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Defensive end Cummings makes unofficial visit

By Josh Ward (Contact)
Originally published 03:27 p.m., July 19, 2008
Updated 03:27 p.m., July 19, 2008

Euclid Cummings didn’t expect to visit Tennessee a month ago.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end from Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga., took an unofficial visit to UT on Saturday.

Cummings decided to make the trip after the Vols offered him a scholarship about three weeks ago.

“I was surprised because I didn’t really know Tennessee was recruiting me until they offered me,” he said. “I walked into my coach’s office and they gave me a letter. I read it and it was an offer from Tennessee.”

Cummings said his first thought of UT was the Vols’ appearance in last year’s SEC championship game.

He said UT has built that kind of tradition.

“Winning football games and hard work,” Cummings said. “That’s it.”

Cummings met UT coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell for the first time on Saturday.

Cummings said Fulmer gave him a tour of the facilities and Neyland Stadium.

“Coach Fulmer is real cool,” Cummings said. “He’s down to earth. I like him.”

Cummings liked UT’s facilities as well.

“Everything is nice,” he said. “I saw the trophies and stuff.

“That was pretty nice. Everything’s cool.”

Cummings said along with UT he’s considering South Carolina, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke and Maryland.

He said he doesn’t plan to make a decision until he takes his five official visits allotted by the NCAA.

Cummings said his unofficial visit to UT helped give him a better feel for the campus and program.

“It just helps me get used to it so I can feel at home and just pick,” he said.

When Cummings is ready to pick a school, football won’t be his highest priority.

“Academics first and foremost,” he said. “A great alumni base and an ability to win football games.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       53 Comments

Posted by Bigger_Al on July 19, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cool. Got some filling out to do, but he'll probably grow an inch or two and put on lots of weight over the next year or two.

Posted by vol4gzus on July 19, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is the type we want who can play ,but academics is first. Sees the value of an education if playing at the next level didn't present itself. Sounds like the quality character type we appear to be pursuing vs great star athlete with potential baggage we don't want or need. Yep he probably will grow some more and I don't mind if he becomes a VOL from the little I know. No stats about junior year or priors, but I'm sure our resident experts will fill in the blanks.

Posted by TNfaninMS on July 19, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need some big guys and I like the kids name.

Posted by jawbreaker on July 19, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Must be a whiz in Geometry!

Posted by gavol2572 on July 19, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what??? after everyone screaming about DTs this tread should be on FIRE

Posted by givehim6 on July 19, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Academics first hu, sounds good. A nyone know if he's good? Not sure if he's good or not, but if he comes he will get playing time.

Posted by vol4gzus on July 19, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it just posted at 3:27pm. Jtackett6 we are so happy you were FIRST. Should I have cried out 3rd? I forgot to play the post game to see who could be first. I am so sad now...oh well.

Posted by vol4gzus on July 19, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Convicted! Sorry jtackett6 for the unnecessary sarcasm. please forgive for my childish stunt. You could have actually meant first article on a DT in a long time. Sorry. Have a blessed day!

Posted by dvols on July 19, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

he said " coach fulmer is real cool"....

playa!

Posted by IPOrange on July 19, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The headline calls him a DT, but the article refers to him as a DE. Looking at his weight, he needs to do some growing to play defensive tackle in the SEC.

Also, how is it that he didn't even know that he was being recruited by UT before an offer was made? I don't get it, Big Dan.

Posted by thesavageorange on July 19, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He is a solid player w/ exceptional speed for his size.(4.57)In my opinion, if UGA offers, it's all but academic.Don't know if anyone has mentioned it ,but Morgan Moses and Frankie Telfort are in town.For those who don't know Moses is a 5* OT and Telfort a 4* LB.

Posted by longtimefan on July 19, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cant we find bigger d lineman? thats ok down the road, but we need some that can play next year. are we not thin there right now?

Posted by philfan on July 19, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know I am biased but how could any player turn down Tennessee, after having seen one of the largest and most magnificent stadiums in the country and surely being aware of the fact that the Tennessee games are often televised. Having been born in Memphis and attended UT, I will always be biased I guess.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on July 19, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ummmm, So is this Wavy Chavys new way of recruiting? 1st and only contact we make with a defensive player is send an offer in the mail? ummmmmm

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

have the coaches even seen this guy or are we just trying to outdo cutcliffe . the title says def tackle , sorry at 230 hes no d tackle and i dont know about putting on 60 - 70 lbs.

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage ive heard very good things about moses dont know much about telfort

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

would be nice to get #1 tackle in nation

Posted by longtimefan on July 19, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

is this a new trend in football? SMALLNESS!!

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage , did moses get in town yesterday

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

its not 1935 ,230 lb def tackles are no longer effective coach chavis

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 19, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Savage-

I was thinking 4.57 was fast for a DE but not sure.
He definately doesn't look like he's ready to play yet by his tape, but it looks like he's got potential. Hopefully, being the first big time program to offer him will carry some weight with him when it comes time to pick a school.

http://tennessee.rivals.com/viewprosp...

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 19, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bluetick-

He's listed on Rivals as a DE, and he has the speed to come off the edge. I'm sure no one on the coaching staff has visions of this guy clogging up the middle, at least not for a good 2 years and 50lbs from now. 230lbs is still a bit light for a DE, but he's just going into his senior year, so we'll see how he progresses between now and signing day.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 19, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rivals ran an article saying that Moses was very impressed on the visit and will be back for an official during the season. He's said that he won't make a decision until after his senior season.

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

moses is a big strong kid , does he play both ways in high school

Posted by pdhuff on July 19, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep, they faked us out calling him a DT. Kudoes to IPOrange.

Back to bidness as usual.

Posted by VOLS85 on July 19, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glad KNS doesn't even allow us to use his last name...

Posted by longtimefan on July 19, 2008 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

now we're trying to get MOSES!! didnt know we needed help that bad! dont seem quite fair though.HA HA

Posted by tngeoff on July 19, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unless I missed something it says defensive end and at his size...he should either play that or linebacker. Next?

Posted by BAMABLOWS on July 19, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

read the headline tngeoff

Posted by murrayvol on July 19, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IBleed: You don't consider SC, GaTech, NC, Duke, & Maryland big time?? Your post will certainly hurt their feelings big time.

Excepting SC, think academics. I suspect Euclid has noticed.

Posted by murrayvol on July 19, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols85: You can't use gr@sshopper here either. Those embedded words might poison the minds of some posters.

Posted by pdhuff on July 19, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DTs don't play in a 2-9.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on July 19, 2008 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

murray-

SC hasn't offered yet according to Rivals and no, I don't consider the others big time football programs.

Posted by thesavageorange on July 19, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bluetick0710,Yes.IMO ,it will be beetween us and VA for Moses.Telfort is going to be a weakside LB in college.His athletisism reminds me of McCoy although he's a little shorter.

I'm on vacation and my better half is fixing to kill me.Talk to you guys on Monday.Hope you all are having a good weekend.

Posted by eb502us on July 19, 2008 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well at 230 lbs., I guess this is as close as it gets to Fulmer recruiting a DT. Do Fulmer and the KNS actually believe this guy is a DT? What a joke.

Posted by tngeoff on July 19, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bluetick0710.

I'm with ya' on the headline part. It's the content that belies the headline. Here's an example from the text:

"The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end from Centennial High School in Roswell, Ga., took an unofficial visit to UT on Saturday."

Posted by tngeoff on July 19, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And this:

Player met UT coach Phillip Fulmer and defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell for the first time on Saturday.

I don't see anything about defensive tackle except in the headline. Now...like I was saying...at that weight he M I G H T make a Divison I defensive end...but more likely linebacker depending on his speed.

Posted by tngeoff on July 19, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't post his name because they say it's not acceptable at GoVolsXTRA.

Posted by pdhuff on July 19, 2008 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff - wanta get the overseer upset, post that some one graduated summa --- laude.

Alarm bells.

Posted by tngeoff on July 19, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff.

That can be defeated thusly:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summa_cu...

However, this players last name is not allowed!

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 19, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's a DT. Knock him out and drug him until signing day.

Posted by PaulTheVol on July 20, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The d-lineman trend today is smaller and faster because of the spread offense. A lot of linemen that used to be converted into linebackers are now staying on the line. Florida, Georgia and Auburn are three programs who favor d-linemen with speed over size and strength. The downside to this of course is that when faced with a power run team these smaller d-linemen can be pushed around. I've read rumors that some teams are planning on playing two linemen and five linebackers against the spread this year. The NFL hates this trend because they stil want big and strong d-linemen over the colleges smaller versions.

Posted by invisiblekid on July 20, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Got busted for trying to post his name last week so don't feel bad fellas. I wonder where he would line up in the 2-9 Buzzard, left or right speed bump?

Posted by longtimefan on July 20, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybe im just havin flashbacks to Nebraska where they BULLDOZED their way to our secondary every play. dont want to ask, "WHERES THE BEEF"? when we have no one to fight off 350ld linemen.

Posted by sjt18 on July 20, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand the emphasis on speed at DE and OLB. I don't buy that you have to prefer speed over strength and size at DT or MLB. Those guys still have to take on 340 lb OL's and stuff the middle from tackle to tackle.

Posted by pdhuff on July 20, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's leave Chavis alone. He is family.

8 is enuf.

Posted by General_Watermelon on July 20, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coach Fulmer - The coolest coach on the planet. Who knew?

Posted by TommyJack on July 20, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"real cool" Now there's a kid wants some PT.

Posted by pdhuff on July 20, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This may be the ultimate oxymoron - Vol D-lineman.

Maybe not, bet there are other examples.

Posted by mikes70gto on July 20, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Better be wary of Moses,take a look at his gpa.He is in summer school now redoing fresh english.

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