Orson Charles Announcement: Open Thread

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 2:45 PM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football Comment 59 comments

The Orson Charles recruiting train is scheduled to make its final stop at a currently unknown destination at 3:45 PM today. (Unfortunately, recruiting trains are notoriously slow to come to a complete stop, so the arrival time is more like 3:45 PM through 4:14 PM today.) As you all know, Charles is down to three schools; since he comes across as a rather genuine kid, I don't foresee any wild choices outside of these three:

GEORGIA

Pros: The first "pro" that jumps out at Georgia is the faith angle. Charles is very open about his Christian beliefs, and so is Richt. In fact, Richt seems to have stepped up his public discourse of his faith over the last few days, which may or may not have anything to do with Charles (and isn't really worth getting into a fight about, either). The second "pro" is Georgia's QB recruit, Aaron Murray. Murray was Charles's teammate in high school and is a natural draw. Both claim that they're not using that as leverage to get Charles to UGA, but it can't hurt.
Cons: It doesn't get much deeper for the pros for Charles. He can work his way into playing time, but UGA isn't hurting for a tight end at the moment, and while they aren't a bad place for tight ends to go, they don't stand out as a perennial TE factory either. He'd have a fine career there, for sure, but it probably wouldn't be a high-profile career compared to the wide receivers and the running backs.

TENNESSEE

Pros: Tennessee has the greatest need for a tight end. With Brandon Warren moving to wide receiver and Aaron Douglas moving to offensive tackle, UT's tight end situation is basically identical to their quarterback situation - lots of upperclassmen but no freshmen or sophomores. If Cottam is healthy, he'll be in the running for playing time, but Stocker is the only other option. Both are huge guys who would normally be used as blocking TEs first, while Charles is a more natural passing option. Coming to UT would almost assuredly give him significant playing time - particularly in 2 TE sets.
Cons: Like everybody else, he doesn't know how well the Kiffin regime will turn out at UT. Everything may look good, but at risk of a bad pun interpreted incorrectly, coming to UT does involve a leap of faith in the staff. It speaks volumes that the guy is even considering UT, but the few short months might not have been long enough to give enough peace of mind. Will that be a factor? We don't know.

SOUTHERN CAL

Pros: USC is probably the hottest football factory name in college right now. Even with UCLA's recent class of recruits, USC will always get top-flight recruits. Greater all-around talent leads to opportunities, and you have to admire their track record of getting kids to the NFL.
Cons: First, the distance. USC is a long ways away from family. Distance isn't everything, as it didn't help any of the Florida schools stay on the radar (even UF, who needs a TE as badly as UT). But distance will probably matter to a degree. Second, culture. With the emphasis on faith and surroundings that Charles is placing on himself, you'd think that the L.A. scene would be less appealing to him than Athens or Knoxville. That's pure speculation, but it's a lot easier to believe that than to believe that Orange County is more of a cultural draw than the other two.

(Note: I'll be in the middle of a meeting at the time of the presser, so I doubt I'll be contributing. But please leave thoughts/observations as you have them. My first stop will be here to find out the reaction among the RTT family, so I'm counting on you.)

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Anybody know if it's being live-streamed anywhere?

And is it sad that I’m asking?

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Mar 6, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

According to Michael L of FlaVarsity.com he is going to send VolQuest the video of Orson Charles picking UT if he does in fact pick UT. Im assuming from the name (FlaVarsity) he’s going to be at the event.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also from that

I’m assuming it isn’t going to televised. But I don’t really know.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Back for the moment.

No news yet?

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not yet.

Shouldn’t be long now

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Michael L hit some traffic on the way there according to VolQuest

But it shouldn’t be long now. Orson Charles should be announcing somewhere in the next twenty minutes-ish.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm assuming that the holdup is media-driven.

They get longer and longer every time. It’s kinda like marquis games, when “6:30 start time” means “6:30 talking heads, with a start time near 7:10”.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nvm.

Brain fried. I now understand your post. oops.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Per commenter on VQ

4:16 PM Update – Orson in the building with a silver/black suit with a black shirt on. From what I understand the plan was for Orson to reveal his school by pulling back the shirt and having the jersey on underneath it. (That was the plan)

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ahh...

the drama of it all….

by sddbaker on Mar 6, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The question isn't WHAT is he wearing, but WHO is he wearing?

Armani? Versace? Calvin Klein? Target Red Dot Special?

/best Joan Rivers impression

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Mar 6, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1 million

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

someone just commented UGA lock.

Nothing official yet though. His also a UT lock and a USC lock from what ive heard the past few days. ha

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He probably is.

But it’s eerily fun to find out.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed!

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Shoul be any minute now

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just don't play games, now.

Give it to us straight, no “HE’S A VOL WOOT!!!” if it’s UGA, or vice versa.

;-)

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hey guys. apparently

he’s not put declared yet.

by ChattVol on Mar 6, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not Bobo

It wouldn’t feel right for me to play games. I’d never toy with your heart anyway, Hoop.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

heh.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wow. long day

grammar at its finest

by ChattVol on Mar 6, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

volquest could really use a feature like that.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

these auto-updating comments are rad

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Mar 6, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Especially when you consider how badly it hurts ad revenue.

Since we’re not auto-refreshing, the ads aren’t reloading. That makes a huge difference on game threads.

But it also keeps more people involved, which is totally worth it.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Those 700+ comment threads would be unfollowable without it

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Mar 6, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont' even want to think about it.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

4:35 p.m.

Coach Weiner is still talking. From what Michael can see, he thinks Charles is wearing a red and black jersey underneath.

4:41 p.m.

Coach Weiner is about to introduce Orson.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

cred to Pat Tholey at VQ btw

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That'll be understood throughout.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Must've heard that if he held up traffic a bit

Hoop could make it.

Hes obviously a star, wants as much crowd as possible :)

now with less meyton panning.

by Pride of the Southland on Mar 6, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

LOL.

Then he shoulda called and told me to come.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

4:44 p.m.

Charles is headed to the podium.

by samhitch on Mar 6, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"First off I'd like to say tahnks for all who could make it

Heres looking at you Hoop"

now with less meyton panning.

by Pride of the Southland on Mar 6, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh, boy.

this could get awkward.

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hitch:

If you feel like it, put up a ‘Post about it afterwards (assumedly if he signs). If you do, I’ll front page it. I have to drive shortly and won’t be able to.

Of course, if he’s a Dawg, don’t worry about it. ;-)

by Hooper on Mar 6, 2009 4:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs