Here's a rough transcript of the podcast for any who couldn't listen.
Recruiting
Brent:TN offering scholarships around the country. How much recruiting momentum after the Wanya commit?
A: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!
(BR&J mock him for this.)
A: Yes, there's momentum--Ramel Keaton on 16th, Shawn Brown on 12th. W/those 2, what happens with Ty Fields? TN still in driver seat, but he's still double-checking before pulling the trigger.
J: Ty hasn't visited much, could visit others or come back to TN again.
A: NCSU pushing recent draft picks, family connection. TN still in a good spot. Impressed w/his physicality. Plays w/lots of aggression. A little on the short side, but staff impressed w/instincts in secondary.
J: Common denominator for these recruits: not afraid to stick their face in the fire. Like contact & press coverage. These seem to be the ones CJP & co. really like. Aaron Beasley the same way. Film really pops. Headhunter.
A: Beasley could be RB at next level. TN evaluating as both. Looking for players who accelerate thru contact.
R: Guys that won't turn it down.
B: Any shock CJP wants people who like to hit? Clearly wants hard hitters.
(AP with bad CJP impression here. I mean just awful.)
R: Not to pile on hubbub over recruiting office's tweet, but CJP has a track record w/DBs.
J: Good for recruiting, bad for Twitter. Ironically, it'll be a weakness on this year's team and in the 2018 class.
A: Interesting after all the 5*s they went after last year they still don't have a single corner they want to build on.
J: Still haven't landed the big one. New prospects are all just 'wait-and-see.'
B: Haven't landed a lockdown corner, but in good shape for several in May.
Is talk of late spring recruiting momentum overblown?
R: Thinks so. Non-binding. Rather have them committed than not, but everything could still change.
A: Agree: a year ago, TN was making a LOT of recruiting noise that ultimately all fell apart.
B: Does this become a topic of discussion just to have something to talk about in Spring?
J: If you can beat out the right teams for the right guys, it can be helpful. Jackson Lowe. Wanya's recruitment not over yet, though. Auburn still pushing. TN definitely in front & recruiting from a position of strength, though. Wanya will definitely see immediate playing time at TN. Needs to improve physicality, but one of the highest ceilings of any linemen out there. It was a huge recruiting win against a big rival.
B: Do you think he'll recruit others?
J: I don't think so.
A: He'll have fun on Twitter with it.
J: He's a quieter kid. Lampley and Lowe are doing more work behind the scenes. Some of the others on the board coming in, though, could really make a big difference.
A: Still several 2019 scholarships open because they haven't landed grad transfers they expected--missed on Harvey & Alexander. Still trying to sell 4-8.
B: OL grad transfers--can we find them?
J: OL board's gotten thin on grad transfer market. Still maybe some JUCO guys they're interested in. John Cook intriguing. A tackle w/his experience and good size. Warmack still possible, but an interior guy. 2 yrs eligibility. May need to explore JUCO market, but would be STUNNED if they don't get an OL in the GT market.
B: What about corner? ND grad transfer?
J: A little dicier. New names could also emerge w/finals ending today. TN still hasn't had anyone leave, but it could still happen. Definitely going after OL, possibly a corner as well.
B: Still seeing offers out there. 3 in-state offers in this week. CJP very direct about what he thinks of their game now & how they can improve.
R: Big difference from Butch. (Not trying to hate though.) BJ was worried about losing kids, JP is not. Dramatic difference.
B: Don't think CJP gives a rat's rear end about a star. Trusts his own eval and that only. Interesting to see what they do in-state and who they pursue. Staff truly believes they lead the pack in evaluating players.
R: Agree. Recruiting very different than a year ago. Recruits responding positively too. Parents too, especially so.
B: Theme of 2019 class will be evaluating players in camps.
J: Agreed. JP feels he was hired because of his talent eval & devt skills, and will trust in those.
A: If he wins 7 games this year and beats FL (winnable game!) with this roster, most people will know program's on the right track, whether he signs many from in-state or not.
B: TN fans don't care if a kid leaves the state unless he's successful elsewhere. (Jalen Ramsey.) It's about who you take, not who you don't take. Doesn't matter if you let someone go who doesn't succeed elsewhere.
R: Whatever happened to Albert Means?
B: That's what changed things for Fulmer late in his tenure--missed on Cobb, Hightower, etc. But prior to that, he was very strong in-state when it mattered.
R: Butch 2016 very reminiscent of CPF 2007-08 in this regard.
B: Gotta get in-state guys who can play, but not so many that you can't bring in guys from outside TN too.
J: That's why camps are so important. It's how they'll decide who to zero in on.
A: CJP also going to be very aware of the level of competition recruits face, so he's really wanting in-person evaluation. There was still some doubt about Trey Smith until he showed up in camp. Prev staff too headstrong about preliminary evals before seeing players in person.
B: CJP trying to find good balance in this area. Recruits are going to have to come to camp. Will want to see outstanding work ethic.
J: Circles back to numbers. Spots filling up fast. Where does Jalen Currie fit in?
(A: "BOOBIE!!!!!")
A: 2016 again--a lot of skill positions.
B: Agree. 2020 class much more balanced.
Team Stuff
B: Not a lot of team stuff w/exams and weight room renovations continuing.
Quickly on Davenport: how will PF work and what will be his involvement w/search committee, etc?
R: Don't know how it works out, but suspect new chancellor will be someone PF knows & trusts.
PF now the most recognizable face & most powerful purpose on campus.
B: Biggest question for me: will the President's role on this campus change? When TN was at its best athletically, the President was heavily involved w/athletics department.
J: Most eye-opening was the way opinion shifted heavily in favor of Davenport after she fired Currie & hired Fulmer. Fulmer and Pruitt both very complimentary of her. Timing was interesting.
B: No question. Directly in terms of athletics, what's the pecking order? Can they get someone Fulmer can work with? If he has to fight for everything with a new chancellor, how long will he really want to stick around?
R: Fulmer has a lot of peoples' ears, esp. after his time as a university ambassador with DiPietro.
B: Could make search process interesting.
A: Last thing we want is to have a little bit of success and then have everything unravel again shortly thereafter. Could set program back a LOT further.
B: CJP says he'd never been anywhere academics & athletics were so in line; next day Davenport's out. This won't be a quick fix or hire. Will continue to monitor.
R: "Let's just say it. There's no place like this anywhere else in the country."
B: Look at Rick Barnes--entire time at Texas with same administration. Now on his third with TN.
Basketball
B: Where does Fore fit in?
R: Takes over Daniel's spot, but a different player. A Jesse Simonton type player.
A: Are the growth plates open, and how are his hips?
R: UT was really looking for someone who could slash, penetrate, finish well & play good defense. Fore fits that mold. Not a shooter, but comfortable with his role. Rare for a 5th-year guy.
B: Hoping Fore gets to the rim a lot more than Daniel.
Another week with no news from DJ Burns. Will he reclassify or not?
R: Thinks he will. Burns is getting a new HS coach next year, this could be a factor. UT seems to have had no urgency this off-season either, that may suggest they expect him to reclassify.
B: Tre Mann: UF making a big push. Where is TN with him?
R: TN has been in a good spot, but mid-week visit to UF concerning. He allegedly (can't confirm this) almost committed during this visit.
B: When you look at the current team, what are the 2 most important things for the month of June?
R: Jordan Bone needs to take the next step. Fulkerson needs to get back to contributing. Also, Kyle Alexander--huge congrats for graduating in 3 years with good grades on top of athletic commitment.
END
Recruiting
Brent:TN offering scholarships around the country. How much recruiting momentum after the Wanya commit?
A: MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!
(BR&J mock him for this.)
A: Yes, there's momentum--Ramel Keaton on 16th, Shawn Brown on 12th. W/those 2, what happens with Ty Fields? TN still in driver seat, but he's still double-checking before pulling the trigger.
J: Ty hasn't visited much, could visit others or come back to TN again.
A: NCSU pushing recent draft picks, family connection. TN still in a good spot. Impressed w/his physicality. Plays w/lots of aggression. A little on the short side, but staff impressed w/instincts in secondary.
J: Common denominator for these recruits: not afraid to stick their face in the fire. Like contact & press coverage. These seem to be the ones CJP & co. really like. Aaron Beasley the same way. Film really pops. Headhunter.
A: Beasley could be RB at next level. TN evaluating as both. Looking for players who accelerate thru contact.
R: Guys that won't turn it down.
B: Any shock CJP wants people who like to hit? Clearly wants hard hitters.
(AP with bad CJP impression here. I mean just awful.)
R: Not to pile on hubbub over recruiting office's tweet, but CJP has a track record w/DBs.
J: Good for recruiting, bad for Twitter. Ironically, it'll be a weakness on this year's team and in the 2018 class.
A: Interesting after all the 5*s they went after last year they still don't have a single corner they want to build on.
J: Still haven't landed the big one. New prospects are all just 'wait-and-see.'
B: Haven't landed a lockdown corner, but in good shape for several in May.
Is talk of late spring recruiting momentum overblown?
R: Thinks so. Non-binding. Rather have them committed than not, but everything could still change.
A: Agree: a year ago, TN was making a LOT of recruiting noise that ultimately all fell apart.
B: Does this become a topic of discussion just to have something to talk about in Spring?
J: If you can beat out the right teams for the right guys, it can be helpful. Jackson Lowe. Wanya's recruitment not over yet, though. Auburn still pushing. TN definitely in front & recruiting from a position of strength, though. Wanya will definitely see immediate playing time at TN. Needs to improve physicality, but one of the highest ceilings of any linemen out there. It was a huge recruiting win against a big rival.
B: Do you think he'll recruit others?
J: I don't think so.
A: He'll have fun on Twitter with it.
J: He's a quieter kid. Lampley and Lowe are doing more work behind the scenes. Some of the others on the board coming in, though, could really make a big difference.
A: Still several 2019 scholarships open because they haven't landed grad transfers they expected--missed on Harvey & Alexander. Still trying to sell 4-8.
B: OL grad transfers--can we find them?
J: OL board's gotten thin on grad transfer market. Still maybe some JUCO guys they're interested in. John Cook intriguing. A tackle w/his experience and good size. Warmack still possible, but an interior guy. 2 yrs eligibility. May need to explore JUCO market, but would be STUNNED if they don't get an OL in the GT market.
B: What about corner? ND grad transfer?
J: A little dicier. New names could also emerge w/finals ending today. TN still hasn't had anyone leave, but it could still happen. Definitely going after OL, possibly a corner as well.
B: Still seeing offers out there. 3 in-state offers in this week. CJP very direct about what he thinks of their game now & how they can improve.
R: Big difference from Butch. (Not trying to hate though.) BJ was worried about losing kids, JP is not. Dramatic difference.
B: Don't think CJP gives a rat's rear end about a star. Trusts his own eval and that only. Interesting to see what they do in-state and who they pursue. Staff truly believes they lead the pack in evaluating players.
R: Agree. Recruiting very different than a year ago. Recruits responding positively too. Parents too, especially so.
B: Theme of 2019 class will be evaluating players in camps.
J: Agreed. JP feels he was hired because of his talent eval & devt skills, and will trust in those.
A: If he wins 7 games this year and beats FL (winnable game!) with this roster, most people will know program's on the right track, whether he signs many from in-state or not.
B: TN fans don't care if a kid leaves the state unless he's successful elsewhere. (Jalen Ramsey.) It's about who you take, not who you don't take. Doesn't matter if you let someone go who doesn't succeed elsewhere.
R: Whatever happened to Albert Means?
B: That's what changed things for Fulmer late in his tenure--missed on Cobb, Hightower, etc. But prior to that, he was very strong in-state when it mattered.
R: Butch 2016 very reminiscent of CPF 2007-08 in this regard.
B: Gotta get in-state guys who can play, but not so many that you can't bring in guys from outside TN too.
J: That's why camps are so important. It's how they'll decide who to zero in on.
A: CJP also going to be very aware of the level of competition recruits face, so he's really wanting in-person evaluation. There was still some doubt about Trey Smith until he showed up in camp. Prev staff too headstrong about preliminary evals before seeing players in person.
B: CJP trying to find good balance in this area. Recruits are going to have to come to camp. Will want to see outstanding work ethic.
J: Circles back to numbers. Spots filling up fast. Where does Jalen Currie fit in?
(A: "BOOBIE!!!!!")
A: 2016 again--a lot of skill positions.
B: Agree. 2020 class much more balanced.
Team Stuff
B: Not a lot of team stuff w/exams and weight room renovations continuing.
Quickly on Davenport: how will PF work and what will be his involvement w/search committee, etc?
R: Don't know how it works out, but suspect new chancellor will be someone PF knows & trusts.
PF now the most recognizable face & most powerful purpose on campus.
B: Biggest question for me: will the President's role on this campus change? When TN was at its best athletically, the President was heavily involved w/athletics department.
J: Most eye-opening was the way opinion shifted heavily in favor of Davenport after she fired Currie & hired Fulmer. Fulmer and Pruitt both very complimentary of her. Timing was interesting.
B: No question. Directly in terms of athletics, what's the pecking order? Can they get someone Fulmer can work with? If he has to fight for everything with a new chancellor, how long will he really want to stick around?
R: Fulmer has a lot of peoples' ears, esp. after his time as a university ambassador with DiPietro.
B: Could make search process interesting.
A: Last thing we want is to have a little bit of success and then have everything unravel again shortly thereafter. Could set program back a LOT further.
B: CJP says he'd never been anywhere academics & athletics were so in line; next day Davenport's out. This won't be a quick fix or hire. Will continue to monitor.
R: "Let's just say it. There's no place like this anywhere else in the country."
B: Look at Rick Barnes--entire time at Texas with same administration. Now on his third with TN.
Basketball
B: Where does Fore fit in?
R: Takes over Daniel's spot, but a different player. A Jesse Simonton type player.
A: Are the growth plates open, and how are his hips?
R: UT was really looking for someone who could slash, penetrate, finish well & play good defense. Fore fits that mold. Not a shooter, but comfortable with his role. Rare for a 5th-year guy.
B: Hoping Fore gets to the rim a lot more than Daniel.
Another week with no news from DJ Burns. Will he reclassify or not?
R: Thinks he will. Burns is getting a new HS coach next year, this could be a factor. UT seems to have had no urgency this off-season either, that may suggest they expect him to reclassify.
B: Tre Mann: UF making a big push. Where is TN with him?
R: TN has been in a good spot, but mid-week visit to UF concerning. He allegedly (can't confirm this) almost committed during this visit.
B: When you look at the current team, what are the 2 most important things for the month of June?
R: Jordan Bone needs to take the next step. Fulkerson needs to get back to contributing. Also, Kyle Alexander--huge congrats for graduating in 3 years with good grades on top of athletic commitment.
END
