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The 2017 class of incoming Volunteers may not be “Champions of Life” yet, but the signees already have a cliche attached to them.
Tennessee coach Butch Jones spoke to UT fans in Memphis about the ’17 class, and one of his comments has led to eye rolls in Big Orange Country and mockery on social media.
“It was a long day but anytime there’s no drama, then it’s a great day,” Jones said. “We have a recruiting profile … we don’t get caught up in stars. Obviously you have to play but we want players that have 5-star hearts.”
The comment has gotten the kind of reaction one would expect on Twitter:
Dude is a cliche factory "we want five-star hearts". Didn't see any mention of life champions though…. https://t.co/ViSCF52VrJ
— Drew Johnson (@DjohnsonKAO1865) February 2, 2017
Did Butch Jones actually say the phrase "Five-Star Hearts?"
— Tyler Johnson (@tylervision92) February 2, 2017
Five star hearts huh? pic.twitter.com/c31MdseR1O
— Chuck (@Chuck_Des) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/dupe_3/status/827268839322771456
https://twitter.com/_DawgHouse_/status/827269123486801920
Every cliche from our football coach just gets him deeper and deeper. He's a good guy but really? Five star hearts? Life champions? Smh
— Erik Southerland (@UTVolFan29) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/DPAGabeGarcia/status/827272404128894976
We went from WGWTFA to "life champs" to "five star hearts"
What a turn of events…
— Behind Enemy Hedges (@VolEngineer11) February 2, 2017
Champions of life. Now five star hearts.. dear goodness Lyle sounds like Joel Osteen turned into a care bear.. *facepalm*
— Johnny boy (@JYKvol) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/ZRoyster/status/827274558117867521
Five star hearts ain't gonna beat Georgia Tech's triple option ?
— Behind Enemy Hedges (@VolEngineer11) February 2, 2017
HE SAID FIVE STAR HEARTS?!?
— Daniel Gould (@dgould151) February 2, 2017
That is fine until he plays a team(Ala) with five-star talent And five-star hearts!
— Howard Stone (@gulfshoressand) February 2, 2017
I get he's trying to motivate & be positive…but "5-star hearts"… pic.twitter.com/sw8WS28dLg
— Stubborn Lady Vol (@GreenIdBandit23) February 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/chasp23/status/827278832101003266
"5-star recruits? We look for guys with 5-star HEARTS!" Heavens . . .
— Chuck Oliver (@kingcfb) February 2, 2017
Can you imagine Nick Saban or any coach that wins EVER saying anything about wanting 5-star hearts or champions of life?
— Andrew Powell (@VolunteerLane) February 2, 2017
Cardiologist for our 5 star hearts https://t.co/DQP0PZwABi
— Behind Enemy Hedges (@VolEngineer11) February 2, 2017
Man just when I thought Lyle could never top the Champions of life he gives us "5 star hearts" pic.twitter.com/wbqD7g2M5b
— Behind Enemy Hedges (@VolEngineer11) February 2, 2017
Throw the rankings out the window.
"Butch Jones recruiting 5 star hearts now ….."Rudy must be his top recruiting target
— Online SportsNetwork (@OSportsNetwork) February 2, 2017
While Jones himself might not put much stock into the recruiting rankings, Tennessee did land a 5-star prospect this cycle in OT Trey Smith. UT finished at No. 17 nationally and No. 7 in the SEC in the 247Sports Composite rankings, with four 4-star recruits and 23 3-star prospects joining Smith in the class.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
