Weekly Recruiting Update 2/24 - 3/2

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PassedOutAwake

PassedOutAwake

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Current Commit News:
Monday:
Tuesday:
  • Preston Williams: “They made a good first impression,” he said. “I love Florida but I am still committed to the Vols.” -scout
  • VFL 24/7 says TN DB/ATH Isaiah McDaniel has accepted a preferred walk on spot at UT

2014 Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • VFL 24/7 says TN DB/ATH Isaiah McDaniel has accepted a preferred walk on spot at UT
Thursday:
  • Wesley Horky: "I committed to Tennessee like a week before signing day and coach Boulware came back the day before singing day and told me they had a scholarship for me and I told Tennessee that I was going to take an official to Oklahoma and that's where we are right now," he said. "With Tennessee it was a preferred walk-on and if I won the spot I would be put on scholarship in January." "I kind of want to get away, you have to grow up at some point and all my friends they are going to Tennessee, or well most of them. Of course, they all want me to go to Tennessee, but I have to do what is best for me because that's all that matters," he said. "My parents, they are really excited, they want to meet all the coaches. They are all for me going away because they know that would be best for me and that's why we were all excited." "When I committed to Tennessee, I thought it was all done. When coach Boulware called and my parents started getting on me about calling coaches and all of this stuff. I just really wanted to come out here and see what it's like, I don't know how I could pass up an opportunity to play at one of the best programs and special teams coaches in the country," Horky said of Boulware. - OU Rivals
  • Max Pressley (TN RB) accepts preferred walk on spot
Saturday:
  • Wesley Horky signs with Oklahoma

QB Recruiting:
Monday:
  • Torrance Gibson: "Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee, Oklahoma], Clemson, Florida State, Florida are all showing a lot of love," Gibson said. "And the list goes on and on honestly." "I am going to visit Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ohio State, and all of the Florida schools that have offered me," he said. "Academics is the biggest thing first and foremost," Gibson. "The coaching staff and campus life are big things too. The coaching staff has to be together as one unit, too." -Woody Wommack
  • Torrance Gibson: “I’m just as confused as everybody else is about all of this,” Gibson told Saturday Down South. “A lot of coaches are just blowing me away. I’m just trying to enjoy all of this right now. I’m not committing any time soon. Everybody is even right now.” SEC schools like Auburn, LSU, Florida and Tennessee are some of the higher-end contenders for the south Florida QB’s services, thanks to how they appear they’d use this 6-foot-4, 200-pound dynamo who runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. Ohio State, Miami and Clemson are also serious contenders. There are several interesting scenarios as SEC schools. At Tennessee, Gibson has been told by the coaching staff that the reason they didn’t take a quarterback in their huge 2014 class is because they want Gibson first and foremost in 2015. At Auburn, he could play in a high-powered offense that played in a national championship two of the past four seasons. LSU and Florida would be two other storied programs he could play for. “A lot of people see me as a running quarterback but I like to throw the ball deep, and a lot of these coaches are impressed with my accuracy and my deep-ball skills,” Gibson told SDS. “They say I have a tremendous arm. I can throw 75 yards. They say I have great body size like Cam Newton and they love my game. A lot of people are now looking at dual-threat QBs because they can get out of tough situations when the pocket collapses. A lot of coaches are starting to look at that and I think it’s great for me.” “I’m a leader, a humble guy and I will do anything it takes to take the win,” Gibson told SDS. “I always put my teammates first, it’s not just about me. I just want everybody to know that about me. It’s about the whole team and my love for my teammates on the field. I will fight to the end for them.” -SDS
Thursday:
  • Nick Tiano: FREE Read - Baylor QB Nick Tiano set for back-to-back UT visits as recruiting picks up | Nooga.com
  • Drew Lock: All except that the younger Lock really wants to give the other college coaches a chance to do their job and make their pitch. Tennessee is making quite the push for his quarterbacking services … and the Volunteers need a quarterback, badly. “Coach (Butch) Jones is a great guy, to say the least, and I really enjoy talking to him—he really connects with you, not that the other coaches don’t,” Lock told Saturday Down South. “When me and my dad were in Tennessee, we learned a lot from him. He has gotten the ball rolling. He sells the school. He knows what it can be and does a good job.” “It’s definitely on the top there, and it’s going to be a hard decision. With its (very strong) 2014 class and how much they’re producing and it all hasn’t had a full chance to get going yet, and with them needing a quarterback and Mizzou having a good one already (Maty Mauk), it’s a hard situation” - Saturday Down South
  • Drew Lock: “Missouri is up there for me as far as being the hometown school and my dad went there,” Lock said. “Then again there is a side of me that wants to get away and a side of me that wants to stay home. It is 50/50 and how anyone would feel.” At the moment, the biggest competition for his commitment might come from another SEC East program. “The other people I have built the most relationships with would have to be Tennessee,” Lock said. “I have been down there and Coach Jake (Mike Bajakian) spent the most time with me while I was there. We built have a close relationship. Their facilities are crazy. They are very, very nice and I enjoyed the weather down there.” "I do not necessarily say I have a locked in top three,” Lock said. “Of course you could say Missouri is in, being the hometown school. That is people are going to expect anyways. I am talking to Tennesseee as well, so I guess people would expect them as well, even if it didn’t ever come from my mouth." As of now, Lock wants talk it over with his dad his weekend and plan visits, as well as make a general outline for a decision. “Quarterbacks are supposed to help bring guys into a class and form the foundation in recruiting, so I feel like my decision should be pretty soon,” Lock said. “Not as in next week, but not as in six months down the road.” - 247
Friday:
  • Zach Gentry: Where is UT with Gentry? "Tennessee is going to get a visit. They are in a good position with him right now." -Fortenberry

ATH Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • Carl Tucker: "North Carolina is extremely high (on my list) right now. I'd say they're top two. It's them and Tennessee," Tucker said. "I like Tennessee for the same reason I like Carolina. The coaches are so easy to get along with and they're good coaches. They're friendly. They're like friends and knowing you could be coached by guys like that is great. That's what I really like about it." "I'm putting Tennessee ahead of them right now but it's not by much." "I've been around (Tennessee) three times. I was at their Junior Day last week." "The atmosphere and game (at North Carolina) was unbelievable," Tucker said. "I'm a Chapel Hill basketball fan. I've always been liking their basketball team since I was in like sixth grade. It was the first college basketball game I've ever been to. It was phenomenal. Just a great game and atmosphere. I liked myself a lot." "They showed us the locker room and let us wear their jerseys and put their helmets on. It was really cool how they did it. They made it like you're kinda a celebrity. That was really cool. I enjoyed that part (of the trip)." "I love the coaching staff," he said. "They're high energy. They're excited all the time. I love them. It's very fun to be around them." - UNC Rivals
Wednesday:
  • Deon Cain: "After my recent offers North Carolina and Miami are in there," he said. "And Clemson, Florida State, Tennessee, those are my top right now." Cain will be visiting Tallahassee this weekend and said the Seminoles have an edge over the rest right now. "You could say that they're probably my early leader," Cain said. "I'll get more into who has my interest after I take visits this summer, but I'm going up there and I want to get a chance to talk to the coaches." Cain said he's planning a bus tour this summer, with stops all over the Southeast. In the meantime, he's weighing the options that will help him pick a school. "Right now I haven't decided if distance is going to be a factor," he said. "I'm going to take these visits and see how it goes. I do know my schooling will play a factor. Do they have the right major for me so I can have something to fall back on? Am I cool with the coaches? What's the offensive scheme? Will I get early playing time? Stuff like that." "I was thinking after I take these visits in the summer then at the beginning of the fall I should be able to make my decision," he said. - Rivals
Thursday:
  • Vols offer Jovon Durante (WVU commit)
  • Carl Tucker: “Tennessee and North Carolina are my two favorites,” Tucker said. “As of right now, I’d say Tennessee is the leader, but I want to see more of the campuses at both schools [before deciding].” “It’s a football school,” Tucker said of Tennessee. “Regardless of who they play, it’s a loud game. I had this one conversation with Coach [Mark] Elder and we talked for a good 20 minutes about everything so I have more of an idea about their school. I have to do that with Coach [Gunter] Brewer - that way we can have that same conversation. I feel like I’m real close with Coach [Butch] Jones and Coach Elder. When I go there, I feel like they want me, because everybody there knows my name.” -scout
Saturday:
  • Vols offer James Allen
  • Carl Tucker: “it’s hard to say” which team is ahead of the other at this point, but Tennessee is “more ahead” of North Carolina “most of the time.” “Some days Tennessee’s ahead, and some days they’re tied,” said Tucker. “And some days I’m thinking more, and then Tennessee’s ahead. For sure, I was on my decision, but as soon as I went to the Chapel Hill-Duke game, it went back to kind of normal. Most of the time, I feel like Tennessee’s more ahead of Chapel Hill, only because of that conversation I had with (assistant) coach (Mark) Elder.” Tucker said his discussion with Elder about the Vols’ plans for him made him feel better about Tennessee. “I had called because I was thinking about playing time and everything,” Tucker said. “I don’t want to be that player that gets recruited pretty well and then goes to a college and just doesn’t play at all — just sits there — so I had a long conversation with them about where I stand, as far as playing wise. “I told them I’m not expecting to play as a true freshman, or not even, like, in my redshirt freshman year — maybe sophomore or junior year. And he said he completely understands, and he expects me to be playing pretty early. We had a long conversation about that, and it put me in more of a comfortable spot with them and Tennessee.” He said he likes Tennessee and North Carolina for similar reasons. “As soon as I get (to Tennessee), the coaches come to me and they say, ‘What’s up?’ and they’re interested in me. It’s really cool to talk to them, and they’re easy to get along with,” said Tucker, who also holds offers from Clemson, East Carolina and Wake Forest. “The coaches (at North Carolina) are awesome. They’re easy to get along with. I know they can coach me. I know they do well. They’re intense, loud, exciting, and they know how to have fun sometimes.” He said he’s hoping to return to Tennessee and North Carolina for their spring games, and he plans to decide on a college by this summer. “I was going to (decide in the) spring, but I’m thinking I probably won’t have my decision by then,” Tucker said, “so (it will be) either spring, midsummer or early summer.” - 247

RB Recruiting:
Monday:
  • Vols offer Mon Denson
Tuesday:
  • Michael Weber: "I am visiting Tennessee this Friday," Weber reported. "Their coaches are keeping in good contact with me. I want to see if my position will come together like it is supposed to. I am real excited about the guys that are coming in and just want to see as far as the playing time." Michigan has offered Weber and so has their Big Ten rival Ohio State. Those two are among the schools recruiting him the hardest at this time. "I am honestly open to any college right now. I am just taking in my options and having fun with it. I always wanted to [commit] on TV at an All-American game, but if that doesn't work out I was thinking before the season starts." "Alabama has been keeping in touch with me a lot and is starting to come into the picture a little bit," Weber said. "Wisconsin is Running Back University and they have a good program, so I'm looking at them too. I am going up to Wisconsin in April and we go out to Alabama every year for a 7-on-7." -Rivals
  • Mon Denson: Said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the offer. Said he found out on the offer through Coach Jones and Coach Gillespie on the phone. Said he definitely wants to visit the Vols and soon. UNC leads right now. He's visiting them this weekend. He came out and said that if UGA offered, it would be tough to beat. Our coaches are selling him on that he can be a guy that gets 40 carries a game... In other words, a horse. And he likes that. He's been to UT's campus already once before. He came when he was a freshman in HS to a camp and worked out as a DB. Per 247 - Summarized by TriCitiesVol
Wednesday:
  • Mon Denson: “I’ve been waiting on the SEC to come into the picture, because the ACC, really, they’re on me,” “I’ve heard a lot about them. I camped at Tennessee my ninth-grade year, but I went (as a) defensive back,” he said. “I liked it — the facility and everything — because that was my first college camp I ever went to. It was really nice to be up there. I saw the practice field, the team room and stuff like that. It’s not too far and not too close to home. It’s just right.” - 247
Thursday:
  • Mon Denson: "It was a surprise. It came out of nowhere to me," Denson said. "It was my first time speaking to them. Coach Gillespie told me he liked what he saw and that he liked that I was a big, explosive back coming out of the backfield and he said everyone is sleeping on me. He said he's going to start recruiting me hard and he got me on the phone with the head coach and he told me I had an offer to play at the University of Tennessee. "I know a little bit about them. I went to their camp when I was in the ninth grade as a defensive back. But, I never expected to get an offer at running back from an SEC team." Right now, Denson said Georgia, who has not offered, and North Carolina are on top for his services. North Carolina has been recruiting him as long as anyone and he already has a nice relationship built with their staff. "I love coach (Chris Kapilovic). He's just a nice guy. Now I just want to go up there and get to know the staff and see how they are and see if it's like home up there," Denson said. "I never envisioned myself in the SEC as a running back, I saw myself as a defensive back in the SEC or a running back in the ACC. So, Tennessee has jumped out at me, too," Denson said. -VQ
Saturday:
  • Michael Weber: "Josh Alabi says Tennessee and Michigan State are sticking out right now. He said he loved his visit to Knoxville today. This was Alabi and Weber's second visit here. Weber said it felt like home here and talks to coach Gillespie often. Weber said he has no leaders right now but plans on being back at some point." - Fortenberry
  • Vols offer Rocky Reid
  • Michael Weber: The Top247 junior running back from Cass Technical High School in Detroit said he felt “like I was at home” during his latest visit to Tennessee, and the Vols remain one of “my top schools” among the teams currently pursuing him, along with Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin. “I got to see the campus again, the environment, a lot of new players and stuff,” said Weber, who’s ranked the nation’s No. 68 overall prospect and No. 5 running back in the 2015 class by 247Sports. “I got a chance to have a good time with a lot of my teammates and people that are on other teams. I had a lot of fun.” “Today made me feel like I was at home, even though I’m eight hours away,” he said. “Coming here this time, it felt like I knew where everything was at, and I got along with a lot of people. I knew people already. Even though it was only my second time, I felt like I’d been here a lot of times.” “(Gillespie is) real aggressive with me, and I really like that when it comes to recruiting. It shows me that I have a really good opportunity for when I come,” Weber said. “I call him a lot, just to keep up with him. Sometimes it’s not even about football. It’s just about, like, my last exam. He’s a real cool guy, so I really think that, if I was to come here, he would be a major part of my decision. “Really, (Jones) was just saying that they really want me here, I really can fit, and I really can make big things happen for me and the organization.” Weber said he likes that Tennessee is a “good, downhill running team” with an offense similar to the system “I’m already in right now, so it’s a good fit for me.” He said he believes the Vols “really could help me with what I need to work on,” too. He also admitted he’s intrigued by the opportunity to play in the SEC, which “prepares running backs for the NFL better than any other conference,” and he insisted geography would not be “an issue at all” for the Vols. But there’s currently no leader among his four early front-runners. “The guys that are really showing the most interest are really standing out, like Tennessee, Michigan State, Michigan and Wisconsin, I would say. They’re my top schools,” Weber said. “It’s just everybody in the lead right now. It’s a good race right now.” Weber said he plans to return to Tennessee again at some point, and he admitted he could envision himself taking “an official (visit) here.” He said he’s hoping to announce his college decision in January at one of the national all star games. “But if that don’t work out,” Weber added, “(I will decide) probably before the season starts.” - 247
Sunday:
  • Michael Weber: "It was good to see the campus again and the environment," Weber said. "I got to meet a lot of new players and stuff. I got to have a chance to have a lot of fun with my current teammates and recruits from other teams. I got to experience a lot. "Actually today made me feel like I was at home even thought I'm actually 8 hours a way. Coming in this time, I felt like I knew where everything was at and I got along with a lot of people. And I got to see a lot of people that I knew already. Even though it was only my second time here, I felt like I have been here a lot of times." "They have a good downhill running scheme like what I am in right now," the 5-10, 206 pound back said. "It's a good fit for me. I'm already used to the offense. There's a lot of things that I need to work on and I feel like Tennessee could really help me. "Coach G (Gillespie) is really aggressive with me and I like that when it comes to recruiting. It shows me that I would have a good opportunity here if I come. I call him a lot just to kick it with him. Sometimes it's not even about football. Sometimes it's about what I got on my last exam. He's a really cool guy. I really think if I were to come here then he would be a major part of my success." -VQ

WR Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • CJ Sanders: "I've said on here that I was hearing that CJ would more than likely be headed to a school like Stanford or Northwestern. Based on what I heard today, I'm ready to change that. Tennessee is much more in it that I orginally thought and Vandy is further behind UT than I thought. I know that his step dad played for Vandy but CJ didn't even go to their junior day this past weekend even with many urging him to go. At this point, I don't think he has much interest at all in Vandy. Obviously, if Ohio State offers, that could be a game changer. But for now, and I emphasize FOR NOW, I like what I'm hearing. Of course, having Derek at UT is a good thing and offers to 2 teammates one year behind him. He also knows Josh Malone. Butch and crew continue to do a terrific job at BA and in middle Tennessee!" - From FranklinVol on VQ
Wednesday:
  • Vols offer Quincy Watts

OLine Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • Vols offer Venzell Boulware
Wednesday:
  • Emanuel McGirt: “It’s actually kind of crazy. I kind of grew up a Tennessee fan a little bit,” said McGirt, who’s ranked the nation’s No. 36 offensive tackle in the 2015 class by 247Sports. “Me and my sister used to like Tennessee — the basketball team, the football team and Candace Parker — and we’ve got a lot of Tennessee stuff at the house". “I smiled (about the offer) and went on with my day. But it’s kind of just coming so fast, it’s like a routine, I guess you could say.” The four-star junior offensive tackle from Durham’s Hillside High School said he added an offer from Tennessee on Wednesday, and the Vols immediately joined North Carolina State, South Carolina, North Carolina and Duke among the teams currently at the top of his list. - 247
Saturday:
  • Emanuel McGirt: “I was more surprised about more than anything,” McGirt said. “(Linebacker) coach (Tommy) Thigpen called my coach and told him about the offer. “I’m definitely interested in them. I’ll probably visit them this spring. My sister lives in Asheville and that’s only a few hours from Tennessee.” -scout
  • Marquell Harrell: (Speaking about Berry Bros) “They won’t leave me alone about Tennessee, man. It’s everyday. We’re bros, so we’re real tight,” Harrell told InsideTennessee. “They love the Vols and they let me know that. They’re always saying, ‘Man, stop playing. You already know you want to be a Vol. What you waiting for?’” “I’ve always been a big Tennessee fan,” Harrell said. “I love that offer. I really like the Vols.” They’re going to have a great season this year. I wouldn’t be surprise if they were undefeated soon.” -scout

LB Recruiting:
Monday:
  • Manny Bowen: “I definitely know about Tennessee,” he said. “I haven’t been out there. I’ve followed them as a football team — well, I haven’t really followed them, but I’ve seen their games. Now that I’ve got the offer, I’m definitely going to be learning more.”-247 Sports
  • Tyler Cooksey: Will be at the Junior Day on March 8th. Willie Martinez was the coach that offered him. He called the UT offer "a big deal" and a "dream come true". He has family ties to Georgia Tech. They are ahead of everyone, ATP. UNC, UGA, and Vandy showing interest. Wants to make a decision before the start of his senior season. Per 247. Summarized by TriCitiesVol
Wednesday:
  • Tevon Coney: "Everybody is even right now," he said. "I'm open to recruiting and I'm just enjoying it right now." Coney said the schools showing the most interest as of late include Miami, Tennessee, Ohio State and Clemson. Those programs along with Florida are all on his upcoming visit list. "I'll get to Florida sometime soon," he said. "After that, probably Tennessee, Ohio State and Clemson. Those are the ones I'm thinking about right now." When it comes to the things that might factor into his eventual decision, Coney said education is No. 1. "They have to have a great engineering program," he said. "I have to be somewhere that I can stay four years and have a great relationship with the coaches and just get that good feeling about the program." -Rivals
  • Dee Smith: "I think it is a great school. I liked everything I saw up there and the coaches are very down to earth," Smith said. "I liked the locker room and the stadium is pretty nice, too. The campus is great and the atmosphere is outstanding. I like being around it." "When I walked in it was how the coaches greeted me when I got there. And the head coach came down and said hello and he seemed like he was just a down to earth coach because he just hung out with us," Smith explained. Smith is teammates with Tennessee legacy Keaton Anderson and before Smith made it to Knoxville, Anderson was letting him know about Knoxville. "He told me about all the good hangout spots up there. He told me about a place the go out to eat all the time and places his brother took him when he was up there," Smith said. "We are great friends. We talk about playing together every day. We tell coaches sometimes it's a dual package," Smith said. "When I first started playing I was a receiver, then I moved to safety my sophomore year," Smith said. "Then, they moved me to outside linebacker because we needed help and I played with my brother, Rashawn Smith (now a linebacker at Ole Miss). I think I will play either receiver or safety in college." -VQ
  • UT offers Josh Barajas
Thursday:
  • Keaton Anderson: "I had a great time. I got to go up with my teammates and that was the first time I really went with my teammates and we all really enjoyed it," Anderson explained. "My coach came and his wife came and that was maybe their first and second time and they were able to see the indoor complex and the stadium. We just had a great time. We really just got to talk to the coaches and got to sit down and have normal conversations and just see everybody." "Just the excitement that they are bringing. You can tell, even in talking to players that are playing right now, even guys that played with my brother, they have really bought in to what coach Jones has brought to the program," Anderson said. "It's not just another coach to them. It's something that they are buying into and they are working to try and be national champions. I know every program is trying to do that, but they are bought in and excited and I like that aspect of what they're doing." "I really, honestly wasn't sure at first because I hadn't met any of the coaches at first and I didn't really get to talk to them, but the first time I really saw the change was in the spring of last year and I went up to a practice and I got to see how happy the players were even though they were working hard and sweating," Anderson said. "They were just enjoying football, which is what you're supposed to do. They were enjoying old Tennessee football. I could tell last spring everyone was buying in." -VQ
  • Quarte Sapp: “I’m looking forward to seeing what stands out about the school because, obviously, they had a lot of 2014 commits, and they signed a lot of guys. I just want to see what their campus has to offer,” said Sapp. “Tennessee’s going to be the first school I’ve actually been out to that has offered me that I’m considering, so I don’t really have anybody high (on my list) yet.” Sapp — who’s a teammate of Tennessee running back signee Treyvon Paulk — admitted he’s “most definitely” interested in the Vols, though, and he likes what he has heard so far from running backs coach Robert Gillespie. “It’s close to home, and they’re rebuilding, so that gives me an opportunity to maybe start of play early — earlier than I would at another school. That puts me in better position,” Sapp said. “Coach Gillespie stays on me. He stays in contact with me the most out of all the coaches. He’s just been telling me about the junior day, and he’s telling me that it’s a great place and I should come up with (Paulk). “He’s introduced me to some of the coaching staff, and he’s been telling me a couple details about the school.” He said he had hoped to decide on a college soon, but with offers still rolling in from other schools, he now doesn’t expect to make a decision until sometime during the spring or summer. “My plan was, at first, to commit on my birthday, which is March 6,” Sapp said. “It came here faster than I thought, and I wasn’t able to attend the junior days I wanted to or had planned to. ... And I didn’t pick up the offers that I had expected to get, so I’m pushing that back. “I don’t have a set date. I’m going to push it back until spring practice and see what schools offer me. Most likely, it will probably be before my senior season.” -247
  • Keaton Anderson: Would it be an upset if we didn't sign this guy? "It would be an upset, yes. But, Alabama and now LSU are going to come after him and he's very interested. It helps that Tennessee has offered and is recruiting his friend and teammate Dee Smith." -Fort

DLine Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • Kahlil McKenzie: "Tennessee is pretty high with me," McKenzie said. "I really like the coaching staff and everything that coach Jones has going. Dad's whole family is from Knoxville and it's a great way to be close to family." "I have a 1-2-3 list," McKenzie said. "It goes academics, the school and then my relationship with my teammates and coaches. I think all of those things really prepare me for my future. I can't play football forever so I need to get a good education. I want to be around people that I enjoy and have friendships with. It's the place I'll be living for the next four or five years." "I think my strengths are my ability to move with my size," McKenzie said. "My quickness is an asset and then my hands is something that coaches tell me I'm good at. I want to be more dominant this year. I show flashes of physical play, but I want to be more consistent with my ability to dominate the offensive line for the entire game." -VQ. Said he'll be at OU's Jr Day this weekend, then to UT on Easter weekend
  • DJ Jones: "My final decision will be made in December, I'll break it down to 10 during the summer and to 5 during the season. "I'll be looking into the depth charts and seeing who is coming in and who's leaving, the coaching staff, and especially my relationship with the defensive line coach." -scout
Wednesday:
  • Shy Tuttle: “(I like) their atmosphere, and they’re definitely getting better,” Tuttle said of the Vols. “I have interest in Tennessee.” “I just want to hang out with the coaches.” “I’m going to narrow it down over the summer,” Tuttle said, “and I’m graduating high school early, so (I will decide) sometime in my senior year.” - 247
Thursday:
  • DJ Jones: It’s still relatively early in the recruiting process for the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Jones, who’s hoping to graduate from East Mississippi in December and enroll at the college of his choice in January. But he said he’s already planning to visit South Carolina, Florida State, Alabama and Tennessee, perhaps as early as this summer. “I wouldn’t say (I have any leaders) because I don’t know,” he said. “I haven’t even gotten the chance to be on anybody’s campus.” Jones said he has remained a high priority for Tennessee since he arrived at East Mississippi last year, and he’s hoping to visit the Vols at least once in the coming months. “(They have said) just keep them in mind — because they know I’ve been talking to all these coaches in the past few months — keep them in mind, and I am. They’ll be with me,” Jones said. “I haven’t been there (to Tennessee) yet. We’re setting that up. We’re getting that together now. “I’ll probably do something during the summer — probably an unofficial during the summer — and then I’ll take an official visit during the season.” Jones said he knows at least one of Tennessee’s current players — sophomore defensive end Jaylen Miller, a former standout at Gaffney (S.C.) High School — and he likes what he has heard about the Vols from coach Butch Jones, defensive line coach Steve Stripling and offensive graduate assistant Anthony Parker. “I know that it’s a great place. I’ve had people tell me it’s a great place,” D.J. Jones said. “I went there when I was young. We went on vacation to Tennessee, and I know it’s a nice place, a family-oriented environment. “I know they’re on the come-up. I know that. t’s a great place. What they tell you is what’s going on. It’s a family place, and they love the game of football.” He said he’s hoping to gradually narrow the list of schools he’s considering, perhaps to 10 by this summer and then to five finalists sometime during his upcoming sophomore season. But he said he doesn’t plan to decide on a college until December. Jones said he at least has an idea, though, of what he’s hoping to find. “Distance from home doesn’t matter to me, but allowing my family to see me play does,” he said. “I mean, TV, of course, that’d be fine. They don’t have to be at my games, and they know that. (I want a) family-oriented environment (and a) good team — just knowing that they put linemen in the league. At the end of the day, that’s my top priority.” - 247
  • Shy Tuttle: "Who sticks out for the No. 1 overall recruit in North Carolina? “Really all the schools I guess,” Tuttle told 247Sports Thursday afternoon at his high school. “Well (North) Carolina has always been one (I like), (North Carolina) State, Clemson. I like Florida State, Florida. I don’t know. There’s a lot.” Which schools have consistently recruited Tuttle and made him an early priority in his opinion? “NC State, Tennessee, UNC and Clemson,” Tuttle said. He’s been on the record saying North Carolina has recruited him the hardest. 
Two programs have now also amped up their efforts. “Well NC State and Tennessee talk to me a lot now, too,” Tuttle said. The defensive tackle visited Tennessee this past fall. “Its pretty sweet,” Tuttle said. “I went to the Georgia game. It was crazy. Probably the loudest game I’ve been to. Those were huge (boats on the river).” Tuttle listed Rumph, North Carolina offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and North Carolina State defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen as the coaches he enjoys talking to the most. The defensive lineman plans to make his decision late this fall as he’s set to graduate early and enroll in college in January." - 247
Saturday:
  • Darian Roseboro: The Top247 junior defensive end from Lincolnton High School said Friday that Tennessee, N.C. State, North Carolina, Duke and Texas currently are high on his list among the 27 scholarship offers he has received, and he’s hoping to visit at least a couple of those schools soon. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Roseboro made it clear, though, that he hasn’t settled on any early leaders “because I haven’t been out to see these schools.” “I think a couple schools I’m going to get to for spring visits will be N.C. State, Tennessee, South Carolina,” said Roseboro. Tennessee: “There’s just something about Tennessee. It’s that tradition they have down there and how they’d put me in the defensive scheme — where they’re saying I can come in and help the defense. They broke everything down to me and my parents: I’ll play this and I can make bigger plays playing this position.” Roseboro said he’s still several months away from deciding on a college. “I’m early enrolling,” he said. “I only have one class to take my senior year. I’m going to do it before the season. Right before my first game is when I’m going to do my commitment.” - 247
  • Kyle Phillips: "Quick note on Kyle Phillips... Kyle was in town with his dad today and really liked the visit. He said it was good to be back on campus and just content to build that relationship. One interesting note is that he was basically with coach Jones the whole day. Phillips said he knew how much of a priority he is to Tennessee and Jones really let him know that today." - Fortenberry
  • D'Andre Walker: "Tennessee made another good impression on him today. He really likes butch jones. He also likes Georgia and auburn alot. He wants to play de in college and likes tennessee's defensive scheme. He said he would be back for a visit but wasn't sure when. He's planning on going to auburn and South Carolina in the coming weeks for junior days." - Hubbs
  • Josh Alabi: "Josh Alabi says Tennessee and Michigan State are sticking out right now. He said he loved his visit to Knoxville today. This was Alabi and Weber's second visit here. Weber said it felt like home here and talks to coach Gillespie often. Weber said he has no leaders right now but plans on being back at some point." - Fortenberry
  • Kyle Phillips: "It was pretty good. It was good," Phillips said. "I just got to spend more time with the coaches than at a football game. But, ever during the season the coaches are pretty good at talking to recruits then even though they are getting ready for a game." "It means that I'm one of their top people and that if I go there I can help turn things around and help bring in more people like that," Phillips said. "They just kept telling me they need playmakers and things like that. Right now, they said they are limited with playmakers. They said they really aren't able to do what they want to do yet and they have been running a different defense. They need playmakers and he believes that I am one and he thinks he can help me improve and be a better playmaker." "I got to spend more time with coach Strip so that was good and I just got to be around everybody," Phillips said. "There are a few schools I like more than others but I'm not really 100 percent certain so that's what I'm really trying to focus on over the summer, narrowing it down to five schools that I really want to get to know," Phillips said. -VQ
Sunday:
  • Joshua Alabi: "Just caught up with three-star two-way lineman Josh Alabi from Cass Tech in Detroit. Alabi said he had a great time at Vols' Junior Day and that Tennessee and Michigan State were still his firm co-leaders, and that they were "right there" together, tied at the top. Alabi also said that "the girls" were his favorite part of the day. So he's definitely my kind of kid." -Rucker
  • Joshua Alabi: “I just feel comfortable here, man,” Alabi told InsideTennessee. “It feels like home to me. I love it. I just have a good time every time I’m up here.” “I think it’s the orange. I’m just playing. But I do like the color orange,” Alabi told IT. “Coach (Steve Stripling), Butch (Jones)– the coaching staff, man, they just make you feel like home.” -scout
  • Joshua Alabi: "It was a great visit. It was a really great visit. I loved it," Alabi said. "I just loved it. I feel like I'm at home when I come here. It's like family here. I love the coaching staff and I like hanging out with some of the players and stuff. I just have a good time when I'm up here." "I like coach Strip, he's a great coach. The head coach, coach Jones, he's a great coach, too. The whole coaching staff. It just feels like we're at home," Alabi said. "I talked to coach Jones earlier today before the junior day got started. He talked to me and said he wanted me and Mike (Weber) to come down here and play for him. It was nice to hear that." "The girls," Alabi said laughing. "The academic stuff where they showed us a lot of ratios where they have 40 players over a 3.0 and I was pretty impressed by that. That was one thing that stood out." Alabi said that Tennessee and Michigan State have separated themselves from the rest of the schools coming after him and when it comes to the Spartans, he also feels a close tie. "I'm at home, the coaching staff," Alabi answered when asked why State is at the top with Tennessee. "Coach (MSU defensive line coach Ron) Burton, I love him. He's a good coach, so is coach (Mark) Dantonio. They sit down and talk to you and tell you they want you." -VQ

DB Recruiting:
Monday:
  • Vols offer Jordan Colbert
Tuesday:
  • Vols offer Hunter Dale
Thursday:
  • Darius Slayton: “My head coach, he called me and he gave me Coach Martinez’s number, and I called Coach Martinez and he extended the offer during our conversation,” said Slayton. “It was surprising. I wasn’t expecting Tennessee to really recruit me, I guess. I don’t know. I had never thought about it before.” The 6-foot-2, 182-pound Slayton is a teammate of three-star cornerback Micah Abernathy and three-star linebacker Tyler Cooksey, who also have added offers from Tennessee within the past week.Slayton said he has yet to visit the Vols, but he has talked with Martinez about perhaps making the trip to Knoxville sometime in the coming months to take a closer look at Tennessee. “I know historically they have a good program, but I know recently they’ve struggled a little bit. But after speaking with Coach Martinez, he said they’re on the rise as a program,” said Slayton, who claims to have been timed at approximately 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. “He gave me some spring dates to get up there and see practices. I run track, so with the track schedule going on, it’s going to be tough to plan and schedule things that won’t conflict too much with the track and school going on. “It’s kind of a wait-and-see type of thing.” He said he grew up liking LSU, and he also likes South Carolina, and he would “love to get some interest from both of those schools and possibly be able to get up there and visit.” But Slayton also has family ties to Auburn. His cousin, Darrell Crawford, played linebacker for the Tigers. For now, he said, the SEC teams that are pursuing him — a list that includes Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Vanderbilt — “definitely stand out above the rest.” But he’s planning to take his time with the recruiting process. “I’d like to play my senior season of high school ... and see if any other schools come in and offer or show any interest,” Slayton said. “I’d like to just play all that out and then, after my senior season of football, I’ll probably make a decision sometime between January and around signing day.” - 247
Friday:
  • Vols offer Marcus Lewis
  • Vols offer Cameron Ordway
  • Cameron Ordway: "I was kind of expecting it soon but I wasn't expecting it today," Ordway said of the Tennessee offer. "But, Alabama is close to offering and I'm going down there tomorrow and I know Tennessee wanted to offer before then so they did. It didn't really shock me but it was big." "It means a lot," Ordway said. "It felt like at first everybody else in Tennessee that can play was getting offered instead of me so I was thinking maybe they just aren't looking for someone my type but then they offered and its a big step and I really enjoyed today. It made my day a whole lot better." "It's the coaching staff, the fan base and the team that they are bringing in and how they are rebuilding," said Ordway when asked what he liked about Tennessee. "It's how they get excited about everything and they are just live about everything. The way I know they are good coaches is because they recruit well." -VQ
Saturday:
  • Cameron Ordway: The three-star junior cornerback from Giles County High School in Pulaski, Tenn., said he picked up an offer from Tennessee on Friday during a phone conversation with defensive backs coach Willie Martinez, and it was enough to move the Vols “up there” to the top of his list. “It was huge,” said Ordway. “When I got off the phone with Coach Martinez, I was smiling. I kind of expected it, but I wasn’t expecting it (Friday). It was another big offer. It was a huge one. I kind of was waiting on it, but I still want to weigh my recruiting process out.” The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Ordway already has received nine offers, seven of which have come since Feb. 5, but he said the offer from the Vols “was probably the one” he had been hoping to get. “I knew (the Tennessee offer) was coming for sure, but I didn’t know when, and I knew that it was going to be a big day when it came,” Ordway said. “It could be the right one, but I still want to weigh my options out and go visit and meet other coaches and stuff and see what the recruiting process is like before I make a decision.” Ordway visited Tennessee for the first time Oct. 5 for its game against Georgia, and he said he’s high on the Vols for multiple reasons. “That was my first college game, actually, and it stood out to me the most. The atmosphere was ridiculous,” he said. “The coaching staff, I see how they’re picking up more and more players and more and more recruits to join the team, and just how live they are as a staff and how they train their kids. “It’s in-state. (I like) the coaching staff, the fan base. ... There’s a lot that stands out about them.” “I don’t think I’ll be making a decision soon,” he said. “It’ll probably be either during the season or probably after the season. I will narrow it down to a top (group), but right now I’m just taking them all in and seeing where I’m at.” - 247
  • Vols offer J.K. Britt
Sunday:
  • Cameron Ordway: From FranklinVol on VQ - He called Butch yesterday while on his Bama visit and chatted for about 10 minutes. He did this on his own. Not a bad thing!

2016 Recruiting:
Monday:
  • LA WR Mykel Jones: "Things are going pretty good. Offers are rolling in," Jones said. "I'm just trying to get back to getting right. I'm just had surgery on my shoulder so I'm rehabbing pretty good right now and I'm going to be a lot of places this summer." "I should be full and ready to go April 1," Jones said. "I tore my labrum and I didn't go to the doctor at the time so it just kind of got worse. So I just went to the doctor." "The latest offers are Penn State, Texas, Alabama," Jones said. "So I'm just taking it all in and that's just my motivation to work harder." "Right now It's hard to say," Jones said. "I'm enjoying the recruiting process, but right now I'd have to say it's Florida State, LSU, Tennessee, Texas is a new favorite, and USC and UCLA. "My next junior day will be Alabama on March 1, and this spring I'm going to Texas Longhorns' spring game," Jones said. "Then I'll be at USC and UCLA this summer." - Rivals
  • TN OL Bryce Matthews: “Everyone around here loves the Vols. It’s everywhere. You can’t ignore it even if you tried,” Mathews said. “I’ve always paid attention to them and watched them like my whole life. I mean, I pull for them unless they’re playing A&M.” -scout

2017 Recruiting:
Sunday:
  • Vols offer OH OL Josh Myers
  • Josh Myers: I loved it,” said Myers. “It was really nice as the facilities are as nice as they come. But I really liked how they (coaches) explained they are not there just to make us better the four or five years we would be there, but the next forty years of our life after Tennessee as they want to make us better people by giving us life lessons and turn us into men.” “Just the way their coaches presented their program was impressive,” explained Myers. “I really feel they’ll be one of the top programs in the next year or two. They talked about their academics and how they are going to help us succeed in school. I was also impressed by their nutrition room as it is insane as to what they do as they have these heart rate monitors that show how many calories their athletes burn so they can make shakes to help them recover.” “I was really wowed when I walked out in Neyland Stadium,” he said. “During the basketball game they pulled me and my parents out into a hallway of the arena,” said Myers. “They then grabbed Coach Jones and he offered me in the hallway. It was all really exciting.” -scout
 
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#2
#2
Weekly Recruiting Update History:
 
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#4
#4
I'd love to have visibility to the coaches hierarchy of 'wants' at each position. I bet it's vastly different than what VN or VQ think at certain positions.

For example: If all the QBs with offers came to the table tomorrow and said 'I want in', which one would they take?
 
#5
#5
Mike4Vols said:
I'd love to have visibility to the coaches hierarchy of 'wants' at each position. I bet it's vastly different than what VN or VQ think at certain positions.

For example: If all the QBs with offers came to the table tomorrow and said 'I want in', which one would they take?
Click to expand...

Cage match! :crazy:
GO VOLS!
 
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