Tennessee football: Florida rivalry a major recruiting opportunity for Vols in 2018
Tennessee football’s rivalry with the Florida Gators has always been big. But this year, the game has major recruiting implications for the Volunteers.
Florida is a recruiting base for everybody in the country. Tennessee football is not unique in that regard. But the Vols used to be able to be one of the teams that had a unique presence there due to their rivalry with the Gators.
Generally, the Vols try to get two or three guys from the state each year, as part of their recruiting method is picking off just enough talent from other areas while closing off what they can in their home state. But now, the program has a major opportunity to make inroads in the state. And that makes this weekend’s game huge.
Jeremy Pruitt has connections to the state because his entire coaching career was at a school that bordered the state or within the state itself, when he led the Florida State Seminoles to the national championship in 2013. He also hired Chris Weinke onto the staff, an FSU legend who can build a recruiting pipeline into the state because of his high school coaching years down there.
The biggest reason, though, the Florida game has more recruiting implications than ever before is because of the state of the two major programs in northern and central Florida. Mark Richt is still going to lock up South Florida in Miami.
However, the Seminoles have come apart under Willie Taggart. Things are only going to get worse for them as a program. Mullen is rebuilding the Gators right now, and he’s not much of a recruiter anyway. Florida’s class is only ranked No. 22 nationally at this point, which is No. 1 in the SEC.
Related Story. Tennessee-Florida: Keys to the game. light
So with those two schools going through down periods in recruiting, the time to pounce in the state is now. Pruitt knows that, and it’s the perfect way for him to get a head start on his rebuilding project.
There are other schools in Florida that can get that talent, as the UCF Knights, USF Bulls and now Florida Atlantic Owls under Lane Kiffin are all sleeping giants. But they are all Group of Five schools. Florida and Florida State being where they are, neighboring Power Five schools will be the ones who can cash in.
More from Vols Football
- How to Win a GUARANTEED $200 Bonus Betting Just $5 on the Vols vs. Florida!
- Tennessee Football at Florida: Five Keys to a Vols Victory
- Week 3 SEC Power Rankings: Did Tennessee Football’s Win Help At All?
- Week 3 AP Polls: Why Did Tennessee Football Drop in the Polls?
- Tennessee Football: Top Five Performers in 30-13 Win vs. Austin Peay
Of course, the Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, and Alabama Crimson Tide have the biggest advantages here because of the fact that they all play in a bordering state to Florida. But the Vols have certain connections there, and they have the annual series with the Gators.
If Tennessee football is truly going to rebuild itself back into a national power, it’s got to exploit fertile recruiting areas where the major programs there are weak. Right now, they can do that in Florida, and that’s what makes this game so huge.
With Mullen already 0-1 in the SEC and Florida State falling apart, could you imagine what a win over the Gators Saturday might do for the Vols? They already have two commitments from the state for 2019, and they are in serious contention for two more.
Next. 4 improvements Vols need to make for SEC play. dark
Considering the fact that they’re targeting nearly 40 prospects from the state overall, Saturday is huge for Tennessee football. They may not be able to outpace Georgia, Auburn or Alabama in getting Florida talent. But they can get their share, and beating the Gators would go a long way towards doing that.