If you follow college football recruiting in East Tennessee, you probably have read about Ray Sykes or Harrison Smith.

But you may not have heard of Josh Hawkins or Kevin Cooper.

You will.

That's how strong the 2007 class is.

It's not just top-heavy, loaded with some of the Southeast's top talent. This upcoming senior class is also deep. At least 12 prospects from East Tennessee will sign a Division I scholarship in February.

Take Josh Hawkins of Loudon High School for example. Hawkins might not top many prospect lists in East Tennessee but has already received scholarship offers from Kentucky and West Virginia.

There are almost a dozen prospects like Hawkins who will receive more attention as the recruiting season unfolds.

For instance, there's the Powell trio of linemen John Bruhin, Jared McGaha, who has a scholarship offer from Illinois, and fullback/linebacker Jordan Lakin.

Powell has become a significant stop on the recruiting trail. The school has produced more than its usual share of Division I prospects over the past three seasons including Baron Huber (Alabama), Zane Bruhin and Lee Smith (Powell).

Alcoa can match that feat. Dustin Lindsey (Tennessee) and Brandon Warren (Florida State) signed with Division I schools in February.

It's more of the same this year in the land of jetliners. Defensive end Rae Sykes has drawn favorable comparisons to Warren. Kyrus Lanxster is one of the top receivers in the state. Running back/athlete Chris Shiverdecker is also somebody to watch.

Fulton is another school loaded with talent this year. Tailback Dennis Rogan recently received an offer from Virginia Tech. Linemen Antonio Hamilton and Charles Wiley will also receive strong interest.

The Vols certainly have made note of the East Tennessee prospects. UT has received commitments from athlete Anthony Anderson from Austin-East and wide receiver/defensive back Tyler Maples from Maryville.

UT's coaches aren't done in East Tennessee. They've also offered a scholarship to Sykes, athlete Harrison Smith from Catholic and fullback Kevin Cooper from Baylor in Chattanooga.

More scholarships offers are sure to come. UT is evaluating Rogan, Lanxster and Hawkins, among several others.

Interested in the best athletes in Tennessee? East Tennessee has more than held its own.

Warren and offensive lineman Jacques McClendon from Baylor were the two top prospects in the state in 2005.

In 2004, Demonte Bolden from Chattanooga's Tyner Academy was the consensus top player in Tennessee.

In 2003, Daniel Brooks from Jackson's Central Merry barely beat out Adarius Bowman from Notre Dame in Chattanooga for the title of the state's top prospect.

There was no argument in 2002, when tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. from Red Bank in Chattanooga was the top prospect.

East Tennessee was shut out in 2005 when Patrick Turner from Goodpasture in Nashville and Michael Oher of Memphis Briarcrest Christian were the top players.

In some of those years, East Tennessee had a tendency to be top heavy. They had great talent but didn't have a strong supporting cast to attract college football recruiters to the area for extended visits.

This year is different.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He can be reached at hookerd@knews.com.