As long as he keeps an OC like Chaney, who could be a good HC tomorrow if he wanted to be, it could work.
Pruitt Pruitt is all about football, every time, all the time, and he both expects and demands everyone else to be the same way. This is why he’s so honest in recruiting, because he wants kids to know what they can expect once they get here - because he’s not going to suffer complaints, or a change of heart, later. It “got ugly” between Pruitt and Smart over “the Walker kid” and “it’s still ugly” (between the two coaches & schools). UGA doesn’t need to negative recruit against TN, but they do, simply because Smart hates Pruitt. He’s real - the guy has “one story”, meaning, he says the same things in public as he does in private. Butch had multiple stories, but Pruitt has one, and it’s honest, in all settings. Pruitt got frustrated last year with both Helton and Sherrer, because they wouldn’t do it like he wanted, and that’s why one got demoted and the other got shown the door. Florida Recruiting Florida is seen as struggling a bit in Gainesville, and which is now really starting to get out to high school coaches, Miami is non-existent and FSU’s being a “dumpster fire” has allowed some schools - including TN - to see a real opportunity to snag recruits in Florida. Lovie Jenkins - DB Recruit Lovie Jenkins might be the most impressive commit on our list per X. His issue is that he got nicked up last year and fell off many boards, including the Florida schools, but he’s got enormous size and elite speed. He has committable offers from 30 schools. Reggie Grimes (again) This kid is probably not a take at Bama, as their class is full. TN is much more actively involved than many believe, has been just hanging around, and X believes that he will likely end up at TN - who will take him on his athleticism alone. Recruiting Relentlessly Pruitt, Tee & Niedermeyer are relentless and prolific recruiters, and who will never stop chasing a kid until he signs an LOI. Arik Gilbert Marietta HS, a teammate of Harrison Bailey, and a Top 10 recruit in the country. He could play well at any number of positions. His HS coach is Derek Tinsley. UGA / Bama / TN battle for him, and both are still heavily leaning on him to not visit TN, but he has been here (he was up for the paintball thing). X says that he likes TN’s chances, and that some even feel that TN leads for him, now.
Last Year That team was “absolutely toast” by the end of last season, and there may not have been any way to avoid it, given the difference between Butch and Pruitt. Next Commitment X predicts you’ll see Tyler Barron and Tee Hodge make favorable commitments to TN, perhaps this month. Pruitt understands that you must get and hit on each of these local players. Cooper Mays He needs to get bigger, but many think he’ll be better than Cade, as he’s more athletic, smarter and meaner than his brother, Cade. Speaking of Cade, he’s apparently now in danger of falling out of the rotation at UGA. James Robinson OL Carver, AL OL who may land in TN’s lap, because Bama can’t take him / will probably pass on, and which will be a huge mistake, as he’s a stud, and who has been to TN several times.
Florida is struggling in recruiting because the 5* star DB asked to not be roomed with Jalon Jones. Mullen told him no, he left and Jalon Jones was accused of sexual assault.
Tyler Barron and Keshawn Lawrence are really good friends, they played at Ensworth together before Tyler moved. The majority of the in state guys are fairly tight, having competed against each other in camps since middle school. They all keep in touch, that's one reason Lawrence was a big get. The OL from Carver is James Robinson
Smart is an idiot. If you’re on top, there’s no need to even acknowledge Tennessee with recruits. Negatively recruiting Tennessee only puts unnecessary additional time and attention on Tennessee, when you ought to just be talking about your regular presence in the top 10, SECCG, and Playoff. But by all means, let’s talk Tennessee.
He has to deflect from possibly a top 5 worst coaching call in football history and top 3 worst decision not to call a timeout. Id be fine if pruitt promises players he will get them to their potential, but not blow it for the program with a 4th and 14 fake punt from the 50.
No quality depth and played nfl talent teams over and over for a few weeks and never recovered. Add in guys like Richmond, who is a cooler, and you are toast.
I’m totally guessing, sort of reading between the lines, but I honestly thought it was more a way of saying just how wholly unprepared the team was for Pruitt, how intensely he pushed them throughout the season, and which was far different and more than what they were accustomed to getting under Butch. That’s just my take, from the flow of the conversation.
That was how I read it. And lol at the bit on Muschamp. I can see why Muschamp would hate Pruitt. He sees Pruitt as a redneck high school coach who is running a Cadillac program, something he managed to f**k up in a miraculous fashion. I’m not sure there’s a single facet of being a head coach that Muschamp is better at than Pruitt. And I like Muschamp.