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UT class: fast start, fast fade

Vols need big push to move up in rankings

By Dave Hooker (Contact)
Originally published 07:26 p.m., February 5, 2008
Updated 08:12 p.m., February 5, 2008

There was a time when Tennessee’s 2008 recruiting class was the envy of the SEC. It’s true.

In September of 2006, the Vols actually led all of their SEC brethren with three commitments for 2008. At the time, only three schools — Arkansas, Georgia and Ole Miss — even had a commitment for 2008.

The Vols even picked up two more 2008 commitments before the ball dropped on 2007.

Problem is, that was just the beginning. Today, it’s National Signing Day and UT fans are learning the hard way that assembling a recruiting class is a marathon, not a sprint.

UT has 16 public commitments and will need some serious signing-day surprises to reach the type of rankings that have been commonplace in the Phillip Fulmer era. The Vols are expected to sign approximately 20 prospects today.

UT ranks ninth in the SEC according to Rivals.com and Scout.com. Nationally, the recruiting services rank the Vols 39th and 44th, respectively.

There are plenty of reasons, and/or excuses why UT hasn’t produced a top-five, a top-10 or possibly even a top-25 class.

Coaching turnover is certainly a valid theory. UT went almost a month with four coaching vacancies from mid-December to early January.

The Vols failed to receive even one public commitment as Fulmer tried to interview prospective coaches and recruit with barely more than half a coaching staff.

Moreover, quarterback Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette (Pa.) High School, the highest-rated prospect in the nation, eliminated UT when offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe left Knoxville to take the head coaching position at Duke. Before Cutcliffe’s departure, those close to Pryor said UT was towards, or at, the top of his list.

Coaching speculation is another theory. Fulmer faced more stringent criticism than ever before. Questions concerning his job security circled like vultures.

Opposing schools never found it easier to use negative tactics to recruit against UT.

Once considered a rock of stability, Fulmer’s future was considerably uncertain from the Florida loss in September until the Vols pounded Arkansas on Nov. 10, helping pave the way to the SEC championship game.

During that time, the Vols secured one public commitment, receiver Rod Wilks from Smyrna, who had long been expected to select the Vols.

Off-field incidents certainly haven’t helped UT to make a late recruiting push. Five players have been involved in four run-ins with local law enforcement during the past four weekends.

As far as rankings, UT doesn’t expect to get a fair shake from recruiting services, which place a heavy emphasis on skill position players and large classes. The Vols, on the other hand, needed offensive and defensive linemen more than ball carriers and have only a limited amount of scholarships to offer, meaning they will have one of the smallest classes in the SEC.

In retrospect, perhaps UT’s recruiting approach was part of the problem. With a fast start to the 2008 class and a limited number of scholarships to offer, the Vols held some prospects at bay, waiting to uncover the intentions of their higher-rated counterparts. Some of those prospects UT once held off have moved on.

Whatever the reason, UT has only signing day to finish what it started so well so long ago. A class that was supposed to be built on offensive and defensive lineman is woefully short of both, with two and three committed, respectively.

With some luck, all that can change today. With few scholarships available, UT’s coaches knew they didn’t need the speed-laden group they signed in 2007.

All UT needed was some highly touted linemen to complement last year’s class. That’s still a possibility, but it will take a strong push today to make it happen.

Here are the UT prospects left to watch:

n E.J. Abrams-Ward: The 6-foot-5, 210-pound athlete from Thomasville (N.C.) High is expected to choose between UT and North Carolina. He has expressed interest in playing basketball in college.

Prediction: North Carolina in a very close one over UT.

n Quinton Coples: The 6-7, 235-pound defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., once called UT his leader. North Carolina has since made a strong push.

Prediction: North Carolina

n Enrique Davis: The 5-11, 220-pound running back from Hargrave Military Academy originally signed with Auburn. He’s considering the Tigers, along with UT, Oregon, Maryland and Ole Miss.

Prediction: Auburn, but don’t be surprised if it’s Maryland.

n Jerrell Harris: The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker from Gadsden City High School in Gadsden, Ala., seemed to eliminate UT in a Tuesday report. Then, school officials denied that claim. Also supposedly considering Alabama, Clemson, Auburn and Southern Cal. Sounds like somebody is looking for a big signing-day crowd.

Prediction: Alabama.

n Cameron Henderson: UT had a ton of ground to make up to land this Auburn commitment: a 6-5, 240-pound defensive end from Shades Valley High in Birmingham, Ala. UT is at least in the mix.

Prediction: Auburn.

n Jeremy Lewis: The 6-4, 280-pound defensive tackle from Palm Beach Lakes High in West Palm Beach, Fla., represents the biggest coup left on the board for UT. Lewis has taken official visits to UT, Clemson, LSU and North Carolina after committing to Miami in April.

Prediction: Miami.

n Antoine McClain: For months, the Vols seemed to be in great shape to land this 6-6, 315-pound offensive lineman from Anniston (Ala.) High. Then, Clemson made a strong push.

Prediction: Clemson, in another close one over the Vols and Alabama.

n Dallas Thomas: The 6-6, 260-pound offensive lineman from Scotlandville High in Baton Rouge, La., hasn’t done much talking. But the Vols have long been thought to be in the driver’s seat. Thomas is a high school teammate of UT commitment Herman Lathers.

Prediction: UT.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       63 Comments

Posted by AllVol on February 5, 2008 at 7:39 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by AllanO444 on February 5, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well, this is encouraging...

Posted by dburgVol on February 5, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great, we get Dallas Thomas! Anybody want to come to my signing day party?
Can KNS be any more pessimistic towards the Vols?
Fulmer WILL surprise people with several signings because it ALWAYS happens. Will it be enough to make fans content, probably not, but why all the doom and gloom? Because the SEC competition is ferocious. We don't need anybody else to tell us, we already know.

Posted by Vols1998 on February 5, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AllVol.....there are other teams that recuited better than UT.....I'm sure there is more room for a "loyal" fan like yourself.

I belive this will be a good class to go along with the others...it take more than one year to turn a program around. When we beat Ala, Fla, Ga, and La...the recuits will be standing in line in 2009.

Go Vols!

Posted by ctownvol on February 5, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go KNS! Keep on the sunny side why don't ya?

Posted by dburgVol on February 5, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SPHS do you have any info? Everybody seems to be calling you out on their posts.

Posted by pdhuff on February 5, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh well. Staying the course with trepidation. Tomorrow the surprises will be unveiled.

Posted by knoxsingle on February 5, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This article is ridiculous.

It's one thing for people who focus year-round on football recruiting as their job to offer projections, which still are questionable just because 17- and 18-year-olds change their minds frequently.

It's something else for a hometown reporter, who doesn't cover football recruiting year-round, to make predictions.

C'mon, Hooker. You don't have any expertise, so if you're going to put predictions out there, you might as well give the home team some credit!

Posted by Vols1998 on February 5, 2008 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Really....does it matter?

If, if and buts were candy and nuts what a merry Christmas it would be!

Posted by utkjoe29 on February 5, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Prediction: Subway doesn't work for everyone!

Posted by tngeoff on February 5, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Parody of Alabama vs Tennessee recruiting 2008:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hMrQLz2nTMk

Posted by NickS4117 on February 5, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dear Dave,
My premium recruiting service is predicting Antoine McClain to Tenn. Don't think Bama has room for him, but if it will cheer your readers up, go ahead and say he 'picked the Vols over Bama'.
Would like to see a story on 4* RB Mark Ingram picking the Tide today. I love how Nick Saban can go to Michigan and get a player he wants! His dad, Mark Ingram Sr was an NFL player. Can't wait to see him scooting across Shields/Watkins turf.

Posted by philfan on February 5, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you are as anxious as I am about this business, you need to read the article in espn.com. (Click on College Football, then the article by Forde entitled 'Verbal commitments can be risky business.')One recruiting bureau has reported that 156 players have already de-committed from one school to another this season. Of those 156, 14 have de-committed more than once. Student and coaches relationships are as long lasting as junior high romances. Another problem is that these prospects, who are teenagers, have difficulty saying no to adults, particularly to high pressure salesmen (like Saban and Meyer?). I choose to have faith in Fulmer, whose track record in recruiting has been excellent, year in and year out. SPHS has told us to have faith and that big things will happen tomorrow. Teenagers will change their minds and our coaches have been persuading them to do so. I am hoping that many of these men will change their minds tomorrow and choose Tennessee!

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

Yea, He'll be scootin across alright when Berry knocks him on his arse.

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

good one, tngeoff. So long as the example doe not hold true the third Saturday this Oct.

I still say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KFSrl...

Posted by ATLVOL1 on February 5, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

from scout: herman lathers

“Herman is going to be signing with Tennessee tomorrow,” said Scotlandville running back Brandon Bolden. “He got so tired of all of the phone calls that he quit answering his phone. He’s ready to get it over with tomorrow but there is no question

Posted by vol1994 on February 5, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sphs does not have a clue..
I have been posting for weeks now, well over a month. He called me out stating his source told him we would sign a top quarterback and land a top 15 class, which is IMPOSSIBLE!!

I stated a month ago that Fulmer was frustrated, surprised, and disheartened by the lack of commitments UT was receiving. I stated we would sign a kid from Murfreesboro and was told there was not a kid from Murfreesboro invited to campus.. Well we signed the kid, cannot remembr his name. WE had to settle and will continue to do so just to fill the void of scholarships.

I am an avid UT fan and will always support them but lets be realistic, this will be one of the worst classes in the Fulmer era by far.
Fulmer did not expect this and hopefully this will energize him a bit. But UT is not an elite football program and we have too many discipline problems...

I am sure SPHS will call me out on this post but all I can say is he is full of it and has no clue.
Just another posting pretending to know something!

KNS is just being realistic and sources state we will most likely not sign the guys listed in the article.

Posted by UT4ME on February 5, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is the most pathetic article I've read from the KNS. Taking shots at Harris...saying "he wants a big signing day crowd", is stupid, and goes way beyond reporting on a story.

I am disappointed in the off-field incidents, the way we played on the road in 2007, etc., and yes, that leads me to being frustrated with the coaches. This article, however, is completely slanted against UT in many aspects, especially predicting against us getting any of the mentioned recruits.

IF, and we KNOW it's possible, some of these guys are still not 100% sure of their final decision, what do you think they are doing at home tonight/tomorrow? It's not much of an assumption to say they MIGHT be online, checking out websites from local school newspapers, ESPN, etc. What then is the motivation for writing an article like this? It's not objective reporting.

I would have expected this from some of the posters on this site. The KNS is clearly, with subtle and also blatant efforts, making sure that mostly negative issues and stories populate this website and their newspaper with respect to current UT football. We get 2, 3, or 4 headlines about the SAME negative incident that involves a player, when at most the "new" information that garners a headline should be simply added to the original story. Lot's of website journalists do that...and you'll see "Updated at xx:xx on Feb x" at the top of the story.

No, KNS prefers to put out a multiple headlines about each incident...then run another story within 2-3 days just to keep the pot stirred (police chief orders investigation into arrest...police find everything was done OK...so and so was arrested...days later it was due to a fight...days later editorialize on the punishment...and oh yeah, bring it all up over and over again in each and every subsequent article remotely related to recruiting or UT football).

Don't call me a "Fulmerite" or drinker of the orange koolaid...I hate it when we lose or when something negative happens to any part of UT. I graduated from that school, and I want to see it succeed in every way. However, the way the KNS goes about dragging down the football program is, as I said, just pathetic. If we don't win on the field, coaching changes will be made, it happens everywhere. Running a constantly negative campaign on this website and in print, though, is hardly a way to improve UT football. If the KNS could simply be neutral, perhaps fair and balanced...

The underlying tone in this article, and many others, will be/has been read by high school coaches, parents, friends, family, and yes, recruits themselves. The only purpose of this article that I can see is to hopefully sway any potentially undecided prospects AWAY from coming to UT. Now the stage is set for the author to follow it up with an "I told you so" article tomorrow or the next day and then to pat himself on the back like he's a genius.

PATHETIC!

End of rant

Posted by TommyJack on February 5, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT4me: I must be reading a different article.

Posted by wheatbarley on February 5, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We've had coaching changes this year, we're loaded for next year, and everyone is still calling for the end of the world? Remember, Herman Hickman was a walkon, Beattie Feathers was a one star recruit by Mason-Dixon, Doug Atkins assaulted the only reporter who asked him where he was going, and Johnny Majors was predicted to win the Heisman(twice) by a 19 year old cub reporter named Beano Cook. We will have a good season this year, the new coaches will settle in to their roles, and the Vols will get the big names next year.

Posted by knoxsingle on February 5, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm reading the article that UT4me read.

It surely would be nice to read something about one or two of our firm commitments this evening -- how they're excited about signing with UT, etc.

Posted by smokey90 on February 5, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lathers is no surprise, is he? I have seen him listed on the commitment list for some time.

Posted by vol1994 on February 5, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT4ME- I understand your frustration and I too am an avid UT fan. I don't dislike Fulmer as most of the posters do and confident we SHOULD win the EAST next year and compete for the NC in 08 or 09
if FUlmer lets the new coaches coach.

do you really think these kids read our posts?
Don't you think 95% of these kids already know who they will sign with?
For most of them tomorrow is just showmanship to get their names and faces on tv and the paper.

The KNS has never been pro TN and never will be. most local papers located in a college town
usually support the university but for some reason KNS doesn't. I spoke to one of UT coaches at a golf tournament june 07 and he told me KNS writers are always looking for an opportunity to give the university a black eye, especially Adams.

Posted by mattjchatt on February 5, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would anyone CHOOSE to go to Clemson or North Carolina? I mean c'mon kids!

Posted by nicksjuzunk on February 5, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A few things.

1. All of the issues discussed in the article are right on.
2. Truth be told, we didn't need all the skill players so this is not a program buster class.
3. Bottom line: Could have been better. I wish we could have gotten some more beef on the d-line but as we always say, recruiting is a crap shoot. Next year, with a staff in place and hopefully some good results to show as all of our previous classes mature, we should draw the attention needed to land a top 15 class again and be back on track.

Posted by grvol on February 5, 2008 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)

KNS just reporting the facts. What are they supposed to headline?... "VOLS AN AWESOME 11TH IN SEC RECRUITING!" ?

Posted by nivatne on February 5, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree w/ most that has been stated. First, I agree 100% w/ what UT4ME said. This website has written NOTHING positive in the last 2 weeks, and it is beginning to make me sick. If recruits do read web stuff, this site has done nothing to sway them here. Whoever is running this site needs to check their pulse and see if they truly are UT fans. POST SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR A CHANGE!!! Is there someone that I can report you guys to??? Some of you make me sick.

Secondly, I think we all need to calm down about recruiting this year. It may not be a great class, but we are getting guys that WANT to play for UT, not kids who want to be treated like royalty when they step on campus. Also, for all the doom and gloomers, one class will not kill us. Lest you forget we had the #2 class last year. We will be fine. Also, and I know some of you will think I am crazy for saying this, but there should be reason for optimism in UT. We just won the East w/ little to no experience in the secondary, wide recievers, or D-line. We have great young talent. We should be excited about what the next couple of years at UT could bring.

Third, and finally, let's not talk about how terrible this class is. These kids are just 17-18. Let's let them show us what they have on the field for the next few years. We have had some highly ranked classes that have not panned out at all. So let's be fair and not talk negatively a/b these kids when they haven't even played a down. Let's see if Phil can bring some guys in tomorrow.

Side note: EPSN recruit tracker has like 30-40 recruits still considering us. Not highly ranked kids, but still guys we can use.

Posted by tngeoff on February 5, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

losvolsganan.

You are becoming a pro! Good ones again!

Posted by grvol on February 5, 2008 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AL has had assistant coaching changes. Most of the 40 or so who rank ahead of Vols have had assistant or even head coaching changes. Vols cannot use that excuse. The reality is Fulmer and crew and (ex-crew) spent the entire season on save their A$$es mode, had to scale back recruiting efforts and spent all their time on saving the season. January comes along and all the big fish are gone.

Posted by utnut on February 5, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

NOTHING IS EVER AS BAD OR GOOD AS IT SEEMS . ITS SO SAD SOME CANT' ENJOY WHAT THEY HAVE BECAUSE THEY ARE TO MISERABLE THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY DONT'

Posted by CynicalCitizen on February 5, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No defensive linemen behind the starters are currently on campus and none are in this recruiting class. That will be Fulmer's downfall in about 2 to 3 years. DT's don't mature enough to play overnight.

Posted by agentorange on February 5, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dear kns, hooker has lost his relevance. he hasn't written a good story in a while. the last story he wrote with the "cliffhanger" questions (like from the batman tv show) was an 'F' in any journalism class on campus. you may as well hire the crime log guy from the beacon and save $30K.

Posted by smashmouth98 on February 5, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ouch!!! we need to pick up a couple of those guys or it's gonna be a rough one.

Posted by pdhuff on February 5, 2008 at 11:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

grvol 10:13 p.m. Dead on, keeping Cutcliff to win a near-meaningless bowl game, foregoing recruiting has brought us here. Dread tomorrow unless SURPRISES abound. Good post.

Posted by lawvol on February 6, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For everyone dissing KNS, those guys are journalists, and as such, their articles shouldn't be an "I love the vols" homer suckfest. True, we are not going after the "skill" players this year, but that is a red herring for why our ranking is down this year. We aren't getting the top big uglies either. Truth be told, the national media has a love affair with the gators and the bulldogs are not far behind. On top of that, UT didn't help themselves by getting slammed by UF this year, and losing any credit from whooping UGA by making John Parker Wilson look like a Heisman candidate. It isn't the end of the world, we do have some good talent in the pipeline, and next year has the makings of a big year with the experience that is coming back. So sit tight and lets see if "stay the course" will let Clawson veer the course a little bit towards the promised land. And by the way, I'm all vol. I have two degrees from the big orange and I'm working on a third.

Posted by Hunter on February 6, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SPHS has officially gone into the Witness Protection Program. He was last seen in Opp, Alabama pickin' and grinnin'.

I was raised in such a manner that when you open your mouth and get yourself in trouble you man up and admit it. SPHS must be less man than the rest of us....yeah, I'm calling you out.

Posted by anthony on February 6, 2008 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's have Mr. John Adams come out now and give us the recruiting classes for the sec teams over the past 10 years, and how the ones ranked highest did. Would someone please get him to do this, even since he loves to write about sec teams ...

Posted by FWBVol on February 6, 2008 at 1:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CynicalCitizen, defensive lineman might be the most difficult position to project in the recruiting process, especially at tackle. I've seen more than my share of can't miss DTs be no shows at the college level.

I'd guess there will be a few Juco linemen in next year's class. Who knows, there might even be a surprise or two from the JC ranks in this class, but that is speculation on my part.

Posted by cwisenhower on February 6, 2008 at 1:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Certainly columns like this do not help in recruiting, but I'm sure "Hook" is just doin his job. Way to pave the way for the future with such bright commentary. Isn't this guy a radio personality? He should stick to radio and step away from the keyboard.

Posted by utmdm on February 6, 2008 at 2:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thomas to sign with the Vols

Brent Hubbs
VolQuest.com

Later today, Baton Rouge, Louisiana offensive lineman Dallas Thomas will sign his National Letter of Intent and after weeks or wondering by everyone Thomas told Volquest.com late Tuesday night that he will indeed by signing with the Vols. Find out why it was Tennessee by checking out the Volquest.com premium ticket.

Posted by rodneyadms on February 6, 2008 at 2:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's all cyclical...we're gonna be fine..even if we have a off year in recruiting..that will leave a lot of opportunities for next year and the coaching staff will haved learned from the mistakes of this year. I bet we'll get a good sleeper in this incoming class. Just think of what we got with all those top 5 recruiting classes 6 and 7 years ago...not much!

Posted by utmdm on February 6, 2008 at 2:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

9:12 p.m. Deion Walker still firm to Notre Dame?

Earlier this month, Rivals250 wide receiver Deion Walker out of Christchurch (Va.) Christchurch School made his announcement for Notre Dame on national television. With Signing Day just a day away, things may be changing for the 6-foot-4, 186-pounder.

"I have accepted two additional letters of intent from Penn State and Tennessee," he said. "I also have the one from Notre Dame."

Check out the complete update from Mike Farrell here.

Posted by utmdm on February 6, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Couple of the Scout analysts have changed their projection to the Vols.

109 Antoine McClain Anniston (Ala.)
Announcing: 2/6 - Signing Day - 10am
Finalists: Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Tennessee
Newberg: Tennessee Safrit: Tennessee
Wallace: Auburn Actual:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
123 E.J. Abrams-Ward Thomasville (N.C.)
Announcing: 2/6 - Signing Day - 10am
Finalists: North Carolina, Tennessee
Newberg: Tennessee Safrit: Tennessee
Wallace: North Carolina Actual:

Posted by utmdm on February 6, 2008 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

La. OL Thomas to sign with Tennessee

Later today, Baton Rouge, Louisiana offensive lineman Dallas Thomas will sign his National Letter of Intent and after weeks or wondering by everyone Thomas told VolQuest.com late Tuesday night that he will indeed be signing with the Vols.

"The tradition of being a major national football power as well as a first rate academic institution," Thomas said. "The atmosphere surrounding the campus, the coaches, players and outstanding facilities including the largest stadium in the SEC and the second largest stadium in the nation are some of the things that sole me on Tennessee."

Posted by volunteer_cowboy on February 6, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

by Brent Hubbs

Later today, Baton Rouge, Louisiana offensive lineman Dallas Thomas will sign his National Letter of Intent and after weeks or wondering by everyone Thomas told Volquest.com late Tuesday night that he will indeed be signing with the Vols.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on February 6, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THOMAS - WE NEEDED A OL.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on February 6, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hey Koolaiders, KNS doesnt make the facts, they only report them. Nivatne complains they havent written anything positive in 2 weeks---thats only because everything--ie arrests etc--has been negative for 2 weeks ,no fault of the KNS. Can't you Koolaiders ever show a smidgeon of objectivity--just cause u are brainwashed that all is 1000% always great doesnt mean the KNS has to become a propaganda machine rather than a news reporting agency-----unbiased, objective journalism is reporting both the good and the bad------if someone would do what needs to be done to curb the off field problems---ie suspentions--maybe the postives might not always be overshadowed by so many negatives

Posted by dwyvols on February 6, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Florida State and Miami both had the same excuses a couple years ago. The road is still there but we are going down a dead end.

Posted by invisiblekid on February 6, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go Hooker, you have ruined recruiting for the Vols this year. Humiliating losses to FL and AL has nothing to do with it, a rash of off field incidents in the weeks leading up to signing day has nothing to do with it, the loss of their best recruiters in Taylor and Cutcliffe has nothing to do with it, it's all on you Hooker.

Seriously, I didn't expect this to be a top 5-10 class months ago given that our biggest needs were on the offensive and defensive lines. I would have never guessed that they would have fallen so short of their goals though, especially given the fact that there was no turnover among the staff on the offensive and defensive lines. We'll see how things play out over the course of the day and hope for the best and expect the worst.

Posted by sjt18 on February 6, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Hooker posts here as CRVol aka VolCR aka Foolmore.

Posted by pdhuff on February 6, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

yabadadoo1026 7:32 - It is not necesary to inject facts and realism into a post. Stay the course. LOL

Beat the Bengals.

Posted by BigOrange1 on February 6, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

EJ Abrams-Ward signed just signed with us. Great pick-up. Let's build off this one.

GO VOLS!!

Posted by utmdm on February 6, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Live Blog - Scout.com Updates

8:40am EST: Georgia All-American Keith Wells made an early commitment to play at Florida State but made the decision to back off of that verbal and made a re-commitment to Ohio State. Early this morning he became one of the first players to fax in his letter of intent, officially giving Ohio State a dominant speed rushing defensive end. With the early departure of Vernon Gholston to the NFL it

Posted by bigorangedude on February 6, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Is anyone else having problems with this site? I'm unable to view current signings. I was pleased to see that Ward signed with us.

Posted by jcvet on February 6, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anybody narrow minded enough to think the stupid posts made by the 20-30 people that post on this site has any effect on UT recruiting need to get a life. Horrible coaching, embarrassing blow outs on national TV, and almost weekly arrests of players. These kids have grown up having to see this for the past 7 yrs and it has caught up with the program. Personally , I can't believe it took that long.

Posted by murrayvol on February 6, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ: Could you elaborate!

Posted by jrichas on February 6, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This class is just plain awful...AWFUL!! It is an embarrassment and Fulmer should get NO raise!! 2009 we will be maybe 4th best team in the SEC East. When is Hammy gonna wake up and smell the coffee and get us a football "Pearl?" Fulmer has done a fine job but his era is over so he needs to go!!

Posted by CynicalCitizen on February 6, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FWB--he has no DT recruits in this class who can read well enough to ever be a factor. No one else in this class has body types that will allow them to grow into DT's. We have had one Juco DT in our entire history contribute during their first year on campus. It is not the fact that some of them do not pan out. He has no one to even put at DT in two years and certainly no depth there. The lack of dominant DT's has hurt him for a couple of years and the lack of any DT's will be devestating.

Posted by sgtvols on February 8, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

read the paper. "recruiting is not important" sayith the great and wonderful oz of shields-watkins field/

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