All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: 5 takeaways from Vols’ National Signing Day 2019

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 7: A Tennessee Volunteer holds up his helmet in the team huddle before the NCAA football game against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at Neyland Stadium on September 7, 2002 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 26-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 7: A Tennessee Volunteer holds up his helmet in the team huddle before the NCAA football game against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders at Neyland Stadium on September 7, 2002 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 26-3. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Fan Day
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

1. Tennessee football still has a brand.

Let’s think about everything facing the Tennessee football program right now. They are coming off two straight losing seasons and have the second worst record in the SEC overall through those two years.

Live Feed

UAB vs. Georgia Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
UAB vs. Georgia Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

Betsided

  • Charlotte vs. Florida Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 Betsided
  • Is Michael Penix Jr. the best quarterback in college football? With the First Pick
  • Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb's injury Saturday Blitz
  • Florida State vs. Clemson Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 Betsided
  • Arkansas vs. LSU Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 Betsided

    • Meanwhile, the Vols have a head coach in Jeremy Pruitt who has never had a winning record or even a .500 record in any season he’s been a head coach. Their state is not in the Top 15 when it comes to producing the most NFL talent or the most elite recruits, and over 35 Power Five schools specifically are in states ahead of them on both fronts, including seven SEC schools.

    Then there is the tradition of the programs when it comes to winning. The Vols haven’t won a national championship or SEC championship in 20 years or even had a Top 10 finish in 17 years. Again, over 30 schools in those better recruiting states alone have accomplished one of those things while the current recruits have never seen UT do so.

    Nonetheless, Jeremy Pruitt managed to secure a Top 12 recruiting class for Rocky Top and one that is either No. 6 or No. 7 in the SEC, depending on the ranking service you use. That’s insane. When it comes to at least recruiting rankings, the Vols are consistently recruiting way over their heads when it comes to their infrastructure.

    The only explanation to all of this is that Rocky Top still has a major brand to sell. It’s hard to know what that is, but you can’t deny Tennessee football is a major selling point to recruits unlike any other program.

    Next. Tee Martin's 10 best games with Vols. dark

    How else could the Vols even get a class this highly rated? Tennessee football is a place any recruit should be skeptical of right now given its recent lack of success, its unproven coaches and the pressures that come with the fan base. But Jeremy Pruitt and co. still are managing to get elite talent. Again, it’s all about selling the brand, and the Vols still have a brand to sell.

    Home/Vols Football