PassedOutAwake
R.I.P RichRollin
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Current Commit News:
Monday:
- Jack Jones ranked #91 in new Rivals100
- Andrew Butcher: "It was just hanging out with the commits and the coaches growing those relationships which is always good," Butcher said. "It's nice to be back. "This is home for me. It's the place for me." Butcher, who weighs a personal high 250 pounds, has been a popular name the last week or so. Alabama, Miami, and Missouri have all offered in the last week. News that surprised no one including the Tennessee coaches who according to Butcher and his family told him when he committed last Junes that he would be a popular man. The Alpharetta, Ga. native said the new offers make him proud, but also made it clear Rocky Top is his home. "It's nice to get that honor that those schools think highly enough of me that they would like for me to play for them, but I'm not going there. I'm coming to Tennessee," Butcher said. -VQ
- Duke Shelley commits to Tennessee
- Duke Shelley: "He has offers from Clemson, Louisville, Georgia Tech and a few other schools. His recruitment was really just starting to heat up. For some reason the kids at Tucker tend to be late bloomers when it comes to double digit offers. He's a speed guy and a really tough guy to deal with at the corner position. A true cover guy but has good ball skills as well as evidenced by his work at wide receiver and in the return game." -Woody Wommack
- Duke Shelley: It was just time, Shelley told InsideTennessee. That school is just amazing. Its what I wanted so I went ahead and did it. Spoke with Terry Fair: He was really excited, which was awesome to hear, Shelley told IT. I just had to take the time and talk things out with my dad before I decided. We talked about the overall school and we both just decided I fit in there and it was the right place for me. All the coaches, theyre just different, Shelley said. I trust them. That was a huge thing for me. I was talking to some of the early enrollees, too, and they said theyve all put on like 19 pounds in a blink of an eye, Shelley said. I thought that was really awesome. They develop guys here and treat them well. Im excited to be part of the family. -scout
- Turns out Duke Shelley didnt talk to the coaches and is not currently committed
- Preston Williams gets bumped up to a 5* and #1 WR on 247. #26 overall and #80composite
- Preston Williams moves to #147 in Rivals250
- Jack Jones moves from 87 to a 92 on 247. #177 and #145composite
- Andrew Butcher bumped up to #193 in Rivals250
- Cecil Cherry ranked #250 in new Rivals250
- Preston Williams: "I am giving other schools a chance," said Williams. "I still see myself as a strong Tennessee commitment, but I have other visits lined up, and I am still going to talk with other coaches." "I just felt at home the first time I was visiting, then it was the same every other time. I feel good when I am there, I get along great with the coaches, and it is like home up there for me." "Florida is my No. 2 school right now," said Williams. "I really like Coach Phillips a lot and he has me looking at Florida. "Florida has been on me hard and Georgia has too. I have them right there with Florida at No. 3. I have been in contact with Coach [Tony] Ball almost every day for a few weeks now. I will be visiting Georgia soon. "Alabama and South Carolina are in this also and I will be at Alabama on March 1, then I will visit South Carolina March 29. I have a lot of schools coming, so I want to get out and see other places." -scout
- Cecil Cherry: I talk to (Tennessee coach) Butch Jones almost every day. But most schools, I dont really talk to them like that, said Cherry[.] He wants me to be a leader in recruiting this class with Andrew (Butcher) and Preston Williams. The 6-foot-1, 219-pound Cherry said he might go to the Orange and White (Game) at Tennessee in April, but thats the only visit he has planned at the moment. Otherwise, he said, he only has decided that Im still taking my officials. Thats what Ill have to do, because Im just starting my online class, Cherry said. Im fixing to knock it out so I can go ahead and get up there (to Tennessee) early. Cherry said he also has developed strong relationships with Tennessee running backs coach Robert Gillespie and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen. They just share that, We cant wait to get you up here to be a leader of the defense, and do what I have to do, Cherry said. But at the same time, they dont just care about (nothing) but football. They just care about me as a person, and they show me they can be a father figure to me and everything. - 247
- Andrew Butcher: "For Tennessee commitment Andrew Butcher being back on campus felt like home for him and his family. However, his mom, Kathleen, got an unexpected homecoming on Saturday. Mrs. Butcher was running behind on the tour and came into the locker room late and to get over to here son and husband, Brian. She stepped on the "T" on the floor in the locker room which is a no, no. When Brian Butcher asked Butch Jones what the punishment was for the violation, Jones said for the players it's push-ups. So in true VFL fashion, Kathleen, a fitness instructor herself, dropped immediately in front of everyone and did here push-ups, noting, if you do the crime you gotta do the time. And both Brian and Andrew were quick to tell the story to anyone listening after junior day was over." -VQ
- Preston Williams: "Williams contends he is still committed to the Vols, but followed that with, "I'm open." As he continues to make campus visits, Williams believe many will be similar." - 247
QB Recruiting:
Monday:
- Dwayne Lawson: "I'll be taking visits the whole month of March," he continued. "Tennessee, Florida, UCF, and Ohio State are schools that I will be visiting." - OSU Rivals
- Drew Lock: "It was a little different this time," Lock said. "I finally got to put some names to faces and meet the other top guys that Missouri looking at. I met Hale Hentges and talked to him a lot. He looks 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-6." Further visit plans are complicated because of a hectic basketball season. Aside from being a four-star quarterback, Lock is also a BCS-level basketball recruit that carries offers from Oklahoma and others. It's the reason why unofficial football visits are hard to come by and why he may not show his face at many other junior days."I might be going to Tennessee's but I haven't been able to plan that because of basketball," he said. "It's hard to know when basketball ends. I might not be able to take many visits until it's over." "I want to visit Oklahoma again," Lock said. "I've seen Oklahoma on the basketball side, but I've never seen it as a football recruit, so that would be cool. Coach [Josh] Heupel came up to watch me throw a few weeks ago, and we've been calling each other every other week since." -Rivals
- Drew Lock top 3 of Mizzou, UT and Ole Miss
- Alex Malzone: "Brother Rice (Mich.) quarterback Alex Malzone used a week's vacation to visit family in Tennessee as an opportunity to check out three schools recruiting him. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Malzone began with a visit to Tennessee on Tuesday, then traveled to see N.C. State and Wake Forest on Wednesday. The visit to Wake Forest yielded Malzone's first BCS offer and eighth offer overall. "I have gotten to know Coach [Warren] Ruggiero for about a year now because they came from Bowling Green," Malzone said. "I met Coach [Dave] Clawson [Wednesday] and they are a great staff, seems like they know what they are doing. They've had a winning program everywhere they've been and they definitely showed me what Wake Forest is all about." "Their facilities were very nice. I didn't see the campus, just the facilities and football field. They have a great tradition with their program and have sent a lot of players to the NFL. They have had a lot of great quarterbacks coming out of there - Russell Wilson and Phillip Rivers." The visit to Tennessee on Tuesday went similar to the visit to N.C. State, with a promise to come out and see Malzone this spring. "Coach [Mike] Bajakian, their quarterbacks coach, I got to sit down with him," Malzone said. "He said he watched my film and was very impressed. He said he was going to watch my single games and be up in the spring to see me throw." -Rivals Malzone said he wants to make a decision soon, before summer. He had a lot of good things to say about Wake Forest (campus blew him away, IVY league type education, top 5 business school, etc), based on that and his early decision time frame I'm guessing he's going to commit to Wake Forest soon unless a school like Mich State, Michigan, UT, PSU, etc offer before then.
- Dwayne Lawson: Top 4 of UCF, tOSU, UF, and UT... UT and UF are the 2 standing out per 247.
- Nick Tiano: Is this kid a QB target? "Obviously a big kid with a nice arm. Would want to see him throw in person to know more. Doesn't look like he has a cannon on film and most of his throws are one-read seams down the field. Intriguing guy for sure, but someone you'd probably want to see in person before pulling the trigger. Just my opinion." -Fortenberry
- Dwayne Lawson: Theyve done just a great job, Lawson said of the Gators and Vols. Theyve been recruiting me, showing me love. You cant beat it. Theyre interested, he said. Theyve been coming down here a lot. Theyve been doing a real good job of recruiting me. (I like) their program and their tradition. The Vol Nation, thats something special right there. I had two cousins play for the Gators Reche (Caldwell) and Andre Caldwell and theyve got Jordan Sherit up there, and Vernon Hargreaves, from here in Tampa, (Ropers) offense, its a no-huddle, spread system, Lawson said. Its not really complex, but it fits me perfect. They can run the ball with the quarterback a little bit, and they throw it a lot, so it fits me perfect. -247
- Alex Malzone: i went to (tennessees) camp last summer, and ive talked to them not constantly, but off and on since then. I had talked to (defensive line) coach (steve) stripling about it, and he said, yeah, definitely come by, my mom and i, we sat down with coach bajakian, talked to him for about 10, 15 minutes. He said after their camp season, after i came to their camp, he didnt know if itd be the right fit. And then he said he was very impressed by my film from this past year. obviously, they play in a big-time conference, the sec, he said. if i went there, id be playing some big-time football. Its a football town. I mean, i hear a lot about it from my moms side of the family. A lot of people down here always tell me how much knoxville and tennessee cares about their football. And even coach bajakian said tennessee football, i mean, the face of the program is the quarterback. Going to tennessee would be pretty cool to do. im just really trying to make my decision as soon as possible, he said. the recruiting process is starting to become a lot. - 247
ATH Recruiting:
Monday:
- Stephen Griffin: "It was great. I loved the facilities. It was cool seeing the weight room and being able to get some one-on-one time with the coaches," Griffin said. "Me and my family had a really good time down there, it was great." "I lived in Tennessee when I was a kid and me and Todd Kelly went to preschool together, actually. I went to a couple of games when I was younger but I hadn't been up there recently," Griffin said. "I remember going to some games and going to preschool with Todd. I was old enough to remember some stuff. "We actually went to their house on Saturday night to see him and his family. It's crazy, his mom sent an old picture of us when we were in preschool and now we could possibly be playing together which is crazy to think." "I got a chance to connect with some of the players like Emmanuel Moseley and he's from North Carolina," Griffin explained. "I learned more about inside the football program and how it's run and getting a chance to be with coach (Willie) Martinez showed me they have a lot of good things going on for the future." "It's helped me out a lot. A lot of people think that just because my dad played at Clemson he would be pressuring me to go somewhere, he actually just wants me to go wherever the best fit is for me," Griffin said. -VQ
- Jocquez Bruce: "I had a lot of fun," Bruce said. "It was a good time. I got to spend time with the coaches and we met with the players. We played a lot of video games. We played corn hole and ping pong. It was just a great day." "Coach Jones called me in his office and I was excited," Bruce said. "He just wanted to talk to me about things. It really had nothing to do with my recruitment. It was more about getting to know each other. He got to know my family and I felt like it was good." "They want to get me into camp this summer and let me show them what I can do," Bruce said. "I'm more than ready to show them what I can do. I want to go over there and show out. I know if I do what I'm capable of, then I'm going to earn that scholarship offer." Growing up a fan of Tennessee, Bruce hopes to earn more offers in the coming weeks. He'll attend the Rivals Under Armour camp in Charlotte next month and it's an event he's been working toward all winter. "That's the big one right there," Bruce said. "If I do well over there then I think everyone will start looking at me harder and it's the one I've been focusing on. I want to show out and earn more interest from other schools." -VQ
- Stephen Griffin: I definitely like them a lot, and I know my family did as well. I mean, I liked it a lot[.] It was a great visit Ill say that. The coaches and how genuine they were with me and my family, I really liked that, he said. And just getting to see all the facilities and everything all the new stuff and getting a chance to kind of talk with Coach (Butch) Jones, it was good. I like all the coaches. I like Coach (John) Jancek, the defensive coordinator. I like (defensive backs) coach (Willie) Martinez a lot. I really like the coaching staff. Coach Jancek said he just wants to use me as a safety, maybe let me roam around and stuff like that. But they said they really want me there, and I could really feel it when I was visiting, that they really wanted me. You cant really ignore the fact that your dad went there, and I grew up being a fan of that college and everything, the younger Griffin said. It did have a little impact on me when they offered me. It was like, Oh, my God. My dream school just offered me to play football there. - 247 Dad played at Clemson and said he isn't pressuring him to pick a certain school.
[*]Chandler Cox: I like Tennessee. (Head) coach (Butch) Jones, he offered my brother when he was at Cincinnati. My brother was actually committed to Cincinnati and when Coach Jones left for Tennessee, my brother actually decommitted. So Coach Jones knows my family pretty well. -scout
Saturday:
- Jocquez Bruce: It was great. Everything was just right, said Bruce[.] As soon as I walked up in there, I knew that thats the place I want to go. Thats how good it looked. I dont know (what it was). Im comfortable with everybody. Its like Ive known them before. We just get along. They said they want me around more and to get me to a camp (this summer), so Im going to start going to the practices when they start up in the spring. I think the first ones March 7, and Ill be there. Ill try to go to as many as I can so we can just bond. Theyre recruiting me as a running back, said Bruce, who rushed for 1,936 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior. They said they want to see me at a camp and (see if I can) get a good 40 time. I dont know. I think its just because theyre underdogs, Bruce said. I like playing for an underdog team, as you can tell. My high school, were underdogs. And Ive just been around (Tennessee) all my life. I grew up watching them. I used to like them and Florida State. They were my main two teams I always liked and Oregon. - 247
- Terelle West: "Wests future college, though, is more important to him than his future position. And the pint-sized playmaker left a recent visit to Tennessee with a new offer he claimed to want more than any other. After today, Id say Tennessee[.] Oh, man, it was great. I love the tradition. I love how they make sure their players are OK once they graduate, too. No matter what I (major in), Ill get a degree. Really, the academics, that really stood out to me. Youre gonna graduate here. Thats good to know. I got to talk to Coach G. a lot, West said. He said hes gonna come down this spring and see me, and Im really excited about that. Really, they just talked about wanting to get me in space with the ball, and thats always good to hear, West said. I really think Im gonna be an athlete (in college) and line up in the slot a little bit. Education is first, but I want to get on the field, too, West said when asked about the most important factors in his recruitment. Thats my two biggest things right now.- 247
RB Recruiting:
Monday:
- Dexter Williams: This week I received my first offer from Miami and then right after that Florida and then South Carolina, then Ohio State, then Tennessee, Williams explained. I was surprised because I never thought I would start off with big schools coming and it just shocked me. I thought I would start off with something small and then go some big schools. It was the complete opposite of what I expect. Tennessee was a school Williams had heard from in the past, but their communication dropped off until recently. I had called the Tennessee coach [Robert Gillespie] and we had a good talk. Then right before we were about to hang up he told me it was an official offer and he wanted to get down and see me. Tennessee, I was kind of shocked because my sophomore year and a little my freshman year, they were talking to me a little bit. Then I hadnt heard from them in a while. For them to pop back up, I thought they had forgot about me. They came back in at the right time. I was really proud of that. - 247 (Stampini)
- Taj Griffin: Oregon, USC, Clemson, Ohio State and Florida State are my top five, Griffin said. USC, Oregon and Clemson are the three schools recruiting me the hardest and trying to get me the most right now. - 247 Sports
WR Recruiting:
Monday:
- TJ Rahming: "A trio of schools - Tennessee, Duke and Marshall - recently offered Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern defensive back T.J. Rahming. The versatile playmaker had a good camp performance Sunday and is being recruited as both a defensive back and a slot receiver. While he's keeping his options open, Rahming did says that he feels like Tennessee could be the place for him. With a visit coming up early next month, the Vols might be in good shape to land 5-foot-10 speedster. Rahming will also be on campus at Auburn next weekend and said that he believes the Tigers could be the next school to offer." -Woody Wommack, Rivals
- Dexter Neal: "It's about 75-80 percent," Neal said about his commitment to the Gamecocks. "I'm kind of opening it back up because I want to take other visits and still talk with other coaches." Georgia, Tennessee, Clemson, Vanderbilt, and Florida were the schools mentioned by Neal when asked who he was still considering. "They haven't offered yet but I think they are close," Neal said about Georgia. "The coach wants me to set up a day where I can go chill with the coaching staff. I do think they are close to offering. I think when I go up there they will offer me." Another school Neal plans on visiting soon is Tennessee. He said that he will either visit Tennessee this coming weekend or the next weekend. "I went up there for a visit and I liked the community and all of the coaches," Neal said about the Vols. "I like the coaches and the players. The coaches are real laid back. There was just something about Tennessee that made me want to put them in my top five." "I would say its South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee," Neal said. "They are all in a race right now and it is close between all three." -South Carolina Rivals
- Dexter Neal tweets that he might join Duke Shelley at UT
- TJ Rahming: The Volunteers coaches however, have made quite the early impression on the 5-foot-10, 160-pound speedster. "I've been building a good relationships with them and everyone is just cool and stuff like that," Rahming said. "Right now I'm just feeling like it's the place for me. I'm going to take a visit and see how it is and just spend time with them and build that relationship with them more." Rahming said the Vols are recruiting him to play a slot wide receiver and also to contribute in the return game. Next month's trip won't be the first time he's been to Knoxville. "I was there for their one-day camp last summer," Rahming said. "I'm in love with the campus right now, especially the stadium." In addition to his upcoming trip to Tennessee, Rahming said he'll be in Auburn for the Tigers junior day this weekend. He said he thinks the Tigers are "pretty close to offering." "I think I would fit pretty good in their offense," he said of Auburn. "Of course I would have to learn it and see what I can do but right now I think I could do pretty good." -Rivals
- Alex Ofodile: "I have a really good relationship with Coach Azzanni and Coach Jones at Tennessee. We talk once a week. I went to a camp there last summer. Their facilities were ridiculous and their stadium was ridiculous. It was an amazing sight to see. I hope I can check out the depth chart and the offensive scheme when I visit down there. I want to know how I will be used if I chose them." -scout
- TJ Rahming: "Seeing all the letters there just made me feel like UT really cares about me and out of the 99, 78 of them were handwritten so it goes to show me that they took the time to do it," Rahming said. Rahming, who has been clocked numerous times with sub 4.4 40-yard dash times, first met Vols receivers coach Zach Azzanni last summer when he camped in Knoxville and that's when their relationship began. "I went to the camp let summer and I did pretty good up there and coach Azzanni just followed me from there. Then he saw my junior highlight film and really liked that," Rahming said. "I love the campus and the stadium there and just from talking to coach Z and coach Jones they seem like really good people," Rahming said. "I'm looking forward to coming up for junior day and getting to know them more." "I'm going to take some time over the summer and hit a few one day camps and see if I can pick up more offers and then probably commit before the end of the summer," Rahming said. -VQ
- Tyron Johnson: Ron Swanson summary of Rivals video: "Mike Farrell with a video interview at the New Orleans Rivals Camp Series Event...Johnson said he doesn't have a top list but mentioned he likes LSU, UT, A&M, USC and UF. Talked about being at LSU for their recent junior day, said Miles is a straight shooter and he likes him. His only visits planned are to UT on March 8th and to UF at some point this spring (he couldn't remember the date). Said he's talked to a couple UT coaches and really wants to build that relationship more, he's looking forward to visiting UT. Seemed like a real calm and cool kid, very laid back."
- Jayson Stanley: I liked the experience, said Stanley[.] This was my second junior day, and Im comparing it right now in my head between (Tennessee) and Alabama. They really are up there with each other. I like how we went into the student section and got to see all the academics and stuff, how they treat their players. It kind of shocked me (last weekend) how they treat them. I like how they do that how they individualize people. They really want you to pursue life after football and stuff like that and succeed in the classroom and everything. I like how, when I went up here with Evan and Elliott, they treated me a (certain) way, said Stanley, whos also a teammate of Ole Miss offensive line commitment Marquel Harrell and three-star offensive lineman Venzell Boulware. And then, when I came up by myself, they treated me the same way. I like how they dont change their attitude and stuff like that. I couldnt hear myself in the stands, he said. I was trying to talk to one of my teammates. He was like, What were you saying? I couldnt even hear. I like how the fans treat everybody the same way and everything. Its real nice. - 247
- CJ Sanders: wU summarizes Scout video: Had fun on visit. Was impressed by academics and how they are rising. Likes Coach Z. Thinks his recruitment will depend in the bonds with coaches he develops. Likes idea of playing with Barnett again and say Barnett has good things to say about UT. Likes Stanford a lot as well, UT and Stanford are likely top 2, although he never confirmed. Likes facilities and fan base at UT. Expecting more offers soon. High on board for UT's slot target
OLine Recruiting:
Tuesday:
- Rob Dowdy: Top 3 of Auburn, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech. No offers from UT or AU
- Austin Clark: "It was a great time. I've been here four times now but each and every time I have a great time," Clark said. "This was the first visit that my mom was on so she kind of got to see everything Tennessee had to offer and what it would be like if I ended up going here. That was probably the biggest difference in this visit." "She said she had a great time. She got to meet all the coaches, got to meet coach Strip's wife. She said she had a great time," Clark said. "Definitely just the fact that when I come here it feels like a home away from home and that I'm wanted by the coaches," Clark answered when asked why he was back in Knoxville for Saturday. "Not that I don't get that at other places, but Tennessee is a special place for me and it's definitely a place I like a lot. As long as they will have me back I will keep coming back for visits." "No real favorites right now, but I'd definitely say Tennessee, Penn State, Clemson, Ohio State, Virginia and Virginia Tech are recruiting me the hardest right now," he offered. -VQ
- Thursday: "Since his commitment in early February, the 6-foot-3, 296-pound guard has received offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and others. "I'm somewhat surprised then the coaches told me that people are going to try harder to get me," Harrell said. Harrell said he committed to the Rebels because of the family vibe he had with the coaches although he had never been on campus. "It was a family feeling and a family vibe and they are a rebuilding program and I want to be apart of a rebuilding program," Harrell offered. "I thought Tennessee was going to be my first offer because I was talking to them first and I didn't get one and then I committed to Ole Miss and then they said I had an offer from," Harrell explained. "I've been watching Tennessee football for forever and I've been on campus and been to a camp, all I was waiting for was an offer. " Even though he counts himself as an Ole Miss commitment he's not slowing down the process. Harrell plans on visiting numerous schools in March and that includes a visit to Tennessee at some point. "I'm still looking at all the schools I'm receiving offers from. The night I committed they told me a lot of schools were going to be coming after me so I'm still listening," Harrell said. -VQ
DB Recruiting:
Monday:
- Tyler Woodley: "Even though he's still waiting for his first offer, three-star Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern defensive back Tyler Woodley said things are starting to shape up regarding his recruitment. He's very high on Tennessee and will visit the Vols with several of his teammates on March 1. Woodley said he was impressed with what first-year head coach Butch Jones was able to do both on the field this past fall and with the recruiting class the school finished up with earlier this month." -Woody Wommack, Rivals
- Duke Shelley commits to Tennessee, but turns out he never talked to the coaches and is not actually committed
- Vols offer Deandre Baker
- Tyler Woodley: "Class of 2015 three-star defensive back Tyler Woodley has made it clear that he hopes to play with this fellow his Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern teammates at the next level. With Tennessee having already offering T.J. Rahming, Taj Griffin and Chuma Edoga, he's hoping to be the next on board. "We're going to junior day there March 1," he said. "All of us are trying to go to school together. I'm still waiting on that offer. They're talking good stuff, but I'm just waiting on the offer." "I really like the way they played this year," he said. "I think they really came up a lot. They went from not doing so good to competing. They almost beat Georgia; they were competitive with Oregon for a little while and that was impressive." When it comes to the four-player "package deal" Woodley said he's optimistic, but also said he's not a make-or-break deal. "We're trying to but if we all four have to go to different schools we will if it comes down to it," he said. "We just want do what's best for us." -Rivals
- Vols offer Darius Slayton
- Cameron Ordway: "It will be interesting to see what happens with Ordway. He fits the mold of a big corner they like and he's continued to pick up more and more offers. He didn't make it to Knoxville last weekend and maybe they wanted to see him with their own eyes. They are recruiting him and continue to talk to him so we will see how this plays out." -Fortenberry
- Duke Shelley: "In this day and age if you don't offer the prospect won't give you a chance to even recruit him. From talking to people around Tucker HS. Tennessee made it clear to Shelley on Saturday at the junior day that they wanted him to camp in Knoxville this summer so they could see him more. That's why the Tucker coaches aren't mad because they were aware of what Tennessee wanted Shelley to do and what they needed him to do." -Hubbs
- UT offers Micah Abernathy
- Micah Abernathy: "Tennessee has offered Greater Atlanta Christian School athlete Micah Abernathy. He is the teammate of Darius Slayton, who Tennessee offered yesterday. Also, Abernathy's family is very familiar with Butch Jones and his staff. Micah's older brother, Ralph David Abernathy IV, was recruited by Butch and played under him at Cincinnati. On a side note, I like this kid's film a lot." - Fortenberry
- Mykelti Williams: Tennessee: "They're recruiting me very hard. They said nobody in the country is going to recruit me harder than them. They want to get me down there and be around the coaching staff." Williams is lining up spring visits to Michigan State, Notre Dame, Illinois, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Cincinnati, and Iowa" -247
- "Finally, some have asked why Tennessee decided the timing wasn't right to take Duke Shelley earlier this week and it seems the reason is Tennessee is still evaluating other corners and Shelley has very limited size and Tennessee is in good shape with other top defensive back prospects. The Vols lead for Amadi, they are in very good shape for guys like Stephen Griffin, Garrett Taylor and the add the connection with Abernathy and that doesn't hurt you at all. They also continue to battle for Rico McGraw. Then, there's also the possibility Cameron Ordway could receive an offer. While there are certainly no sure things, Tennessee is after numerous prospects right now in the defensive backfield and they all seem to have the similar trait of being bigger guys." -VQ
- Micah Abernathy: "Tennessee has continued to offer numerous prospects throughout the week and one that was a smart move by Tennessee was offering Georgia athlete Micah Abernathy on Thursday. Abernathy is the younger brother of Ralph David Abernathy IV who played for Butch Jones at Cincinnati and the Abernathy family still has a close connection with Jones. In fact, Jones talked to not only the younger Abernathy, but also to his family Thursday when the Vols offered and to say his family was very happy to have the opportunity for one of their sons to play for Jones is putting it lightly. Abernathy is a very intriguing prospect as both a running back and cornerback. He would be considered a bigger corner, something Tennessee seems to want right now, and he shows the ability to be a very shifty runner. Abernathy told Volquest.com that right now he's deciding between visiting Tennessee and Alabama on March 1 as both have junior days that Saturday." -VQ
- Micah Abernathy: Right now, theyʼre at the top, he said. I know their football team has loyal fans because, when my brother was there at Cincinnati, his freshman year he had a game at Tennessee. I will never forget the fan base that they had that came out to the game. I will never forget that. That really stuck with me. I donʼt have a leader, but I would say theyʼre at the top, probably with a couple of schools. Iʼm not sure exactly when (I will decide), but I know I want to wait ʻtil my senior season. I know my brother and my family my mom and my dad theyʼll help me with that, so Iʼm just taking it slow. -247
- Dechayn Holiday: "I do have a lot of interest in them," Holiday said. "I'm planning on getting there some time over summer. I want to see the facilities and learn more about what Tennessee is like. "I spoke with Adoree Jackson who said it was cool out there and I talked to a couple other kids from the 2014 who all talked about Tennessee so that has me wanting to see them." "I have talk to coach Martinez, I have called and spoke with him several times," Holiday offered. "I like some of the things that he has been telling me about how he likes his corners. How his system is a fit for me." "It's still up in the air. I know I want to go out to Oklahoma and Tennessee," Holiday said of his summer plans. And at 6-2, 192 pounds there's plenty of competition for Holiday's services. "My size and speed,' Holiday offered of what coaches like about him. "I play both corner and receiver. I like corner the best because that's what I really work on to be the best at. If someone really wants me to play offense and I can get on the field quicker that way then I would be ok with playing receiver." -VQ
- Micah Abernathy: "I knew the coaching staff that was at Cincinnati since when my brother committed and they were always loyal to my brother and they were always there for him," said Abernathy of what he remembers when his brother was recruited in the class of 2011. "It was a family environment while they were at Cincinnati. I talked to my brother about it earlier and he said coach Jones is a good guy and he knows coach Jones will look out for me and he said he loved playing for coach Jones." "I know he's hard working and I know he tries to get under your skin to see what type of player you are when you get down to it," Abernathy explained. "I like how he coaches. He's going to get me where I want to be and I know he's a great coach." "I know they had a great recruiting class and that I know a couple of the guys in the class. I know Evan and Elliot Berry, I ran summer track with them," Abernathy added. "I haven't put much thought into it. I want to weigh all of my options," Abernathy said. "I don't want to commit too early. I want to commit my senior year so I know I'm sure and positive on where I want to go." -VQ
LB Recruiting:
Tuesday:
- Dee Smith: As soon as I got the offer from them, I knew I had to make it there on a visit, Smith said. I basically went to see how there campus was and how the coaches are. How would they welcome me to the team, that was something I wanted to find out. I felt at home, the staff was great because they did a great job welcoming me and every body else, Smith said. The head coach (Butch Jones) was even nicer, it wasnt like he was too busy for us. He hung out with everybody and he seemed as if hes just a great guy all the time. - 247
- Arthur McGinnis: "Rivals250 outside linebacker Arthur McGinnis has attracted plenty of attention on his own. Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Texas Tech have each offered, but like Johnson, he is taking his time. He plans to attend the Texas A&M junior day on Sunday, and the Aggies have been high on McGinnis's list in the past. He also mentioned he would like to visit Mississippi State, Tennessee and Texas in the future." -Rivals
- Josh McMillon: Article on 247. Said the visit went good. Did not get to meet with Butch or Thig because they were out of town. Elder has recruited him very well so far. Likes that Peyton Manning came out of UT. Said UT's engineering program is a selling point. Said he will be back in the Summer to visit again. Said he wants to announce closer to NSD. - Summarized by TriCitiesVol
- Josh McMillon: Everything went great, said McMillon[.] The campus was good. The UT (Knoxville) leadership members, they were nice. They were friendly. They answered all the questions I was curious about and everything. Overall, it was good. I didnt get a chance to talk to (the coaches), McMillon said. We did get a chance to take a trip up to the (Neyland-Thompson) Sports Center everything that I saw the first time I went up there (in June). I also saw the new buildings they were adding on. This was the first time Ive actually been on campus when everybody else the whole school was on campus. Overall, theyre great, McMillon said. (Vols assistant coach) Mark Elder is a very great recruiter. The facilities on the campus are great. How they go about trying to get their recruiters up there and they take care of business is great. My dad loves them. Theyre very high on the charts, also. Its probably going to be awhile before I make a decision maybe closer to signing day, McMillon said. - 247
- Josh McMillon: "It was great. I had an overall great experience up there this weekend," McMillon said. "I was able to talk to the dean and some of the juniors and seniors of the school and we talked to them about the school and some of the classes they were taking. I had a chance to talk to some of the professors in some of the programs we were interested in. We just got a chance to get the 411 on everything." "I talked to coach Elder yesterday. He just asked me how the trip was and if I felt comfortable up there and of course I told him it made me feel at home and I feel very comfortable," McMillon said. "He said he was sorry that we couldn't meet and sit down with him and talk with some of the football players and coach Jones." "It has to be my recruiting coordinator Mark Elder," McMillon said as to why he's considering Tennessee heavily. "He reaches out and talks to me just about every day, if not, every other day. We just have a wonderful relationship." -Volquest. Said he talked to 3 different professors today and they answered every question he had regarding the engineering program. Had glowing things to say about Coach Elder. He said UT sees him as more of a LB/rush DE.
- Vols offer Tyler Cooksey
DLine Recruiting:
Monday:
- Trenton Thompson final 3 of UGA, FSU and UT
- Trenton Thompson: "I will be visiting Tennessee soon and that school is interesting to me. I would have to put them third right now on my list. I like the coaches there and I am taking my mom up there to see the school with me. They are really recruiting me hard." -scout
- Vols offer Quentez Johnson
- Kahlil Mckenzie: "it's early and he has a lot of attention, but just added my crystal ball prediction for four-star dt kahlil mckenzie (concord, calif./de la salle) to the vols. He has family connections obviously, which is why i joined jayson swain in making the prediction. As a prospect, he was one of the biggest 2015 risers in the most recent round of rankings updates. He moved to california from wisconsin prior to this past season and for lack of a better term "balled out" in california. He's a u.s. Army all-american bowl selection as well. Accepted the invite earlier this week." - jc shurburt
- DJ Jones: Considered a Vol lean ATP per Danny Parker
- Josh Sweat: Sweat has close to 30 offers but a few of them have grabbed his attention. "Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Ohio State, Florida State, North Carolina and Clemson are recruiting me pretty hard," he said. "I'll probably narrow things down some time next year." Sweat does not have any visits scheduled yet but take some this offseason. "I want to visit as many schools as I can," Sweat said. "I don't really know which specific ones. I'll probably take some visits in the summer time." - Rivals
- Vols offer Bo Wallace
- Quentez Johnson: MichiganState, Mississippi state, Arkansas, Miami, Tennessee, USC, & Georgia State (No Order)
2016 Recruiting:
Monday:
- TN ATH Gabe Angel: I just like Coach Jones and what hes doing, said Angel, who claims offers from Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Of course, he had a great recruiting class this past year, so hes definitely got things going in the right direction. I think theyll continue to build off that, and they should have a good year this year during the season. (Elder is) just staying on me hard and everything, Angel said. He wants me to come up there as much as I can for visits and stuff, just so I can get around the guys and hang around them and get used to the coaches. I mean, I played running back this year, but we ran a wing-T, so Id play the wing. And then wed go to, like, gun stuff and Id be in the slot. Thats what I did this year. I wont be in the wing-T next year, but itll be similar. Ill probably play running back and receiver. - 247
- Vols offer TN OL Ryan Johnson
- "Not only did Tennessee offer Ryan Johnson, the 2016 right tackle from Brentwood tonight, they offered Bryce Mathews, the left tackle at Brentwood. Bryce was on campus this weekend as well and also received offers from Tennessee and Ole Miss tonight. We will have a full story on both of those guys tomorrow afternoon. He is the son of former Colts and Titans offensive lineman Jason Mathews." -Fortenberry
- TN OL Bryce Matthews and Ryan Johnson per FranlinVol on VQ: "A little background on those guys. First of all, I'm thrilled that two more BA players have UT offers especially this early. I can tell you that Bryce is former Titans OL Jason (not Bruce) Matthews' son. Jason is also a coach at BA and a great guy! Ryan's dad, Tyke, owns a construction company in Brentwood and is originally from Chattanooga. I think he played college ball at Austin Peay. He coached my son in 6th grade and also a great guy. I know the Johnsons love the Vols! Jason Matthews played for AM. I haven't spoken to him personally since last weekend but I was told by someone that has that he was blown away by what he saw in Knoxville last weekend. Anyway, thought you might enjoy a little background on the two."
- TN OL Bryce Matthews: ""It was kind of crazy," Mathews explained. "I was in a movie with my dad and the Tennessee coach called my coach and then my coach called me and my dad trying to get us to answer the phone. We finally got out of the movie and we called them back. I wasn't expecting that." "I went last year on the first day of spring practice and I got to see the facilities they were almost finished with and now seeing it with all the banners an graphics were really nice," Mathews explained. "I really liked the indoor facility they had and it's right next to the weight room and I like that. Then, they have the nutrition bar and that's pretty cool to have what you need right there to refuel on." Both said they hope to visit Ole Miss at some point and schools like Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech and more are in the picture as well. Both said they are planning on participating in the Rivals Camp Series this spring." -VQ
- TN OL Ryan Johnson: ""They asked me to come up for junior day and I wanted to take a more in-depth look at things to see how they are as an athletic and an academic school," Johnson said. "I hadn't gotten a chance to look at the academic side. I also wanted to get a full tour of the facilities. That was pretty cool. I was excited about that." "It was just really surprising. I was really surprised," Johnson said. "My coach, coach Abernathy told me to call coach Thigpen and I called coach Thigpen and he told me they decided to offer me and right when I got off the phone with Tennessee coach told me to call Ole Miss so I called them and they offered me, too, about five minutes later. It was pretty cool." Both said they hope to visit Ole Miss at some point and schools like Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Miami, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech and more are in the picture as well. Both said they are planning on participating in the Rivals Camp Series this spring." -VQ
- Cole Blackman: When I went up there, I felt really good when I was there. The facilities they have there are really nice. I fell in love with the campus too, he said. They kept talking about the new facilities they are getting there by the time (my class) would get over there. They are going to have a whole new football sanctuary. It is going to be where the football players stay, the dorm rooms, near the weight rooms, near food, near school. Everything so close. So not a lot of distraction, it is all in one place. -scout
- Vols offer GA DL Malik Walker
- Vols offer LA DB Kristian Fulton
- TN OL Ryan Johnson: "Tennessee could be considered the team to beat for Johnson who grew up in what he called, 'A Tennessee family.'" -VQ
