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Teague unsure about visit to UT

By Dave Hooker (Contact)
Originally published 03:21 p.m., August 5, 2008
Updated 03:21 p.m., August 5, 2008

The competition for Marsalis Teague just keeps getting tougher.

The 5-foot-10 athlete from Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn., said Georgia has shown signs of offering a scholarship just days after Florida finally extended its official invitation.

“I was actually a little shocked,” Teague said of the offer from the Gators.

Teague - the News Sentinel’s fourth-best prospect in Tennessee - sent Florida a highlight tape months ago but didn’t hear from the Gators until recently. Florida coaches told Teague that they had just recently reviewed his tape.

“He said I would have had one (an offer) sooner if he’d have seen it (the tape),” Teague said.

With over a dozen offers, Teague’s fall itinerary is beginning to come into focus. He said he’s almost certain he’ll take official visits to Miami, Florida and Clemson.

“Then I might try to get back to Tennessee and maybe Michigan or Ole Miss,” Teague said.

That would seem to put the Vols in direct competition with Michigan and Ole Miss for one of Teague’s final visits. The NCAA only allows five officials per prospect.

“I will try to narrow it down once I do that,” Teague said.

Teague’s primary UT recruiter is tight ends coach Jason Michael. Defensive backs coach Larry Slade and head coach Phillip Fulmer are also in the mix.

“They’re starting to come harder each day it seems like,” Teague said of the Vols’ efforts.

Tennessee residents have certainly taken note of Teague’s growing list of scholarship offers.

“It’s made me feel a little pressed because a lot of fans around here tell me ‘You can’t be a Florida Gator,’” Teague said. “They all want me to go to Tennessee. In the end, I’ve got to make my own decision.”

Teague said most teams are recruiting him to play cornerback. Some have mentioned receiver. Others, such as Michigan, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech, have said playing quarterback in an option attack is a possibility.

“To me it doesn’t really matter,” said Teague, who plays quarterback and cornerback in high school. “Wherever the team needs me to play, I’m all for it.”

The Vols’ G-Gun package, in which receiver Gerald Jones lines up at quarterback, would seem to be a good fit for Teague.

“They haven’t really said anything about that yet,” Teague said of UT’s coaches.

“Yet” may prove to be the operative word as the Vols try to woo Teague.

Despite reports to the contrary, Teague was adamant that Miami is not a solid leader for his services. Teague reportedly said so following a June visit to check out the Hurricanes.

“I said I thought they had a slight advantage simply because as a child I was a fan,” Teague said. “I had a real good time (in Miami). That was my childhood team so they have a slight advantage.”

As for UT, its advantage may well lie in Dominique Allen, Teague’s high school teammate, who committed to UT in April.

“It would be really cool if we did go to school together," Teague told the News Sentinel in July. "But, then again, I have to do what's best for me. Only I can make that decision for me.”

Problem is, that decision just keeps getting tougher.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       32 Comments

Posted by VolnDothan on August 5, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

3 star QB recruited as a CB.

He's modest too...

"I'm a great athlete. I'm quick and I'm elusive when I have the ball in my hands.

"On defense I'm real aggressive and smart. I feel comfortable playing any position…quarterback, cornerback and wide receiver. I'll do it all." -Scout.com

Posted by GoVol on August 5, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Like serveral other high profile recruits, I think they want to see what kind of offense Clawson shows. If they like it, they'll committ to TN. If they don't like the offense, then they have other options. Seems like a good position to be in for a top-notch recruit.

Posted by RockyTop31174 on August 5, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Too much "I,I,I,I'm," Not enough we or my team is, or we are. Remember what Kelly Washington turned out to be.

Posted by iowavol on August 5, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dave, you sure Jack A Adams didn't contribute on this article?

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on August 5, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He probably wouldn't play anything but CB at UT. I think it is good that the coaches haven't promised him anything as far a thhe G-Gun package is concerned. Thye shouldn't make any promises that they won't or shouldn't keep. I want us to get him just to lock up the in state guys, but he won't be a huge factor in our signing class either way.

Posted by Jamey1210 on August 5, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

5'11 really means 5'9 so I do not see QB in his future. Tennessee will have him as a CB along with the 100 CB's. I think this one will be hard to land with our depth at CB position.

Posted by newtonrail on August 5, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DB's should be called DB's and not CB's or Safeties going into Senior year of High School. As history has shown, we don't know which they'll play, and if listed as Safety will end up as LB. By the time this young man would be on campus, Berry will probably be in his last year as will Morley. Vinson and Rogan should be here. Hard to have to many good DB's.

Posted by Kosmo on August 5, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man if he's sending his highlight tape to other schools in the SEC then we don't need him. If he has doubts about us then we should have doubts about him. He ain't so cute now is he? lil punk!

Posted by BAMABLOWS on August 5, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"fans around here tell me you cant be a florida gator", tells me that florida is his leader right now.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on August 5, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BAMABLOWS-

Good inference. I would think the same thing... well, UF and Miami. We need to get a few more LBs and "D" linemen in this class. If we don't get another DB, that's fine with me.

Posted by Huntingdonvol on August 5, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well i have seen him play at Henry co. High School,and he is impressive.Mabey a little underrated at the corner position,and overated at qb.He is fast to the ball with quick feet, but as Jamey said ,corner at UT will be hard to crack for an incoming freshmen,redship would most likley be a given.At 5,9 at best because he is only slightly taller than Dominique,with i think is a steel buldozer,man can he bruze a db in open field.Last i dont think he will play qb in the SEC but i also said Patrick Willis from Bruction -hollow rock would be a Sec linebacker either.To me he would fit in as a g-back but just wont be able given he grows 2 in to see over SEC lineman.Well if iii"s is him then he would fit in at a Florida,but dont get the Florida coaches excuse of not watching his tapes,that dog dont hunt.Good luck young man wherever you decide,but get that i out and replace it with we.Just glad Huntingdon dont play Paris anymore,that was a good rivalry.

Posted by awhill00 on August 5, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Between him and Dominique, I'd rather have the bruising RB. Teague will be a DB if he chooses the Vols. My take.

Posted by Vols1998 on August 5, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There no "I" in Team, this guy seems a little centergistic and arrogant...does he have the where with all to handle the demands of any Div I team plus compete for a spot that others might want as well?.......it's easy to stand tall when the wind is not blowing...hmmmm

Go Vols

Posted by Pullingguard on August 5, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Beg me, plead for me, this guy seems to have a halo over his head or so he thinks.. Just another indicitation of how these young kids want to evaulate teams based on how hard they are coming at me.. Don't just recruit me, come hard on your knees for me. Well, maybe it's just part of being there for once..Good luck Marsilas.

Posted by VOLS85 on August 5, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't really mind if Florida gets this kid...we have plenty of 3*'s. I think we have gotten to the point where 4's and 5's are the ones we are chasing hard. ie the likes of Moses and Brown

Posted by TommyJack on August 5, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pullingguard: Maybe so. Humility, sadly, is dying.

Posted by invisiblekid on August 5, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

“To me it doesn’t really matter,” said Teague, who plays quarterback and cornerback in high school. “Wherever the team needs me to play, I’m all for it.”

Sounds like a team player to me and, given the interview is about him, I don't really see there being too many I's in it.

Like Teague said, he needs to do what's best for him and it sounds like Miami and FL are the frontrunners. I always like to see guys stay in state but, with Thigpen, Oliver, and Hunter already on board, I just don't see the athlete/db position being a high priority. We probably need players with more...ahem...girth at this point. The position which plays in the middle in front of the defense has become a hot button topic around here lately.

Posted by cdldoc on August 5, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We are looking for 4 and 5 star players and this kid wants to play hard to get? I would rather have a no star guy that wants to be a Vol. Don't let the door hit you in the a** on your way out, kid.

Posted by Big_Wen on August 5, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of you writing don't know him. He is modest and very respectful. Has a 4.0 GPA and academics has a lot to do with where he goes. All you guys hatin on him don't know jack. He will do great wherever he chooses on the field and off. And as far as him begging them to recruit, you are more likely to go where you are wanted...the most. Hi Haterz...

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on August 5, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big_Wen-

He seems like a good kid to me. The 4.0 is very impressive. Best of luck to him wherever he ends up... except if/ when he squares off against the Vols. I think it is a shame we already have so many DBs on the roster or coming in to the program b/c it probably isn't helping us with him or the Gordon kid from Nashville, and I hate to see the in state talent going elsewhere.

Posted by volwalk on August 5, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point Vols85...unless he is a 3* DL,LB or OL--i'm not that worried about him..yea its ok if we sign him but would like to see us get 4 and 5 star guys and more DLs.
Oh yea, shut up mcgruff!

Posted by tenn_smoothie on August 5, 2008 at 7:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what is this kid's infatuation with florida ?

sounds like he was an afterthought for them and they treated him as such ...."we would have offered sooner if we had seen that tape." i would have been insulted by that.

meanwhile, home state tennessee has been interested all along and he doesn't even know if he can fit a visit in ?? now, i am insulted !!!

Posted by pdhuff on August 5, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If it took this long for him to get an offer, let him go to Fla.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on August 5, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pd-

He's had an offer from us for a while now. He just got offered by UF and UGA.

Posted by Michael1204 on August 5, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, delete your account for this site tomorrow!!
kinder regards.

Posted by marinevol on August 5, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doesn't exactly sound like a glowing endorsement of the gators.

Posted by marinevol on August 5, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually, I'm surprised that SI hasn't bought into the Florida hype, and only has them ranked #5, with UT #12.

Posted by john on August 5, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcdim, How was your sister & brother's honeymoon after their waffle house wedding?

Posted by volboy81 on August 6, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

heres the "Im a Florida fan and heres who I hate & why" list...The Bama & LSU excuses are the best...a GAYtor fan hating someone because of OBNOXIOUS fans! BWAAAAAAAA HAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAA

1. Georgia. The hate has always been there but was intensified by what happened last year. In fact, it has eclipsed the years immediately following Lindsay Scott.

2. Florida State. It's difficult to despise a team you have beaten four straight times but old habits die hard.

3. Tennessee. And the feeling is mutual.

4. Miami. Although the UF fans in South Florida might put the 'Canes at the top.

5. Alabama. Some of it is envy because of the Tide's dominance under Bear Bryant. Some of it is Nick Saban. A lot of it is the Tide fans.

6. Notre Dame. Just on general principle.

7. Auburn. Two straight losses added to 1993 and '94 added to the heartbreakers of the 1980s add up fast.

8. LSU. Tiger fans left obscene messages on Tim Tebow's cell phone last year. Enough said.

9. Ohio State. Just because their fans were so obnoxious before the two national championship losses to Florida.

10. Michigan. The last loss still stings.

Posted by pdhuff on August 6, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Had a good time in Miami".

Well, I sure hope so. Go on down there, son and get you a good dose of that. Best of luck.

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