Call them the big three.

As Tennessee heads into the final stretch of the recruiting season, there are three prospects that could vastly improve its 2006 class.

Three highly-regarded players who could turn a recruiting season full of consternation into a group that can more than complement UT's stellar 2005 class.

The Vols aren't even receiving consideration as a top-25 class in the nation. Here are three high school stars who could help UT to a top-10 ranking:

Joseph Faifili: This lineman from Hawaii has shown plenty of interest in the Vols. That's not the question.

UT is still evaluating the 6-foot-3, 298-pounder and academics are a significant issue because Faifili moved to Utah following his junior season then back to Hawaii in the middle of his senior year.

If those hurdles can be cleared, UT will have landed its second U.S. Army All-American, along with Chattanooga Baylor's Jacques McClendon. McClendon is UT's only such player. The Vols signed seven U.S. Army All-Americans a year ago.

Stafon Johnson: This Los Angeles star could be the big surprise of the 2006 class if he ends up picking the Vols. Johnson, from Dorsey High School, was thought to be a long shot for the Vols before expressing interest in Tennessee last week.

"Tennessee is playing a major factor in the recruiting process," Johnson said. "They've come a little harder."

UT recruiting coordinator Greg Adkins has headed UT's recruitment of Johnson. Adkins has enjoyed success on the West Coast even during his short tenure at UT.

Johnson is a 6-0, 200-pound defensive back that started in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl last Saturday.

Brandon Warren: UT would love to keep this Alcoa High School star in state. Warren will visit UT on Jan. 27. The defensive end/tight end seems more open to the Vols than anytime since his Florida State commitment in July.

"I have a lot of fans here and a lot of people know me," Warren told the News Sentinel on Monday. "It'd just be great to help the home team get back to where they normally are. And they told me I could probably help immediately coming in."

Warren is a consensus top-50 player in the nation. He said he's still committed to the Seminoles but UT will get the last shot before Signing Day on Feb. 1.

These players won't complete UT's 2006 class, even if the Vols land all three. The Vols will still sign approximately 10 more prospects for the 2006 class, maybe more depending on their merit.

Talent evaluation will become key for the Vols over the next three weeks as UT's coaches offer scholarships to players who they wouldn't have accepted four months ago.

This trio could help UT build momentum among its other prospects just in time to close out a class still very much in question.

No Surprise: KFSM in Fayetteville, Ark is reporting that Springdale (Ark.) High School quarterback Mitch Mustain is either re-committed to Arkansas or close to making that decision.

The report does not come as much of a surprise. The News Sentinel has reported for weeks that the PARADE All-American Player of the Year and former Arkansas commitment is likely to end up a Razorback despite saying he opened up his recruitment and was considering UT.

KFSM reports that Arkansas could also be close to landing Damien Williams who will tell Florida coaches of his decision to de-commit to them before he commits to the Razorbacks.

Springdale tight end Ben Cleveland has already told Florida coaches of his decision to de-commit there and to commit to the University of Arkansas.

Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn coached the three players last season as Springdale High School's head coach. Malzahn was hired by Arkansas last month.

Staying West: Micah Kia from Mililani (Hawaii) High School told the Honolulu Advertiser that he has committed to play football at UCLA. Kia was considering UT in his final two along with the Bruins.

"It wasn't one thing; there were several different aspects," Kia said of his final decision. "They're both terrific football programs and schools with excellent facilities. It was just a matter of taking it down to some specific things."