Tennessee prides itself on hosting official visitors. It will need to live up to its billing to land NaDerris Ward.

Ward has been a name worth keeping tabs on for months. He is one of six official visitors in town this weekend to tour Knoxville and take in the game-day experience for the UT-South Carolina game.

Ward admits Georgia leads for his services. He has family close to Athens.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end from McClymonds High School in Oakland, Calif., seems almost set on Georgia, especially when he discusses the possibility of he and teammate Josh Tatum playing together in college.

"We've talked about it," Ward said, "but we know that it's a reality that we probably won't be able to (play together). It's not something that bothers us much.

"We see - obviously - that it would be hard. If we go separate ways, we'll be good. We're going to stay in contact the whole way through college."

That's a pretty disconcerting statement for UT fans. Tatum, a 6-1, 225-pound linebacker, loved UT when he took his official visit earlier this year. Some close to his recruitment said he was close to committing to the Vols.

If Tatum is indeed close to committing to UT, then Ward's statement would make one think he has all but ruled out the other schools involved in his recruitment: UT, Florida, LSU and Arizona.

On a more positive note, at least Ward seems intent to leave California. That is always the first step for UT when recruiting a prospect from afar.

Ward makes it clear that family ties alone will not keep him in California.

"I'm going to have to go away from them at a point in my life," he said. "Right now that's not one of the things I'm worried about.

"It's mainly just my environment and how I feel and also that I'm going to be able to cope with being out there myself."

UT's coaches would love for Tatum to commit to play for the Vols as early as possible. A Tatum announcement would give Ward another reason to take an even harder look at the Vols.

Ward is widely thought of as one of the top tight end prospects in the nation.

UT's coaches would love to get Ward but they are in pretty good shape at the position regardless of his decision.

The Vols have commitments from three tight ends: Powell's Lee Smith, Michael Goggans from Benjamin Russell in Alexander City, Ala., and Luke Stocker from Madison in Berea, Ky.

Catch-Up: Ward isn't the only prospect coming in this weekend that is thought to like another school more than the Vols.

UT has some ground to make up with Brent Vinson and Jim Barrie.

Vinson is a 6-2, 180-pound athlete from Phoebus in Hampton, Va. Barrie is a 6-5, 310-pound offensive lineman from Berkeley Prep in Tampa, Fla.

Vinson seems to be leaning to Virginia Tech. Barrie is thought to be thinking Florida State. He is being recruited by former Vol quarterback Daryl Dickey.

Busy Stephens: Offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens has a busy couple of days ahead of him. He is bringing in three prospects.

Stephens is the primary recruiter for Barrie, Jacques Rickerson, a 5-10, 175-pound cornerback from St. Augustine, Fla., and Jeremiha Hunter, a 6-2, 215-pound linebacker from Harrisburg, Pa.

Welcome Back: As a prospect for the class of 2006, Florida defensive lineman Gerald Williams is granted another compliment of official visits. He'll take it this weekend.

Williams signed with UT in February. He drew strong reviews from UT's coaches after practicing with the Vols during preseason drills then was forced home after an NCAA Clearinghouse issue couldn't be resolved.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer was critical of the process. The 6-4, 225 pounder from Boyd Anderson in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., is expected to return to UT in January.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com. Josh Ward contributed to this report.