I admit I have no real qualifications to question UT's recruiting strategies. And I apologize in advance if this ends up criticizing QB coach David Reaves recruiting capabilities. It isn't my intentions to write a negative piece about anyone, just state what I think is the obvious.
Lance Thompson needs to be recruiting the Carolina's, period. Thus far the 2008 National Recruiter of the Year has one UT commitment to his name and that is J.C. Copeland. I know Thompson has connections in Georgia and Alabama and that is why he is stationed there. And I refuse to believe that it was Nick Saban and the Alabama program that made him so successful as a Tide recruiter. Thompson has that "it" factor, whereas he can universally relate to 18 yr old stud athletes. Instead of putting Thompson in a place he knows, put him in the place that has the most talent and let him do work.
No offense to David Reaves, but he is still learning the ropes and should not be solely in charge of such a talent-rich area. The work he did at USCe as Recruiting Coordinator showed a lot of potential and there is no doubt he is learning from the best right now.
I know Georgia and Alabama are loaded with talent and Thompson has us in good shape with Ambles, Garrison Smith, and Dale Trimble. But do you know how hard it is to pull a kid out of Alabama? After Nick Saban takes his picks and Auburn cleans up the mess, is there really anything left that you couldn't get anywhere else?
As far as I remember UT has always had great success in northern and central Georgia. The Henry County/Stone Mountain area has produced close to a dozen great VOLS and that should continue with Mike Rozier walking on to play QB (Mike Sr. is head coach at Henry County).
But south Georgia is a different story. Gainesville and Valdosta may produce a dozen D1 prospects a year between the two, but there are 5 heavyweight programs that will always have an advantage over UT in the region. UGA, FSU, Auburn, UF, and GT. For those who aren't counting, that is 3 top SEC programs, the top ACC program, and a home state up-and-coming GT.
To the northeast you got the Carolina's, who this year, get credit for 10 of the top 65 players in the nation. Not only is it geographically more favorable than "Dixie," the only teams stopping you from cleaning house are USCe, Clemson, UNC, and NCSU. That's one middle pack SEC team and 3 okay ACC teams. And when it comes to superstar prospects, what do they always say: The SEC is the best and that is where I would like to play. The advantages are obvious.
In my opinion, UT should have had commitments from Corey Miller and Brandon Willis a month ago (after leaving camp). The Byrnes, SC teammates still have UT in their top 5, but it looks like FSU is the leader. That's right, they have already dropped all in-state schools and would rather go play for FSU 10 hours away in the ACC. Lance Thompson would have been all over this.
I'm sure CLK and his staff have a very good reason why they don't do it my way. And it isn't Reaves fault that he is less seasoned and has ties to an area that happens to be loaded with talent this year.
Give Lance Thompson both the Carolina's, north Georgia, and throw in the Virginia Beach area (Chesapeake, Newport, Hampton), and he will be a top 5 recruiter every single year. Combined with Orgeron cleaning house in Louisiana and Mississippi and Gran in South Florida, and you got your self a top 3 class every single years. JMO.
