Cosby enjoys visit to Tennessee

"It's a nice little city," Cosby said of his official visit to Tennessee that concluded Thursday morning. "I didn't know much because I had never been there. It was cool. It was all new to me for the most part.

"I'm glad I took the visit. I'm definitely considering them."

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound defensive back from Mart, Texas, said team unity and a chance to compete for championships in 2005 are two reasons he is considering UT. He learned about both during this week's visit.

"It's very important," said the 23-year old minor league baseball player. "You don't want to lose. No competitor in the world wants to lose. The opportunity to maybe even win a national championship is pretty important."

Cosby's mid-week visit allowed him some extra time with UT coaches. Cosby said he met every coach on UT's staff during his two-day trip.

"That's always a benefit," Cosby said. "When there is a big group, you can overlook people and lose them that way. There was individual time."

Cosby spent some individual time with UT coach Trooper Taylor, who recruited Cosby when he was an assistant at Tulane. The two first met during Taylor's playing career at Baylor. Taylor's friendship with Cosby was the initial UT connection with the former USA Today all-USA quarterback.

"That was great," Cosby said. "I hadn't seen him in a awhile. I look forward to keeping in touch."

Cosby said UT told him that they would make a scholarship available for him. Cosby said terms of his professional baseball contract may include a stipulation that the Anaheim Angels will pay for further schooling. Cosby's contract expires in June.

Cosby signed with the Angels in 2001 after signing a letter of intent with Texas earlier that February. For his second round of college football recruiting, Cosby is considering Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, and UT. He has visited Texas and Baylor and plans to visit Oklahoma this weekend. Cosby said he will make a decision early next week.

"There's not a leader," Cosby said. "I still have one more visit to take. The leader after that is the place I'll go to."

UT has 21 commitments for the 2005 class. The Vols will likely sign 25 prospects. National Signing Day is Wednesday.

The Final Turn: Patrick Turner seems to have made his final decision. The Turners will not travel to Knoxville this weekend to take one last look at the Vols.

The 6-5, 210-pound wide receiver from Goodpasture in Nashville committed to Southern California on Jan. 19. The decision seemed shaky as Patrick's father, Steve, said USC should not count Patrick as a commitment just yet last Friday.

The tone changed after the Turners hosted USC coach Pete Carroll Wednesday night.

Looking For Granger: It does not look as if Dallas defensive lineman DeMarcus Granger will take an official visit to Knoxville. UT is hopeful Granger will come in on Friday. He was originally scheduled to visit Knoxville earlier this week.

Granger is thought to be headed to Oklahoma. He is scheduled to make a televised announcement on Sunday.

Visitors: Franklin kicker David Campbell may join Arkansas wide receiver Slick Shelley and Cordova offensive lineman Darius Myers as an official visitor this weekend. UT has been impressed with Campbell's strong leg.

Myers, who said Wednesday that he will likely commit to UT this weekend, visited Ole Miss earlier this week. The 6-4, 315 pounder committed to Memphis last week but has since hedged on that announcement.

Myers told The Commercial Appeal late Wednesday he was still considering Memphis, Ole Miss and Tennessee and that "the favorite is Memphis as of right now."

Myers, who has yet to make a qualifying ACT score, said the whole process has been confusing. He's now looking for clarity.

"I thought (Memphis) was what I wanted the whole time ... but I'm trying to see what's out there," Myers told the newspaper. "I'm just open right now."