Posted by Michael1204 on June 18, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome to the team! :)

Posted by GotPearl on June 18, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

New Mexico and Portland State. Let Bruce do the recruiting

Posted by b_neas on June 18, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1st comment......woohoo.....anyway like the fact that he is at least a big athletic mobile QB, maybe we can teach him to throw (if he cant already) later.....lol

Posted by b_neas on June 18, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nevermind missed the 1st comment by 2, dang!

Posted by imwithphilly on June 18, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You left off Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas AM, and Arkansas GotPearl

Posted by byobbio on June 18, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A QB is a QB, I guess. But Portland State? Can't we a least go up against Portland, just plain Portland? And is Portland a state? Get over it Portland. You're not a state. You never will be a state. And you are not going up against the VOLS and beating us in the recruiting game!

Posted by BSweet on June 18, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Both rivals and scout have him at three stars. Clawson must have seen something he liked. Hopefully he's a diamond in the rough.

Posted by FWBVol on June 18, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If others are going to police football comments on basketball stories, I think it's only fair that we leave the basketball comments off a football story.

Evidently Phillip Fulmer, offensive coordinator Dave Clawson and the coaches saw something in this kid or they wouldn't have offered him a scholarship. I also doubt Petty will be only QB offered by the staff this year.

Welcome aboard Bryce.

Posted by RunRunPassPunt on June 18, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

great news! they just keep coming. its nice coming to the site and not having to read all the childish drivel of Capt. Dipsh*t and his merry band of fritter aliases.

Posted by slsmithsr on June 18, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From ESPN:
Evaluation
Petty is a prospect that may begin to garner more interest as his senior campaign gets under way. He possesses very good size and a strong arm and would be considered a true pocket passer at this point. Works out of the spread and is in the shotgun all the time which does not give us the opportunity to really see his footwork and ability to plant and deliver the ball on time. He shows very good balance and set up off the one-step drop, feet are quick and he generally has a very good idea of where he wants to go with the ball. Ball comes out quickly, he shows very zip and the ability to fit the ball into some tight spots in the short and intermediate passing game. He does not wow you with his arm strength, but he can make throws vertically and outside of the numbers, he just doesn't get many opportunities to do so. This is a Texas Tech-like scheme, dink and dunk for the most part. Throws very well on the move to both sides and is an accurate, technically sound passer with his feet underneath him on a consistent basis. Petty's delivery can be a bit mechanical and over-the-top and gives the appearance that he's pushing the ball a bit. Would like to see him work from under center some in the dropback passing game. Doesn't show much power downfield or have many chances, is more of a timing and rhythm thrower to a particular spot. Overall, Petty is a solid performer that has something about him that you like. He is tough and performs with a high production level. Good prospect.

Posted by Mr_Bandman on June 18, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

okay....I'm all for giving these guys a chance.....BUT....over the past couple of days we've been "stealing" recruits away from places like Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, and Portland State, none of whom I was previously aware actually had more than intramural flag football on their respective campuses....looks a like the new guys might be bringing in a little too much of their IAA experience....I'm sure these kids would play great against East Carolina and James Madison, but how are they going to do against the 4- and 5-star talent at Florida, UGa, LSU, Bama, etc., etc., etc.....????? I guess we'll have to wait & see...

Posted by tigervol9802 on June 18, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So we're giving scholarships to kids being recruited by 1-AA schools and still have no D-linemen signed????

Oy.

Posted by tngeoff on June 18, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm all about us getting defensive tackles...but it's hard to keep from thanking these new guys are OBVIOUSLY recruiting with great zeal and enjoying the fruits of their labor. This guy is a great prospect in many ways. Welcome to Tennessee Bryce! Be a difference maker. Last thoughts:

1. These new guys are exploding the old thought about what great recruiters some of the folks who exited stage left were.

2. The OBVIOUS lack of defensive tackle commits is alarming. How does the offense bring in the bacon with so many new staff and the worst weakness we have still remains unresolved? I am totally perplexed. I dismiss the myth that "there aren't that many notion by observing how many defensive tackles the OTHER SEC BIG NAMES signed. Myth exploded.

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on June 18, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm with you GotPearl.

Although ratings and rankings can--and often do--"miss", it's hard to see why we'd offer a scholarship at a skill position to someone who has offers from Portland State and New Mexico.

I'm not bashing the kid at all--just hope that the coaches see something present that everyone else isn't seeing.

Posted by volchiq on June 18, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the info smith. Maybe you should work for the KNS.

Why don't we all reserve judgement until he has at least started his senior year? If he is 6'-3" now hopefully he will add an inch or two by the time he gets here. He sounds like a good pick-up to replace our Red Sox defector.

Posted by Vol13 on June 18, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great pickup! Not only did we beat out PSU and UNM. But this guy won 1st place in the Drew Maddux Look-A-Like Contest three years in a row!!!!!

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think who we are recruiting may be the best clue/hint at what offense Coach Clawson plans to run in the future. Remember, Petty is only a junior. Senior years seem to have a big impact on how high school athletes are ranked in the recruiting services. Someone may beat me to the punch on this...He's a 3* QB on Rivals and was considering Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Mexico, TCU, Texas A&M, and yes, Portland St. Now, in all fairness it's tough to tell which of those schools were actively recruiting him. He threw for over 2,000 yards as a junior - not too shabby in the TX high school football leagues.

Posted by LanceR24 on June 18, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

one thing to remember as well is this kid has only been throwing since his sophmore year before he moved to texas he ran a wing t. imho if the kid is a three star player with basically one year of being a true qb this kid might be a sleeper or higher rated at the end of senior year.

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK. I went to the Rivals site and watched some of this kid's highlights. If you go to the site, be sure to see the caliber of athlete who is at DB and on the D-line...meaning who he is playing against. Also, look carefully at the style of offense he is playing! Also, look at the throws he is making.

Posted by tnvolfan30 on June 18, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you guys are complaining about recruits just because they were recruited by a smaller school, why don't you apply to the A.D. and maybe you can bring your NCAA '08 expertise. Come on, just because a big school didn't look at them doesn't mean they can't play in a big conference like the SEC. Just look what Appy ST. did to Michigan....

Posted by KingsportVol on June 18, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What tigervol said.

Posted by chas_turner on June 18, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He was one of the top QB at the June 6th Elite 11 camp in Fort Worth. Since his camp showing, Nebraska, Oklahoma, TX A&M, & Arky have been at his school. He was at OK camp just before ours and their Rivals site said he impressed the staff and was a definite D1 QB prospect. UT actually visited him in April and invited him to camp and he impressed enough to get an offer. Fans complain when the staff takes too long to evaluate a recruit before offering but still complain when we evaluate, offer and get a commit before the other big hitters. Shofield and Phillips stock will rise and we are going to have to fight to hang onto them too. Don't expect Arky, OK, Nebraska or TX A&M to back off recruiting Petty either. Oh, he also just turned 17. JMO, but I think we got another good one.

Posted by volchiq on June 18, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, I just went to look on ESPN and they don't say have any mention of Portland State. It is pretty bad when it is obvious that the KNS is trying to make the football program look bad. Any other time (for another school or even for basketball) they would mention the other schools that are after a recruit. In this case, Scout.com lists Arkansas, LSU, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.

Okay, I guess they did leave out TN, so what could they know.

Posted by 99gator on June 18, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good for tenn, but they don't have to have their entire class committed by july

Posted by RockyTopRK on June 18, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This young man is most likely NOT the answer to Tennessee's future QB needs. However, I wonder if any of you bloggers have heard this. In Rivals list of the top 18 recruits for the class of 2009, there are 8 or 9 prospects that have not yet made a college choice. Of those top 18, "every single one of the uncommitted prospects" is showing Tennessee on their list of schools they are considering. It could be a banner year for Vols recruiting.

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chas_turner (3:58). Great post! For those who seem so worried...Those schools chas listed sure don't look like Div 1-AA schools in the running for Petty's services. Again, I find it interesting who is being recruited. According to Smith(3:24) post, he is in a Texas Tech type scheme. Obviously we don't run that offense here. Should that tell us something about where we may be heading offensively?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good gravy. Relax people, he's getting a lot of looks

http://oklahoma.scout.com/2/756686.html

"The three-star quarterback holds an offer from Portland State and is also receiving strong interest from schools like Nebraska, LSU, Stanford, Louisville, Baylor, and Texas Tech."

Not a bad list, and this from an Oklahoma Sooners site where he was being looked at by them.

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&...

"ANALYSIS: Now to the meat of this article. These three have put a hold on the recruitment of quarterbacks in the rest of the state. With in-state schools such as Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech, Rice, and Houston all hoping to land one of the big three and out-of-state schools such as Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Kansas State, and so on also in the chase. Basically you have all of the schools recruiting Texas heavily trying to land one of the big three uncommitted and putting on hold the chase for other quarterback prospects. Thus guys like Drew Allen (Alamo Heights) and Bryce Petty (Midlothian) have a shocking low number of offers.

If and when one of the big three drop look for Allen and Petty to pick up considerable action from those schools who missed out on that player who committed. If Cody Green or Jacob Karam pick an in-state school then it could start a serious run on quarterbacks, however a Mossakowski commit would not since he is not really leaning one way or another and is looking a lot to out of state teams."

Basically, looks like Texas is a hotbed for QBs this year in particular. While all the Texas in-state schools are fighting for the top three prospects, who are all uncommited, Tennessee slipped under the radar and got one that was being a little overlooked. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

Posted by hcjournals on June 18, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tap on the brakes...

Before we reduce ourselves to a 1AA world, let's see if these guys are on the cutting edge. They just might be. If they are, we stole them. If they aren't , I'll be the first to bow to the skeptics.

Posted by caskew on June 18, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Exactly 99gator, does anyone ever remember us having 10 commits by mid-June? I think the coaching staff is trying to get a head start on recruiting this season and trying to find the big-time guys BEFORE they actually become big-time guys to other schools. The first big school to offer usually means a lot to these kids. Now we just have to fight other schools to keep them once they realized they might have missed out on one!

Posted by VOLS85 on June 18, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99,

Phil phreaked out when he heard about what pearl was doing and didn't want him to steal his thunder...if he doesn't pan out, we can pound 70 lbs. of fritters into that 210 pound frame and convert him to DT...

Posted by posivol on June 18, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this fellow was in camp---nuff said!

welcome to tennessee vol football---hope you make a name to be remembered for years to come.

Posted by bowerst on June 18, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good that he runs a dink and dunk offense in high school. Unless Clawson changes things, that's what he will run in college -- if he makes it up the depth chart.

Looks like a good kid, so why not give him a shot? If he doesn't pan out, well, everyone needs 3 QBs.

Posted by golfballs03 on June 18, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad we got one! Nothing against Bryce, but I dont think we had much in the way of QB prospects for '09 so it's good we got one snatched up

Posted by Vol13 on June 18, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You all can spin and re-spin til your hearts are content. I can name you a laundry list of similar commits and signees from recent years who you all raved about (or would have if the internet would have been in place) that couldn't crack the 3 deep at UT.

Facts? We've got 8-9 scholarships left and of the players we've offered I see 2 maybe 3 that can help the Vols ATTEMPT to beat the likes of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, etc. If we don't sign 8-9 absolute studs with what we have left - then combined with the 2006 and 2008 classes - we are destined to become the Official Team of Lincoln Financial Sports starting in 2010 or 2011. If not worse. It takes talent to win in this league. Big-time talent and lots of it.

Posted by TurboFan on June 18, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It appears obvious if not down right dramatic that Clawson & Co. has changed the tempo of offensive recruiting at UT. Won't know if it is for good or bad for several years, but for once Fulmer is allowing something different.

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DC(4:07) I'm not a member on Rivals. I must have caught a "break" earlier when I viewed Petty's film - must be a marketing thing. An additional thought, I'm just pleased UT is recruiting w/ success in Florida.

Posted by VOLS85 on June 18, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we might as well just pack it in now Vol13...sound good to you?

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree w/ Turbo(4:23). We wanted change on offense and it definitely looks like we are going to get it.

Posted by Phowell23 on June 18, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Get Nunes and we'll convert this guy to a big time Wide Receiver.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iam4ua's and Vol13's comments sound incredibly similar in tone and style.

If one is a Bama fan and the other is a UT fan... shame on the UT fan.

I'll be honest enough to say some of the recruiting is puzzling and if I were one of our more pessimistic folks... it would be perplexing.

They're either finding guys that they know have great talent but haven't been discovered on their way up... or they're recruiting guys that would have been great for Richmond...

Hopefully it is the former.

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the season will have a lot to do with who we sign down the stretch. IF(as suspected) the offense is new and exciting for the players, word will get around.

Posted by Vol13 on June 18, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

85 - Fans like you who are willing to accept a turd with ribbon around it are what is killing this program. You guys are just happy to be able to show up and compete. I mean, what's so great about winning? The real fun is just putting a bunch kids out there and hoping that UF or UGA makes enough mistakes to allow us a chance to win. It's the Bill Battle days all over again. Maybe we can back our way to Atlanta once every 5 years or so to convince us that we "still got it."

You all are more concerned with policing message boards and slapping the hand of those not afraid to say what needs to be said than you are of fixing the problems. If it wasn't so funny, it would be sad.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCflorida. I don't think UT's strategy is to recruit against UF and UGA any more. They're looking selectively at those states at kids that for whatever reason don't fit or want to attend the instate schools, ie Scruggs and Giles.

They also seemed to have taken a proactive instead of reactive approach. Instead of waiting until everyone else gets what they want and then scavenging what's left, they're taking guys who they think can play.

Will it work? I honestly don't know... but for folks who wanted "change"... CHANGE has arrived.

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Since signing day is 8 months away, I think I'll reserve judgement on the '09 recruiting class. Most of these kids still have their senior year to improve their star power and get the seal of approval from the pundits. You can't help but wonder about going against the Gardner Webbs and Portland States of the world though. We all better hope that Clawson and company are shrewd judges of talent.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Phowell23, if they get a more highly rated QB... one of them will end up holding a clipboard. This kid is a decent athlete but he doesn't sound D-1 at any other position unless he gains alot of weight.

Posted by raynochonspeed on June 18, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From my interpretation of the article, Clawson was impressed with him and offered.

So...my fear is that this kid would certainly have been impressive if he were being recruited for the Richmond Spiders. I'm sure Fulmer has a strong hand in this, but it sounds like we may be offering lesser talents 1) to fit Clawson's offense, and 2) because Clawson isn't accustomed to the level of SEC talent.

Posted by KingsportVol on June 18, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage what's your take on this kid?

Posted by TurboFan on June 18, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt, I was thinking the same thing (recruiting Richmond style that is) and it'll be years before we know.

But one thing to consider, how many NC teams had great or super QBs? How many had pedestrian to good? I would guess more the latter than the former. We don't have to have another Manning or Martin to get to the top. But we do need Lineman.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, for at least the last 8 years, UT has waited to see who everyone else was recruiting and until the scouting svcs evaluated kids before really going after them hard.

They're being proactive now... you wanted change... you got it. Oh... It wasn't the change you think should have been made? That's really just too bad for the time being. It is obvious that they're ignoring the "experts"... not to mention folks like you possessing the football wisdom of the ages.

Posted by rellis on June 18, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think many people are overlooking the obvious. Recruiting Strategy has changed. Not juet here but at all D-1 schools. With the graduation rate being tied to scholarships in the future it becomes increasingly important that we recruit solid kids to play for the university. We can ill afford to take risks on kids with academic issues or character issues. You want to recruit kids who are solid academically, who will be contributors to the program and will graduate. It means fewer risks on high talent kids who are questionale academically or have risky backgrounds. You cant afford them. Notice the higher level of attention being paid to getting past players back into school to get their degree?
The same approach is being applied at other schools too. Not all, but some. I live in Virgina and I see VA Tech and UVA taking similar approaches. The schools that dont amend their ways could find themselves facing hard times with scholarship numbers in the future.

Posted by marc_ash on June 18, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This young man will probably not see much playing time over his career folks. We have Crompton for the next 2, then Coleman or Stevens. Even Kelly would probably not have seen much PT if he hadn't chosen baseball.

I'm sure he has some talent, but I doubt he will see significant PT unless some of the other air apparents fall short. Then again, who knows...he may be a great system QB and lead the Vols all the way. Only time will tell.

Welcome young man.

Posted by marc_ash on June 18, 2008 at 4:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SJT makes a good point. Fan's have been calling for change for going on 5 years now. Well, here it is.

The coaching staff turnover brings new people, new systems and new philosophies. With that, comes a different style of recruiting (and probably a different style of recruit). It will be interesting to see how this system thrives for the Vols. I live in Chattanooga, and go to the Nat. Championship game that is held here every year. Richmond played for the title this season. They system I saw looked great. However, the players just didn't look as sharp. Don't know how many plays COULD have worked had the right talent been on the field. That being said, no telling if it will translate to an SEC school...but I did see things that I'm excited about.

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DCFlorida and 99Gator, take a look at Auburn(16 verbals) GA(11 verbals) and LSU(13 verbals). The whole landscape of recruiting seems to be picking up the pace.

I agree with the assessment that it's a risky proposition from several different standpoints. On the plus side, a kid like Petty could explode his senior year and have everyone knocking on his door while we have already offered. On the negative, he could get injured or have a horrible season and the Vols are stuck in a situation where they thought they had the right kid and then have to play catch up trying to find someone else.

Posted by cjraney on June 18, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm just glad to have a QB not from the west coast. You hear alot about the intensity of Texas HS football so maybe we'll see some fire from him.

The description, no cannon of an arm but has mobility & gets it to the playmakers, seems to fit with Clawson's self-described style. It seems that Fulmer has not handcuffed his new coordinator, at least not yet, and I think most would agree that is a good thing. Welcome aboard kid [and bring DT's with you].

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Uhhh....marc_ash, Appalachian beat Richmond in Boone NC 55-35 to advance in the playoffs last year. I was at the game but do agree that Clawson had a good offensive system.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 18, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome to UT Bryce. Good to have you aboard!

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice post rellis, you stated it better than I could.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When I read the info on this kid... it makes me think of Danny Wuerffel with size and a little better arm. Maybe it was the comment about him seeming to push the ball a little or that he seems to anticipate where the ball is going to go early.

Interesting comment about Clawson being really concerned about the character of the guys they're offering.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer's Master Plan:

1) Hire Div IAA coach as OC
2) Convince UT BOD to lower student enrollment to confomrm to Div IAA standards
3) Join the Colonial Athletic Association in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly IAA), Clason's former conference
4) Finish 10 year final span of career undefeated, surpassing Neyland in wins, and setting FCS records as winningest coach with at least 10 years as HC.

Tongue in cheek sarcasm.

People, get a clue. This is a good prospect, we might get another one later. I'm fairly certain that most touted 5* guys are a little more dramatic and let the "courtship ritual" drag on.

Posted by tngeoff on June 18, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18.

Do you live near Springfield? I'll be there in August.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bammer,

How many coaches in how many years? What is it, 7 in 17 since stallings? 5 since 2001 alone? And then you have to hire a prostitute...btw, its "dysfunctional"

Posted by volguy41nlouisiana on June 18, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ya know..im sure it happens on all the message boards...still not right though...but I really think we lose focus that this is a kid...plain and simple...and WE are saying hes not good...bad arm....questioning his character...comparing to other qbs...when we havent seen one thing bout him(in person)..never met him....just all speculation....and if im a parent...like i am...i be damn if I want my child..(who is just a junior in high school now) going somewhere where hes being ripped to pieces already by the FANS...lol...WE got a QB...period...be thankful...you gripe and moan bout the changes or lack there of ...and here they come...and stillnot happy...and youre only recourse is to attack the kid and his ability and integrity....LETS Reevaluate and try welcoming and showing our appreciation...maybe if the coaches can change...we can too...welcome aboard young man....GO VOLS

Posted by Vol13 on June 18, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If these 3* types could potentially be 5* types by the end of their senior year, then logically, the 4/5* types RIGHT NOW have the potential to be 6/7* types by the end of their senior year. Agree?

sjt and others - When you awaken from your slumber in a couple of years and realize that we don't have a lick of talent compared to the SEC Big Brothers - remember that you were on here lauding these guys today and talking about how they looked great at our camp, just trust the staff, etc. Ever occurred to you that we may have 80% 3 stars at our camp? That's like saying that the Cocke County All-Stars in girl's softball could beat a traveling team from Goodlettsville because they "sure looked good in Cocke County!"

Posted by yemmusdarb on June 18, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rick Clausen part II

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 18, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iam4ua-

You love your sister
Your 1st cousin loves your brother
Your momma is also somehow your aunt
You're a typical Alabama family.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff, Springfield is about 4-5 hours from us. You are welcome to stop by any time. We're between 1.5 hrs and 2 hrs ENE of KCI.

Posted by PaulTheVol on June 18, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The idea in this new offense is that the ability to throw to a window in rhythm with accuracy is more important than arm strength. It's all about spreading the field, isolation and getting the ball quickly into a playmaker's hands and then challenging the defense to stop him. Gerald Jones will have a monster year.

Posted by VolGraduate on June 18, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iam4ua smells like cabbage

i love all the UT football fans who b!tch and moan about the program. in reality there is nothing they can do but that...b!tch and moan. they are helpless...at least they have the internet to vent. and as i've said before, i'm sure all the b!tchers and moaners win at everything they do 100% of the time...complete perfection...like cousin eddie making ketchup..."nuthin but the best"

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iam4ua, when a program and fanbase so royally betray a devoted son the way you guys did Shula... You lose your right for 1 million years to call anyone else's program dysfunctional.

The guy was close to his peak demand level and could have gotten jobs elsewhere. Instead, he took over Bama out of loyalty even in the wake of the NCAA sanctions and the Price fiasco. For his trouble what did Bama do? Kneecapped him like the arrogant, self absorbed folks they truly are.

Saban is what you all deserve... I hope his next career step and $5 million offer come sooner rather than later... you deserve it.

Posted by yemmusdarb on June 18, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Apparently UT is going for quantity over quality this year in recruiting. It seems like they are just taking anyone who will accept a scholarship. We have 3 OL who are ranked 3 stars or less (2 don't even have stars yet), 2 "RB's" who are 2-3 stars whom won't even be playing that position and are obvious LB/FB/DE tweeners, and now a QB who had 2 low level offers prior to committing to UT and he himself admits he doesn't have a strong arm and basically just throws dink and dunk passes.

Other than Stokes, Oliver, Giles, and Thigpen... I'd just assume dump the rest and wait it out for better prospects. I mean, you can get these kinds of players late into recruiting season. There is no need to rush to judgment and offer players who probably won't amount to much in a league like the SEC. To me, it's kind of like the coaches who do this are trying to act like they know more than the recruiting services and are out to prove a point. But that almost is always not the case in the end.

(If you don't believe me, look at USC, Florida, Ohio State, and LSU.... they basically only take 4-5 star prospects. Their coaches aren't trying to prove they can turn a basic prospect into something great. They'd rather turn something great into more wins.)

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"If these 3* types could potentially be 5* types by the end of their senior year, then logically, the 4/5* types RIGHT NOW have the potential to be 6/7* types by the end of their senior year. Agree?"

No. The scale runs from no stars to 5 stars... but in any given year several players will be demoted while others are promoted. I doubt this kid will go to 4 stars unless he develops better arm strength and/or tears his Sr season up.

FWIW, UT missed out on Savage from PA. His stats were worse. He was no better athlete than Petty. Roughly the same size. Roughly the same passing eval... yet Savage was a disappointment because UT missed a 4* while this kid is a disappointment because he only has 3*. Just an observation of how we can put too much into those rankings.

BTW, Petty's stats in Tx HS football were far superior to Savages' in PA HS football. Both states are probably top 10 in the quality of HS football played but Texas is more than likely the better of the two.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vol13, I'm not lauding anyone in particular. I am saying that the sky isn't falling. I am NOT predicting either success or failure. I AM noting that things have changed... for better or worse.

I'm just as much in the dark as you are about what UT's staff is doing and why they're doing it... I'm just not willing to make rosy or dire DEFINITIVE prophecies about what WILL happen in "a couple of years".

If this kid is a great decision maker who develops a stronger arm and can get the ball out in space to Thigpen, Stokes, Giles, and any other "playmaker" that UT lands in the next couple of years... remember that you were here assuming the worst... as always.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"To me, it's kind of like the coaches who do this are trying to act like they know more than the recruiting services and are out to prove a point. But that almost is always not the case in the end."

yemmus, the coaches spend more time evaluating these players up close and personal than any of the recruiting svcs can... plus they get all of the combine data and film that those svcs use for their evaluations.

They do "know more" than the recruiting svcs do about those particular players... the question is whether their decisions are good ones or not.

Even if you don't like Fulmer, you can't ignore Adkins' success in recruiting or coaching up OL's. T Williams will probably be a LB.

D Allen is rated the 4th best FB prospect in the country. Seldom do FB's get 4*... but he's close. He's also on the ESPN 150 watch list. Scout proving their relative worth to the football recruiting landscape rates him the #63 DE. He might end up there... but that isn't where he's projected.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BTW, I thought DT from the moment D Allen committed. Someone said that he might already weigh 270 and still have really good speed.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Saban luvs Bama? That just demonstrates how delusional Bama fans are. Do you really think Saban would have come to Bama for any less money? How about if they'd been under NCAA sanctions? How about if the previous coach had left in a high profile scandal?

Saban luvs Bama like a Gold digger luvs a Sugar Daddy... and for exactly the same reason. The minute he gets a better deal... he'll be gone.

Posted by pdhuff on June 18, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome young man, to the Vol nation if and when.

Tngeoff 3:31 - lose the reference to DTs. They are not needed with the 2-9. You simply outscore your opponent in the 36-45 point range. Defense is passe. Out of the loop.

You mention it, you need kevlar.

Listened to T. Barnhardt (AJC) on Doug Mathews show, said OSU-USC early will determine one of the BCS CG teams. Probably. Said OKLA will be very good.

Ga vs LSU in the SEC. But he wasn't aware of the demon 2-9.

Lose the DT reference, other teams are misguided by recruiting them. Trying to get you another 15 gallon of koolade ready ASAP. Clean your tinted glasses and worhip Phil, not the Vols. It is really simple. Ommmmmmmmmmm.....

Free TDTN....

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 18, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Top 5 things you'll never hear an Alabama Fan say:
5. $75,000 for a defensive tackle? That's outrageous!
4. Losing seven in a row to Tennessee didn't bother me at all.
3. You really need the acidity of a French Pino Noir like the Bourgogne Rouge to cut through the fattiness of the duck.
2. You know, most of those National Championships we awarded ourselves were pretty bogus.
1. Coach Saban isn't in it for the $4MM. He really just loves us.

Posted by VOLS85 on June 18, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bama went 6-6 last year, nice work first year in Satan!

Posted by kdt0725 on June 18, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heres the thing though with all this diamond in the rough stuff.

IM SICK OF SAYING IT AND HOPING ITS TRUE!!!!!

We shouldn't have to wonder if he'll develop or not. Ill take a 4-5 star QB who has intangibles than a 3-star possible "diamond in the rough." I dont want to base the future of Tennessee football on diamonds in the rough.

Posted by golfballs03 on June 18, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You all are talking like this kid just crawled out of a dumpster. I really like what Ive seen from Clawson so far and think he may have found himself a solid QB. It's still a long way off, so we'll see how things work out.

Posted by chas_turner on June 18, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That "dink and dunk" offense he runs is a no huddle, 2 TE set out of the shotgun. The plays are signaled in just before the snap. Does it remind you of something familiar? His videos sure do remind me of last years UT offense. :)

By the way, he has a receiver and an HB/TE on that team that are very good 2010 recruits, IMO.

Posted by volfan5521 on June 18, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TOP 5 Things Alabama Fans can't accomplish:

5)Fancy cyphering (ala J. Bodean)

4)Rational Thinking (Saten luvs Buma)

3)Dental health

2)Picking a Successor for the BEAR (25 years and still waiting)

1) Keeping Saten in Tuscaloser (he'll be gone in two years.)

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

chas, I'd read that elsewhere except that he is supposedly alot more nimble than Ainge.

Someone mentioned that he also just turned 17... that's a pretty important factor when evaluating arm strength and things like that.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 18, 2008 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bammer is looking for NC #13? Wouldn't they have to win, like, the next seven in a row?

BOJ

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 18, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way...

Bryce, welcome to The Nation! Good luck this season.

Some fans want a guaranteed, can't miss 5 Star internet-legend like Brock Berlin or Ryan Perrilloux over someone that our coaches have had in camp and have seen play first hand. Pretty funny sometimes, eh?

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

4.64 in the 40 yd dash for a QB! Am I wrong or is this fast for that position? From what I hear and see, Clawson likes to spread the field and is requiring speed and smarts at the skill positions - maybe all positions. That may be a statement of the obvious. However, IF his system works it will be inviting for even faster athletes in the future. This won't be a "quick fix" but quality building job. Also, here is another student who loves the mountains - at least we know he has good taste! Finally, I stated(referring to Smith's article earlier) previously that Petty runs a Texas Tech style offense in HS. I would like to know how others feel in this being a factor in us recruiting him.

Addendum: What "star" rating would/did Andy Kelly have when leaving HS? He was a football player first and a QB second.

Posted by BigOrangeHustler on June 18, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iam4mysister,

yeah, saban may love you for now, but when someone comes calling with mo' money- what happens then?

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 18, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bigger_Al,
Some "fans" actually believe they can do a better job of evaluating talent they've never seen - using the internets, tea leaves, osmosis, and some blend of science and magic - than a staff of 20 or so coaches and GA's that do this 24x7.

If only Hamilton had access to the brain trust on GVX, UT would never lose another game.

BOJ

Posted by RichRollin on June 18, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We have came close to matching the 08' class already!! A nice 3 star gem that does not play baseball!! Can replace Kelly!!

Posted by Freshly_Cut_Grass on June 18, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's David Oku's status with us?

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 18, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RJ,
I have no problem with the kid running the TTU offense in HS. A lot of high school run gimmick offenses for a variety of reasons. If nothing else, he's been trained to make quick decisions.

FWIW, Clawson says the offense he's installing is NOT the spread option or the Hal Mumme special, although schools have been using that rumor against us in recruiting. I imagine that the "top-rated" QBs are in wait-and-watch mode to see what the O looks like on the field this year.

For now, welcome to the Big Orange family Bryce. I'll try to get up towards DFW to catch you in a game this season. I'll be the guy in orange, instead of that diarrhea brown that the tea-sippers wear.

BOJ

Posted by Freshly_Cut_Grass on June 18, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear Mr. Petty,

Take notes from Nick Stephens, the other Texas dud, only you'll be sending signals into BJ Coleman.

Regards,

Obvious Guy

Posted by pdhuff on June 18, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where is the Grail?

Posted by Hunter on June 18, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't get offered by Baylor????????

That's like Vandy saying "You're just not Commodore material, son. Maybe try intramurals...."

Wait, same thing.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heath was around a 4.5 and could have played Safety in college if he didn't also possess a gun for an arm.

Posted by FWBVol on June 18, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iam4ua, I hear Neyland Stadium is what Bryant Denny wants to be when it grows up.

Also, as we speak, Saban is negotiating to coach a high school in West Virginia if they give him popcorn conceessions. His logic is at the end of this year he's thinking he needs to go back to prep football and get back to his roots where they really love the game and play it for the right reason.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Cut Grass, In case you slept through spring practice... It looks like Stephens is #2 ahead of Coleman right now. He may be the guy after Crompton if they don't bring in someone who can beat him out.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Cut Grass, In case you slept through spring practice... It looks like Stephens is #2 ahead of Coleman right now. He may be the guy after Crompton if they don't bring in someone who can beat him out.

Posted by BigOrangeJeff on June 18, 2008 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like you must've been smoking some of that grass you've been cutting.

BOJ

Posted by pj5220mets on June 18, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc Ash,
I know someone already called you out on this, but I have noticed you have been fairly critical of the program in the past. It just makes me wonder how someone who is so critical of the program can have such little knowledge about what is actually going on. For six months have you really been going around thinking our new OC was either coaching the team that beat Michigan, or the team that had the #18 overall NFL pick at QB? Before you make a detailed analysis of the system Clawson runs, maybe you should actually watch Richmond play. Watching a I-AA game between Appy St. and Delaware does not count.

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BigOrangeJeff. I also don't feel Clawson will actually run the spread or Mumme's offense. I think he'll spread the field(in order to get his skill players in the open field) which is why I feel Petty may be an important recruit. He should(as you pointed out) be trained to make quick reads and handle multiple sets. And I completely agree that many QB's are in a "wait and see" mode. That's a good point. Finally, I watched the Spiders play Appy State this past year. I am no expert, but his QB seemed to be a pocket passer who would run if the situation presented itself. It forced the defense to stay at home. A QB, who can make the defense pay with the run, seems to be integral to his schemes...and a fast running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield. I'll have to wait for the season and see if that last remark of mine is true or not.

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 18, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrimm Sir - I'm guessing that Clawson picked a guy that can do what he needs him to do within his offense, which is get the ball to the playmakers. So for clues as to what this means UT's offense will be, I'm putting more faith in Clawson than the recruiting "gurus" that try to rank thousands of HS Jrs. that they have never seen play in person. Accurate passer, not tremendous arm strength, high moral fiber, looks like he's pushing the ball out there at times, knows where to go with the ball... Remind you of a Gator QB?

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 8:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim1998 I think one of UT's advantages next year is that the old tendencies are out. Thus, I have no idea(other than Richmond games & stats and rumors)what the offense will look like. I think the fact that this kid runs a 4.64/40 should tell us something. When UT's QB's have been fast, we've been pretty good...Shuler and Martin to name a few. Now, I personally feel that this will not resemble the UF spread. I think(purely a guess) that this offense will be a hybrid of a several offenses w/ the common thread being a pro-style/multiple set offense w/ a tendency to spread the field to get our best players the ball in space. In closing, I think Petty fits this bill. I'm out for a while. Have a good evening!

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 18, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry to repeat your 8:36 post, Bigger Al! I was typing while you were posting.

Posted by marc_ash on June 18, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

invisiblekid,

Well yes, I know App State beat Richmond this past year. I too was at the game. My post discussed how the system Richmond ran was a good system, however the players they had just didn't seem to be able to pull off the plays Clawson had as part of his offense. I never said Richmond won the title. That would have been flat out dumb.

Posted by rsarazen on June 18, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dan Fouts played at Portland State; enough said... Give this kid a chance. Not many people knew who Brett Favre was at Southern Miss either.

Posted by marc_ash on June 18, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pj5220mets,

I sure would love to know how i have been "critical of the program in the past".

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 18, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RJ_Vol - No worries, mon. Have a good evening.

Posted by pj5220mets on June 18, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marc I think you missed the point...App St. beat Delaware for the title in Chattanooga...Richmond was not there...

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash, it's a minor point in the grand scheme of things, but you said: "I live in Chattanooga, and go to the Nat. Championship game that is held here every year. Richmond played for the title this season."

Richmond lost in the semi-finals to Appalachian in Boone. Appalachian played Deleware in the title game in Chatanooga.

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash, it's a minor point in the grand scheme of things, but you said: "I live in Chattanooga, and go to the Nat. Championship game that is held here every year. Richmond played for the title this season."

Richmond lost in the semi-finals to Appalachian in Boone. Appalachian played Deleware in the title game in Chatanooga.

Posted by invisiblekid on June 18, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks pj5220 and no offense intended marc_ash. Simply offering a correction. BTW, apologies for the double post.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pj5220, I don't know how long you've been around but marc is one of the more objective and thoughtful folks here. We've disagreed at times but he generally has well thought out reasons for his opinions. He's definitely not a kneejerk cynic aka negavol.

Posted by sjt18 on June 18, 2008 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, I think the problem is that you don't have an accurate conception of what Clawson's offense is. He ran the spread at one point because his best QB was an athlete. Generally speaking, UT's formations may not look that different.

He'll do a couple of subtle things though that will be different. His goal is to stretch the field both vertically and laterally- throw to all six zones. He'll use that passing attack to spread the D out and set up the run. The look won't be the same as Meyer's spread but the desired effect is somewhat similar.

He also has a goal of designing plays that get the ball to playmakers in space... that should be a pretty familiar mantra to a UF fan. That means generally that he wants his QB to be a great distributor and leader. Every coach prefers a QB with good mobility all other things being equal.

Posted by tngeoff on June 18, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pj5220.

Just out of curiosity...your screen name has a total of two posts. With two posts, both today, how would you possibly know what marc_ash has posted before?

Posted by Smallmike4pres on June 18, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Clawson needs to realize that he is not recruiting for the Spiders anymore. He can now go after those top recruits that used to throw their car keys at him like he was the valet, when he showed up on their doorstep. STEP UP DAVE, YOUR IN THE SEC NOW! THIS IS TENNESSEE NOT TENNESSEE TECH, RECRUIT LIKE IT!

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Simply stated, this site has to be the whiniest bunch of women the world has ever seen.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geoff, just throwing this out there, but you don't have to be registered to read the site.

Posted by tigervol9802 on June 18, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

stj -

I think our offense is going to somewhat begin to look like USC's a bit. I think they both stem from the same base, but now instead of working players into the system, we're going to take the base system and design it to the players.

USC runs a very pro-style offense, and I don't think you can argue with it's results. Offenses are perfectly capable of putting up a lot of yards out of a pro style offense just like a spread.

Remember - Clawson said he wants a 3000 yard passer, a 1000 yard rusher, and a 1000 yard receiver. I don't care what style you run, if you can achieve those goals, you will be doing all right.

Posted by tngeoff on June 18, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol_in_lsu_land.

True, but odd. I don't recall marc_ash posting anything negatively noteworthy, or worth suddenly registering to "call him out"...do you?

Posted by Vol13 on June 18, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We're going to be wide open all right. We might just run the bubble screen from the left hand side.

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 18, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Small_Mike Sux_R_Pres - You need to know that according to Mike Keith, the NFL has had their eyes on Dave Clawson, and are very impressed with his talents.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear Jack is out of the pen, anybody need his e-mail addy?

From Wikipedia...

Between 1999 and 2007, Kevorkian served eight years of a 10-to-25-year prison sentence for second-degree murder. He was released on June 1, 2007, on parole due to good behavior.[3]

(this is a joke folks, take it that way)

Posted by cjraney on June 18, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DC-
Percy is a stud no doubt. Best WR in the SEC and possibly the country. I hope our D can lay a couple licks on him and possibly slow him down but there is no stopping him. But those recruiting ***'s don't mean anything...well maybe they got it right with Harvin.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim.

Dude, you're getting ahead of yourself. This is the 09 (zero-nine) recruiting class we're talking about. This kid will still be drinking milk-shakes at dairy-queen with his prom date when UT plays UCLA.

Nobody ever said that Clawson was a spread-O coach. In fact, the discussion has been repeatedly tossed around here that he's a pro-set guy. Only difference is philosophy. Cutcliffe was a play-oriented OC. Fulmer and Cut have traditionally laid a playbook as thick as the Knoxville phone book on their QBs when they arrive. Clawson is supposed to favor a simpler offense that opens the field for playmakers to touch the ball in space. It has been said that he does incorporate some spread-O schemes in the mix as well. We have no idea how effective or ineffective he will be. One thing is certain, you nor I nor anyone else has any idea if Petty will fit the bill or not.

Posted by cjraney on June 18, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff-RE: pj5220

Its hard to imagine but some folks actually just read the articles and some comments. How they can resist participating in the ever-present high-brow debate in the comments area is beyond me. But those folks do exist as I know at least one orange-blooded fella who reads almost everyday but has left nary a comment, right KB?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Geoff,

No, I don't. Marc Ash is one of the guys in here that doesn't rock the boat. He posts his opinions and sometimes steps it up a notch but never to the level of banter (you, I, and others) do.

I really don't get what this guy is trying to say. Strange. And I don't see where Ash was offensive even in this thread.

Posted by pj5220mets on June 18, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I apologize to Marc,
I was basing my comments on his "stay the curse" (no I did not misspell that) days from last fall. I apologize if he is not a negative fan, I just remember his rants against Fulmer and wrongly based my opinion on that. To clear up any questions, I have been a member for five years, I just do not post. And from now on will probably keep it that way.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Open message to Bryce Petty and his family:

Young man, I am quite certain that I will be flamed for posting this, but I feel it neccessary so I'll do what I think is right. No doubt, you recently accepted a scholarship offer and made your choice to be a VOL. I am not certain if you've had time to absorb it all, take it all in or not. I have a feeling though that if I were a man your age and new that my life was in the spot-light, I'd be on the internet looking for the articles printed about me. This is why I have a feeling you have read this article and the subsequent postings.

Just know this...90% of University of Tennessee fans will look forward to seeing you suit up and cheering you on if and when you go under center. This site is a gathering place for people who define the word "fanatic". Some of us live and die by Big Orange football. We get carried away at times. As you are likely aware, Tennessee's success in the SEC has been hot and cold for a few years. This is partly due to competition for recruits that has stepped up a notch. Some of our fans are restless for a championship. I know that this is why you are coming to Tennessee, to come to a place where you can make a difference. I assure you, if you come to UT to play and give it your all, you'll never hear the first fan complain (who isn't a little drunk on 'shine anyway..j/k)

Good luck to you and welcome to the family.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 18, 2008 at 10:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pj

Hey man, I admire you for your ability to resist the goings on here. I also can understand your reasoning and decision to speak up. I myself don't remember Ash making those comments, but who knows. At any rate, know that we need more people who support Fulmer to join in the conversation now and then. The squeakiest wheels get the grease on this site and sometimes it seems all the wheels are on one side of the cart. Please, don't be troubled and pipe up now and then.

Posted by mun4life on June 18, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nice vol in lsu land

Posted by tngeoff on June 18, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cjraney.

I believe you and he even said what you said. Very interesting though.

Posted by bricker865 on June 18, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tom Petty can be our quarterback.

Posted by watchdog on June 18, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way too many comments for lazy 'ole me to see if this has already been pointed out, so...

Who the heck cares if Portland State recruited him? Do you really think it's a problem if you don't see a big name school offering? Big-time NCAA recruiting isn't the absolute be-all end-all.

Question: What do Troy, TN State, Delaware, ECU, Houston, Arkansas State, Tulane, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Michigan and Appy State have in common?

Answer: First and second round NFL draft picks this past time around.

Sometimes great players get missed by the big-name schools in college. If we just found one, congrats to us!

Anyway welcome to UT Bryce. I hope you have a great career here.

Posted by mparker on June 18, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

okay, for the eight BILLIONTH time: recruiting services don't do your recruiting, unless you REALLY want to lose.

Most likely what Clawson likes is the decision-making. Any kind of spread offense needs a QG who cna make quick throws to the right spots. The QB needs ot be tough and it helps if he can pick up a few yards rusthing.

Posted by bobbarbilly on June 18, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good post watchdog.

Posted by Ironcity on June 19, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the coaches saw him in person for three days and they want him, then by all means offer. It appears this is what happened.

Posted by junder13 on June 19, 2008 at 1:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Having a few sleepers in a class can be OK. Every once in awhile you find a gem. But the number of guys we've had commit recently that are not being offered by teams that we play every Saturday is alarming! I realize that they still have a senior year to play and can prove to be worthy of such scholarship offers, but the game of recruiting is also happening much faster now than 10 years ago. A majority should have those offers if we're going to offer them this early! I've read a lot of posts that want to assume the guy is good simply b/c he got offered. Perhaps he is, perhaps he's not. My question is this: if he's borderline and you really need a solid QB in this class then why not wait to see how he plays his Sr year? Impressing coaches in a camp is different than impressing someone on the field in live play. I'll stand by that no matter how this guy turns out (b/c, on avg, it will be true).

Everyone who reads this can hate on me all they want but I will stand by the fact that UT football is becoming marginalized. We're becoming satisfied with 10-4 seasons and 3-star recruits. I had been excited about Clawson up until this camp evaluation period. Even now being the OC for a top-tier football school he still recruits like he's in DII.

You guys can hope he pans out all you want but this guy sure as h3ll doesn't look to be any better than Nick Stephens or BJ Coleman. If he's not, then why let him take up a scholarship? Rick Clausen, Joey Matthews, and countless others over the yrs were very average QBs who could work as hard as they wanted but, in the end, could not get it done at the most important position in sports. You can't have an average QB and be good--this is SEC football! If we got him in late January b/c everyone else fell through I wouldn't say a thing...promise. But in June?!? There are still some big time QBs out there considering us. Hate all you want on this post but a team full of sleeper recruits will eventually put your audience to sleep, no matter how diehard a fan you are!

Posted by ZR on June 19, 2008 at 2:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer wants to stay 8-10 more years. Imagine the quality of players he'll be recruiting then. They may not have to even be starters in high school.

Posted by snafu14u on June 19, 2008 at 2:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI: Portland State is coached by Jerry Glanville and the offensive co-ordinator is Mouse Davis. Any of you brainacs ever hear of those guys.Do your homework.Welcome. bonzaivol........now residing in Portland,OR. However I do call Oregon "The Peoples Republic of Oregon". A little left of Lenin.

Posted by douglasawilliams on June 19, 2008 at 3:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is there anything more worthless than a commit in the middle of June prior to the senior season? I mean, other than a Bama fan?

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 19, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, the "inventor" of the run and shoot offense is the OC at Portland State. Did not know that. Again, the whiniest bunch of women on the internet.

Posted by GoVol on June 19, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The coaches know and understand that recruiting is the life blood of the program. They survive or get fired by the decisions they make about recruiting and ultimate deveopment and performance of the players.

Even if you don't care for Fulmer (me) we all know the jury is still out on Clawson, and because of this I give the benefit of the doubt that they truely saw a kid that can play in the SEC.

Another thing - this is only a verbal. He could be verbally comitting to draw the attention of other schools? No one really knows and we won't either until signing day next Feb.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 19, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

McBrim
sj..he is not going to get "mobility" out of this guy. He is pure step back passer. I guess we will have to see what happens out at UCLA when Clawson gets his first test.

Kindest Regards

Uh, sounds like the topic in your post was the quarterback to me.

And no, the big story when they hired Clawson was his philosophy of getting playmakers the ball in space. For anyone with football savy we understand that this means simplifying the offense and letting players make plays instead of forcing plays and schemes in a rigid system. And please explain, oh football guru, how a drop back passer is incapable of spreading the field and making plays? Please, offer us your superior Gaytor wisdom.

Posted by volboy81 on June 19, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Im glad the crowd noise in Neyland Stadium drowns out all the whining.

Posted by sjt18 on June 19, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Remember - Clawson said he wants a 3000 yard passer, a 1000 yard rusher, and a 1000 yard receiver. I don't care what style you run, if you can achieve those goals, you will be doing all right."

tigervol, I agree... but didn't UT's O have that this past season and alot of people complained.

Posted by sg23 on June 19, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bet the kid makes a heck of a B B-Q sandwich welcome and good luck

Posted by sjt18 on June 19, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ironcity, I'm sure they saw him for more than three days. There was a recent combine/camp for elite prospects in Ft Worth. Petty was one of the best performers there. I have little doubt that someone from UT was in attendance.

Posted by vol_in_lsu_land on June 19, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning. He isn't this QB and this QB isn't him. And d-s, I'd trade ten little Timmy "I love my roomie Tony Joiner" Tebows for one Peyton Manning.

And Skippy, I can't help it if you're writing skills are illiterate. Usually people LEAD into a thought. Let me show you how to write to help you out:

Here's an edit. Take note it may help.

sj..he is not going to get "mobility" out of this guy. He is pure step back passer. AT ANY RATE, WE WON'T SEE HIM FOR A FEW YEARS. AS FAR AS CLAWSON'S OFFENSIVE SCHEMES, I guess we will have to see what happens out at UCLA when Clawson gets his first test.

Now, that thought flows a little better, dontchya think Skippy?

Posted by orangebloodgmc on June 19, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The UT coaches have pulled in a lot of talented recruits over the last decade or two and they know more about college recruiting than at least 99.9% of the people on this site, so I'm gonna trust 'em to handle that. No, normally you wouldn't think that they had to get this kid this early in the recruiting year, so the fact that they took decisive action to do so tells me they saw impressive intangibles that the rest of us are not privy to. This is a good thing. Welcome aboard Bryce.

Posted by waterskier3 on June 19, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

face it this is what we have so we'll win or lose with this crew.... I said it before people can say all they want but the schools winning REAL championships and not a divisional ghost championship are recruiting 4 and 5 stars recruits... the reason the other schools didn't offer is because they see better talent that they fell will come to their school..........

So where does that put tn among the elite schools....... middle of pack in recruiting and middle of the pack in the conf.. top talent equates to championships......

sorry fans that's reality :( I don't like it at all!!!!

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