On Wednesday, 247Sports published a thoroughly-reported story taking the temperature of Tennessee Volunteers football, and it didn’t paint a pretty picture.

A range of sources inside the program, who all spoke on the condition of anonymity so as to protect their jobs, outlined a program that under Butch Jones had seen its culture splinter and its progress flatline (UT athletics director Dave Hart declined comment through a spokesperson).

After the publication, one important voice — an influential Tennessee supporter entrenched within the network of big-money boosters and decision makers — reached out to 247Sports and presented a more optimistic take.

"The verdict is still out," the person said. "But keep in mind there’s only three dominant guys in college football – Saban, Meyer and Harbaugh. Everybody else is chasing.

"We need to stop comparing everything to what Saban is doing. He is a once-in-a-generation college coach, but remember, he wasn’t winning titles either at 48 (years old).

"Greatness isn’t achieved without years of struggle and strife. I think our fanbase [is] stupid if they think we are going to do any better at this point – today. But next year is his time to either show he has the leadership or not.

"We personally think it is in him. Butch is a tireless worker and he almost cares too much and that gets in his way sometimes."

Despite the negativity that has surrounded the program in recent weeks, Jones' message continues to resonate on the recruiting trail. Just this week, Tennessee landed its biggest priority in the 2017 class in five-star in-state offensive tackle Trey Smith. One day later, Fort Myers linebacker Shanon Reid chose the Vols over LSU and Michigan. There is suddenly increased buzz that Tennessee is in a strong position with five-star running back Cam Akers out of Clinton, Miss.

Currently Tennessee's 2017 class is ranked 10th in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings.

The 48-year-old Jones is 29-21 in four seasons at Tennessee. The Volunteers play Nebraska on Dec. 30 in the Music City Bowl.