ATHENS, Ga. — Tim Hawthorne slipped but he didn't fall. He kept his feet, and his standing as one of the best high school wide receivers in the Southeast.

"Despite slipping a little bit in the 40(-yard dash) and slipping real bad on the shuttle, I put up some pretty good times," the wide receiver from Homewood, Ala., said about his performance in Saturday's Nike camp as college coaches from more than 50 programs looked on. "I ran a 4.5 flat in the 40 and I ran a 4.06 in the shuttle.

"Overall, I felt I had a pretty effective day out here ... I think I showed these coaches what Tim Hawthorne is all about. I just hope a lot of them were looking at me and give me a shot to play."

Plenty of schools have done just that, including Tennessee. The Vols offered Hawthorne a scholarship in March.

"I haven't narrowed my list down yet," the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Hawthorne said. "I have 12 offers and they're all the ones in the lead."

Hawthorne said he is waiting to hear from Florida State, Florida, Miami, and Southern California before he eliminates any potential suitors.

"I'm just going to wait to make sure I make the right decision," Hawthorne said.

UT has a strong connection with Hawthorne, who lived in Nashville until he was 5 years old.

"I always watched them (UT) when I was young," he said. "You can kind of give them the lead. But, then again, I'm not making a decision anytime soon. I haven't done my research on a lot of these schools. They're a great program.

"I grew up a Tennessee fan even when I was in Alabama ... I carried that orange."

Hawthorne said Louisville and Georgia have shown the strongest interest. South Carolina recently increased their pursuit by offering Hawthorne a scholarship.

Andre The Giant: Even among a group of hefty athletes, Andre Smith of Birmingham, Ala., stands out.

"I'm wide open, having fun, and taking it all in," the 6-5, 330-pound offensive lineman said.

Smith said he ran a 5.23 40-yard dash, bench pressed 185 pounds 28 times, jumped 23 inches vertically, and completed the shuttle run in 4.75 seconds.

Smith was even more impressive in individual work against opposing defensive lineman. He won three of five battles against varying defensive lineman in a drill that heavily favors the defender.

Smith has long been impressed with UT. He said he visited Knoxville during his sophomore year and studied former UT offensive lineman Michael Munoz. Smith said he has no ties to UT but appreciates the guidance that UT coach Phillip Fulmer could have on his career.

"He can teach you better techniques," Smith said. "He can teach you stuff that will help you in the future."

Smith said he already has fielded 38 offers and plans to make his announcement on Signing Day in February 2006.

What Hype? Columbia, S.C., defensive tackle Adam Patterson said he won't allow the excitement surrounding Steve Spurrier's first year with the Gamecocks to affect his college decision.

"Steve Spurrier is a good coach, but I'm still going to remain open to everybody, the lean 6-3, 260-pound Patterson said. Patterson said he ran a personal best 4.6 in the 40 Saturday. Patterson also ran a 4.5 shuttle and posted a 30-inch vertical jump.

"I try to put that behind me and focus on what I'm doing," Patterson said of the extra attention.

As for UT, Patterson said he is considering the Vols because of their defensive reputation.

"They are traditionally a team known for defense," he said. "That is a team that I will keep in consideration."

Simon Says: UT senior linebacker Kevin Simon was one of the many onlookers Saturday. Simon, a recruiting fan, knows all about the importance of such events. Simon boosted his stock tremendously in 2001 when he ran a 4.43 in the 40 and a 3.86 shuttle in a similar combine-style camp.

Simon, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee last season, said he is 90 percent recovered from the injury.