Tennessee football has secured a major commitment from five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, a significant coup for coach Josh Heupel's recruiting efforts.
My literary contributors seem excited about this news, but some of them wonder when the sharper critics among them will find flaws. Terry writes, "The big question here is how will your anti-Heupel pundits (contributors) react to this huge accomplishment?"
Gabriel George isn't as big or fast as Herschel Walker, nor does he have a stiff-arm as fierce as Derrick Henry's, or cut as sharply as Barry Sanders'. His high school highlights aren't as dazzling as Reggie Bush's. However, he is the second-ranked running back in the class.
Doug points out a concern that may be more relevant to fans: Zee Spearman's DUI that apparently occurred in the summer before her senior season was not reported at the time. Universities rarely have been in a rush to announce bad news, but fans have more reason to be concerned about a lack of transparency now.
They contribute to revenue sharing that benefits athletes, pay a "talent fee," and support lucrative NIL deals for athletes. So, they deserve to know what's going on with the programs and athletes they support financially.
Colorado Mark writes about Lane Kiffin's success at LSU, comparing him to Kirby Smart, who is about to face a big challenge. Kiffin's 2024 Ole Miss roster was second only to Ohio State's in talent, but he still suffered an inexplicable loss to a bad Kentucky team.
Sir James argues that playing Alabama, Georgia, and other SEC power teams makes winning hard, not just for Josh Heupel but for any coach. He suggests that Notre Dame's schedule is much easier, with only Miami as a preseason top-15 team.
John Adams, a senior columnist, agrees with Sir James, saying that Notre Dame has scheduled its way to 10 wins and a playoff berth. He notes that not playing in a conference is a huge advantage, because conference rivalries raise the possibility of upsets.
This is a significant point, especially for Tennessee football fans, who are still waiting to see how Josh Heupel's team will perform with this new commitment. The Volunteers will face a tough schedule, but with Gabriel George on board, they may have a better chance of making the College Football Playoff.
Source: Yahoo Sports