Creating a football roster comparable to Ohio State’s would require Tennessee to address a variety of factors beyond just Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. While NIL is certainly a powerful tool in today’s college football landscape, it cannot be viewed as the sole means to achieve consistent success on the level of powerhouse programs like Ohio State. Tennessee has several avenues available to it for roster development, but replicating Ohio State’s success will involve a combination of recruiting, coaching, player development, infrastructure, and strong institutional support. Below is a detailed examination of the steps Tennessee would need to take in order to build a football roster that can compete with Ohio State on a consistent basis.
1. Recruiting and Talent Identification
Ohio State has been able to consistently recruit elite talent from across the country. They’ve built a pipeline of top recruits who are not only highly ranked but also fit into the program’s culture and scheme. Tennessee can follow a similar path, but it will require a concerted effort on several fronts.
A. National Recruiting Reach
Ohio State’s reach in recruiting spans nationally, and they can attract top-tier talent from states outside their home region. This is primarily because of the program’s winning tradition, brand recognition, and the ability to offer NFL-caliber development. Tennessee must develop a national recruiting strategy that emphasizes its rich football history, strong fan base, and the opportunity to play in a premier conference.
For Tennessee to consistently land top prospects, it must invest heavily in building relationships with high school coaches and elite talent from outside its traditional recruiting area. The Vols are located in a football-rich state, but in order to compete with Ohio State, they will need to expand their network beyond the Southeast. This involves sending coaches to evaluate players across the country, attending national camps and combines, and building relationships with high school coaches in key recruiting hotbeds such as Texas, Florida, and California. 
B. In-State Recruiting
While Tennessee must expand its national recruiting reach, it can’t afford to overlook its own backyard. The Volunteer State produces elite talent every year, and keeping top in-state recruits home is critical to building a championship roster. Ohio State is able to lock down top talent in Ohio and use that as a foundation for its program. Tennessee should place a strong emphasis on in-state recruiting, particularly by prioritizing elite talent from Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville.
C. Focus on Position-Specific Needs
Another factor to consider is that Ohio State has been able to attract elite talent at key positions such as quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back. Tennessee must identify areas of need on its roster and ensure that it brings in players who can not only compete in the SEC but also develop into future NFL draft picks. This means targeting high-profile recruits at positions that Tennessee has historically struggled with, such as quarterback, and making sure the program’s facilities and resources can help these athletes succeed.
2. Developing a Winning Culture and Program Identity
Recruiting top talent is only part of the equation. Developing that talent into a well-oiled machine that can win at the highest level is where the true work begins. Ohio State’s success is as much a product of its coaching and player development systems as it is of its recruiting.
A. Establishing Program Stability
Tennessee has had its fair share of coaching turnover over the last few decades, which has created instability within the program. Ohio State has enjoyed a long tenure of stability under coaches like Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, which has allowed the program to maintain consistent success. Tennessee needs to focus on long-term stability and commit to a coaching staff that is both talented and capable of leading the team through ups and downs.
Part of building a sustainable program is hiring coaches who can recruit, develop talent, and maintain discipline and morale even during challenging seasons. Tennessee’s administration needs to provide the resources and support necessary for its coaching staff to succeed without fearing constant turnover.
B. Culture of Development
A key element of Ohio State’s success has been its emphasis on player development. The Buckeyes have built a system that not only recruits top talent but also develops that talent at a rapid pace, ensuring players can contribute immediately and eventually make the jump to the NFL. Tennessee needs to adopt a similar philosophy of player development.
This includes fostering a culture of discipline, hard work, and continuous improvement. A strong emphasis should be placed on strength and conditioning, mental toughness, and technical skill development. Tennessee needs to create a development pipeline where players improve each year they are in the program, with an eye toward developing NFL-ready athletes at key positions.
C. Creating a Competitive Environment
Ohio State’s roster is filled with elite talent, but the competition for starting roles is fierce. This competitive environment drives players to constantly improve and work harder in practice. Tennessee should aim to create a similar environment where every player is battling for playing time, regardless of their status or potential. This fosters a “next man up” mentality that can help the team thrive even when faced with injuries or setbacks.
3. NIL, Marketing, and Branding
In today’s college football landscape, NIL is a key part of roster building, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. Ohio State has been able to leverage its large fan base, brand, and marketing machine to attract top NIL deals for its players. Tennessee has a strong fan base and a historic program, so it needs to utilize these advantages to compete in the NIL space.
A. NIL as a Tool, Not a Crutch
Tennessee should make NIL a part of its recruiting pitch, but not the sole focus. NIL can be used to incentivize recruits to come to Tennessee, but it cannot be the primary driver of a successful program. Ohio State has a balanced approach, using NIL as an additional tool for attracting top players, but the focus remains on developing NFL-caliber talent through its coaching and player development systems. Tennessee must avoid the temptation to make NIL deals the centerpiece of its recruiting efforts.
B. Branding and Media Presence
Tennessee can also leverage its branding and media presence to make sure its players receive maximum exposure. A strong social media presence, partnerships with local businesses, and effective use of the Vols’ rich history will help Tennessee keep pace with other programs that are thriving in the NIL space. Successful branding can lead to bigger NIL opportunities for Tennessee’s players and, in turn, attract recruits who are looking for those same opportunities.
4. Infrastructure and Facilities
Ohio State has some of the best facilities in college football, and they’ve made significant investments in ensuring that their players have the best resources available to them. Tennessee has also made strides in improving its football infrastructure, but to compete with the likes of Ohio State, it must continue to improve its facilities and offer a premium experience to its players.
A. Upgrading Facilities
Upgrading facilities, particularly in areas like training rooms, locker rooms, and nutrition centers, is critical. Top-tier facilities give Tennessee a competitive advantage when recruiting players. This is an area where Tennessee can close the gap with Ohio State and other elite programs by investing in the most state-of-the-art resources.
B. Fan Support and Game Day Atmosphere
Tennessee has one of the best fan bases in college football, and the atmosphere at Neyland Stadium is electric. This fan support creates a strong home-field advantage that is crucial for building a winning program. Ohio State has leveraged its fan base to help create a tough environment for opponents, and Tennessee can do the same by engaging fans, creating traditions, and ensuring a memorable experience on game days.
5. Coaching and Scheme
Ohio State’s coaching staff has been able to develop and adapt its offensive and defensive schemes over the years to maintain dominance. Tennessee’s coaching staff must be able to do the same. This involves not only having a strong staff of assistant coaches but also ensuring that the scheme fits the players’ strengths and maximizes their potential.
A. Offensive and Defensive Philosophy
Tennessee’s offensive and defensive schemes need to evolve to match current trends in college football. Ohio State has adjusted its offense to take advantage of the quarterback’s mobility and the wide receiver’s speed. Tennessee must ensure that its coaching staff is capable of developing innovative schemes that keep pace with Ohio State and other elite programs.
B. Investing in Coordinators and Position Coaches
Ohio State is known for having some of the best position coaches and coordinators in the country. Tennessee must place a similar emphasis on hiring top-tier assistants who can develop players at every position. This investment in coaching staff will be critical to the program’s long-term success.
Leave a Reply