Offensive players that Tennessee Vols are recruiting need to hear what Patrick Mahomes said this week
One of the ways the Tennessee Vols are negatively recruited against — on the offensive side of the ball — revolves around the idea that Josh Heupel's system doesn't prepare players for the NFL. We've seen some draft analysts suggest that former Vols standouts Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt won't be selected as high in […]
One of the ways the Tennessee Vols are negatively recruited against — on the offensive side of the ball — revolves around the idea that Josh Heupel's system doesn't prepare players for the NFL.
We've seen some draft analysts suggest that former Vols standouts Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt won't be selected as high in the 2023 NFL Draft because of the offense they played in at Tennessee.
It's also something that (some) coaches tell recruits on the recruiting trail when they're trying to land a player over Tennessee.
Inevitably, some recruits are going to buy into that narrative.
But they shouldn't.
Sure, some offensive systems in college might prepare certain players a little better. But ultimately, it's about the player. Are they an elite athlete? Are they an elite competitor? Can they lead? Do they handle themselves the right way off the field? Do they have the skills NFL teams are looking for?
Those are the questions that really matter.
If you don't believe me, then listen to former NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
"I think you [have to] get past that stigma of 'you're an Air Raid quarterback, you don't know how to handle offenses,'" said Mahomes on Thursday. "Guys can come from anywhere. You've seen that in all of football history — players can come from big colleges, and they can come from small colleges. Whatever conference that is, they can have success. You just gotta be willing to work and willing to learn."
Mahomes played in the Air Raid system at Texas Tech. In the past, Air Raid quarterbacks have been looked down on during the draft process. Mahomes was able to overcome some of that criticism as he was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
But there were plenty of skeptics when the Chiefs took Mahomes that high.
Recruits don't need to listen to the narrative from the national media or what certain coaches are saying on the recruiting trail. If you can play at an elite level, then you can play at an elite level regardless of the scheme. And if you work hard, you've got a shot.
It doesn't matter if you play in the Air Raid in college or Heupel's system (Heupel's roots are in the Air Raid system, but he runs something closer to the old Baylor "veer-n-shoot" offenses) — the opportunity to reach the NFL is the same as playing in any other system.
Mahomes is proof.
And so are plenty of others, like Bills wide receiver Gabe Davis, for example (who played for Heupel at UCF).
Once Heupel has some players from Tennessee in the NFL, this narrative will end. But until then, recruits need to listen to what Mahomes had to say this week.
Featured image via USA TODAY Sports
