Weekly Recruiting Update 2/3 - 2/9

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PassedOutAwake

PassedOutAwake

R.I.P RichRollin
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Each section will now be 2015 recruits from now on.

Current Commit News:
Monday:
  • Cory Thomas: "Just spoke with three-star defensive lineman Cory Thomas of McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala., who said he's pretty torn between Tennessee and Clemson following his official visit to Knoxville over the weekend, and he plans to decide between the Vols and Tigers and announce his final decision Wednesday morning. Thomas said he really enjoyed his visit to Tennessee, and he said he was glad he decided to make the trip. He said he actually had considered not taking the visit, which probably would have resulted in him flipping to Clemson. This weekend was the first time he had been back to UT since he attended the Vols' game against South Alabama in late September, and he said Tennessee's coaches did a good job of addressing his concerns about the number of defensive linemen in the Vols' class. He really enjoyed spending time with coach Butch Jones, defensive line coach Steve Stripling and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen, among others, along with some of UT's current players. Thomas said his mother also was really impressed with Tennessee. Thomas said Mississippi State, which once was the favorite to land him, is pretty much out of it now. He's hoping to make his decision by tomorrow, but he said he won't announce it until Wednesday morning, perhaps around 9:30 or 10 a.m. Central time, which is when his school is planning to have some sort of signing-day ceremony." -Ryan Callahan
  • Barnett per FranklinVol: "I thought about just posting "LOL" and leave it at that but I'll write a short novel for the few of you guys that are prone to panic and believe Vandy mods. Let me start by repeating what I said Saturday night and that is Derek has never even met Mason. That's probably enough but I will give you more. Apparently, there was a rumor that Derek went over to Vandy on Sunday (yesterday). Derek's mom shot that down and said he did not go over there on Sunday. So, he didn't go Friday, he didn't go Saturday (he was at BA all afternnon and until around 9 Saturday night) and he didn't go over there Sunday. If he were considering Vandy, would you agree it would be a good idea to go over and meet the coaches that he's never met since signing day is Wednesday? Last week, the new D coordinator and another assistant came to BA to introduce themselves and just ask about prospects. They didn't even mention Derek. They have not called his mom. Derek is not just avoiding VQ, he isn't talking to ANY media. Mo Patton from the Tennessean has been trying to interview him and DB says no. It's not like he's talking to other sites and not VQ. The reason? 1. Butch suggested it and 2. He said, "I've never decommitted or taken any other visits. What is there to say?" My friend talked to his mom this morning and they talked about the plan for Wednesday. Derek has a UT hat (and no other hat!) that he is going to wear, etc. From everything I know, there just is NO drama on their end. No one reached out to him after he told Mizzou that he was not interested a week ago. I will say that every time anybody puts something out there, Butch is on the phone. He's not asleep at the wheel. He is absolutely on top of it every day. Regarding Sawyers, there is no problem between the 2 of them. He's just not best friends with him like he is with Rashaan. They don't dislike one another. Bruno Reagan reached out to Derek via Twitter and Derek started following him. My friend at BA called to congratulate Bruno on his commitment and told him that he was surprised that he hadn't tried to get DB over there this last weekend. Bruno told him that he did but that DB told him he was solid to TN. I don't read any Vandy sites, so please let me know if they come up with anything else. Did I miss any other "theories" out there?"
  • Paulk: "Miami tried to get him to switch his visit from Tennessee to the Canes on Friday, but Paulk stuck with his scheduled Tennessee visit so he hasn't seen Miami. Now he's not answered the phone the last couple of weeks. He did text Austin back after Scott committed and said he was all Tennessee." -Hubbs
  • Cory Thomas: "I really haven't come up with a decision yet," he said Monday in an interview with Tigerillustrated.com. "But Clemson is on top right now." -Clemson Rivals
  • Cory Thomas: “I would say I’m torn, kind of 50-50,” “I mean, I feel like I can’t go wrong — two good programs. But it’s not an easy decision.” “Everything went good. I’m actually glad I took the visit, because I was debating on whether I would take it or not. I mean, I’m actually glad I took it,” he said. “If I would have canceled the visit, it was probably going to be Clemson. It was just good to get up there and hang around the players, like the Berry twins (Evan Berry and Elliott Berry) and a couple guys that got there in January, like Jalen (Hurd). It was just good to get around those guys and just get to know who I’ll be spending my next couple years with if I go to Tennessee.” “They were just telling me that they love me, and they want me there,” Thomas said. “They think there’s a very good opportunity (for me). And to work with someone like Coach Strip’ and see all the players that he’s developed and put in the NFL, it’s just amazing. “We were in the film room, and he was telling me some of the things that they do now. I’m doing some of that, like, in high school, so he was like, ‘Just imagine if you get this work and get in and get coached up. You already know a couple things we already do, so you’ll be a step ahead.’ “The main thing that just stood out to me was that my mom liked it,” he said. “I mean, she also liked Clemson, too. That was the little thing that stood out to me. I mean, my mom was happy about it, and she loved Tennessee. I would say (it was) mostly the coaches and the academics. “If you go to Tennessee, you’re going to have to work, and I like that. I mean, you’re going to work anywhere you go, but at Tennessee I feel like it’s kind of different from all the other schools. With Coach Jones running the program, there’s just something about it." - 247
  • Treyvon Paulk: Tennessee’s coaches once again assured Paulk that they have big plans for him despite the recent addition of Top247 all-purpose back Derrell Scott, who became the third running back in the Vols’ 2014 class. “They said everybody has a fair chance,” Paulk said. “We needed that extra running back because me and (freshman) Jalen (Hurd) went down (last season) or whatever, so they had to go out and recruit a guy — because who can tell the future, if me or Jalen will be ready to go in the fall? “I mean, that’s three running backs in the SEC. I’m ready to come in and compete and do whatever I’ve got to do. I’m not worried about the whole competition part of it. ... We need more running backs. If that’s going to help the team, then that’s what we need to do.” -247
  • Treyvon Paulk: (On his recent visit) “It all went well. I had a good time, me and my mom. It was a great time — everything I expected,” said Paulk, who has been committed to Tennessee for more than 10 months. “I mean, I had seen all the facilities already, but just getting back with Coach (Butch) Jones and talking to him, and talking to all the other coaches more and being with other recruits, it was just a good time. “I’ve been good. People have came at me, and I’ve shut down recruiters,” he said. “I’ve been good. I’ve made my commitment, so I was committed. I’ve stayed true to my word, and that’s that. “I mean, obviously, in the recruiting game, people are going to come at you all year ‘round, whether it’s the week before signing day, two months, a few months. Even after my injury, I mean, I still had schools talking to me, so schools just coming at me a week before signing day really doesn’t mean anything. (Update on his knee) “They looked at my knee up there and seen that I was doing absolutely fine,” he said. “My leg has came back. I’m jogging and stuff like that. I mean, my leg is fine. They had a look and seen what they needed to see, and everybody was comfortable with it. “Right now, I’m ahead of regular schedule. I’m doing more than many people thought I would be doing, so it’s going well.” - 247
Tuesday:
  • Preston Williams accepts invite to play in 2015 U.S. Army All-American game.
  • Evan Berry: "I talked to a couple of freshmen and they were telling us how everyone is treated like family," Evan Berry said. "That stood out to me. It was good to hang out with Cam Sutton and Justin Coleman again. It was good to bond with those guys." "I really like coach (Willie) Martinez," Evan Berry said. "He keeps it real. He lets me know how it's going to be in the practice and in the games. He just expects a lot from his players and he is going to coach us hard. I feel like he is looking out for me." "They have talked to me about both offense and defense," Evan Berry said. "I don't mind which side I play, but if I could pick I'd choose offense. I just want to play whatever will help the team and get me to the field." -VQ
  • Preston Williams: “I am so honored and excited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and show my skills off to the entire country,” Williams said. A Top 100 prospect in the country according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Williams says schools, and offers, have not stopped coming in. According to Williams, Clemson, Florida and Georgia all offered him on Jan. 21. "It was an honor to continue to be recruited and get offers, but I am still solid in my commitment to Tennessee,” Williams said. “I have not even thought about another school yet.” Williams plans to visit Florida Feb. 22 and Clemson Feb. 1, with a Georgia visit also in the works." -Kipp Adams
  • Elliott Berry: "I had a lot more fun than normal because I was able to hang out with current players," Elliott Berry said. "It's also good when you don't have to pay for anything. I don't like too much fan fair so I like to just hang out with good dudes, and I got so many good vibes." "It's good to get a feel for them as a person," Elliott Berry said. "Sometimes you just click right away and I felt that way with Marquez (North) and Josh Malone. I met a lot of the early enrollees way back when. I've known Cam Sutton for a while now and we have always been cool." "They really want me to play the nickel spot," Elliott Berry said. "Coach Thig (Tommy Thigpen) and Martinez told me they think I can come in and contribute because of my football knowledge. I talked to (defensive coordinator John) Jancek and I feel like I'm really comfortable because my high school ran the same exact defense as Tennessee does." -VQ
  • When will we know if grades are in order? "Brown's may become clear in short order. Both Bryant and Weatherd will not be known till the end of spring semester or this summer." -Hubbs
  • Moseley has gained 18 pounds, Payne has gained 14 and Malone has gained 12
  • Hendrix: “(visiting missouri) helped them a little bit, but, overall, i just didn’t think that they can compete with tennessee, so i’m sticking with tennessee,” said hendrix. “they’ve got a nice campus (at missouri), and i love it. But i just don’t think that they’re going to keep doing the same thing as (tennessee coach) butch jones is going to do.” “i mean, they always made me feel like i was always a part of them, part of the vols,” said hendrix, who previously lived in memphis, tenn. “i know and i feel that coach butch jones is about to do something great, and i want to be a part of it.” “they’re saying they’re going to keep me at defensive end. They’re saying that, if i can come in and produce, then i’m going to play early. That’s pretty good. I’m going to work my butt off. ... They didn’t say that (i could start as a freshman) yet, because they can’t really guarantee me a spot yet. But if i can go in and compete at that level, then i can.” “it’s all going to be exciting,” he said. “this recruiting class is probably one of the best that tennessee’s had, so it’s always going to be good to be a part of something like that.” - 247
  • Dews tweets that he will have to go to prep school for 5 months before going to UT
  • Cory Thomas: "I think this one goes right down to the wire with Thomas. In talking to a few people last night Clemson felt like they had some good momentum but this morning Tennessee feels that way too. They kid called Clemson his leader about 20 hours ago and that's the last word from him. Tennessee is battling to hang on, though and not giving up. We will see." -Fortenberry
  • Henderson: “We’re going to be a force – a foundation for years to come,” Henderson said. “We’re ranked so high for a reason. We’re going to bring back Vols football. That’s just a fact.” “Signing is just the beginning – the beginning to greatness,” Henderson said. “We know our job, and we’re going to get it done.” “We’re so close right now and we have so many studs, we're going to be something to wreck with,” Henderson told IT. “When we get our momentum built up and grow together, it’s going to be crazy. We’re going to push each other. It will be great. We’ll be great – I can’t see it playing out any other way.” -scout
  • Cory Thomas: "As of about 45 minutes ago it was still Clemson and Tennessee in talking to some people close to him. He's still talking to both staffs tonight. I'm not sure what is going to happen." -Fortenberry
  • Orlando Brown: "Brown has known since he committed that he had academic obligations to fulfill. Brown hasn't met those obligations to the point that he's not going to sign with the Vols on Wednesday." -Hubbs
Wednesday:
  • Todd Kelly Jr. is first to fax in his LOI
  • Dillon Bates faxes in his LOI
  • Vic Wharton, Rashaan Gaulden, Derrell Scott, Aaron Medley, Gavin Bryant, Treyvon Paulk, Dewayne Hendrix, Jashon Robertson, Charles Mosley, Derek Barnett, Chris Weatherd, Berry Bros., Cortez McDowell, Joe Henderson fax in their LOIs
  • Michael Sawyers commits and signs with UT
  • Cory Thomas flips to Miss St.
  • Michael Sawyers: "I chose UT because ultimately it was the best overall place for me. I feel like I can do well on and off the field," said Sawyers, who impressed with his burst off the ball, raw power and strength in leading Ensworth to a state championship. "And I want to be able to compete for early playing time. I feel like as a program, UT is ready to be back! First, Coach Jones is a great guy, Coach (Steve) Stripling is a great defensive line coach, Coach Thig (is a cool guy)." "It was a huge factor (with all the Midstate guys). Rashaan (Gaulden), Jalen (Hurd), Josh and just all the guys. The fact that I'm just playing with those guys, not just the guys from in-state, is going to be huge. We're trying to turn it around and show a lot of things. I feel like we're getting Tennessee back. It's about to be the University of Tennessee's state again, and I'm really excited about it. It's going to be a fun time changing Tennessee back to the old traditions." "The education at the business school is just amazing, and I'm excited to be a Vol," Sawyers said. "I want to go into international business and everything about their business school is just first class. Everything is the highest technology, the greatest resources. And of course, it's great football. UT just gave it all to me. When I sat down with my parents and we laid it all out, Tennessee had it all for me." -VQ
  • Orlando Brown signs with Oklahoma: "On Orlando Brown... Just got a call about five minutes ago from someone in Oklahoma asking about Brown and saying they may sign him and I go to pack my stuff for Butch's PC and come back and he's signed. As we said last night, Tennessee just couldn't sign him with his grades and while there was a plan in place to have him be placed somewhere. He decided to go against that and went with the security Oklahoma offered." -Fortenberry
Thursday:
  • Cecil Cherry: "Frostproof (FL) linebacker Cecil Cherry, a Tennessee commit, just called. He said Auburn, South Florida, Kentucky, Ohio State and Louisville stopped by his school to see him and 2016 QB Xavier Gaines in January. Cherry said Florida State, South Carolina and Ohio State are pushing for him and write him a lot. "I'm not sure if I'll take any visits to those places," Cherry said. "I'm trying to get my score before I do anything. I take the SAT again on Saturday." Cherry remains 100-percent firm with the Volunteers. "I call coach Jones, coach Gillespie and talk to their linebackers coach (Tommy Thigpen) every day," Cherry said. "They are fam for me. I talk to all of the commits like they are my brothers." -Ryan Bartow
  • 2016 TN CB Dorian Banks commits to UT
  • Dorian Banks: "Coach (Butch) Jones just makes me feel like I'm home," Banks said during the broadcast. "He makes everybody want to go play for him." “I’m not concerned about wins and losses or anything like that. And I don’t think anyone is,” Banks told InsideTennessee after the Vanderbilt game on Nov. 23. “You can tell coach Jones is going to turn things around here. With all the recruiting success Tennessee is having and with all the right coaches here, you know they’ll be all right. Their future looks bright and everyone who comes here knows it… “I just really like everything Tennessee has to offer. From the facilities to the coaching staff to the stadium and Vol Walk, it just feels like a great place to be. They have a lot going for them.” -scout
  • Dorian Banks: "I just feel like right now is the time," Banks said. "I feel home at Tennessee and every time I've been there, they have made me feel like they want what's best for me." "He is a great coach," Banks said. "He is doing something special at Tennessee and I want to be a part of that. He cares about his players and that shows when you spend time around him." "He is an exciting player," Sevier County head coach Steve Brewer said. "He's quick and runs hard. The times he carried the ball this year, his legs were always moving. I think he can put on more weight, but he's a tough kid. He's dangerous with the ball in his hands." "I saw him improve a lot," Brewer said. "He came from a different offense and it took him a couple of games to trust his blocks. I started to notice him coming of age against Dobyns-Bennett. He came up big from that point on and he was at home. You could see his comfort level was growing with the more plays he made." Added former Vol Buck Fitzgerald of the Nashville-based Playmakers Academy with whom Banks has previously trained and will seek to compete with on the 7-on-7 circuit beginning Sunday, "He has very good speed and change of direction." -VQ
Friday:
  • Dorian Banks: “I just felt like it was the right time,” Banks said. “Plus, the (2014 signing) class that they put together, with signing day, I just felt like I needed to be a part of that, so (I decided to) just go ahead and commit.” “It’s just what Coach Jones is doing with the program,” said Banks, who attended four of Tennessee’s home games last season. “He’s turning this thing around. He’s bringing in good recruits, and he’s just a great guy and he makes sure that you’ll become not only a good football player, but also a good person, too. “It’s just a school that I wanted to be a part of.” When he committed, Banks said, Jones “was excited” to hear the news. “He was just happy to add another brick,” said Banks, who earned an offer from Tennessee in June, just three days after he was timed at 4.47 seconds during one of the Vols’ camps. “I talked to Coach Bajakian and Coach Gillespie, and they said I’m an offensive player. That’s more what I’m going to do,” Banks said. “They haven’t really said (which position). But since they said I’m an offensive guy, I would prefer to play running back.” - 247
Saturday:
  • Gavin Bryant: "He can make it. He needs a good spring semester which is nothing out of the ordinary. I believe Bryant will be fine academically." -Hubbs
  • Michael Sawyers: "It was definitely Josh Malone. Sawyers had informed his family that he had chosen Ole Miss. Josh got on the phone with him for 30-60 min and Sawyers was leaning back towards UT. Josh doesn't do much talking, so when he does his peers listen. Josh and Mike know each other from IFM/Playmakers Academy so they already had a good relationship before Josh hosted Mike." - Buck Fitzgerald

2014 Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • Michael Sawyers: "I think Tennessee for Sawyers tomorrow, but I was told he hadn't made up his mind all the way tonight but was leaning towards Tennessee." -Fortenberry
Wednesday:
  • Michael Sawyers commits and signs with UT

QB Recruiting:
Thursday:
  • Jarrett Stidham release top 10 of Bama, Auburn, Baylor, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, TAMU and Texas Tech
Friday:
  • Jarrett Stidham: "It's worth noting that he's originally from Kentucky, so I don't think he has particularly deep Texas roots. I normally would say you're probably right, but I think he's at least open to leaving the state" - Ryan Callahan
  • "At quarterback, there seems to be an early pecking order with several guys like Torrance Gibson, Zach Gentry and Jarrett Stidham sticking out. Stidham released his top 10 on Thursday night and while the Vols are included, some close to the junior quarterback believe Oregon and Baylor are two programs that are standing out." "Certainly, Gibson will be tough for anyone to get out of Florida but he's taken a keen interest in the Vols early on and he was one of a myriad of prospects Jones talked to on Signing Day." "As for Gentry, Tennessee has made a very big early impression there. But, more programs are beginning to take notice as Oklahoma State offer and they will not be the last." -VQ
  • Jarrett Stidham: "For Stephenville, he's definitely a game changer. For one university, he might also become a program changer. "I've actually been thinking about that a lot lately," Stidham said. "I think it would be extremely cool to basically go into a place and turn it around. For instance, Johnny Manziel. A&M has always been good, but last year Johnny had his Heisman year and A&M basically flipped and went from being pretty good to being one of the best teams in the country. "I'm not saying I want to be like Johnny Manziel, I want to be my own player and do my own thing, but I think it would be something extremely special to be able to go in somewhere and kind of flip it. Flip the whole culture of the program. I don't want anything to be handed to me. I want to work my butt off to get to that point and turn it completely around." - Texas Tech Rivals
  • Jarrett Stidham: "Stidham visited Tennessee in July and landed an offer from the Vols while he was there, and he has been high on their board ever since then. On Thursday night, he announced an early top 10 that included Tennessee, along with in-state schools Baylor, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. But he is originally from Corbin, Ky., and also lived in Richmond, Ky., before moving to Texas when he was younger, and some believe he might be open to leaving the state of Texas." - 247
  • Torrance Gibson: "Gibson received an early scholarship offer from Tennessee and has emerged as one of the Vols’ early top quarterback targets, with Jones recently traveling to Florida to check on him. Gibson has expressed some interest in UT, but he has yet to visit the Vols, and they undoubtedly will face plenty of competition for him. Miami, Ohio State, Clemson, Florida, LSU and Notre Dame are among the other teams currently high on his list." - 247
  • Torrance Gibson: "Tennessee just recently entered the mix for Gibson but seem to be making a positive impression early on. He has told Volquest.com he hopes to visit Tennessee in the summer to get a a better feel for what Knoxville and Tennessee is like. It will be hard to get this top-ranked athlete out of the state of Florida, but this is a top target for Tennessee and he's taken notice to how much they want him." - VQ
  • Zach Gentry: "Gentry picked up an offer from Tennessee in December and quickly has become one of its top priorities at the quarterback position. He said Vols offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian checked on him three times during the contact period, and Jones accompanied Bajakian on his most recent trip to New Mexico. UT appears to be high on his list as one of only a few major-conference programs pursuing him, and he has discussed visiting the Vols in the spring." - 247
  • Zach Gentry: "Gentry has taken an early interest in him as the Vols have logged the miles to see him. Tennessee has already visited the quarterback three times, including having coach Butch Jones travel to see him in New Mexico and that made a big early impression. Gentry hopes to see the Vols over his spring break in order to get a better feel for Tennessee. Other teams are starting to jump on board with Gentry as Oklahoma State recently offered." - VQ

ATH Recruiting:
Friday:
  • Jauan Jennings: "Also, instate prospect Jauan Jennings is someone to keep an eye on. Tennessee has made up some ground there recently, but his stock continues to rise as Alabama was his latest offer." -VQ
  • Jaason Lewis: "Lewis has received plenty of attention from Tennessee, which now is making the Tidewater region a higher priority, and he recently has referred to the Vols and UCLA as the two teams at the top of his list. He has discussed making his first visit to UT in the coming weeks, perhaps as early as next weekend, and he’s hoping to decide on a college in late February or March. Lewis could play on offense or defense at the next level but has expressed interest in playing running back." - 247
  • Jaason Lewis: "Right now, Tennessee and UCLA are the two schools standing out to Lewis according to him. After UCLA and the Vols, Lewis named Miami, Florida and Georgia Tech in his top five as well. Lewis plans a visit to UCLA this weekend followed by a trip to Knoxville the weekend of Feb. 15. He hopes to make a decision in March and Tennessee is in a good position right now with Lewis." - VQ
Saturday:
  • Jauan Jennings: "Yes, they are recruiting him, but I don't know that he's a quarterback. I think athlete." -Hubbs
  • Jaason Lewis: "Vols have been the leader, but the west coast trip has made or will make things interesting it seems. We will try to get in touch with him." -Hubbs
  • Jaason Lewis tweets that he will commit on Tuesday

RB Recruiting:
Wednesday:
  • UT offers Johnny Frasier
Friday:
  • Bryce Love: "Tennessee gave Love one of his first offers almost a year ago and has continued to make him a high priority, with Jones recently stopping at his school to check on him during the contact period. Love now claims offers from almost 20 teams, including Clemson, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford, North Carolina, N.C. State, Penn State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. His father, Chris Love, ran track at South Carolina." - 247
  • Jacques Patrick: "Patrick, a top-100 prospect, announced a top 10 of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee and Central Florida last month. He visited the Vols in July during a lengthy road trip that allowed him to see more than 10 schools, and Tennessee made a good first impression on him. But many believe in-state schools Florida and Florida State might be tough to beat for Patrick." - 247
  • Taj Griffin: "Griffin picked up an offer from Tennessee more than eight months ago and has been high on the Vols’ board since then, but they will face plenty of competition for him. Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon are believed to be among the early favorites to land Griffin, who also holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a teammate of Top247 offensive lineman Chuma Edoga." - 247
  • Taj Griffin: "Griffin seems to be only recently warming up to the Vols. Most believe Griffin is destined to end up a Bulldog at Georgia and as of earlier this month Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State were the three programs sticking out to him. But, he has recently talked about getting to Tennessee for one of the junior days in the near future and the Vols hope to have a chance to make a push with him in the coming months." - 247
  • "At running back, Georgia and North Carolina seem to be two areas of focus as Eric Swinney and Taj Griffin are high atop the Vols' board as are Bryce Love, Nyheim Hines and Johnny Frasier (who the Vols offered Wednesday) out of North Carolina. Jaason Lewis could be a factor here as well depending on who he chooses and where he ends up on the field." -VQ
  • Eric Swinney: "Swinney has been high on Tennessee since getting his first offer from the Vols almost 10 months ago, and he already has visited them a few times, most recently for UT’s home game against South Carolina on Oct. 19. Ole Miss, Auburn and Georgia also are among the early contenders for Swinney, who already has racked up approximately 20 scholarship offers to date, including his latest offer from Notre Dame on Tuesday." - 247
  • Eric Swinney: "Swinney has already visited Tennessee's campus numerous times, including several times last spring and summer and once this past fall for a game. Robert Gillespie has been recruiting the junior running back since he arrived at Tennessee last spring and the Vols have positioned themselves in Swinney's top group, along with Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida State and several others." -VQ

WR Recruiting:
Friday:
  • Van Jefferson: "Jefferson, who’s the son of former NFL wide receiver and Tennessee Titans receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, landed an early offer from Tennessee in July after participating in one of the Vols’ camps and has been a high priority for them since then. While Jefferson now lives in the Nashville area, he just moved to Tennessee last year, and geography seems unlikely to play a major role in his decision. Ohio State and Penn State are believed to be among his early favorites." - 247
  • Calvin Ridley: "Ridley picked up an offer from Tennessee in October and has emerged as one of the Vols’ top targets at wide receiver in the 2015 class. Miami is believed to be the early favorite for Ridley, but he has expressed interest in visiting several schools, including Tennessee, in the coming months. Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Miami and Tennessee are believed to be among the teams that are currently high on his list." - 247
  • Calvin Ridley: "Miami is the likely leader here for Ridley and Florida State is a real factor as well, but Ridley has been very interested in the Vols as of late. But, It is tough to get any top prospect out of the state of Florida and the Vols are battling to be a team that gets very much involved with Ridley moving forward." - VQ
Sunday:
  • Calvin Ridley: Coconut Creek, Florida wide receiver Calvin Ridley is what most every college coach is looking for at the receiver position. He's physical to go with explosive speed and he's also wide open early in his recruitment. "I'm just open to everyone right now," Ridley said. "I haven't taken any visits so I can't say one team leads. I'm just taking it one day at a time and I hope to visit a lot of schools this spring and summer." Ridley has been offered by almost every top level school in the country and it's all about finding the school that showcases his ability and gives him the best chance to succeed on and off the field."I'm looking for a good academic school, playing time and a good spot for me." Ridley said. "I want to feel comfortable and like the school I choose. All of those factors are important to me." Ridley has been rumored to be a future Miami Hurricane, but he insisted that isn't necessarily the case. Several schools are a factor with Tennessee being in the mix. "I want to get up there and see what they are all about," Ridley said of the Vols. "Coach Azzanni likes me a lot and wants me to come play there. He has been stressing that he needs me to come visit campus and I hope to do that soon." The Vols already have 4-star wideout Preston Williams committed for their 2015 recruiting class. The addition of Ridley would give the school known as Wide Receiver U another reason to boast it's well known motto. Ridley stands 6-foo-1 and weighs 180 pounds. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands and showcases the ability to take any play for six points. "I'm fast and have good hands," Ridley said. "I'm working on my route running and getting bigger at the same time. I'm always watching film to see how guys like Wes Welker and Chad Johnson run routes. I also love to watch A.J. Green. He's my favorite receiver." Ridley is constantly working on his game. "I'm in the weight room all the time," Ridley said. "I want to have greater upper body strength and that's where I've been working the hardest. I want to be able to go up and get the ball at it's highest point and do so in traffic." - Rivals

OL Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • Chuma Edoga: Top 6 of Clemson FSU UGA Buckeyes Vols Aggies
Wednesday:
  • UT offers Marquel Harrell
Friday:
  • Jake Fruhmorgen: "Fruhmorgen, who’s the son of former NFL offensive lineman and Alabama standout John Fruhmorgen, is believed to be high on Alabama and Florida, among others. But Tennessee also appears to be one of the teams that are currently high on his list. He visited the Vols in July after getting an offer from them in May, and he’s a friend and former teammate of Tennessee freshman offensive lineman Ray Raulerson." - 247
  • Chuma Edoga: "Edoga picked up an offer from Tennessee in July and made his first visit to Knoxville just two days later, and he remains one of the Vols’ top targets on the offensive line. On Tuesday, he named a top six of Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas A&M. He has referred to the Vols as his leader on a few occasions, but Georgia and Clemson also are believed to be at the top of his list." - 247
  • Drew Richmond: "Richmond has been a high priority for Tennessee since getting one of his first offers from the Vols almost a year ago, and he remains one of their top in-state targets in the 2015 class. UT appears to be one of the early front-runners for Richmond, with Ohio State, Alabama and Ole Miss also believed to be among his current favorites. Richmond has made multiple visits to Tennessee, and he’s a close friend of Vols signee Charles Mosley of Brighton (Tenn.) High School." - 247
  • Drew Richmond: "Tennessee has made Richmond a priority since the day Jones and his staff arrived at Tennessee and Richmond knows it. He's visited the Vols numerous times and is close friends with Vol newcomer Charles Mosley and Tennessee will most certainly be a factor for him all the way through. But, Tennessee isn't alone as Ohio State is a real threat here and others are in the mix as well." -VQ

TE Recruiting:
Tuesday:
  • Jackson Harris: "I know coming into this past season there were questions about his athleticism and he just may not be the type of tight end Tennessee is looking for. He seems like more of an inline blocker guy than someone that is going to split out on a regular basis. And to Jackson's credit, I saw him last spring and thought if only he could get a touch faster and add some explosion he could play SEC ball and then I saw him in Orlando last month and he was faster and more explosive, definitely more athletic than he was 8 months ago when I last saw him. And that's how it should be, guy keeps progressing and kudos for him for doing that. Whether or not Tennessee offers Jackson is going to play ball somewhere in the SEC it looks like." -Fortenberry
Friday:
  • Hale Hentges: "Hentges received an early offer from Tennessee in July and visited the Vols for the first time in early August, and he has continued to hear plenty from them over the past several months. Jones and Elder both visited his school during the recent contact period. But Hentges now claims offers from almost 20 teams, including Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Stanford and Penn State. Nearby Missouri is believed to be the early favorite." - 247
  • Chris Clark: "Look for Tennessee to take one tight end and there seems to be a lot of mutual interest recently with Connecticut tight end Chris Clark. Clark's stock continues to rise as his offers continue to roll in but he's expected to visit Tennessee this spring." -VQ
  • Chris Clark: "Clark recently picked up an offer from Tennessee during a visit from Vols tight ends coach Mark Elder, and there appears to be plenty of mutual interest between UT and Clark. He has said over the past two weeks that he’s hoping to visit the Vols in the spring. Clark recently visited Georgia and currently has the Bulldogs at the top of his list, but he’s also high on Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Tennessee, among others." - 247
  • Chris Clark: "Clark has seen his stock rise drastically during the January open period as he picked up numerous offers including Tennessee. The Vols made an early impression led by visits from Mark Elder and Mike Bajakian and Clark now hopes to visit in the spring for a practice. But, Tennessee will be battling a number of schools for Clark including Georgia, Michigan and others." -VQ
  • Chris Clark from 2 weeks ago: “I was really excited about (the offer),” “I know, obviously, Tennessee is one of — when you think of, like, 15 big-time schools in college football, they’re definitely up there just in terms of success. I mean, I know the last couple years, they haven’t been great for Tennessee football. But in terms of, overall, what they’ve done in the history of college football, they’re right up there in the top of the SEC in terms of wins and national championships. “I was really excited about the fact that I could pick up an offer from them.” “They see the offense I’m in now at Avon, where I moved around a lot to different positions, in terms of the slot, being in a three-point stance, splitting out wide. He says that’s kind of the direction they kind of want to go at Tennessee in terms of their tight ends, and they just signed a great tight end, Daniel Helm, in 2014,” “(Elder) kind of said there are similarities in what we both can do, and the tight-end position at Tennessee, it’s going to be something special in terms of how they can use us in different ways.” “I mean, Tennessee’s definitely going to be up there,” he said. “It’s just kind of what Coach Elder told me about the school. They have a 102,000(-seat) stadium. I think it is the biggest stadium in the SEC. The fans are awesome. He’s told me a lot of really good things about them, so they’re definitely a school I like." - 247

DLine Recruiting:
Thursday:
  • Isaiah Washington top 3 of LSU, UT, OK St
Friday:
  • Darian Roseboro expected to be at junior day 2/15
  • Any JUCO DL UT will take in '15? "I know they want D.J. Jones down in Mississippi. Karsman Johnson is another defensive lineman they are interested in as well." -Fortenberry
  • Sterling Johnson expected to be at UT junior day on 2/15 per VQ
  • Shy Tuttle: "Tuttle has become one of the top targets on the defensive line for Tennessee the last several months and Tuttle is planning to make his first trip to Tennessee this month for the Vols' junior day Feb. 15. But, he has a tie to Clemson as his uncle played receiver there years ago and the instate schools, North Carolina and North Carolina State, are already pushing him hard as are Alabama and Georgia. If he makes it on campus, the Vols will have an opportunity to impress Tuttle but he's planning numerous visits this spring." -VQ
  • Kyle Phillips: "Another instate player the Vols highly covet, Phillips has been on campus several times now and has seemed to take a liking to Tennessee. The Vols have ace recruiter Tommy Thigpen after the Hillsboro prospect and that does nothing but help Tennessee. But, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson and others all the see the same thing Tennessee does and are coming after him as well. But, the Vols have positioned themselves nicely early on." -VQ
  • DJ Jones: "While Jones was never likely to qualify last year coming out of high school in South Carolina, Tennessee stayed in regular contact with Jones and helped him find his way to EMCC and that definitely made an impression on Jones. Jones has a top five of Tennessee, Alabama, Florida State, South Carolina and Ole Miss, but he told Volquest recently that Tennessee will receive one of his official visit for sure." -VQ
  • Kahlil McKenzie: "Tennessee offered the son of former Vol linebacker and current Oakland Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie in December and the Vols have made him a top target since. While McKenzie still has family in the area, Kahlil has never spent too much time in Tennessee despite his father being from Knoxville. He most recently lived in Green Bay, Wisc., where he lived his whole life until recently moving to California. Don't be surprised though McKenzie makes a spring visit when he's in town to see his family, possibly for the Orange and White Game." - VQ
Saturday:
  • Kahlil McKenzie releases a top 10 of: Oklahoma, ASU, Arizona, Wisonsin, Miami, Tennessee, USCw, UF, UCLA and Duke
Sunday:
  • Darius Fullwood: "Four-star DE Darius Fullwood will visit Kentucky on Feb 15, Tennessee on March 1, Georgia Tech on April 18 & Alabama on April 19" -Adam Friedman, Rivals.
  • Shy Tuttle: "tennessee is one of more than 20 teams that already have extended offers to tuttle, the nation’s no. 11 overall prospect and no. 3 defensive tackle in the 247sports composite. The vols have made tuttle a high priority in recent months, and they appear to be one of a handful of teams that are high on his list. He already has visited tennessee for one of its camps in june and again in october for its home game against georgia." - 247
  • Kahlil McKenzie: "McKenzie is the son of former Tennessee standout Reggie McKenzie — who’s now the general manager of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders — and the nephew of former UT standout Raleigh McKenzie, and he’s expected to be a high priority for the Vols. McKenzie holds a dozen offers to date, and while he’s high on Tennessee and plans to visit the Vols this spring, Oklahoma and Wisconsin also are among his early favorites." - 247
  • Kyle Phillips: "one of tennessee’s top in-state targets in the 2015 class, phillips has made multiple visits to ut over the past several months and appears to be high on the vols. He attended at least a couple of tennessee’s home games this season, and he received multiple visits from the vols’ coaches during the recent contact period. Alabama, florida, ole miss and vanderbilt also are believed to be among his early favorites." - 247
  • Darian Roseboro: "roseboro received an offer from tennessee in june and has been a high priority for the vols since then. He participated in one of ut’s camps each of the past two summers, and he returned to tennessee on oct. 19 for its home game against south carolina. N.c. State is believed to be the early front-runner for roseboro, with auburn, duke, michigan, ohio state and tennessee also believed to be high on his list." - 247
  • Kyle Phillips: “I think I want to take some (official visits) before I make my final decision, so hopefully (I will decide) by midseason, maybe even after the season,” “Hopefully, by that time, I’ll figure it out.” “I like the (Tennessee) coaching staff a lot,” Phillips said. “The fans show a lot of love. They’re always there. They’re loyal. Even when they weren’t that good this year, they still showed up to the games and things like that, so that was good to see. And I could see myself going there (even) if I wasn’t a football player, so I like that a lot. - 247

LB Recruiting:
Friday:
  • Josh Smith (summarized by Swanson): Buck Fitzgerald just said on VQ that he doesn't think Josh follows his brother to Vandy. He said there is strong mutual interest with Josh and UT. And with Bama and Auburn recently offering, and many other offers still rolling in he doesn't think he goes to Vandy. He said his parents have instructed him to make his own decision independent of his brother.
  • Joshua McMillon: "McMillon is certainly a target and I wouldn't call him an Alabama lock, but I do wonder how he fits into the Vols' defensive scheme. I think a lot of people see him as either a 3-4 MLB or a 4-3 DE. If he's a DE, then I think there are a number of guys ahead of him in this class Tennessee is in the running for." -Fortenberry
  • Ricky DeBerry: "At linebacker, the Vols seemingly would like to add another linebacker or two to go along with Cecil Cherry. Ricky DeBerry is a top target there and he's high on the Vols right now. Look for him to make his way back to Knoxville either in February or March for a junior day." -VQ
  • Ricky DeBerry: "Tennessee has been a school after DeBerry for some time and it's paid off as the hybrid linebacker/defensive end as seen the Vols on multiple occasions and seems high on them as does his family. Look for DeBerry to make it down to a junior day in the next few weeks as Tennessee tries to solidify itself as one of his top teams." -VQ
Sunday:
  • Ricky DeBerry: "deberry claims offers from dozens of major programs, including tennessee, and the vols appear to be among his early favorites. He attended games at clemson, tennessee, virginia tech, penn state and south carolina last season, and he has made multiple visits to ut, most recently for the vols’ game against georgia. Clemson, florida, north carolina, ohio state, oklahoma, penn state, virginia and virginia tech also are believed to be high on his list." - 247

DB Recruiting:
Friday:
  • Rico McGraw: "And don't count out the Vols entirely with 2015 standout Rico McGraw, despite McGraw's recent commitment to Georgia. We believe the two parties communicated this week, and the Vols' landing Ensworth standout Michael Sawyers certainly doesn't hurt." -VQ
  • Rico McGraw: "McGraw surprised a lot of people when he committed to Georgia just a day after picking up a Bulldog offer. But, that won't slow down Tennessee and McGraw hasn't stopped talking to the Vols' either. Tennessee seemed to really pick up some momentum this past summer when McGraw visited several times and really seemed to be back in the thick of things. Now, they are fighting to make sure McGraw continues to consider them and early reports suggest he will." -VQ
Saturday:
  • Garrett Taylor: “I was hoping to get down to South Carolina and maybe head up to Michigan State, and definitely check Tennessee out again — get back down to Tennessee,” “On game day, it was great,” Taylor said. “You could really see the support that the Tennessee fan base had for the program, whether they’ve been doing well or not. It was awesome to see the atmosphere, playing in front of, like, 104,000 or 105,000 people in Neyland Stadium.” “I’ve been staying on contact with Coach (Willie) Martinez, the (defensive backs) coach, kind of over Twitter. I’ve been in contact kind of regularly with Tennessee,” Taylor said. “They just told me how Tennessee was a real family atmosphere, how they play in the SEC, which is obviously the best football conference in the nation. Coach Jones was telling me how I’m the guy they want at corner, and they really could see me coming in and making an impact early, which was good to hear.” “Also, I like Coach Jones a lot,” Taylor added. “He’s a real down-to-earth guy. He’s not going to pitch something that he doesn’t really mean, and he’s a truthful guy, so I really like Coach Jones, too.” “Hopefully I can get that list narrowed down pretty soon — probably the beginning or (middle) of spring — and then I can really take my time and visit those schools and take my officials during next season,” he said, “and probably, hopefully, at the end of football season next year or early winter is when I would want to make my decision.” - 247
Sunday:
  • Garrett Taylor: "taylor has visited tennessee three times over the past two years and recently referred to the vols as one of at least a half-dozen teams standing out to him, along with stanford, south carolina, vanderbilt, virginia tech and michigan state. Taylor has expressed interest in attending a school known for its prestigious academics, and stanford appears to be at the top of his list. But he said he’s also high on tennessee." - 247

2016 Recruiting:
Thursday:
  • TN CB Dorian Banks commits to UT
Friday:
  • Vols offer TN DB Mareio McGraw. Brother of 2015 TN DB Rico McGraw

Tell me what you guys think about the new layout, which shows what day every thing was posted. a poster asked for it last week.
 
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Reactions: 31 people
#2
#2
Weekly Recruiting Update History:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 10 people
#5
#5
This thread is like the beard of the forum. It grows, sometimes very big and masculine, other times it gets trimmed and then sometimes it even gets a new style, like with this one.

qHgchy7.jpg
 
Last edited:
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Reactions: 5 people
#8
#8
thx POA....new format is good...fine with the last one, good to be in the conversation with really good players again!
 
#9
#9
Love the new layout. I love it when something great gets even better.
 
#11
#11
Some of the best information one could ask for regarding Tennessee recruiting. Really good stuff.

Thanks for your efforts.
 
#13
#13
Thanks POA, you made it a lot easier for me to keep track of recruiting this year. All the recruiting info I needed in one place.
 
#14
#14
Great job!

Amazing how recruiting is a 24/7 365 day a year job. These coaches earn their money just having to talk, tweet and stalk all these 17-18 year old kids trying to make up their minds about the next few years of their lives. Lot's of behind the scenes stuff before they even get to lead them in a practice. Makes me tired just reading about it.
 
#16
#16
Good stuff, again POA. The new format helps a lot. Thanks for the work.
 
#17
#17
Love it. Like the days in there also. :good!:

Just one suggestion, though, if it's not too much trouble. I kinda hate to even ask with there being so much info posted to begin with.

Since it seems you may keep this thing going all 52 weeks of the year (which is freaking awesome! very much appreciated) and since nsd 14 just ended with some of us not nearly as familiar with all the 15 recruits as others are.

When a player is first mentioned in your post, what about listing where the player is from and whatever star ranking or overall ranking, if any, to help those like myself that aren't as familiar as others are get more familiar as we turn our attention to the 15 recruits? Maybe do it for like the next month or so or until Spring ball starts. Guess you could also do it for guys with new Vol offers as the year goes on.

Anyways, just a suggestion. I haven't been able to follow the individual threads like I used to so this thread is great for me. Either way, this is still the best thread on VN, imo, and I appreciate the guys like yourself, Ron, Wu, Tri-Cities, etc (sry for whoever I forgot, you know who ya are) for making this the best cfb fan site in the country. GBO!
 
#19
#19
Neyland2nd2none said:
Love it. Like the days in there also. :good!:

Just one suggestion, though, if it's not too much trouble. I kinda hate to even ask with there being so much info posted to begin with.

Since it seems you may keep this thing going all 52 weeks of the year (which is freaking awesome! very much appreciated) and since nsd 14 just ended with some of us not nearly as familiar with all the 15 recruits as others are.

When a player is first mentioned in your post, what about listing where the player is from and whatever star ranking or overall ranking, if any, to help those like myself that aren't as familiar as others are get more familiar as we turn our attention to the 15 recruits? Maybe do it for like the next month or so or until Spring ball starts. Guess you could also do it for guys with new Vol offers as the year goes on.

Anyways, just a suggestion. I haven't been able to follow the individual threads like I used to so this thread is great for me. Either way, this is still the best thread on VN, imo, and I appreciate the guys like yourself, Ron, Wu, Tri-Cities, etc (sry for whoever I forgot, you know who ya are) for making this the best cfb fan site in the country. GBO!
Click to expand...

maybe in the future, but i have to get used to this new layout first
 
#20
#20
Great job POA! I normally just read and rarely post unless it deserves it! Keep up the great work! Also would like to give a shout out to all the RF posters. You guys keep it real unlike all the negativity and childishness in the FF. Thank you all.
 
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