Momentum in recruiting is a funny thing.

You can't quantify it like a scoring run in basketball or a dominant quarter in football.

No, recruiting momentum can be tough to recognize. Whatever the criteria, Tennessee has built a surge of momentum over the last week that could alleviate fears of a sub-par recruiting class.

The momentum started last weekend, which was arguably UT's most important recruiting weekend of the season.

The Vols landed two commitments before the weekend was even over. Kicker Chad Cunningham of Dawsonville, Ga., and wide receiver Quintin Hancock of St. Augustine, Fla., were the first to tell the world that they wanted to be Vols.

Then, UT landed offensive lineman Cody Pope of San Diego, Calif. The one-time Washington commitment's decision showed UT's ability to close late on key prospects wherever they may live, when UT needs them the most.

And those are just the public decisions. UT made much more progress this week than just adding those three prospects.

My bet is that athlete Stephaun Raines of Dalton, Ga., and defensive lineman Aleric Mullins of Wendell, N.C., also end up committing to UT before signing day on Feb. 1. I wouldn't be surprised if the two were already silent commitments.

UT is also in good shape with lineman Ramone Johnson of Chicago, Texas, quarterback Nick Stephens of Flower Mound, Texas, defensive lineman Victor Thomas of Oliver Branch, Miss., and wide receiver Brent Vinson of Hampton, Va.

Those six players could represent strong finishing touches on UT's 2006 recruiting class.

The Vols even made up ground on what many thought was an untouchable, wide receiver Duke Calhoun of Memphis.

A long shot?

Yes, but before last weekend UT had no shot at all.

The Vols also received a very positive response from Catholic junior Harrison Smith, who will be one of the top prospects in Tennessee for the signing class of 2007. UT offered him a scholarship last week.

Tennessee's recruiting list is also a bit clearer after Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain finally committed to the Razorbacks this week. UT offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe will never admit it but he has to be happy spending his time pursing players that are genuinely interested in UT.

So, now that UT has some much-needed momentum, how can it help them? They're surely not content with the sudden surge considering they only have 11 days until signing day.

Alcoa tight end/defensive end Brandon Warren is a player that UT's coaches would love to get caught in their recent recruiting wave.

It may be unfair to place too much emphasis on one player's decision but the fact that Warren has admitted that he is wavering from his Florida State commitment has UT fans excited.

What would be a better way to secure a strong closing than to secure the News Sentinel's top player in Tennessee, get one of the top players in the country and steal one from Florida State all in one swoop.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden visited the Alcoa star Wednesday with Warren to visit Tallahassee this weekend, but UT will have the last word when Warren takes his official visit during the following weekend.

Recruiting momentum, what a difference a week can make.

Memphis Mania: UT's coaches can't be happy with their success in Memphis if Calhoun slips away as expected. The Vols don't have a single commitment from the Bluff City. The most notable loss is Melrose running back Graig Cooper, who committed to Miami.

It would be a surprise if UT lands a Memphis prospect this year. UT signed five prospects from the Memphis area in 2005.

No Go: UT has decided not to pursue Joseph Faifili, the lineman who committed to Utah during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio earlier this month.

Academics were the main concern because of how much Faifili moved during his last two seasons. Faifili lived in Hawaii for most of his life then moved to Utah and back to Hawaii before returning to Utah where he is residing.

Major Minor: UT's coaches will keep a close eye on Brandon Minor, the fullback from Varina High School in Richmond, Va. He is set to make his college announcement today at 1:45 p.m. He is considering UT and Michigan.

Official visitors this weekend to the University of Tennessee.
Name	Pos.	Size	Hometown (School)
Dorian Davis	LB	6-1, 205	Iowa City, Iowa (Iowa City)
Greg Davis	S	6-2, 200	Blue Ridge, Va. (Blue Ridge)
Justin Garrett	S	6-2, 195	Pasadena, Calif. (Pasadena City College)
Michael Goggans	DE/TE	6-2, 250	Alexander City, Ala. (Benjamin Russell)
Kendrick Lewis	WR	6-0, 175	Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville)
LaMarcus Thompson	LB	6-0, 185	Stone Mountain, Ga. (Redan)
L.T. Walker	DT	6-3, 300	Wynne, Ark. (Wynne)
Dekoda Watson	DE	6-2, 205	Aiken, S.C. (Aiken)
Deantwan Whitehead	DE	6-6, 250	Birmingham, Ala. (West End)