The coaching carousel has began and for many programs it has had a negative impact on their recruiting.
Tennessee’s current coaching vacancy has caused them to lose some big commits. The volunteers lost their biggest commit in 5-Star offensive lineman Cade Mays. The Volunteers were set to have top 5 recruiting class, but currently sits at No.23 according to ESPN. Tennessee was the highest ranking SEC team before Butch Jones departed from Knoxville. One former Tennessee commit that could be a huge get for The Crimson Tide is Jayce Horn. Horn was set to choose between Alabama and South Carolina before Butch Jones got him to commit to Tennessee.
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Please respect my decision. pic.twitter.com/ANvoIpP1Bf
— Cade Mays (@cade_mays) November 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/jayceehorn_10/status/934877563142463488
Some coaching hiring have also played a role in the string of decommittments. Florida’s hiring of Dan Mullen has caused a few of the Gator’s commits to decommit. Mullen former team, Mississippi State, has held onto its commitment thus far, but a coaching hire could shake things up in Starkville.
https://twitter.com/NikemanNewt/status/936289014637842437
The SEC is not the only conference that is being affected by its coaching changes. The uncertainty of where Jimbo Fisher will land has cause some Florida State commits to open their recruitment back up.
I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment.
— Houston Griffith (@___HG3) November 30, 2017
The impact that the coaching changes have had on recruiting so far shows just how important coaches are in the recruiting process. Many people feel that recruits should commit to the school and not the coach, but one can not look over the fact that players want to have a connection with the head coach that can help them live out their dream of going to the NFL.
Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
