It is possible that Scroggins commits to UT on Wednesday, but I think that some of you guys think that if you hope it hard enough or say it enough times, it will happen. I know that as you think about it 'logically', you can only conclude that he should go to UT. It seems to make no sense, if the kid wants to play, that he would go anywhere else.
I just think that the distance factor is not weighted heavily enough in these evaluations. Kids typically stay close to home. We have recruited some west coast QBs in the past, but these kids have typically come from families that could afford to make it out to games, or make it out in the summer to actually see their kid (keep in mind, most of these kids are going to stay in Knoxville for almost the entire summer). Some kids do it, but it is an extremely hard choice...and one that can easily trump playing time, particularly if the close-to-home coaches are telling you that you'll have a shot to battle for the #1 spot...and you are being recruited by UF, UT, AND USC....so you think you're pretty good.
Like I said, Scroggins has a lot of reasons to choose UT...and he may just do it. But, don't undervalue the weight that proximity to home has on these decisions. Heck, Urban Meyer is probably also in his ear, improving USC's chances while 'recruiting' him to UF. We'll see how it goes on Wednesday...but I'm just not seeing it.
We will take a JUCO this year, or maybe a HS kid who shines during his senior season..but it's going to be a bit rocky on rocky top in the QB front for a few years. The staff will probably just be in emergency mode..trying to make sure they have enough arms to run practice in the spring. Then, try to find a decent backup for Stephens for 2010....and then hope that that person can play part of 2011 until our *hopefully* allstar can take over after a few games...