What do Elvis Presley fans, barbeque addicts and college football recruiters have in common?

They all love Memphis.

Recruiters from across the nation will scour the River City in hopes of landing some of the nation's top prospects. To no one's surprise, this is another stellar year in western Tennessee.

The competition among colleges continues to grow in Memphis. First of all, you know the University of Tennessee doesn't want to fall short within its own borders, no matter how far the metropolitan area may lie from Knoxville.

Then, there are UT's SEC brethren. Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron has made Memphis a priority. Mississippi State also is trying to get a head start. Sylvester Croom already has doled out several scholarship offers while most programs wait and continue to evaluate rising seniors.

Memphis' Ridgeway High School has the early lead in terms of producing college prospects for 2007. Ridgeway has at least six prospects who are receiving college interest. At least three will sign with high-level Division I schools.

"Individual talent-wise, it probably ranks, as a whole, as my best class," Ridgeway coach John Cooley said. "We've got a lot of really good football players coming back."

Defensive end Dasmine Cathey and running back Aaron Crawford top the list.

After rushing for more than 2,200 yards last season, Crawford's mailbox is often full.

"I'm hearing from a variety of schools, LSU, South Carolina, Auburn, the University of Tennessee and North Carolina," said the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder. "To tell you the truth, I love Tennessee."

"He's a good hard-nosed runner," Cooley said of Crawford. "He's been very highly recruited. He's an outstanding football player."

Cooley said Crawford has been offered a scholarship by Mississippi State and South Carolina. Cooley said he expects offers from Memphis and Ole Miss soon.

UT could swoop in during the last week of April when its NCAA-mandated three-week evaluation period begins.

Cathey is an intriguing prospect with tremendous upside. Cathey is 6-4 and 210 pounds. Surprisingly, he has made his mark at defensive end despite his slim physique. Cooley said Cathey's off-season participation in basketball and track has limited his ability to gain weight.

"I really want a call from Tennessee to see what they're talking about," Cathey said.

Said Cooley, "He's an outstanding defensive end for us."

If Cathey can't gain weight and play defensive end in college, then he said he's willing to play wide receiver. Cathey has never played linebacker but that could be a possibility in the right system.

Kicker Josh Jasper also is sure to receive plenty of college interest. He was named the Mr. Football kicker of the year in Tennessee last year.

Jasper has plenty of ties to UT. His grandfather, Bill Jasper, played on UT's 1951 national championship team. He also has a brother and sister who currently attend UT.

"They're my favorite team ever," Jasper. "I'd love to go there."

Jasper will really have to impress UT's recruiters in order to land in Knoxville. The Vols signed two kickers last year.

Several other Ridgeway prospects are hoping to launch themselves into elite recruiting status, such as offensive lineman Demardre Dean (6-3, 330), Larry McDaniel (6-2, 185) and Lagrone Shields (6-3, 240).

Many of those prospects will travel to Knoxville to participate in UT's junior day later this spring.

"I think it's a definite advantage," Cooley said of the exposure that comes with playing at a school like Ridgeway. "A lot of schools looking at Crawford may not need a running back but they see (other prospects). That gives them some exposure."

Other West Tennessee prospects are sure to garner more exposure and offers once schools begin the evaluation period over April and May.

So far, Mississippi State has been the most aggressive SEC school in Memphis. The Bulldogs definitely have made an impression.

"They're recruiting a lot of guys in Memphis," McDaniel said. "I think they like the talent."

So will a lot of other schools.

Tailback Talk: It was only a matter of time until Fulton High's Denis Rogan received his first college scholarship offer. That happened last week when Virginia Tech came calling on the 5-11, 177-pound tailback.

There will be more offers to follow in the near future once the evaluation period begins and Rogan starts to attend junior camps this fall.

UT is evaluating Rogan, who also could play cornerback. He is scheduled to participate in UT's junior day later this spring.