Former Tennessee Volunteers football player Jayson Swain recently pointed out a concerning trend that is starting to impact the Tennessee football program. Swain highlighted the decrease in in-state recruiting under new head coach Josh Heupel, which could have a significant impact on the team’s future success.
Swain noted that out of the top 10 football recruits in the state of Tennessee for the 2022 recruiting class, only one player has committed to the Vols. This is a stark contrast to previous years when Tennessee was able to secure multiple top in-state recruits. Swain believes that this trend could be detrimental to the program in the long run, as recruiting locally is essential for building a strong and successful team.
He also pointed out that Heupel’s focus on recruiting outside of the state could be a contributing factor to this decline in in-state recruits. Swain stressed the importance of prioritizing in-state talent and building relationships with high school coaches in Tennessee to ensure that the program continues to attract top local talent.
Overall, Swain’s comments serve as a warning to Josh Heupel and the Tennessee football program. It is crucial for the Vols to prioritize in-state recruiting and not overlook the talented players in their own backyard. Failing to do so could have long-term consequences for the program’s success on the field.
As the 2022 recruiting class continues to take shape, it will be interesting to see if the Vols are able to reverse this trend and secure more in-state recruits. Ultimately, the success of the Tennessee football program could depend on their ability to recruit and retain top talent from their home state.
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