Turner, Rogers talk about visit, future

Although only one official visit was scheduled during last weekend's dramatic 30-28 win over Florida, several other Tennessee prospects made the trip to Knoxville on their own accord. Two are very familiar with one another: UT commitment Austin Rogers and the state's highest-rated prospect, Patrick Turner.

"I thought it was great," Turner said of the Tennessee-Florida game. "I've never seen so many people in my life. It was real cool."

Said Rogers: "It was a lot of fun. UT played amazing. They came out with a great win."

The day before the UT-Florida game, Turner and Rogers were embroiled in another heated football rivalry as David Lipscomb defeated Goodpasture 21-16. The Region 4-2A game showcased two of the top players in the state.

"I had over-the-top coverage all night," said Rogers, Lipscomb's 6-foot-2, 175-pound safety. "We had some jump balls but he (Turner) didn't get any of them.

"It's a challenge. It's fun to go against someone who is better than the average high school receiver."

Turner might have not caught any deep balls but Rogers did. Rogers, who committed to the Vols earlier this month, turned in the play of the game, an interception on the Lipscomb 3. Rogers also posted a 29-yard touchdown run. Turner finished with nine catches for 89 yards on a steady diet of underneath completions.

"We had to," Turner said of the short passing game plan. "They were focusing on deep stuff the whole time. That's what they expected. We had to pick away."

As for the one-on-one match-up, Rogers said: "It was probably a tie."

The two could line up opposite each other at UT one day. Rogers said he prefers offense but is open to playing safety at UT. Turner (6-5, 210) has shown strong interest in UT but has yet to decide on his five official visit destinations.

Turner said he will make that decision soon in hopes of lowering the number of nightly phone calls he receives from college coaches. Turner has received scholarship offers from Tennessee, Miami, LSU, and Oklahoma among others.

Turner has visited Southern Cal. Texas and Miami will likely be in the visit mix.

Turner is still weighing the advantages of taking an official visit to Knoxville. Turner said he knows enough about the program that an official visit is not necessary.

"That doesn't mean anything," Turner said of those that might read his absence as a low interest in UT.

Turner said UT's surplus of quality receivers would not affect his decision.

"I know I have to come in and prove myself," Turner said. "That's anywhere. It's not going to be a cakewalk. No matter how many receivers they have, I'm going to have to work just the same."

Turner said he spent a significant amount of time with Vol commitment Jonathan Crompton, who visited Knoxville for the game. Turner said Crompton was doing his best to convince Turner to commit to UT.

Crompton isn't the only one pushing the Vols. Several family members are pitching UT. Two of Turner's uncles attended UT. One still lives in Knoxville. Former Tennessee tailback Kurston Biggers is Turner's cousin.