Franklin's New Era Becoming Reality

by Brett McReynolds on Dec 1, 2011 10:56 AM EST

[Front paged! - TI]

Does everybody have the "New Era" band song down-pat after a whole season? I know I don't. And I was at every home game, trying my hardest to clap through the damn thing.

But that song isn't the reason we are entering a new era, and I would argue that even the bowl berth is not the most exciting sign of the new era. I would argue, rather, that the most exciting sign of the new era is the talent that is beginning to notice "that SEC school on West End" and Coach James Franklin.

Everyone has already heard that the top five-star recruit for his position in the nation, 6-4 "pro-style" quarterback , Gunner Kiel, has mentioned Vanderbilt as a prospect (and, apparently, was on campus for an unofficial visit according to another Fanshot) in the same breath as Alabama, Notre Dame, and Michigan. And while he has not "committed", this might just be the second biggest deal in Vanderbilt recruiting history.

Yes, that is a strong statement. What could be first?

Let's take a very quick, somewhat haphazardly researched look at the last decade in comparison to now.

Vanderbilt already has four, 4-star recruits to verbally commit for the upcoming year, and the rest- mostly 3-star, have already committed to the 2012 season. This might not sound impressive to other big names in NCAA football, but we have to remember where we have been- well, let's not. But, in comparison, last year we signed zero 4-star recruits. ZERO.

And in what is the most drastically suprising number as far as recruitment goes, comparing this year to the past ten, is that we only signed three 4-star recruits in the past decade compared to the four now that have verbally committed. Four this year. Three in the past decade.

This means, given these commitments sign, that Franklin and his staff have brought in more exceptional potential talent in one year than in the past TEN.

Yes, I could keep repeating words at the ends of sentences in CAPS here to reiterate the fact that all this "New Era" talk is really taking form, but I'll just leave it at that.

This class hasn't signed yet. And granted, we may see some changes by then, but the New Era looks better and closer than ever.

Let's just hope this "New Era" doesn't sour due to some nasty Tar Heel rumors circulating around town.

FanPosts are most often submitted by users. The views and opinions expressed in FanPosts do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by the editorial staff of The Anchor of Gold or SB Nation.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Tar Heel rumor???

Please share.

by VandyAngel85 on Dec 1, 2011 12:07 AM EST reply actions

UNC is the first to come sniffing, allegedly

VCDW reportedly shot that down with authority late yesterday on one of the radio shows. I have also seen folks on Black Shoe Diaries (our Penn State couterpart at SBNation) openly wondering whether he would be obtainable (and reluctantly concluding “not bloody likely”).

Get Vandy to .500 and you’ll get noticed. Get within a half-dozen plays of 10-2 and people will really sit up. Expect the rumors to continue basically from now until CJF finally does take another job or retires. (too much to hope he could be our Bear Bryant-Woody Hayes figure?)

"Well, if that ain't a show, I'll kiss your ass." - Gov. Jim Folsom Sr. (D-AL), 1948-52

by VandyImport on Dec 1, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Hope.

by Brett McReynolds on Dec 1, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

I think it'll get taken care of

When I asked him after class, that they are working hard on it and he said something to the effect that it looks good. In any case, he didn’t seem too worried. He was actually in a really funny mood, making jokes and stuff.

My guess would be that the hold up is that CJF is using his leverage to get both facilities upgrades now, and promises for the future. These things take time, so they could still be getting plans together for whatever they are doing first (probably an indoor facility), as well as they may be looking for a donor to pledge on whatever they are doing down the road.

Then there are always specifics to hammer out in these deals, but I really do believe that the general agreement is there (this is based on no inside knowledge or anything).

Of course, when you do sign him to a new deal, all it does is end the chasing for this offseason. If we do well again next year they’ll be all lined up. I honestly think he has every intent to stay for at least a couple of years, he may follow the big money then, but I don’t think (if he continues to succeed here) that he would be leaving for another project. I think whenever he would leave, it would be for a school that is already at or near the top, or at least has a big tradition.

by The Goche on Dec 1, 2011 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

Other schools

I think that things have changed. Look at the schools with tradition that have fallen. Penn State, Ohio State, USC. With the high expectations comes scrutiny and pressure. I expect Urban Meyer to be at Ohio State less than five years because the pressure will be greater than at Florida.

In any event, we all need to support CJFs projects.

by vujoe on Dec 1, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks!

by VandyAngel85 on Dec 1, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Fans

Each of us need to recruit more fans to buy season tickets. We need to shut out the people who follow other schools into our stadium. There are 2,500,000 people in middle Tennessee. And some disaffected people from other parts of the state. So lets recruit!

by vujoe on Dec 1, 2011 1:03 PM EST reply actions

I'll probably be buying tickets next year.

I haven’t recently because I’ve either been a student or several hundred miles from Nashville. Next year, I’ll be buying some decent seats and sending them to my friends back in Nashville (or giving them away on the site) in order to get more people to the stands when I can’t make the drive/flight down.

Anchor of Gold - for all 45 Vanderbilt fans out there.

by Christian D'Andrea on Dec 1, 2011 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Atlanta...

I live in Atlanta but will most likely buy season tickets, because you save money. The season ticket pays for it self after two SEC games. I only live 4 hours away so if I can make the trip other people around Tennessee should too. I think this mite be the best football team in Vandy history, if not the best right up there. So lets sell out the joint this year!

Go Dores!

by Jamesk715 on Dec 2, 2011 4:12 AM EST reply actions