Kelvin Sheppard can remember when recruiting was fun. That was a long time ago.

When it all began last spring, Sheppard enjoyed the coaches and media following his every move. Now, the persistent calls are no longer complimentary, they're just persistent.

"It was pretty exciting the first time they started calling," the 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., said Saturday. "After awhile, it got old."

Sheppard isn't complaining purely about the excessive attention that typically follows a highly touted prospect. During the past week, Sheppard has seen a darker side of recruiting, one that makes him long for National Signing Day on Feb. 1.

"It's pretty crazy because a lot of schools try to tell you about other schools," Sheppard said, referring to negative recruiting. "I really don't pay too much attention to it. I might ask if it's true."

Sheppard said such efforts by college coaches usually backfire and make him think twice about the mudslinger in question. Sheppard's teammate and good friend, fellow linebacker Perry Riley, committed to LSU in October but admitted to taking a hard look at Tennessee. The two visited Knoxville last weekend and plan to attend the same school.

As Sheppard considered UT last week, he was disturbed by a rumor that was circulating in the Stone Mountain area about the Vols. The rumor had a familiar tone. The school in question, in this case UT, was about to be hit with probation by the NCAA and would be ineligible for the postseason.

"When I first heard that, I was like man, they can't play in the BCS game," Sheppard said. "When I heard that, I wanted to find out if it was true."

Sheppard found out days later that the rumor was, indeed, just a rumor. The tale was started by a die hard Georgia fan on Sheppard's high school coaching staff.

"My head coach told me it was just a rumor," Sheppard said with a sense of relief.

Sheppard isn't surprised by all the passion surrounding his and others decisions. He lives in one of the most rabid football states. As such, Georgia fans haven't stopped trying to convince Sheppard and Riley to go to Athens even though both ruled out the Bulldogs months ago.

"There's a lot of people that tell me I need to be a Bulldog and I need to stay in state," Sheppard said. "I just didn't think I would fit in at UGA."

Calling Stephens: Nick Stephens is suddenly a hot recruiting prospect. Since UT was able to test his Ole Miss commitment, other schools have stepped up to see if they can get the Flower Mound (Texas) High quarterback to waver.

The 6-3, 210-pound Stephens said that he heard this week from Nebraska and Texas Tech.

"I told them it's too late in the game for that,'' Stephens told The Commercial Appeal. "I'm down to about three right now, and I can't let anyone else come in right now."

UT seemed to be in good shape with Stephens after his official visit to Knoxville last weekend. On Friday, Stephens visited Michigan and plans to make a decision before Tuesday. The Wolverines' recent string of successful NFL quarterbacks, including Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, has Stephens intrigued.

"You think, 'If I play (at Michigan), that's going to happen to me, too,' '' Stephens told The Commercial Appeal. ''I've thought about that. But at the same time, (UT) Coach (David) Cutcliffe and (Ole Miss) Coach (Dan) Werner both put in some good players in the NFL, too.''

Cutcliffe coached NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning at UT and Ole Miss, respectively. Werner coached Ken Dorsey at Miami.

As for immediate playing time in Ann Arbor, Michigan has starter Chad Henne back for two more seasons, but recently lost backup Matt Gutierrez, who transferred to Idaho State.

Former UT quarterback Brent Schaeffer committed to Ole Miss on Friday, but Stephens said it will not play a role in his decision.

To the Victor: Victor Thomas told The Commercial Appeal that UT and Mississippi State are his two leaders. Thomas is a 6-4, 250-pound defensive end from Olive Branch (Miss.) High. He said he also is somewhat considering Ole Miss and Louisville.

Thomas recently ruled out Florida because of what he perceived as a lack of immediate playing time. Thomas took his official visit to UT last weekend and is visiting Mississippi State this weekend.