poncharello
I got nothin'
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- Nov 25, 2008
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My trip to the O & W Game started off with a bang. I flew out of Charlotte around 1 on Friday and thought I had lucked out with having a whole row to myself for the exhausting 37 minute flight. About the time I was about to lounge out for the duration of the trip a young man sat down next to me. He politely said hello to me and sat down. I asked him if he was heading back home to Knoxville and he informed me he was just heading over to take in the game. I asked him (suspecting he might be a recruit) if he would be attending UT in the fall and he replied yes, he would be playing football in the fall for the Vols. I asked him his name and he told Mike Edwards. I had followed his recruiting a bit and knew he was from Ohio, so without further ado, I did what any good member of VolNation would do, I bombarded him with questions. I did tell him that he could tell me to shut up at any time, but this new staff had all of us so pumped for the upcoming season, and I would love to get his perspective on a few topics. Below is as summation of some of his responses and insight.
1. Mike will room with Darren Myles in the fall and was really excited to be spending his freshman year with him.
2. Out of his visits to Michigan, Minnesota, Cinci and Ohio State, UT had by far the best facilities of any of the schools.
3. He said the intensity of this staff is like nothing else he had ever seen among any of the schools that he had visited or talked to during the recruiting process.
4. Mike told me that Coach Tressel called him after he made his decision to come to UT and informed him that he made a great choice in attending a school with a top notch program and great football history. He said Tressel was a class act throughout the whole process, which apparently could not be said for all of his experiences.
5. He mentioned that CPF had contacted him early in the recruiting process, but after some other guys from the region decided on other schools, he did not hear from the previous staff any more. It wasn't until shortly after CLK was hired that he heard from the Vols again.
6. Based on my conversation with him, it was obvious that he had completely bought into the direction of the new staff. He was impressed with the NEW rules. i.e. Sitting in the first two rows of class, coaches checking on their attendance, no hats or jewelry etc. These were all seen as positives in this young man's eyes.
7. Told me he talks to EB almost every week, and is so impressed with his passion. (aren't we all)
8. Has never been to Neyland for a football game in the fall, but couldn't imagine what it would be like after his visit to TBA for a basketball game.He said the environment was just crazy. I told him he ain't seen nothing yet.
9. Mike said he communicated through phone and text with other guys heading to the hill in the fall, including Brown, Oku and NuKeese. He said all of them can't wait to get on the field, and all of them look to contribute right away.
10. On more than one occasion he mentioned the only goal for this team was to win championships. Normally I would write this off as lip service and cliche, but he spoke with passion when mentioning it.
As we were getting ready to get off the plane, I turned to him and just said, I have to ask what was the deciding factor in making your decision to come to UT. Without hesitation, he said that CLK was the deal closer for him. He said coach's energy and vision for the program just made him want to be a part of it.
I don't know what type of player Mike Edwards will turn out to be, but if he is any indication of the type of guys that this staff will be bringing in, I think we will be just fine. I'll be rooting hard for this kid in the fall.
1. Mike will room with Darren Myles in the fall and was really excited to be spending his freshman year with him.
2. Out of his visits to Michigan, Minnesota, Cinci and Ohio State, UT had by far the best facilities of any of the schools.
3. He said the intensity of this staff is like nothing else he had ever seen among any of the schools that he had visited or talked to during the recruiting process.
4. Mike told me that Coach Tressel called him after he made his decision to come to UT and informed him that he made a great choice in attending a school with a top notch program and great football history. He said Tressel was a class act throughout the whole process, which apparently could not be said for all of his experiences.
5. He mentioned that CPF had contacted him early in the recruiting process, but after some other guys from the region decided on other schools, he did not hear from the previous staff any more. It wasn't until shortly after CLK was hired that he heard from the Vols again.
6. Based on my conversation with him, it was obvious that he had completely bought into the direction of the new staff. He was impressed with the NEW rules. i.e. Sitting in the first two rows of class, coaches checking on their attendance, no hats or jewelry etc. These were all seen as positives in this young man's eyes.
7. Told me he talks to EB almost every week, and is so impressed with his passion. (aren't we all)
8. Has never been to Neyland for a football game in the fall, but couldn't imagine what it would be like after his visit to TBA for a basketball game.He said the environment was just crazy. I told him he ain't seen nothing yet.
9. Mike said he communicated through phone and text with other guys heading to the hill in the fall, including Brown, Oku and NuKeese. He said all of them can't wait to get on the field, and all of them look to contribute right away.
10. On more than one occasion he mentioned the only goal for this team was to win championships. Normally I would write this off as lip service and cliche, but he spoke with passion when mentioning it.
As we were getting ready to get off the plane, I turned to him and just said, I have to ask what was the deciding factor in making your decision to come to UT. Without hesitation, he said that CLK was the deal closer for him. He said coach's energy and vision for the program just made him want to be a part of it.
I don't know what type of player Mike Edwards will turn out to be, but if he is any indication of the type of guys that this staff will be bringing in, I think we will be just fine. I'll be rooting hard for this kid in the fall.
