As Tennessee celebrates Vols Senior Day 2018, it’s worth looking back to the recruiting classes that brought these seniors to Knoxville. For Tennessee fans, it’s a case of depressing flashbacks and a lot of “what ifs?”.<\/p>\n
Of course, the discussion about these two senior classes requires context. And 99% of that context centers around former head coach Butch Jones. Jones’ 2014 and 2015 classes were ranked seventh and fourth, respectively, nationally by industry composite rankings on 247Sports.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. This isn’t an analysis of Jones’ recruiting abilities, we’ve had that talk here\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>with all the numbers and complete breakdown<\/span><\/span>. What this shows is the tremendous internal, non-organic turnover in the program over the last five years. Which, in turn, makes it difficult for the current roster–even with talent– to adjust to the culture change of head coach Jeremy Pruitt.<\/p>\n Still on the Roster:<\/span> Dillon Bates<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and Todd Kelly<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Jr. That’s it. Just two scholarship, non-transfer redshirt seniors. Bates, admittedly, was plagued with injuries during his time in Knoxville and wasn’t able to make meaningful contributions. Kelly, Jr., showed glimpses but regressed in his senior season in Pruitt’s new system. For the 64th-ranked player in the nation out of high school, you would expect more production from him. But he’s been solid in his four years on campus.<\/p>\n What Could Have Been:<\/span> It’s easy to forget that this class has four players playing in the NFL right now (Josh Malone<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, Derek Barnett<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, Emmanuel Moseley<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, and Rashaan Gaulden<\/a><\/span><\/strong>). That doesn’t include current free agents Evan Berry<\/a><\/span><\/strong> and Ethan Wolf<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Nor does it count Von Pearson<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, playing in the Arena League.<\/p>\n But more important than that are the transfers and losses. This class had 32 signees and was ranked seventh nationally. No less than eight players transferred out of the program, including six to other Power 5 schools. Jalen Hurd<\/a><\/strong><\/span> and Vic Wharton<\/a><\/span><\/strong> are having success and Baylor and Cal. And D’Andre Payne<\/a><\/span><\/strong> was an honorable mention All-Big 12 and academic All-Big 12 cornerback at Iowa State last season. Payne is having another solid season in Ames. That’s a lot of talent that seeped out of Knoxville in five years. And, of course, three dismissals as well, not including Pearson. That includes running back Treyvon Paulk<\/span><\/strong>, Michael Sawyers<\/span><\/strong>, and Joe Henderson<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n Still on the Roster (As Seniors):<\/span> Shy Tuttle<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, Kyle Phillips<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, Micah Abernathy<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Tuttle and Phillips should be on the “What Could Have Been” list. When they’ve been healthy, they’ve been strong players. Phillips was the defensive player of the game in Tennessee’s upset of Auburn. And Abernathy’s career in Knoxville is solid, although not remarkable.<\/p>\n One last time in Neyland with my brothers!! It’s been real, #VolNation<\/a>! #PoweredByTheT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1kVBoatn3v<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Shy Tuttle (@KingTut_90) November 16, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe 2014 Class:<\/h3>\n
The 2015 Class:<\/h3>\n
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