With four spots left to fill, what will Vols do?

With only three days left until National Signing Day, Tennessee enters the calm before the storm.
The final NCAA dead period of the 2005 recruiting season goes into effect on Monday. Travel is not allowed and all official visits are complete. Until Wednesday, coaches can only wait.

The Vols have 21 commitments and UT is likely to sign 25. That leaves at least four spots. Listed in alphabetical order are 10 prospects that are still considering UT.

Quan Cosby: Imagine Kelley Washington playing defensive back. If Cosby can repeat Washington’s minor league-to-SEC success, then the 5-foot-10, 200-pound from Mart, Texas, could be UT’s most important signee. UT fans will hope for Washington-like success on the field without the attitude.

Cosby said he is extremely close to UT assistant coach Trooper Taylor who recruited Cosby at Tulane. Cosby was a USA Today All-USA selection when he signed with Texas before being drafted by the Anaheim Angels.

Ricky Jean-Francois: With the offensive line addressed, a speed defensive end tops all other remaining needs for this class. UT appeared to have the inside track for the 6-3, 240-pound defensive end from Miami, Fla., before he visited North Carolina State and LSU.

A budding relationship with LSU defensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher may prove tough to overcome for the Vols.
Montario Hardesty: UT would love another tailback to compliment Antioch commitment LaMarcus Coker. This 6-0, 190 pounder from New Bern, N.C., may be the perfect fit.

One problem.

He is committed to North Carolina. The Vols haven’t given up and hope to overcome Hardesty’s sub-par visit to UT on Jan. 14.

Eugene Hayes: Some in the know think the 6-2, 210-pound linebacker was only "blowing smoke" when he de-committed from UT. The Greeneville Fla., star said Clemson is his new leader after his official visit there.

UT or not, academics are a serious concern. Hayes is one of the top 100 players in the nation.

Felix Jones: College coaches love the versatility of the 5-11, 200 pounder from Tulsa, Okla. Is he a defensive back or a tailback? Maybe a linebacker?

UT, Arkansas, or Texas A&M will figure that out this fall. UT’s strongest tie to Jones is former high school teammate Robert Meachem who is a sophomore UT wide receiver.

Darius Myers: Myers could be a UT commitment before the weekend is complete. The 6-4, 315-pound offensive lineman from Cordova committed to Memphis earlier this month before UT turned up the recruiting heat.

Academics are an issue making prep school a must. However, Myers could be the sleeper of the state and UT’s class. He is the News Sentinel’s 14th rated prospect in Tennessee with only two years of football experience.

Kenny Phillips: Phillips says Miami and Knoxville both feel like home. The 6-2, 200-pound safety from Miami, Fla., said it’s "50-50" between the Vols and Hurricanes.

Will weather be a factor? Phillips said East Tennessee’s climate was a concern until budding meteorologist, and UT coach Phillip Fulmer showed him climate-comparing weather charts. This will be a tough one to pull of for the Vols.

Vladimir Richard: Richard is part of a package deal with Gerald Williams. Both have been quiet lately. Richard is a 6-4, 255-pound defensive lineman from Sunrise, Fla. Williams is 6-4, 225 and could play linebacker or defensive end.
Both have very soft commitments to Florida. Georgia has also made a late push.

Slick Shelley: Can the Vols overcome the fantastic visit Shelley had to LSU on Jan. 22. The visit was so good that Shelley almost committed to the Tigers upon his arrival home to Fort Smith, Ark.

UT is light on wide receivers in the 2005 class. They would love to have the 6-2, 180 pounder who is the highest rated wideout in Arkansas.

Gerald Williams: Here’s another defensive end that would fill a strong need. This Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., star and Richard have been quiet on their recruitment lately.

Could UT assistant Trooper Taylor’s South Florida magic pull these two close friends? Or will Florida win out? We’ll know Wednesday.

Irish Pursuit: Notre Dame was one of the schools making a late push to convince quarterback Jonathan Crompton to back off his June commitment to UT.

Former UT assistant David Cutcliffe was part of that push. Cutcliffe recruited Crompton before he was fired in December by Ole Miss.

Newly hired coach Charlie Weis tried to set up a meeting with the Cromptons, either in their home or South Bend, Ind. The Cromptons declined.

Weis and Cutcliffe tried to convince the Cromptons that they were a great option for a young quarterback. While coaching for the New England Patriots, Weis is credited with molding quarterback two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady.

Turner Times Two: Another mid-state prospect named Turner has spurned the Vols for a long distance destination. Defensive end Barry Turner, from Brentwood Academy, picked Nebraska over UT on Saturday. The 6-3, 235-pound defensive end is News Sentinel’s fifth rated prospect in Tennessee.

Recruiting Trail Mix: UT’s engineering program was one of the primary reasons that offensive lineman Chris Scott picked UT on Wednesday. ? Cosby first met UT assistant coach Trooper Taylor when he read to Cosby’s middle school class in Texas. Taylor was then a player at Baylor.