Welcome Coach Butch Jones To Vol Nation · 687 like this
3 hours ago ·
Marquez North’s father, Ramondo North, said Monday night that he and his son enjoyed their visit even more than their official visit to Tennessee the weekend of Oct. 20 for the Vols’ home game against Alabama.

Ramondo North said he also was trying “to pick up a vibe” from Tennessee’s new staff.

“Basically, my whole thing, it was just feeling the coaches out — basically seeing, are they genuine? — because, you know, a lot of coaches are going to lie and say whatever they’ve got to say to get the kid there, and then, after they get there, basically, ‘Hey, you’re just a number,’” the elder North said. “I asked them questions, just to try to pick up a vibe.”

Ramondo North said he pulled aside a few of the Vols’ current players, too, to see what they thought of Jones’ staff.

“The players just had a lot of positive things to say,” he said. “They were basically like, they’re happy now. They actually feel like a family here now. ... The defensive players had a lot of positive things to say. The offensive players, what they did say is they see more family now. They have a good time. It’s fun now. They said, a lot of them, it wasn’t fun when that old coach was there.”

The elder North said the latest visit to Tennessee helped the Vols’ chances, but he didn’t know whether MarQuez North — who’s ranked the No. 90 overall prospect and No. 11 wide receiver in the industry-generated 247Composite for the 2013 class — now likes them any more than before the weekend trip to Knoxville.

“I’ll know after this visit with (North) Carolina this week,” Ramondo North said, referring to his son’s scheduled official visit this weekend. “To tell you the truth, I haven’t really asked Mar’ nothing. I just know he had a good time (at Tennessee).

“I think they did (make a move), just because of the point that we know. At first, Mar’ knew what was going on at Tennessee. But then they fired the whole coaching staff, so, basically, when you bring new coaches in, you don’t know. Now that we actually know what’s going on there, Mar’ can actually sit down and decide what’s going on for himself.”

Oregon and other teams have stayed in contact with North, but what now appears to be mostly a two-team race between the Vols and North Carolina could be decided by his visit to Chapel Hill, N.C., this weekend. Ramondo North said he now doesn’t “think we’re going to visit” Clemson.

Before the weekend visit to Tennessee, the elder North said he believed North Carolina might be the team to beat. But he said he’s now “comfortable” with the Vols’ new coaches, and it’s “up to my son” to decide if he wants to play for them.

“It’s not that far away, so I can always see him when I want to,” Ramondo North said. “I’m comfortable enough to know that I feel like what they’re saying right now is probably the truth. I think, if he was to go there, he probably would be happy, as long as they actually stick to what they said they were going to do, basically, with him playing and how they would use him.

“If Mar’ wants to go there, I’m down with it. If he don’t, I’m down with that, too. I’m going to support him and let Mar’ make this decision, because it’s basically his life from here on out. Whatever choice he makes right now is going to affect him. He’s paving the road for his life now

Don't see how Vol players could know that much about Butch Jones. He just got there last month, and for most of that time the players were on break. Just saying.

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--- SteelFalcon wrote:

Don't see how Vol players could know that much about Butch Jones. He just got there last month, and for most of that time the players were on break. Just saying.

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Plus how trustworthy is a coach that is all but scheduled to go to a press conference for one school then signs with another a day later?

I wish more Dads were like Mr. North. Fight hard to get the information and ask the tough questions and let your son/daughter make the decision.

Parent issue here?

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--- obxheel wrote:

Parent issue here?

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Yes, good parent issue.

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--- SteelFalcon wrote:

Don't see how Vol players could know that much about Butch Jones. He just got there last month, and for most of that time the players were on break. Just saying.

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Don't think it would be a wise decision to "diss" the current staff in front of a prime recruit and have it get back to them. They're going to say complementary things no matter how deeply felt.

A parent(s) should be involved in the recruiting process. I have to wonder how much the players really know about the new staff. Everything should be still be in the honeymoon phase at this point and probably told waht to say.

If it's between us and Tenn, I feel pretty good. Can you imagine Coach Fedora face to face in Kenan ? The young man and his father will be fired up!

agree. 'Most' parents have better BS radars on them than a teenager does.

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--- HEELS1995 wrote:

A parent(s) should be involved in the recruiting process. I have to wonder how much the players really know about the new staff. Everything should be still be in the honeymoon phase at this point and probably told waht to say.

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--- SteelFalcon wrote:

Don't see how Vol players could know that much about Butch Jones. He just got there last month, and for most of that time the players were on break. Just saying.

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Agreed. Not only that, but how much access do you think Tenn would have let any disgruntled players have to visiting recruits?

I like our chances with Mr. North visiting this weekend. Sunny, clear Carolina Blue skies and a big time basketball match-up in the DD makes for an impressive backdrop. Bring 'em home, Coach Fed!

Didn't I read somewhere that Ramondo North is working or will be out of town and not accompany his son to the UNC visit? I hope not we need to win over his Dad also.

My money is on Coach Fedora winning the recruiting battle.

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--- obxheel wrote:

Parent issue here?

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I kind of wonder about that myself. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of parents who get VERY involved in the recruiting process without getting in front of a camera or a reporter every day.

Not saying he's a bad guy/parent or anything else, so please -- IC message board police -- don't put words in my mouth. I'm just saying we seem to be seeing/hearing a lot from this guy and I can't even begin to name a parent of any other recruit in recent memory accept for one. The last name rhymes with "screw"

From other threads, I thought he was already on board with us.

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--- tarheel1971 wrote:

Didn't I read somewhere that Ramondo North is working or will be out of town and not accompany his son to the UNC visit? I hope not we need to win over his Dad also.

My money is on Coach Fedora winning the recruiting battle.

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It sounds like Dad sure loves the attention he is getting because his son is a good football player.

Does anyone really believe he did not ask Mar about his reaction to the visit?

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--- sbm75 wrote:

Does anyone really believe he did not ask Mar about his reaction to the visit?

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I think he was trying to say that he hasn't gotten too involved in Mar's decision. He wants Mar to choose his own school. I don't think Oregon has any chance with Chip leaving, not that they had any chance anyways.

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--- eab03 wrote:


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--- SteelFalcon wrote:

Don't see how Vol players could know that much about Butch Jones. He just got there last month, and for most of that time the players were on break. Just saying.

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Plus how trustworthy is a coach that is all but scheduled to go to a press conference for one school then signs with another a day later?

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You know how it is when you 1st meet a girl, things are exciting till you really spend some quality time....

Some outstanding athletes from the North family.

Why does the name "Brandon Willis" come to mind?

No problem with the father helping his son sort out a lot of information. Even if North does decide to go to Tennessee, it won't be for a lack of information; he and his father have done an excellent job sifting through tons of data from both UT and UNC and making an informed decision.

Naturally, I would like North to choose UNC as his destination, but I can't say that I would do anything different than his father if my son were a high-major prospect except possibly granting fewer media requests.

This thread has taken a turn for the worse, prob should be removed from the board honestly. Just for the record, all reports seem to be Marquez North comes from a great family and he is a good student. From what I've heard his dad is a Tar Heel fan, maybe that's false but I wouldn't worry about his dad steering him to Tenn that's for sure.

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--- NCU08 wrote:

No problem with the father helping his son sort out a lot of information. Even if North does decide to go to Tennessee, it won't be for a lack of information; he and his father have done an excellent job sifting through tons of data from both UT and UNC and making an informed decision.

Naturally, I would like North to choose UNC as his destination, but I can't say that I would do anything different than his father if my son were a high-major prospect except possibly granting fewer media requests.

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--- HeelinBoone wrote:

This thread has taken a turn for the worse, prob should be removed from the board honestly. Just for the record, all reports seem to be Marquez North comes from a great family and he is a good student. From what I've heard his dad is a Tar Heel fan, maybe that's false but I wouldn't worry about his dad steering him to Tenn that's for sure.

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All it takes is one poast...

If he picks UNC great work by Dad. If he is thinking the other way Dad needs to step in and provide guidance.

He'll be with his son this weekend. No worries.

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--- SIGEP85 wrote:

From other threads, I thought he was already on board with us.

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--- tarheel1971 wrote:

Didn't I read somewhere that Ramondo North is working or will be out of town and not accompany his son to the UNC visit? I hope not we need to win over his Dad also.

My money is on Coach Fedora winning the recruiting battle.

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--- drowningdeep wrote:

If it's between us and Tenn, I feel pretty good..
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Agree!

What are Marquez's academic interests? If we run this thing correctly, he will only be here three years so we need to have this planned like D-Day. North is obviously a great athlete but he and his family come across as thoughtful and serious people. They have coordinated his recruitment like pros so we need to have a plan in place to insure his academic progress and success.

I would be totally shocked if Fedora and staff are not fully prepared!

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--- expatriateheel wrote:

What are Marquez's academic interests? If we run this thing correctly, he will only be here three years so we need to have this planned like D-Day. North is obviously a great athlete but he and his family come across as thoughtful and serious people. They have coordinated his recruitment like pros so we need to have a plan in place to insure his academic progress and success.

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Close!
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--- WonderWarthog wrote:

I would be totally shocked if Fedora and staff are not fully prepared!

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--- expatriateheel wrote:

What are Marquez's academic interests? If we run this thing correctly, he will only be here three years so we need to have this planned like D-Day. North is obviously a great athlete but he and his family come across as thoughtful and serious people. They have coordinated his recruitment like pros so we need to have a plan in place to insure his academic progress and success.

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One things for sure, Mr. North cannot go wrong with THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA. GREAT BB and an up and coming football program with a coach that will have championship(s) with this school.Mr. North can be a part of all that plus a great education at one of the top universities in the country.Great climate as well.Come be a part of it. Come to the Hill,be a part of the TAR HEEL NATION.The Tar Heel family.You'll be glad you did.

I wonder what Gio's academic interest was probably the same as Marquez's. Lets not kid ourselves.

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--- expatriateheel wrote:

What are Marquez's academic interests? If we run this thing correctly, he will only be here three years so we need to have this planned like D-Day. North is obviously a great athlete but he and his family come across as thoughtful and serious people. They have coordinated his recruitment like pros so we need to have a plan in place to insure his academic progress and success.

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--- raefordfan wrote:

I wonder what Gio's academic interest was probably the same as Marquez's. Lets not kid ourselves.

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--- expatriateheel wrote:

What are Marquez's academic interests? If we run this thing correctly, he will only be here three years so we need to have this planned like D-Day. North is obviously a great athlete but he and his family come across as thoughtful and serious people. They have coordinated his recruitment like pros so we need to have a plan in place to insure his academic progress and success.

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You are wrong if you think that the best of the best don't have post football plans. There is a new type of athlete and they understand the need to plan ahead. North appears to be one of these, the real elite.

I maybe wrong but I doubt it. I would love to see some data proving me wrong eg. players who left early and got a degree and with what major. Players who stayed 4 years and with a major that is better from UNC than other universities. (subjective I understand) I would be very impressed that if even 10% of players put academia at or near the top of the list for going to a certain school. I didn't hear one item that referred to academics in Fedora's half time speech like RAH, RAH we have a great literature program here.

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--- expatriateheel wrote:



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--- raefordfan wrote:

I wonder what Gio's academic interest was probably the same as Marquez's. Lets not kid ourselves.

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--- expatriateheel wrote:

What are Marquez's academic interests? If we run this thing correctly, he will only be here three years so we need to have this planned like D-Day. North is obviously a great athlete but he and his family come across as thoughtful and serious people. They have coordinated his recruitment like pros so we need to have a plan in place to insure his academic progress and success.

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You are wrong if you think that the best of the best don't have post football plans. There is a new type of athlete and they understand the need to plan ahead. North appears to be one of these, the real elite.

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His father was a No show this weekend. He went fishing. He went to Tenn last weekend and spent his own money. It was not a official?????
The Heels had the red carpet layed out for him. He knew this but decided not to come????????

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--- nepsy7 wrote:

His father was a No show this weekend. He went fishing. He went to Tenn last weekend and spent his own money. It was not a official?????
The Heels had the red carpet layed out for him. He knew this but decided not to come????????

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If this is true I'll admit it's a little bit disappointing but let's not forget his dad is supposed to be a big Carolina fan and has visited the campus with Marquez numerous times.

Maybe dad knew Marquez would be spending a lot of time with the other recruits and wanted to give them plenty of time to bond?

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--- nepsy7 wrote:

His father was a No show this weekend. He went fishing. He went to Tenn last weekend and spent his own money. It was not a official?????
The Heels had the red carpet layed out for him. He knew this but decided not to come????????

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Holy cow people! If we get him, fantastic. If we dont, its ok also. It will not be the end of the world or Carolina football. Our staff is doing an excellent job of promoting UNC and getting kids that want to come here and work hard. Speculation is just that, speculation. Dont try and read between the lines too much. We will be ok. As long as we are not loosing recruiting battles with state its gravy. The decision is his to make, using the advice of his parents to make an educated decision. 99% of us, if not more, were not highly recruited athletes and have no experience in this process to base our thought process on. How about just being patient and hoping for the best, and wish this North Carolinian the best in whichever decision he makes. Negativity breeds negativity. Stay positive people!

Thanks for the words of comfort am removing gun from temple as I post.

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--- BitisArietans wrote:

Holy cow people! If we get him, fantastic. If we dont, its ok also. It will not be the end of the world or Carolina football. Our staff is doing an excellent job of promoting UNC and getting kids that want to come here and work hard. Speculation is just that, speculation. Dont try and read between the lines too much. We will be ok. As long as we are not loosing recruiting battles with state its gravy. The decision is his to make, using the advice of his parents to make an educated decision. 99% of us, if not more, were not highly recruited athletes and have no experience in this process to base our thought process on. How about just being patient and hoping for the best, and wish this North Carolinian the best in whichever decision he makes. Negativity breeds negativity. Stay positive people!

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