Vols not giving up on Miami commitment VanDyke

Athlete Demarcus VanDyke said he's considering several schools, including UT, even though he committed to Miami in June.

"There are two schools making a great push at me right now," the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder from Pace High School said.

Florida and, particularly UT, have made up some serious ground, according to VanDyke. Wisconsin and Auburn are also in the running. VanDyke said he plans to take official visits to all five schools this fall.

Phone conversations with UT coach Phillip Fulmer and wide receivers coach Trooper Taylor have impressed VanDyke, who will likely play cornerback in college.

"They have a great program up there," he said. "Tennessee is a good school so you never know what could happen."

If you think pulling VanDyke away from the Hurricanes is impossible, don't forget what happened with Demetrice Morley. He reneged on his commitment with the Gators and signed with UT in 2005.

"He's from Miami so I'd have him to talk to," VanDyke said of Morley. "It's big that he went to Tennessee instead of a Florida school."

Maybe VanDyke is just playing the process. If so, he's still forthright about his commitment to Miami. On a scale of 1 to 10, he said he would consider himself a "nine" in terms of being committed to the Hurricanes.

VanDyke picked the Hurricanes after a very tight recruiting battle with Florida, which hasn't given up hope.

"Coach (Urban) Meyer's been recruiting me real good," VanDyke said.

Then, there's Wisconsin.

"I like the fact that they put a lot of players in the NFL at DB," VanDyke said.

VanDyke said he hopes to take an official visit to Knoxville on Sept. 16 for the Florida game. If not, he said he'll visit after the season.

"My mom wants me to stay in the state of Florida but you never know," VanDyke said.

Ask VanDyke what he does best on the field and you'll get a clear-cut answer.

"Being a ball hawk," he said. "Wherever the ball is, you're going to find me around it. On offense, if the ball is in my hands, I can make a five-yard catch into a 75-yard touchdown."

Miami's coaches know VanDyke well. He said some are like fathers to him. Given that, the proximity and his mother's wishes, VanDyke may be more than a long shot.

However, many once said the same thing about Morley.

Surging Spurrier: In case you didn't have Oct. 28 circled on your calendar, do so now. That could be a key date in UT's recruitment of Alonzo Winfield. That's when UT plays at South Carolina.

Despite committing to UT in June, the linebacker/safety from Carver High in Winston-Salem, N.C., said he is still considering the Gamecocks.

Imagine the recruiting ammunition that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier would have if the Gamecocks held a two-game winning streak over the Vols.

Winfield is also receiving interest from North Carolina, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. He told Govolsxtra.com that he is "90 percent" committed to UT.

The 6-1, 200-pounder said he will take an official visit to UT and consider a trip to South Carolina.

"They're (South Carolina's coaches) still trying to get me to visit in the fall," he said. "I might take a visit. I probably will."

"... I've been there before. I don't think I'm going to change my mind."

That can't make UT fans feel confident.

Winfield committed to UT because the Vols promised him a chance to play safety. South Carolina projects him as a linebacker.

Kelly's Call: Don't try to convince former UT defensive end Todd Kelly that Fulton tailback Dennis Rogan is too small to be an elite college prospect.

"He reminds me of Charlie Garner ... (he) has great vision and tries to run players over as well," Kelly said during the CSS telecast of Friday night's game between Fulton and Austin-East. "Even though he's small, he still tries to get the extra yardage."

Kelly should know. He played with Garner in 1991 and 1992. Rogan has scholarship offers from several schools, including Virginia Tech and Miami. UT is still evaluating the 5-10, 170-pounder.