A lot of posts complain about kids staying true to the other state schools while kids leave Tennessee. There may be some truth in that and if so, there are some reasons too. One is the shape of Tennessee. In one sense there really are the three states of Tennessee, and each has a different culture. Memphis is in a world to itself and closer to schools like Ole Miss and probably as close as Arkansas.
Middle Tennessee is now fertile recruiting ground in both quantity and quality, but not so much in the past. As with all these high population growth areas new people move in who have no ties to our university. And with an often unfavorable media out of Nashville, hear UT get blasted on a regular basis if posts on VQ are accurate. Heck, even here in Columbia, SC, we compete for space for game viewing parties with many SEC schools, and Iowa of all schools.
Another reason is that some of past coaches have not kept their contacts and relationships with HS coaches, especially Dooley. Relationships take time.
At one time we were pretty much it as far as national recruiting in the SEC went because we had no other choice. Sure, Obama may pull a Joe Namath from Pennsylvania from time to time or pick up a Tennessee kid, but for the most part their own backyard provided a recruiting feast, especially after integration. Now even schools in talent rich Texas, Florida and Georgia go national.
The list goes on and on but no team is going to "secure the borders" like in the past. There is too much electronic communication for one thing. But, on balance, for all those we may lose over the years, we will still be the raiders and cross over the borders of Georgia, Florida, NS, SC, Virginia, and other places. Growing up in Texas, every year I witnessed Oklahoma crossing the Red to steal away recruits from the Longhorns. How would you like to be a UGA fan (horrible thought) and see all that talent leave the state for the Volunteers. I like what Butch is doing, but yes, we will lose some. It happens. JMO
UT 45 NW 3
Middle Tennessee is now fertile recruiting ground in both quantity and quality, but not so much in the past. As with all these high population growth areas new people move in who have no ties to our university. And with an often unfavorable media out of Nashville, hear UT get blasted on a regular basis if posts on VQ are accurate. Heck, even here in Columbia, SC, we compete for space for game viewing parties with many SEC schools, and Iowa of all schools.
Another reason is that some of past coaches have not kept their contacts and relationships with HS coaches, especially Dooley. Relationships take time.
At one time we were pretty much it as far as national recruiting in the SEC went because we had no other choice. Sure, Obama may pull a Joe Namath from Pennsylvania from time to time or pick up a Tennessee kid, but for the most part their own backyard provided a recruiting feast, especially after integration. Now even schools in talent rich Texas, Florida and Georgia go national.
The list goes on and on but no team is going to "secure the borders" like in the past. There is too much electronic communication for one thing. But, on balance, for all those we may lose over the years, we will still be the raiders and cross over the borders of Georgia, Florida, NS, SC, Virginia, and other places. Growing up in Texas, every year I witnessed Oklahoma crossing the Red to steal away recruits from the Longhorns. How would you like to be a UGA fan (horrible thought) and see all that talent leave the state for the Volunteers. I like what Butch is doing, but yes, we will lose some. It happens. JMO
UT 45 NW 3
