In this episode of The Tatum Talk Show, Coach Derrick Tatum sits down with UT alum and Nashville football legend Buck Fitzgerald to break down the real truth about college visits, recruiting, and how parents and athletes are unknowingly blowing their chances. From wearing the wrong shoes to stealing gloves, from choosing high schools for hype instead of development, Buck and Coach Tatum lay it all out. They talk about how your attire, GPA, parents’ behavior, and body language can make or break a first impression on a visit, and why film always matters more than hype. The two also dive into: 💡 How to choose the right high school (and why ”winning” might be overrated) 📉 Why AP classes don’t always help athletes 🎓 The difference between looking good on social media vs. being recruitable 📹 How to create opportunity by playing early and getting real film 🧠 Knowing your athlete’s personality, academic ceiling, and work ethic 🙅🏾‍♂️ And why it’s not the coach’s job to get your kid recruited This episode is packed with straight-up knowledge every athlete and parent needs to hear — no sugarcoating. If you care about the recruiting process, this one’s a must-listen.

In this eye-opening episode of the Tatum Talk Show, Coach Derrick Tatum and former NFL player Buck Fitzgerald dive deep into the controversial world of youth football and recruiting. They address the toxic culture of 7v7 and travel ball, the dangers of NIL distraction, and why many kids are sabotaging their futures before they even get to college. They highlight how real development and strong mentorship are being replaced by clout chasing, bad parenting, and money-first mindsets. Buck and Derrick break down how social media, ego, and lack of accountability are ruining the game—and how players can take the right path through discipline, humility, and real performance. Whether you’re a parent hoping your child goes D1, a coach, or an athlete yourself, this is a must-watch.

In this unfiltered masterclass for athletes, parents, and coaches, Coach Derrick Tatum sits down with Buck Fitzgerald, former Tennessee Vol and elite developer of college and pro talent, to expose the real reasons most 4-star and 5-star recruits fail to reach their full potential. 🔥 Key Highlights: The Truth Behind Rankings: Most highly-ranked players don’t fail due to talent — they fail because of ego, bad decisions, and choosing schools for status instead of fit and opportunity. Unmatched Track Record: Coach Tatum has helped over 260 athletes get college offers, with more than 500 offers generated within 30 days from his camps. Buck Fitzgerald’s track record is just as elite. Choosing the Right School = Everything: The wrong school can wreck a career. The duo explains how players like Joan Williams, Sauce Gardner, and Javon Baker succeeded by making smart, strategic school choices, not just chasing logos. Politics vs. Playing Time: Big-name schools come with stacked depth charts and hidden politics. Players end up playing through injuries, getting pushed to the wrong positions, or losing millions due to poor fit. Development Wins: They break down how true development, not hype, sets athletes up to become pros — and how smaller programs often offer better exposure and support. Parents, Pay Attention: Parents must be wise and trust proven evaluators — not online hype or strangers chasing clout. Support, listening, and humility are key. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: Why rankings don’t guarantee success The top 3 mistakes that ruin athletic careers How to pick the right college program for development The impact of politics, injury, and depth charts What elite developers look for in future pros This episode is more than advice — it’s a blueprint for success. If you’re an athlete, a coach, or a parent serious about going pro or getting that D1 offer, you can’t afford to skip this one. Watch it. Rewind it. Share it. 🏈 This is the episode that can change lives.

In this powerful episode of the Tatum Talk Show, Coach Derrick Tatum delivers a raw, honest breakdown of what’s truly holding young football athletes back—from flawed recruiting systems focused more on size than skill, to fake trainers taking credit for already-developed players, and most importantly, to the toxic culture created by overprotective parenting. He defends NIL as a necessary exposure of the NCAA’s exploitation and emphasizes that today’s biggest problem isn’t bad coaching—it’s parents who refuse to let their kids face adversity. With great coaches like himself stepping away due to frustration, Tatum urges everyone to stop settling for “good” and start striving for greatness.

In this gripping episode of the Tatum Talk Show, former pro athlete and mindset coach Derrick Tatum sits down with Mr. Canard, the powerhouse father behind rising NFL star Kyle Canard, one of the nation’s top defensive end prospects. Born and raised in Detroit, Mr. Canard shares how the gritty streets shaped his no-nonsense approach to parenting and how real estate, football, and fatherhood became his battlegrounds for success. With two sons and zero excuses, he instilled discipline, work ethic, and God-first values from day one — and it paid off. From raising Kyle with military precision to dealing with coaches who overlooked him, Mr. Canard reveals how his unwavering belief, consistent preparation, and hard lessons at home molded a beast on the field. We dive into Kyle’s recruiting journey, the comparisons to Will Anderson, and how their family focused on becoming mentally tough and marketable, not just talented. This episode is more than just football — it’s about vision, manhood, and leadership. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, this one will light a fire in you.

Gerald Baker, father of NFL wide receiver Javon Baker, joins the Tatum Talk Show for a raw, powerful 3-part conversation. From Cleveland streets to military service, Gerald shares how strict discipline, a childhood prophecy, and unwavering fatherhood shaped Javon’s journey to football greatness. Hear untold stories about locker room tensions, personal sacrifice, spiritual guidance, and what it truly takes to raise a professional athlete in today’s world. A must-watch for sports fans, parents, and dreamers alike.

In this powerful episode of Tatum Talk, Derrick Tatum sits down with professional cornerback Jai Nunn-Liddell to talk through his incredible journey from junior college to the pros. Jai opens up about the unique pressure and cutthroat environment of JUCO football, the importance of character and keeping relationships with coaches strong, and the reality of trying to prove yourself at every level. He highlights the network behind the scenes—how coaches talk, how impressions last, and how one wrong move can cost you everything. Despite setbacks, including being labeled hardheaded and almost missing out on chances due to small mistakes, Jai’s work ethic, resilience, and ability to learn from others helped him rise. Tatum shares personal stories of coaching Jai, pushing him to switch positions to defensive back—advice that proved prophetic as Jai is now a professional DB. This full-circle conversation is packed with life lessons, raw moments, and inspiration for anyone grinding toward a dream.