As if Bruce Pearl hadn't done enough for Tennessee's athletic department, he's now helped the Vols land one of the highest rated receivers in the country.

Brent Vinson of Phoebus High School in Hampton, Va., became UT's newest football commitment Thursday thanks, in part, to his friendship with UT men's basketball signee Duke Crews of Bethel High in Hampton, Va. Pearl has guided the Vols to a surprising 11-3 record in his first season, but before the season started landed Crews as the cornerstone of his first recruiting class.

"I'm with him almost everyday," the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Vinson said of Crews. "Once I really looked at the school, I saw it was a really good school and a lot of really good players came from there. I saw they needed receivers."

Vinson said he canceled his trip to Virginia Tech this weekend after a meeting with UT coach Phillip Fulmer on Thursday morning and is firmly committed to the Vols.

"I'm glad to get it over with," he said. "I had a headache, man. I had like 15 scholarships."

Vinson established high credentials after only playing two years of high school football. Coincidentally, it was another friendship that got him back to playing football after giving up the sport several years before.

Vinson was determined to play football after a close friend, Ronnie Hendrix, died on his way to play football at Kent State.

"He got in a car accident right before he was going to play college (football)," Vinson said. "He was always the person that worked with me in sports. He was a real good role model.

"He always told me that he wanted me to play football before graduation."

Vinson did just that.

"I had gotten kind of lazy," Vinson said of his attitude before he returned to football. "Then I started to realize the sport that I really should have played was football."

Vinson could be a key pickup for the Vols who have told numerous prospects that they are looking for a speed receiver. Vinson said he has posted a 4.30 time in the 40-yard dash.

Vinson said he is also known for his ability to amass yards after the catch.

"My old high school coach," Vinson said, "he called me a running back playing wide receiver."

UT defensive backs coach Larry Slade headed up Vinson's recruitment. UT has 18 commitments for the 2006 class. National Signing Day is Feb. 1. UT is expected to sign 20-25 prospects.

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.