri, and Auburn in 2013. Those three teams finished the year ranked seventh, fifth, and second. Dobbs had some excitement around him because he was clearly a different athlete than Justin Worley, who was knocked out of the Alabama game immediately following a surge of optimism against Georgia and South Carolina. And the freshman Dobbs did his best against those odds. He was unable to lead a touchdown drive against Missouri, and the points Tennessee did score against Auburn (23) were quickly overwhelmed by the Tigers’ (55).

And then came one of the first crossroad games for Butch Jones: James Franklin’s final Vanderbilt team, with the Vols at 4-6 and still alive for bowl eligibility. These Commodores would finish the season ranked, and Franklin got the job in Happy Valley. Vanderbilt earned its second win over Tennessee since 1982 the year before in Derek Dooley’s last game; that kind of loss tends not to sting as much from our perspective. But this contest carried real weight for both sides.

Dobbs threw an interception on his first pass attempt, putting the Vols in a 7-0 hole. The Vols went three-and-out on their next two drives, wasting great field position after their own interception. Marquez North was out with an injury. And Tennessee really stayed away from the pass after that.

Dobbs’ final stat line in this game is 11-of-19 (57.9%) for 53 yards (2.8 yards per attempt) with two interceptions. But it was actually even worse than that: Vanderbilt’s infamous 92-yard drive to take the lead with 16 seconds left gave the Vols a few heaves downfield. Dobbs completed two passes against prevent coverage for 14 and 23 yards in those last 16 seconds, then was incomplete on the final play of the game. So before the final drive, Dobbs was 9-of-16 (56.3%) for 16 yards. I think you can handle the YPA math on that.

Something we found ourselves saying some leading up to the 2016 season about Dobbs’ ceiling – do they trust him enough to throw it downfield enough to win? – was first a topic of conversation about his floor. When you have that kind of performance in a crucial game against any Vanderbilt team, you find your way to an assumption from the fan base: this guy isn’t the answer.

Justin Worley was back for his senior season, Riley Ferguson transferred after spring practice, and Tennessee did not sign a quarterback in its (otherwise massively successful) 2014 class. Four-stars Quinten Dormady and Sheriron Jones would come in the next year, setting the stage for competition after Worley left.

I probably led the league in word count in defending Justin Worley in the first half of the 2014 season, so no need to revisit all that. But kudos to that kid for standing back there behind the greenest of offensive lines, which eventually led to him getting knocked out for the season for the second year in a row.

By that point, the Vols had missed a critical opportunity for the second time under Butch Jones: first Vanderbilt to stay bowl eligible in 2013, then perhaps the Gators at their lowest point since we started playing them every year in 2014. Tennessee imploded in the red zone, lost 10-9, and a lot of momentum Jones had built through recruiting fell by the wayside. After a win over Chattanooga, back-to-back top five opponents from Ole Miss and Alabama compounded the problem.

Against the Tide, Nathan Peterman got the start. With a fist-pumping Lane Kiffin on the sideline, Alabama scored a touchdown on its first snap and raced to an unbelievable 27-0 lead just 18 minutes into the game. In the stadium and probably elsewhere, you felt like they might go for 100 points and 1,000 yards.

Peterman gave way to Dobbs, whose first three drives ended in two punts and a fumble. And to be sure, Bama’s defense probably relaxed up 27-0. But Dobbs worked a 10-play, 84-yard drive to get the Vols on the board, then Aaron Medley knocked home three to make it 27-10 at the break.

And then, from the archives at Rocky Top Talk:

In between the Vol defense stopped the Tide on its opening drive of the third quarter, setting up this from Dobbs:  3rd and 7 complete to Marquez North for 22, 3rd and 2 to Ethan Wolf for 10, 3rd and 8 on his own with a brilliant 15 yard pump fake scramble, then another 3rd and goal at the 9 and another touchdown as Von Pearson hit the brakes and they flew right by.

Tennessee didn’t complete the comeback, falling 34-20 after cutting Bama’s lead to 27-17 at that point. But Dobbs erased the memories from Vanderbilt and put possibility on the table. You only had to wait a week to cash it in.

I’ve called this Tennessee’s most rewatchable game of the decade a number of times. Unlike the options from 2016 that carry mixed amounts of frustration for what that season didn’t become, this game – as an incredible team performance, insane comeback, and the genesis of Josh Dobbs as the Tennessee quarterback of the decade – is pure joy. Honestly, Tennessee’s wild comeback against Indiana in the Gator Bowl is probably underrated because this one happened just five years earlier. The after-midnight-but-hey-it’s-daylight-savings! postgame is one of my favorite things I’ve ever written.

In his next-to-last start in 2013 against Vanderbilt, Dobbs was 9-of-16 for 16 yards and two interceptions before facing the prevent defense, plus 11 carries for 23 yards.

In his first start in 2014 at South Carolina, Dobbs was 23 of 40, 301 yards (7.5 YPA), 2 TD, 1 INT.  Plus 24 carries, 166 yards, 3 TD on the ground.

We found our quarterback.

More in this series:

#10: Are you sure the referees have left the field?

#9: A Smokey Gray Almost

#8: How will we remember Georgia State?

A New Hope: Some May the 4th Vols Recruiting Thoughts

Not much else to add on last week’s legitimately historic recruiting run other than that it appears that it’s not quite over yet.  The most important thing is not just the number of commitments and not even the rankings – though adding two 5-stars in one-week is incredible enough – but the competition Tennessee is besting to land these players.  We’ve talked ad nauseum about how Tennessee has to win more recruiting battles for elite players against elite programs in order to take the next step from 7-8 wins to being legitimately in the championship conversations.  And more than a few of the Vols commitments before last week were examples of those types of wins.  But to almost double your commitment total in one week with 100% of those players representing those types of recruiting wins is really something.  It’s the kind of thing that accelerates a rebuild from a step-by-step, multiple season sort of thing to something much quicker and more sustainable

Everyone who follows recruiting knows that even in a normal recruiting cycle there are always decommitments – guys who flip to another school and guys who are recruited over.  In this unique 2021 cycle, with Zoom calls and enhanced Twitter graphics replacing on-campus visits and coaches on the road, the odds of decommitments likely goes much higher.  Given that strong possibility, expect Coach Pruitt and Tennessee to continue to push the pedal to the metal when it comes to adding more and more elite talent.  From this perspective it wouldn’t even be shocking to see Tennessee have more than 25 commitments at some point in the cycle and then let the chips fall where they may.  Sometimes you just have to maximize your opportunity, and this appears to be one for Tennessee when it comes to recruiting momentum.  And for a coach who’s attempted multiple onsides kicks and likes to blitz regardless of down and distance, Pruitt simply strikes as someone who is going to make the most of this while he can, especially given that there remains a talent gap between Tennessee and the Alabamas and LSUs of the college football world.

All that said, there doesn’t appear to be much if any “fat” on the current commitment list, and it’s pretty clear that anyone being added from here on out will be an elite prospect.  So along with the question of how to continue to add bigtime commitments is the question of how to keep this class intact as much as is realistically possible.  With the caveat that Pruitt needs zero recruiting tips from anyone let alone the author, it seems prudent to be, in parallel with continuing to do whatever the heck he and his staff have been doing during this shutdown, planning for what happens when on-campus visits are allowed.  Contingencies will of course need to be made depending on when that exactly is, but the first priority should be getting as many of these commitments to Knoxville immediately.  That is, before they visit anywhere else.  Tennessee has had success with themed weekends over the last two summers, with a pool party and paintball tournament that both resonated with prospects.  Ideally the Vols will be able to host something similar before the season starts, but whatever it is the staff should be trying to lock down dates for these commitments to visit, perhaps even for an invitation-only commitment-only type event.  There are already text chains, and probably Zoom calls too, among the commitments.  But getting them to campus, particularly if it can be done all together with a bunch of hype, would go a long way towards making these guys even firmer in their respective commitments. 

With today’s commitment of Colby Smith, the Vols now have their first pledge from an Offensive Lineman in the class.  After signing two 5-star OTs in the 2019 class – both of whom project to be starters in 2020 after getting a ton of playing time their freshman season – Tennessee went Interior OL heavy in the 2020 class.  There is of course always a need for high quality OTs, and Smith is definitely that, which makes him a great start.  At 6’7 and 300 pounds he’s got perfect size for an OT to go with high level athleticism, and the presence of a veteran group of OTs will enable him to ease his way into the rotation in the future. But the Vols – who theoretically don’t have a ton of spots remaining (caveat: see 2nd paragraph above) – definitely need to fill out the rest of the OL and DL class.   Tennessee is in solid shape for instate OL Dietrick Pennington from Memphis and William Parker from Nashville, and is also battling for bigtime Peach State native Dylan Fairchild. Diego Pounds, an OT from North Carolina, is also very much in play. And Tennessee has also tendered an offer to OT Hugh Laughlin, who hails from the same high school in Athens, GA as 2020 signee Len’neth Whitehead. So the Vols have options on the OL.  On the DL,  top targets include Jahvaree Ritzie, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Payton Page, Jamond Gordon (a JUCO early enrollee), Leonard Taylor, and Katron Evans.  Tennessee is deep in the mix for that entire list of players, with Taylor being the longest shot at the moment.  Evans is tentatively set to commit this coming Sunday along with his teammate 4-star LB Aaron Willis, both of whom hail from Baltimore’s St Frances Academy from which 2020 signee Dominic Bailey just graduated.  Tennessee appears to be in very good shape for both Willis and Evans, a 4-star interior DL at 6’4 and 320 pounds.  So, yeah, the Vols have set themselves up to meet needs on both lines of scrimmage, too.

Quickly from a future facing perspective, not only could the Vols land two or maybe even three players from St Frances in 2021 (the third being 4-star LB Jamon Dumas Johnson) to go with Bailey, but Tennessee has also already offered 5 players at the school from the 2022 class. TE Coach Joe Osovet, who has been working the DC/Maryland/Virginia/Pennsylvania area incredibly hard, is not only starting to see success in 2021 but could be setting the Vols up for even more success down the road in what is simply put, in the most complementary way, a football factory.

Vol fans are going to have to navigate Mother’s Day a little carefully this year, as not only are Willis and potentially Evans scheduled to commit but so is 4-star and 247 Sports Top 100 player QB Kaidon Salter. All signs point to Salter picking the Vols, so between those three (at least!) Tennessee fans will have to be sure to not offend anyone by checking their phones throughout the day 🙂

Would it be surprising to see the Vols go without another commitment between Colby Smith today and the Mother’s Day Three this Sunday? At this point…yep.

A Heater

What else can be said about the week that Tennessee has had on the recruiting trail?  Statistical analysis shows that there is no such thing as momentum in sports.  Well, since Sunday, when 5-star LB Dylan Brooks decided on the Vols, he’s been joined by the following:

4-star DB Kamar Wilcoxson

4-star WR Julian Nixon

#1 JUCO RB Tiyon Evans

5-star LB Terrence Lewis

Further, Tennessee appears to have serious juice – as in possibly impending commitments – with 4-star RB Cody Brown, 4-star ATH Kaemen Marley as well as 4-star QB Kaidon Salter, 4-star LB Aaron Willis, and his high school teammate 4-star DL Katron Evans, the three of whom have commitment dates set for May 10th. 

The Vols still have needs in this class, for sure, even if they sweep the group above.  Those are particularly clear on the OL and DL, where the class currently has zero and two commitments, respectively.  In particular, at DL an emphasis likely needs to be put on bigtime JUCO prospects like Jamond Gordon, Marquis Brown, and Zykevious Strong given the fact that the Vols are set to lose at least seven DL after the 2020 season. But the boards at both positions have a multitude of bigtime prospects on them, and at this point every single elite recruit in the country is taking notice.  At the same time, with 15 commitments on board already, in theory there are only 10 spots left in this class, which means maybe the Vols have to be slow down this commitment rush.

Prediction: Pruitt and Co. are going to ride this momentum as long as it lasts. I expect them to be position agnostic (i.e., not say, well we’re full at this spot so we won’t take another elite talent there).  I also expect them, to a large degree, to not care about “the numbers” either.  It is of course only very late April, and we all know how things can change in recruiting even in normal years.  There will likely be decommitments from the current Tennessee list, and at the same time there will be players Tennessee covets that are currently committed elsewhere who will shake loose over the next several months.  So don’t expect Pruitt, who plays the recruiting game as well or better than any Head Coach in America, to hamstring himself by worrying about positions and the 25-scholarship rule.  He knows that in order to win at the highest level you have to collect as much elite, future NFL talent as you can.  Then of course you have to develop them and coach well during the games, but he and this staff have proven they can do those two things already in his first two seasons in Knoxville.  So just like Jeffrey Tambor tells his future son-in-law in The Hangover, you never walk away from a heater.  Expect Pruitt and Tennessee to follow that advice and keep putting on more steam. 

Hugh Laughlin an OL on the Rise

Offensive Lineman Hugh Laughlin from Athens Academy in Athens, GA received an offer from Tennessee last week, capping off a month in which he added double-digit offers from the likes of Florida State and Ole Miss among others. We had a chance to catch up with him and get a sense of where he is in his recruitment and what he thinks about the Vols:

Q: What’s your current height and weight?

A: “I’m 6’6, 285.”

Q: And what weight did you play at last season?

A: “ I played at around 260.”

Q: You’re new to the Offensive Tackle position, right?  Talk about that transition and how you think your experience at Tight End helps.

A: “Yes sir, I transitioned over recently.  First, blocking at Tight End is almost all going forward, so blocking as an Offensive Lineman involves very different movements.  So I’ve been working on my pass drops a ton.  But when I was a Tight End I was always blocking on the end of the line so I guess I was used to that a little bit already.”

Q: Do you feel like you’re going to be a leader for your team?  If so, what kind of leadership qualities do you bring?

A: “Yes sir, I do. I plan on being a positive leader who loves on everyone but expects the best from them as well.  I’m not the most vocal guy so I lead by example, but I am working on being a more vocal leader too.”

Q: You play basketball too, right and compete in track and field too, right?  Talk about those and how you think competing in multiple sports helps you on the gridiron.

A: “Just competing year round. Basketball was actually my first love – I even thought about not playing football my freshman season but the coach talked me into coming out for the spring and I fell in love with football and have loved it ever since.”

Q: What have you been doing workout wise during the shutdown?

A: “I’ve been working with a trainer on my pass drops and footwork.  I’ve also been doing a lot of body weight workouts.  You’ve just got to keep grinding.”

Q: You’ve got some high-level academic schools after you.  Talk about what you’re interested in studying in college.

A: “I’ve been taking a genetics class and that really fascinates me, so that’s something I’m interested in.  I’m actually looking into enrolling early.”

Q: Where have you visited so far, and which schools do you plan to see after the shutdown ends?

A: “I’ve been to Georgia Tech a few times, it’s just right down the road. I went to Oklahoma this spring.  And I visited Tennessee for the Vanderbilt game this past season.  I’ve also been to UGA as a recruit a few times, but not in a while.”

Q: Did you grow up a fan of any school? 

A: “I grew up a UGA fan.  Their stadium is just a mile from my house.”

Q: Are you hearing much from them?  Would they be able to get involved if they offered soon?

A: “A little, but not much.  I’m still open to all schools right now so yes sir I’d be open to them too.”

Q:Are you close with Class of 2020 Tennessee signee Len’neth Whitehead from Athens Academy?  What has he told you about Tennessee?

A: “Yes I’m very close with Len’neth.  He’s just told me it’s a great school and a great place to go.”

Q: What about WR Deion Colzie?  He’s also a high level recruit…other than Tennessee are there schools recruiting you both and have you guys shared any thoughts on schools?

A: “I’m very close with Deion too.  Other than Tennessee, UCF is probably the only school recruiting both of us.  It’s great to have him to talk to about recruiting, especially when it comes to thinking about where to take official visits.  That’s the most stressful part right now.”

Q: Who at Tennessee gave you the offer and how did they deliver the news?

A: “Coach Niedermeyer.  He texted me and asked me to call him.  He said ‘We watched your film as a staff and want to offer you a scholarship,’  It was very exciting.”

Q: Where are you in your recruitment, and what schools are standing out at the moment?

A: “I’m taking it slowly right now and am open to all schools at the moment. Right now I’m planning on a December decision but if I go somewhere and just love it I might change my mind on that timeline.”

Q: Lastly, anything else fans should know about you?

A: “Just that I’m a very aggressive player.  I love physicality and the game of football.  I’m really grateful for all of the opportunities and can’t wait to play at the next level.”

Laughlin is an outgoing and confident young man with a lot of the physical tools schools are looking for in an Offensive Tackle.  He’s clearly wide open right now and getting used to being a recruit who’s got offers from the likes of Tennessee.  Given that he’s just recently moved to OT from Tight End, he is the kind of prospect who probably would have multiple other SEC offers had he been able to go on more campus visits and participate in camps, etc.  But the Vols have made the move to offer and that seems to mean a lot to him.  UGA could definitely end up a factor if they decide to get involved, and Georgia Tech with its proximity to home and strong academics could be a player too.  But the Vols do have an interesting tie beyond just Whitehead.  Laughlin told me that he was about to jump on a call with Tennessee OL Coach Will Friend, whose daughter was a preschool student of Laughlin’s mother a few years back.  We joked that it always pays to be nice to your children’s preschool teacher, so assuming Coach Friend lives by that rule the Vols might have an in with that prior relationship.  Laughlin’s recruitment does seem to be one that won’t be over soon, and with the Vols having a big need at OT and having extended a relatively early offer one can expect them to stay involved until the end.

Dylan on Dylan (Brooks): A New Morning for the Vols

Along with TN, GA, FL and the Carolinas, you can officially add the state of Alabama to Tennessee’s prime recruiting area.  Many have scoffed at the idea that the Vols could consistently go into the Yellowhammer State and land bigtime talent, but after signing no players from Alabama in his first two recruiting classes and then three in the class of 2020, Coach Jeremy Pruitt – himself a former high school coach in the state and famously the Defensive Coordinator for the Crimson Tide – has himself five commitments from Alabamians now.  And while some of them have been players who the two instate powers didn’t go hard for, a) even those players were pursued by other bigtime programs, and b) Dylan Brooks is NOT one of those.  Between Pruitt, DC Derrick Ansley (a former Tide assistant), OL Coach Will Friend (same), and Tee Martin (a MOB legend), the Vols simply have tons of ties in that state.  And with the program clearly on the upswing after the way the 2019 season ended, it’s starting to pay real dividends

Tennessee very much hopes to not be done in Alabama this cycle either.  The Vols are also fighting instate powerhouses Alabama and Auburn for fellow Pass Rusher Jeremiah Williams; ILB Ian Jackson; and TE

Trinity Bell.  One can be sure that to any degree those schools felt comfortable keeping Tennessee outside of their border they no longer think that is the case, so keep an eye out for both the Tide and the Tigers to redouble their efforts with those prospects in particular.  One would also not be surprised to see both schools circle back on Tennessee’s other four commitments from the state and try and apply some pressure to the Vols there

This obviously take Tennessee’s recruiting during the COVID-19 imposed shutdown, already arguably some of the best in the country outside of Ohio State, to another level.  Brooks also represent a true win in terms of landing the kind of elite player that the Vols have worked themselves into the mix for.  Momentum is a very real thing in recruiting, and the Vols have a lot of it right now.  Look for them to try and capitalize on that, both in terms of simply trumpeting it via social media, etc, but also in terms of perhaps applying some pressure to other prospects and urging them to get in the boat now.  One such prospect that will likely see a renewed push in light of Brooks’ commitment is LB Junior Colson, for whom the Vols are playing catchup to Michigan at the moment and who as an instate prospect the Vols definitely don’t want to lose

When watching Tennessee’s defense over the last two seasons, what’s jumped out is that other than recent 2nd Round NFL Draft pick Darrell Taylor the Vols have simply not had anyone who could consistently get to the quarterback.  Tennessee may have signed a couple of bigtime passrushers in the 2020 class in 4-stars Morven Joseph and Tyler Baron, but that remains to be seen.  But Brooks is a bonafide stud and not the kind of prospect one has to do much squinting to see making an immediate impact off the edge

Speaking of Taylor, it could not have hurt Tennessee’s cause with Brooks to see the Seattle Seahawks trade up to take DT19 in the 2nd Round on Friday night.  Nothing speaks more highly of Pruitt and Ansley than the work they did with Taylor to get him to that spot.  And of course Pruitt doing a full court PR press to stump for Taylor had to resonate with Brooks and other high school prospects.  Pruitt is of course known for being a coach that players just love, but when you see a head coach go to the mat for a player and then see the results in the form of a high draft pick that’s simply a big deal

Shelton Felton may, along with Joe Osovet, be emerging as yet another stud recruiter on Jeremy Pruitt’s staff.  We know that Pruitt is one of if not the best recruiting Head Coach in the country.  And we know that his staff already had two prior 247 Sports Recruiters of the Year in Tee Martin and Brian Niedermeyer.  The other thing we know is that the trade of DL Coach Jimmy Brumbaugh for former DL Coach Tracy Rocker was going to be an upgrade by default simply because of how insanely bad Rocker was on the trail for the Vols.  And that’s before the fact that Brumbaugh has a solid rep himself as a recruiter as well as a strong talent development track record to sell.  What we didn’t know was how Felton and Osovet would translate coming from a much smaller pond and the JUCO/QC ranks, respectively.  Well, so far so good for both, and that sets Tennessee up to potentially have a dominant recruiting staff

This goes without saying, but neither Alabama nor Auburn nor LSU – who was also recruiting Brooks hard – are going to give up here.  Pruitt and Co. will need to continue to recruit him as if he’s not committed until National Signing Day arrives and his fax comes through.  But, and this is not to discount the seriousness of the previous sentence, Brooks’ commitment did not come out of nowhere.  He’s been to Tennessee’s campus nearly ten times.  He’s been to multiple games in Neyland Stadium.  He’s been to Junior Days.  And he’s been up for random unofficial visits.  He clearly has a strong affinity for Pruitt, the Vols staff, Knoxville, and the UT campus.  Again, the Vols will 100% have to fight tooth and nail to sign Dylan Brooks.  But from now on they’ll be playing from a position of real strength, which was not the case when Brooks was uncommitted.

Stories of the Decade: How Will We Remember Georgia State?

What kind of decade was it for Tennessee? The total unpredictability of last season is only good enough for eighth on our list of the most important football stories of the last ten years.

For now.

The version of 2019 where it doesn’t work out for Jeremy Pruitt and the Vols down the road leaves last season as an interesting anomaly, but beyond that? We talked a lot late in the year about the most impressive piece of history from 2019: the Vols covered the spread six games in a row, from Mississippi State to Missouri, for the first time since 1990. In that run, Tennessee turned 1-4 into 8-5, and earned forgiveness for losing to Georgia State. It’s an impressive feat.

But for 2019 to truly be remembered well, the Vols of the current decade have to do more than make us forget Georgia State. They have to make us remember it.

If Darrell Taylor doesn’t get drafted in the first round after my bedtime, the Vols will continue this trend:

  • UT First Round picks who played for Fulmer: 19 in 18 years
  • UT First Round picks who played after Fulmer: 3 in 10 years

(If Taylor does get drafted tonight, he’ll at least join a strong group of Cordarrelle Patterson, Ja’Wuan James, and Derek Barnett as post-Fulmer first rounders.)

If no Vols are taken in the second round, you’ll have this:

  • UT Second Round picks who played for Fulmer: 17 in 18 years
  • UT Second Round picks who played after Fulmer: Justin Hunter

(Alvin Kamara was quite the steal in round three.)

One of the best parts of last season’s finish is the way it came on the shoulders of guys who stayed. Darrell Taylor, Daniel Bituli, Nigel Warrior, and Marquez Callaway all made an enormous difference; they’ll all get a phone call at some point this weekend, be it the draft or free agency. And of course, Jauan Jennings was building on an already memorable legacy.

Tennessee didn’t beat any ranked teams in their late season run. But they also weren’t sending the kind of talent that regularly beats ranked teams to the NFL this season. Before the turnaround, all of us spent time lamenting the fact that, “Just play the young guys!” wasn’t necessarily an option the Vols weren’t already exploring. This team was what it was after losing to Georgia State and BYU. This program was what it was after the last 10+ years.

But they found a way anyway.

I want only good things for those five seniors, this weekend and in the years to come. The truth is, their Tennessee legacy is now out of their hands.

If 2019 stands alone, it’s a really interesting story. But if it becomes the first chapter?

Of the most important stories of the last decade, it’s only number eight for now. But if Pruitt and the Vols get things right to start this decade, 2019 will become one of the best and most important stories of the 2010’s.

Stay tuned.

More in this series:

#10: Are you sure the referees have left the field?

#9: A Smokey Gray Almost