JesseWJohnson 285 posts 6 hours ago Premium Post
Sorry the lateness of the weekly Monday feature but this was moving day for myself. Not that things are a little more settled in, so there should be no more distractions on my part.
The general feeling we get from VU now is one of utter disappointment, obviously, for a few things that have transpired in the last few days. Vanderbilt was a bit surprised that TJ Smith flipped like he did, upon an official visit to Arkansas and after he made it seem like he was shutting things down.
The Dylan Jackson situation was at one time, VU felt, a 65/35, but they knew Stanford was a serious contender. Jackson's family's big on academics and he does have a non-Tennessee background, so it was never a given he'd stay "local". Vanderbilt may try to give him some second thoughts, but he's likely to stick with the Cardinal.
Vanderbilt was a bit blindsided by Bradrick Shaw's decision. When Wisconsin got back in the picture, they did think they'd have to work even more to keep in the lead....but days later, he pops for the Badgers? No, they didn't see it going down like that, at all. The running back situation is one that again, for yet another year, is becoming frustrating for VU's program.
Vanderbilt felt real good about Ross Donelly's official visit over the weekend and felt they'd have some kind of decision within a day or two of the visit, but yes, they've noticed how he's now started to follow other coaches, which isn't being taken as a good sign. Ole Miss is one of the school's following him and the Rebels were in the lead with him at one time until Ole Miss had no more room. Final week of recruiting...do the Rebels have room now? We shall see, but esteem for him has gone down with today's developments.
Quenton Meeks is still a battle with Stanford, and VU's not sure how it's going to play out.
Same goes for Marcus Marshall. Vanderbilt feels it still has a good chance, but Georgia Tech and Wake are still real contenders.
The staff is likely to have a few official visitors in this weekend, and we're working to confirm who they might be.
Many people are wondering just what happened to VU's recruiting momentum and the feeling from people at VU and what they are hearing is that opposing coaches are saying this is a make or break year for Derek Mason and the staff, that another year means a dismissal. The basic belief that most have, of course, is that David Williams is not likely to be the athletic director after this year, and so if VU struggles again in 2015, a new AD might make a change.
There's also the feeling that obviously the rape trial is not helping, nor is the 3-9 record. Most of it just sounds like job security...questions as to will Mason be able to last after next season, but there's also some stigma with VU being put under the microscope by the rape trial, some of the stories being put out, questioning how VU does things, and the general timing of everything. I'd stress though that most VU sources feel that this past season's struggles and Mason's job security is the biggest reason why VU is missing on people.
Sorry the lateness of the weekly Monday feature but this was moving day for myself. Not that things are a little more settled in, so there should be no more distractions on my part.
The general feeling we get from VU now is one of utter disappointment, obviously, for a few things that have transpired in the last few days. Vanderbilt was a bit surprised that TJ Smith flipped like he did, upon an official visit to Arkansas and after he made it seem like he was shutting things down.
The Dylan Jackson situation was at one time, VU felt, a 65/35, but they knew Stanford was a serious contender. Jackson's family's big on academics and he does have a non-Tennessee background, so it was never a given he'd stay "local". Vanderbilt may try to give him some second thoughts, but he's likely to stick with the Cardinal.
Vanderbilt was a bit blindsided by Bradrick Shaw's decision. When Wisconsin got back in the picture, they did think they'd have to work even more to keep in the lead....but days later, he pops for the Badgers? No, they didn't see it going down like that, at all. The running back situation is one that again, for yet another year, is becoming frustrating for VU's program.
Vanderbilt felt real good about Ross Donelly's official visit over the weekend and felt they'd have some kind of decision within a day or two of the visit, but yes, they've noticed how he's now started to follow other coaches, which isn't being taken as a good sign. Ole Miss is one of the school's following him and the Rebels were in the lead with him at one time until Ole Miss had no more room. Final week of recruiting...do the Rebels have room now? We shall see, but esteem for him has gone down with today's developments.
Quenton Meeks is still a battle with Stanford, and VU's not sure how it's going to play out.
Same goes for Marcus Marshall. Vanderbilt feels it still has a good chance, but Georgia Tech and Wake are still real contenders.
The staff is likely to have a few official visitors in this weekend, and we're working to confirm who they might be.
Many people are wondering just what happened to VU's recruiting momentum and the feeling from people at VU and what they are hearing is that opposing coaches are saying this is a make or break year for Derek Mason and the staff, that another year means a dismissal. The basic belief that most have, of course, is that David Williams is not likely to be the athletic director after this year, and so if VU struggles again in 2015, a new AD might make a change.
There's also the feeling that obviously the rape trial is not helping, nor is the 3-9 record. Most of it just sounds like job security...questions as to will Mason be able to last after next season, but there's also some stigma with VU being put under the microscope by the rape trial, some of the stories being put out, questioning how VU does things, and the general timing of everything. I'd stress though that most VU sources feel that this past season's struggles and Mason's job security is the biggest reason why VU is missing on people.
