Let me preface by saying this isn't a "Woe is me how are the numbers going to work out???" question. But, with the caveat that we're likely to see at least a moderate if not heavy shakeup in the 24-man commitment list, I'm wondering how you think they will approach the following positions:
RB (the least complicated of these positions, IMO): So we're all on on Akers. And he's here for an UV for a monster weekend, and seemingly likely to come back for an OV. But the feel is that we're no better than 3rd right now. Where do you think we are with a guy like Felix coming into the weekend? Do they like him enough to go heavy after him depending on what kind of feedback they get from Akers? Do you think Felix realistically likes UT enough to make than a possible issue? And do you think they like Coleman enough to be satisfied with a Chandler/Coleman tandem for 2017?
WR: Touched on this briefly this week. We clearly need at least one more. I find it hard to believe we're going to flip Matthews from a 2-year instate commitment to FSU when he's using his OV here (his first ever visit) in mid-October. Holloman is a wild card in that no one has a clear sense of where he's leaning except the default is UGA. Jaylen Harris ship seems to have sailed. Is Javonta Payton good enough to play here, IYO? Are there any other potential names to crop up at this position (i.e., when the phone is ringing is there ever a new WR on the other end)?
OL: Need 2, maybe 3 more. Obviously Trey is one, and IMO he's a Vol lock. So for these purposes let's say we need 1-2 more. Board appears to be Moore/Drake/Willis/Filiaga/Calbert/Charles. Is The Drake a take right now, IYO? IYO do you think Moore possibly popping this weekend or right after is a good thing? That is, IYO is he good enough to take right now and then leave only 1 spot for the remaining board? Maybe so considering it seems like we likely could land Calbert with an offer, Willis and Filiaga look like longshots, and Charles is a LSU commit (albeit soft). Curious as to how you would approach it strategically.
DL: Talk to me about Malik Herring. Dude has been here a ton and obviously likes it here a lot. I know most think he's a UGA/Clemson battle, but we've got to be heavily in the mix here, no? He seems to be like Labryan Ray - a stud DL you'd freaking love to land, has been on campus a ton, but you're an underdog to the instate school for. Then you have a guy like Butler who seemingly could decide soon and we lead for. So again, how would you approach this if you were the staff and you have relatively limited numbers? Is Butler that good such that you take the bird in hand and then try to make room for a Herring and/or Ray at the end if you have the opportunity? What about Garvin, who, again, is committed elsewhere and is taking an OV (first visit) in mid-October. Seems unlikely to me. Then there's Reitmeir, who if this visit is any indication is going to be a strong possibility moving forward. What about guys like Malik Young, Markaviest Bryant, Jeter, Clemons, Conliffe - are we still players at all for those guys and/or are we still interested?
CB: Discussed a bit earlier this week, but thoughts on how we handle Wade/Corker/Henderson (longshot, seemingly) with the existing large (and very good) CB commitment list? Are we still recruiting Jonathan Abrams?
A lot to digest and discuss. But I think we're in a really good spot right now with a very good commitment list and a ton of momentum for a ton of really good players. Super interested to get you thoughts on how it might shake out AND how you would approach it if you were Butch.
Thanks @P_Fortenberry
RB (the least complicated of these positions, IMO): So we're all on on Akers. And he's here for an UV for a monster weekend, and seemingly likely to come back for an OV. But the feel is that we're no better than 3rd right now. Where do you think we are with a guy like Felix coming into the weekend? Do they like him enough to go heavy after him depending on what kind of feedback they get from Akers? Do you think Felix realistically likes UT enough to make than a possible issue? And do you think they like Coleman enough to be satisfied with a Chandler/Coleman tandem for 2017?
WR: Touched on this briefly this week. We clearly need at least one more. I find it hard to believe we're going to flip Matthews from a 2-year instate commitment to FSU when he's using his OV here (his first ever visit) in mid-October. Holloman is a wild card in that no one has a clear sense of where he's leaning except the default is UGA. Jaylen Harris ship seems to have sailed. Is Javonta Payton good enough to play here, IYO? Are there any other potential names to crop up at this position (i.e., when the phone is ringing is there ever a new WR on the other end)?
OL: Need 2, maybe 3 more. Obviously Trey is one, and IMO he's a Vol lock. So for these purposes let's say we need 1-2 more. Board appears to be Moore/Drake/Willis/Filiaga/Calbert/Charles. Is The Drake a take right now, IYO? IYO do you think Moore possibly popping this weekend or right after is a good thing? That is, IYO is he good enough to take right now and then leave only 1 spot for the remaining board? Maybe so considering it seems like we likely could land Calbert with an offer, Willis and Filiaga look like longshots, and Charles is a LSU commit (albeit soft). Curious as to how you would approach it strategically.
DL: Talk to me about Malik Herring. Dude has been here a ton and obviously likes it here a lot. I know most think he's a UGA/Clemson battle, but we've got to be heavily in the mix here, no? He seems to be like Labryan Ray - a stud DL you'd freaking love to land, has been on campus a ton, but you're an underdog to the instate school for. Then you have a guy like Butler who seemingly could decide soon and we lead for. So again, how would you approach this if you were the staff and you have relatively limited numbers? Is Butler that good such that you take the bird in hand and then try to make room for a Herring and/or Ray at the end if you have the opportunity? What about Garvin, who, again, is committed elsewhere and is taking an OV (first visit) in mid-October. Seems unlikely to me. Then there's Reitmeir, who if this visit is any indication is going to be a strong possibility moving forward. What about guys like Malik Young, Markaviest Bryant, Jeter, Clemons, Conliffe - are we still players at all for those guys and/or are we still interested?
CB: Discussed a bit earlier this week, but thoughts on how we handle Wade/Corker/Henderson (longshot, seemingly) with the existing large (and very good) CB commitment list? Are we still recruiting Jonathan Abrams?
A lot to digest and discuss. But I think we're in a really good spot right now with a very good commitment list and a ton of momentum for a ton of really good players. Super interested to get you thoughts on how it might shake out AND how you would approach it if you were Butch.
Thanks @P_Fortenberry
