Here’s a podcast recap for anyone who might not be able to listen.
Football
Brent: Looking back, what are your biggest quick takeaways from the spring?
R: Pruitt turning the page. New Sheriff in Town. Never openly trashed CBJ, but clear he didn't care for the state of the program he inherited. Everyone talks about changing culture, but Pruitt has really done it so far. Defense looked BAD in OW game.
J: Real disconnect btw fan/media perception of QB/RB play vs how staff feels. Fans saw JG improved, more decisive. Pruitt still not impressed. Similarly, Chandler showed can play in the SEC, but might not be staff's ideal RB. Could see tailback-by-committee, esp. once London, Banks come in.
A: Recruiting shows this staff wants BIG backs. 225+. Making adjustments for the talent on hand, but they want bigger bodies at RB.
JG might lead for QB now, but a very close QB race.
B: How much staff criticism of JG is them not liking his game vs a motivational tactic for him to keep competing hard?
J: Maybe, but CJP indicating he's expecting a lot more, at QB and other areas. CJP will do EVERYTHING he can to get this team to a bowl in 2018 & thinks they'll NEED one to sell 2019 recruits.
A: CJP won't tolerate arrogance or complacency. JG seems to be improving, but needs more consistency.
B: Helton knows more about Keller Chryst than he knew about JG 4 weeks ago. Probably more of a comfort level there, at least at start of spring. Message is clear: JG hasn't nailed down anything yet, needs to EARN it. Key question in summer: who can galvanize this team? Who makes the 10 guys around him better? That'll be the ultimate winner.
A: Baker Mayfield a good example. Can be cocky, but definitely improves the guys around him.
J: Agree, but you can't have that till you earn it. Also, CJP definitely wants players to buy in. Whole team buying into the staff's vision is top priority, then hopefully player leaders emerge.
B: Who on this roster will help this team that nobody's talking about?
A & R: Austin Pope. Great athlete who hasn't been able to stay healthy. If he can hold up, can be very successful all over the field w/this offense.
R: No true FB on the roster, so Pope can really fill a niche as an H-Back type player.
J: Deandre Johnson making moves late in spring. Still developmental, but could give UT some stuff off the edge in the fall.
B: Jerome Carvin. Thinks he's going to hate Fitz this summer, but could see big dividends to hard work in the weight room come the fall. Could lead in terms of OL making strides so far.
J: Carvin could be key esp. once we see what shakes out w/grad transfers, Trey Smith, etc.
R: Carvin made a big case for himself in Smith's absence. Starting 5 on O-Line still very unsettled right now.
J: Still no answers at tackle.
B: That's where grad transfers come in. What shape will Jamir Johnson be in when he gets here? They need a "Tackle Body."
J: Everyone asks why Richmond can't slide over on the line, but he has only ever played LT since getting here. Staff uncertain that moving him will fix anything.
Tatum over 300lbs but struggling to move well at all. SLOW.
B: Tatum doesn't look like a 300lb guy. Hasn't developed the way the staff would like.
This is Richmond’s 3d OL coach, but none have thought cross-training him is a good idea.
A: Maybe focus is an issue? Didn't have good relationship w/Mahoney, but Wells didn't want to cross-train either. Nor Friend. He’ll either start this fall or ride the bench.
R: not physical enough, not good enough footwork for other roles either. Expected to be an elite pass protector, but seems much better at the run.
B: Alontae Taylor—corner? receiver?
A: Depends what Nick Harvey does. If he comes to TN, AT may go back to WR; otherwise stays at corner. Staff wants Shamburger to figure it out, wants Buchanan to work the ball while it's in the air.
J & B: keep him at corner.
B: AT should VOLUNTEER to stay at corner after looking at the draft. Receivers aren't getting drafted as high as corners right now.
J: Taylor, Pope, Theo Jackson--these are the types of athletes UT needs right now.
Recruiting
B: What about Wanya Morris?
A: All signs point to UT. Momma wants UT. Still not over; best friend going to Auburn and Pappoe going to Georgia, but Vols still in a good spot right now.
J: Morris is definitely OVER recruiting. Momma really wants Tennessee. His OV here continued to win over family, and that's huge. If Morris really IS done with recruiting, that looks GREAT for Tennessee--esp. w/our needs at tackle right now. Big need position.
Morris committing would be huge for TN recruiting, could generate a lot of momentum w/other prospects--Shawn Brown, Ramel Keaton, Jaden Hill, Titus Fields.
Looks to be a busy May, but then might slow down as UT evaluates some of these players in camps, seeing them in person, esp. D-line, RB, LB.
B: Some corners, too. Moses' offer was apparently contingent on coming to camp. Jalen McCullough wanted in camp too. Could be full-blown eval mode in June.
This month is new for Pruitt. He's used to being out on the road this time of year, but now he's stuck on campus reviewing film. Full games, not highlight reels. Treating this like he might treat late summer or open dates at Alabama. Grinding through a bunch of kids.
TN's position board could be changing HOURLY at this point with coaches on the road and Pruitt constantly evaluating film.
J: Who's going to be the 2019 QB? That's a BIG question. This class isn't very deep at QB--does TN go the JUCO route or another grad transfer and hope to land a big fish in 2020 on Harrison Bailey?
A: I'd put ALL my eggs in Harrison Bailey's basket!
J: 2020 guy has GOT to be the guy Helton thinks is the future of QB at UT.
A: Not getting Sam Howell for 2019 is going to bite us down the road.
B: JUCO or Grad Transfer route right now.
J: Eerily quiet for 2019 QBs right now.
B: Agree, but that could change at any moment, too.
R: Doesn't think Tenn is in on any of the top 5 QBs for 2019.
A: And what happens after this team solidifies its QB position? Does someone leave? what happens with the backup role?
J: Could see Lance Legendre becoming very important for the Vols. Vols really like his athleticism, but may not be pure SEC QB, though.
B: Numbers will get tight playing the grad transfer market, but could still get 1 CB and 2 OL, even though it'll pull down 2019 numbers. Doesn't think Pruitt & co. love the 2019 class; might be willing to leverage it somewhat in favor of grad transfers who could help us get to a bowl game THIS season, then making up time w/2020 class instead.
R: Logically makes sense, but long term could be bad idea. Pruitt not in love w/this roster at all, taking "rentals" is an uncertain proposition.
A: Boils down to this: CJP doesn't think he can land guys like Quarvaris Crouch w/o a bowl game, rightly or wrongly. Thinks we need to show SIGNIFICANT progress in Year One.
B: How many times have we heard it? "We've got 0-8 to sell."
J: Biggest reason bowl game is such a focus might be that nobody on this staff has much experience losing, and will almost certainly get a LOT more experience losing this season. Makes the coaching job that much more difficult.
B: Speaking of the "Alabama Model," TN's financial commitment at an all-time high. What's the big takeaway with these financial numbers?
J: Pruitt: "Let's stop talking about doing this stuff and do it." Fulmer: goes out and does it.
TN led the SEC in revenue 2015-16, but only spent about half what Alabama spent reinvesting in program.
More admin staff, more training & development positions, more $$ for on-field staff (even counting one more on-field coach, average salary significantly higher).
B: Fulmer always said he'd do what it takes to win; spending money doesn't necessarily GUARANTEE winning, but it is a big change in the culture.
R: Fulmer did a surprising amount of research for someone who had such success as a coach, esp. considering he coached during an era where coaches were paid much less than they're being paid now, relatively speaking.
B: That was Dave Hart's mindset--"We never needed to spend a ton of money in the past, why start now?"
R: Fulmer did a lot of investigation to find out what Alabama was doing to be successful, already a night-and-day difference. He's also made an effort to get guys like Simon & Hardesty, high character former players, back around the program.
J: And PAYING them! Doing a lot more with Quality Control positions than Butch ever did.
A: Agree: "If you wanna play with the big boys, you gotta spend like the big boys." Will be interesting to see the first time Fulmer actually tells Pruitt "No."
B: Spending 500k+ just on weight room. Next year salaries going to be even higher, too--no going down from here, but revenue won't be going down either.
J: What will the recruiting office look like? How big will that office get 6-12 months down the road?
B: How many more QC guys?
R: Fortenberry's name has been thrown around.
B: BRING BACK THE BEAST!!!
(Everyone laughs, Brent gives shout-out to Paul.)
Hoops
R: UT leads the nation bringing in juniors for OVs!
B: What about 2018?
R: Kwahn Fore or bust, and because there's not been any activity outside this, they might be trying to get DJ Burns to re-classify as a summer enrollee.
Would be surprising if Tenn doesn't get him, but a bit surprised it hasn't already happened.
B: 2019 officials--swimming in deeper waters, can they land them?
R: Tre Mann--highest ranked kid they've had on campus. He wants to decide before this fall. Visit with Florida next weekend. Family has long relationship w/Rob Lanier. TN a real candidate here. Really deep in this one.
B: Different pool in 2019 than TN's recruited in the past.
R: Mann's family knows if they really like TN, they might need to act quickly.
(end)
Football
Brent: Looking back, what are your biggest quick takeaways from the spring?
R: Pruitt turning the page. New Sheriff in Town. Never openly trashed CBJ, but clear he didn't care for the state of the program he inherited. Everyone talks about changing culture, but Pruitt has really done it so far. Defense looked BAD in OW game.
J: Real disconnect btw fan/media perception of QB/RB play vs how staff feels. Fans saw JG improved, more decisive. Pruitt still not impressed. Similarly, Chandler showed can play in the SEC, but might not be staff's ideal RB. Could see tailback-by-committee, esp. once London, Banks come in.
A: Recruiting shows this staff wants BIG backs. 225+. Making adjustments for the talent on hand, but they want bigger bodies at RB.
JG might lead for QB now, but a very close QB race.
B: How much staff criticism of JG is them not liking his game vs a motivational tactic for him to keep competing hard?
J: Maybe, but CJP indicating he's expecting a lot more, at QB and other areas. CJP will do EVERYTHING he can to get this team to a bowl in 2018 & thinks they'll NEED one to sell 2019 recruits.
A: CJP won't tolerate arrogance or complacency. JG seems to be improving, but needs more consistency.
B: Helton knows more about Keller Chryst than he knew about JG 4 weeks ago. Probably more of a comfort level there, at least at start of spring. Message is clear: JG hasn't nailed down anything yet, needs to EARN it. Key question in summer: who can galvanize this team? Who makes the 10 guys around him better? That'll be the ultimate winner.
A: Baker Mayfield a good example. Can be cocky, but definitely improves the guys around him.
J: Agree, but you can't have that till you earn it. Also, CJP definitely wants players to buy in. Whole team buying into the staff's vision is top priority, then hopefully player leaders emerge.
B: Who on this roster will help this team that nobody's talking about?
A & R: Austin Pope. Great athlete who hasn't been able to stay healthy. If he can hold up, can be very successful all over the field w/this offense.
R: No true FB on the roster, so Pope can really fill a niche as an H-Back type player.
J: Deandre Johnson making moves late in spring. Still developmental, but could give UT some stuff off the edge in the fall.
B: Jerome Carvin. Thinks he's going to hate Fitz this summer, but could see big dividends to hard work in the weight room come the fall. Could lead in terms of OL making strides so far.
J: Carvin could be key esp. once we see what shakes out w/grad transfers, Trey Smith, etc.
R: Carvin made a big case for himself in Smith's absence. Starting 5 on O-Line still very unsettled right now.
J: Still no answers at tackle.
B: That's where grad transfers come in. What shape will Jamir Johnson be in when he gets here? They need a "Tackle Body."
J: Everyone asks why Richmond can't slide over on the line, but he has only ever played LT since getting here. Staff uncertain that moving him will fix anything.
Tatum over 300lbs but struggling to move well at all. SLOW.
B: Tatum doesn't look like a 300lb guy. Hasn't developed the way the staff would like.
This is Richmond’s 3d OL coach, but none have thought cross-training him is a good idea.
A: Maybe focus is an issue? Didn't have good relationship w/Mahoney, but Wells didn't want to cross-train either. Nor Friend. He’ll either start this fall or ride the bench.
R: not physical enough, not good enough footwork for other roles either. Expected to be an elite pass protector, but seems much better at the run.
B: Alontae Taylor—corner? receiver?
A: Depends what Nick Harvey does. If he comes to TN, AT may go back to WR; otherwise stays at corner. Staff wants Shamburger to figure it out, wants Buchanan to work the ball while it's in the air.
J & B: keep him at corner.
B: AT should VOLUNTEER to stay at corner after looking at the draft. Receivers aren't getting drafted as high as corners right now.
J: Taylor, Pope, Theo Jackson--these are the types of athletes UT needs right now.
Recruiting
B: What about Wanya Morris?
A: All signs point to UT. Momma wants UT. Still not over; best friend going to Auburn and Pappoe going to Georgia, but Vols still in a good spot right now.
J: Morris is definitely OVER recruiting. Momma really wants Tennessee. His OV here continued to win over family, and that's huge. If Morris really IS done with recruiting, that looks GREAT for Tennessee--esp. w/our needs at tackle right now. Big need position.
Morris committing would be huge for TN recruiting, could generate a lot of momentum w/other prospects--Shawn Brown, Ramel Keaton, Jaden Hill, Titus Fields.
Looks to be a busy May, but then might slow down as UT evaluates some of these players in camps, seeing them in person, esp. D-line, RB, LB.
B: Some corners, too. Moses' offer was apparently contingent on coming to camp. Jalen McCullough wanted in camp too. Could be full-blown eval mode in June.
This month is new for Pruitt. He's used to being out on the road this time of year, but now he's stuck on campus reviewing film. Full games, not highlight reels. Treating this like he might treat late summer or open dates at Alabama. Grinding through a bunch of kids.
TN's position board could be changing HOURLY at this point with coaches on the road and Pruitt constantly evaluating film.
J: Who's going to be the 2019 QB? That's a BIG question. This class isn't very deep at QB--does TN go the JUCO route or another grad transfer and hope to land a big fish in 2020 on Harrison Bailey?
A: I'd put ALL my eggs in Harrison Bailey's basket!
J: 2020 guy has GOT to be the guy Helton thinks is the future of QB at UT.
A: Not getting Sam Howell for 2019 is going to bite us down the road.
B: JUCO or Grad Transfer route right now.
J: Eerily quiet for 2019 QBs right now.
B: Agree, but that could change at any moment, too.
R: Doesn't think Tenn is in on any of the top 5 QBs for 2019.
A: And what happens after this team solidifies its QB position? Does someone leave? what happens with the backup role?
J: Could see Lance Legendre becoming very important for the Vols. Vols really like his athleticism, but may not be pure SEC QB, though.
B: Numbers will get tight playing the grad transfer market, but could still get 1 CB and 2 OL, even though it'll pull down 2019 numbers. Doesn't think Pruitt & co. love the 2019 class; might be willing to leverage it somewhat in favor of grad transfers who could help us get to a bowl game THIS season, then making up time w/2020 class instead.
R: Logically makes sense, but long term could be bad idea. Pruitt not in love w/this roster at all, taking "rentals" is an uncertain proposition.
A: Boils down to this: CJP doesn't think he can land guys like Quarvaris Crouch w/o a bowl game, rightly or wrongly. Thinks we need to show SIGNIFICANT progress in Year One.
B: How many times have we heard it? "We've got 0-8 to sell."
J: Biggest reason bowl game is such a focus might be that nobody on this staff has much experience losing, and will almost certainly get a LOT more experience losing this season. Makes the coaching job that much more difficult.
B: Speaking of the "Alabama Model," TN's financial commitment at an all-time high. What's the big takeaway with these financial numbers?
J: Pruitt: "Let's stop talking about doing this stuff and do it." Fulmer: goes out and does it.
TN led the SEC in revenue 2015-16, but only spent about half what Alabama spent reinvesting in program.
More admin staff, more training & development positions, more $$ for on-field staff (even counting one more on-field coach, average salary significantly higher).
B: Fulmer always said he'd do what it takes to win; spending money doesn't necessarily GUARANTEE winning, but it is a big change in the culture.
R: Fulmer did a surprising amount of research for someone who had such success as a coach, esp. considering he coached during an era where coaches were paid much less than they're being paid now, relatively speaking.
B: That was Dave Hart's mindset--"We never needed to spend a ton of money in the past, why start now?"
R: Fulmer did a lot of investigation to find out what Alabama was doing to be successful, already a night-and-day difference. He's also made an effort to get guys like Simon & Hardesty, high character former players, back around the program.
J: And PAYING them! Doing a lot more with Quality Control positions than Butch ever did.
A: Agree: "If you wanna play with the big boys, you gotta spend like the big boys." Will be interesting to see the first time Fulmer actually tells Pruitt "No."
B: Spending 500k+ just on weight room. Next year salaries going to be even higher, too--no going down from here, but revenue won't be going down either.
J: What will the recruiting office look like? How big will that office get 6-12 months down the road?
B: How many more QC guys?
R: Fortenberry's name has been thrown around.
B: BRING BACK THE BEAST!!!
(Everyone laughs, Brent gives shout-out to Paul.)
Hoops
R: UT leads the nation bringing in juniors for OVs!
B: What about 2018?
R: Kwahn Fore or bust, and because there's not been any activity outside this, they might be trying to get DJ Burns to re-classify as a summer enrollee.
Would be surprising if Tenn doesn't get him, but a bit surprised it hasn't already happened.
B: 2019 officials--swimming in deeper waters, can they land them?
R: Tre Mann--highest ranked kid they've had on campus. He wants to decide before this fall. Visit with Florida next weekend. Family has long relationship w/Rob Lanier. TN a real candidate here. Really deep in this one.
B: Different pool in 2019 than TN's recruited in the past.
R: Mann's family knows if they really like TN, they might need to act quickly.
(end)
