Tennessee had the first shot at Dan Doering. They made a strong case.

"That was our first official visit," said Rick Doering, Dan's father. "Tennessee set the bar very, very, very high. But, it's hard to pick a leader because we're still in the process of visiting."

The next stop on the Doering visit circuit is Oklahoma this weekend followed by Notre Dame, Iowa, and Nebraska.

"The thing that makes Dan stand out is his athletic ability," Barrington High School head coach Joey Sanchez said. "He has the ability to play with great pad level, and he plays whistle to whistle."

Sanchez said Dan bench presses 300 pounds and squats 450 pounds. Not bad for a trim 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman.

"You look at him and you wouldn't think he weighs that much," Sanchez said. "There's definitely room for growth."

So far, the strongest lure to UT for Dan is head coach Phillip Fulmer. His charisma and professional history are strong attractions.

"Coach Fulmer is just a wonderful man," the elder Doering. "He's very classy. You could hand your son off to him and know he'd be uplifted and become better person."

Said Dan: "Coach Fulmer being an ole lineman struck a chord with me. Tennessee is known for putting people in the NFL and being a real good program. He knows what it's like to go through college as an offensive lineman."

Dan is widely thought of as one of top 30 players nationally and one of the highest rated offensive linemen.

"I'd like to play left tackle. I've played it my entire life," Dan said. "But I'll play whatever to get on the field."

One of the highlights of Dan's visit to Knoxville was bumping into NFL Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz after Friday's practice. Anthony was

there watching his son, Michael.

"He is one of the best lineman that ever played," Dan said. "He's a real nice guy. It was pretty cool. I was kind of shocked and star struck."

The Vols have had success in the Doering's area of Illinois. Former UT quarterback Jeff Francis played high school football at nearby Mount Prospect. Rick said he followed Francis' high school career.

Dan said he will announce his collegiate decision at the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio on January 15.

Delayed: Linebacker/defensive end prospect Eugene Hayes from Greeneville, Fla., was scheduled to take his official visit to Knoxville last weekend. A sprain ankle suffered in his Friday night high school game forced Hayes to postpone his trip.

Madison County High School head coach Frankie Carroll said Hayes plans to reschedule the trip to Knoxville. Carroll said he has coached several linebackers that signed Division-I football scholarships, two signed with Florida State.

"He's probably the best one to ever come through there," Carroll said of the 6-foot-2, 220 pounder. "He has size and speed. He's the total package.

Carroll said Hayes could play linebacker or defensive end in college. Either way, Carroll said he expects Hayes to apply pressure to the quarterback.

"He can really rush the passer," Carroll said. "He has great moves. It's stuff that you really can't coach."

Pipeline?: UT is gauging the interest of two standouts from Carol City High School in Miami, Fla. Kenny Phillips and Ricky Jean-Francois could visit Knoxville later this year.

Phillips is a 6-2, 195-pound safety. Jean-Francois is a 6-3, 240-pound defensive end. Both have shown significant interest in the Miami Hurricanes.

The Vols already have a commitment from south Floridian safety Demetrice Morley. They appear close to two more with linebacker Gerald Williams and defensive lineman Vladimir Richard.