Posted by Vols1998 on February 5, 2008 at 7:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome to the Big Orange!

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

Hold on, Does this mean we have commitments from all of these individuals or is this just the times they're supposed to commit to thier respective schools? Please God tell me this is for real!

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

They could be a little more speciffic couldn't they.

Posted by yemmusdarb on February 5, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the latter, bigOmuscle.... Harris has already scratched us off and Davis is probably sticking with Auburn. or signing day is going to blow hard!

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

*our signing day

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

Oh well. We'll get some.

Posted by bigOmuscle on February 5, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It says signing day for UT commits. Anyone have an inside track on this?

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

bigO-Unfortunately nobody has the inside track... especially not the KNS. Must be a type-o. While we may get a few of them, we will not get all. Although I will be asking for a little divine intervention...

Posted by bigOmuscle on February 5, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just e-mailed Hooker. Maybe he'll oblige us w/ a little clarification.

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

ctownvol: You beat me to it. KNS is so out of touch that they are getting ready to call Carter as the winner in Georgia Democratic Primary!

Posted by ATLVOL1 on February 5, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

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

It is not commitments, only times of prospects, committed and otherwise. Sorry for the confusion. Dave Hooker.

Posted by vol1994 on February 5, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks bleak guys. Davis will most likely go to Auburn but Maryland feels they have about a 40% shot of landing him as he will be able to start next year most likely for the terps.

Ward- committing to NC (go to sirrus sports talk in chapel hill, NC - conducting a recruiting talk show now.. The analyst also said there were a couple other kids that look like they will commit to UNC rather than the UT but I did not catch their names.. Butch Davis is on a mission.

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

Sounds like old Butchy may be down mouthing us almost as much as Saban.

Posted by vol1994 on February 5, 2008 at 8:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not sure about that Utmdm but I use to live in raleigh and can never remember a time when a radio sports talk show discussed football recruiting for the Heels. Even when they had mack brown as head coach.
How times a changing...

Posted by dburgVol on February 5, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isnt it crap! Are these schools hiring car salesmen? They all do a great job recruiting, but come on. UNC a good program? What? Does anybody remember their record this year? 4-8. They are awful. They beat Duke in OT. Can you say watchout David Cutcliffe? Bad coaching good recruiting. I will trade the number one recruiting class for a great season everytime. All of these uppity bama fans need to look at their season record and remember that their crap does stink.

Posted by cjraney on February 5, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If all these top guys want UNC over UT its hard to understand. But at the same time, if someone is really interested in a situation like UNC [perennial bottom-dweller on a very slight upturn in a 2d-rate football conference], they would never be happy at UT [perennial contender in the toughest football conference]. So while its frustrating to not get some of these guys, if that's what they're looking for UT is not the place for them.

Posted by cjraney on February 5, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some guys will always choose to be the big fish in a little pond rather than face the best competition in the country and see if they've got what it takes. After all, many [if not most] of the top recruits consider college ball the NFL's minor league and you can't hide your weaknesses when strapping it on in the SEC. Go Vols!

Posted by UTfan4life on February 5, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually this is to the guy who said Davis to Auburn, and im hoping he meant Enrique because listen to this. A friend of my family who is an analyst for Rivals recently talked to Enrique and Davis said this and quote.."Man...why would I decommit from Auburn, and recommit back later; I aint putting on a show here man.. I just want to play football." (Around 5 minutes later) Tell you what im leaning toward UT and Ole Miss, they both have things I like in schools..." (Soon after) "But yea...Auburn has a slime chance.."

This is the direct words he said to my friend. But overall i think we will pick up Enriwue are offense needs a runner like him and he would be a great addition.

See you soon Enrique...GO VOLS!!

Posted by vol1994 on February 5, 2008 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you think about it, the same thing holds true with UT basketball. We were horrible under buzz peterson. Pearl comes in with all the enthusiasm in the world and is able to recruit stating that freshmen will be able to play immediately and have an impact turning the program around.

I guess Butch Davis is using the same philosophy Pearl used.
The ACC is down now so I guess UNC may be able to compete the next few years if Davis continues to recruit..

Posted by mparker on February 6, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll be kinda okay with sighing day if they sign a bunch of o-linemen and d-linemen, especially defensive ends. Remebmer when we used to get tons of DT's and DE's?? Now, we are always short.

I'll stand by this: you can put a freshman in at QB, or WR, or running back....but not on the o or d line.

I think a lot of fans will be upset. Too much negative tone about last season, I think it hurt us. The more vol fans bitch and bellyache, the worse the recruiting will be.

Posted by dburgVol on February 6, 2008 at 12:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see your point vol1994 and I always like your attitude, but it is different when you only have to recruit 2 or 3 guys really hard versus football when these coaches are chasing 30-possibly 50 recruits over a two to three year period and they have to develop the talent that they do get. I do have faith in Fulmer to get the job done, ESPECCIALLY in the recruiting department and an off year is the exception, and not the norm with him. I just feel that some of these guys are wheelers and dealers and alot of kids are going to be missing out on a GREAT opportunity to play for the Vols and run through the T.

Posted by sjt18 on February 6, 2008 at 1:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In a few hours, we'll see if the recruiting analysts and reporters knew more than the kids themselves.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on February 6, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PER RIVALS:

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 sjt18 on February 6, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the rumors have any validity at all, CPF has liked Thomas as well as any other OL for awhile now.

Posted by pdhuff on February 6, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 - anything on Enrique Davis? He could start this class upwards. Scout has us back at 45th, Rivals at 39th.

Figure-
Kelley -baseball
Walls - impact player
Poole - project -but capable

Posted by orvol on February 6, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rivals is reporting 4* Abrams-Ward is a Vol.

Posted by ATLVOL1 on February 6, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

YEAH ABRAMS-WARD JUST SIGNED

Posted by brdteton on February 6, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Vols! I'll hang up and listen' to Ya.

Posted by sjt18 on February 6, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, I think Poole may be quite a bit better than a project. Many have said that his 40 time was recorded while he was still recovering from an injury. He runs with great power and made some great cuts in the clips I've seen.

Someone on Volnation said that at one time he seemed destined for being a top 5 RB nationally but his injury hurt him.

If I remember correctly, it was a lower leg/ankle injury that has healed.

If he had really opened his recruitment up, he might have gotten a higher rating. He stayed committed to UT apparently in part because they were so loyal to him.

Posted by sjt18 on February 6, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff, Scout has Gerald Williams rated a 1*... How credible do you think they are?

Posted by ATLVOL1 on February 6, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WE LOST COPLES,MCCLAINE,AND ENRIQUE

Posted by UTBEATEMALL on February 6, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We didn't lose them, because we didn't have them. My belief with McClain is that he went to the All-Star game in Florida and the Clemson guys at that All-Star game convinced him to go to Clemson. They had a ton of talent at that game and I'm pretty sure they made quite an impression on him. Daquan Bowers is a beast and if the RB Harper signs there, I'll bet anything that they are the biggest reason for him signing with Clemson. There are a ton of players that want to be a part of a GREAT recruiting class that should have a shot at a National Championship together.

Posted by UTByrd on February 6, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just read an article by Rich Cirminiello of Scout.com in which he re-rated the signing class of 2004. Out of 30 Five Star signees, 14 were rated a 3 or less with 4 receiving zero stars and 6 no better than a 3. 8 retained 5 star status with 3 getting 4.5. It is not 5 star rated players that are necessarily a team's savior--it is quality depth. Just look at UT and Memphis hoops. Without their depth, they each are mediocre. Also, quality coaching means so much. For that reason, I am extremely excited about UT's future no matter how signing day is analyzed. There is no better time to break in a new quaterback than to be able to do so with a new off. coor. I can see us losing 4/5 games next season and not be too disappointed, just patient.