Tennessee is hoping to capitalize on LSU's misfortunes.

With National Signing Day today, UT's coaches are hoping that three LSU commitments will spurn the Tigers and sign letters of intent with the Vols.

If UT lands all three, then it would be a last-day recruiting turnaround to remember.

Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard of Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., told the News Sentinel Tuesday afternoon that he plans to sign today with Tennessee instead of LSU, the school he committed to in October.

Sheppard's teammate Perry Riley. is also expected to sign with UT, although, his destination is far less certain. Riley (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and Sheppard have long maintained that they wanted to attend the same school.

UT is recruiting Riley (6-1, 205) to play safety.

Riley and Sheppard aren't the only LSU commitments that UT's coaches will be keeping an eye on. Cornerback Jai Eugene from Destrehan (La.) High is still on UT's radar despite committing to LSU earlier this week.

Eugene (5-11, 170) first committed to Michigan on Jan. 8. Eugene gave UT signs of hope when he took a "secret" visit to Knoxville over the weekend.

Still, Eugene's family, especially his young son, will be tough to overcome. Eugene may be a long shot but UT's recruiting office will definitely keep the fax machine on. Eugene is widely considered one of the top high school cornerbacks in the nation.

Michael Goggans is expected to confirm his UT commitment from last summer after taking a strong look at Auburn and Alabama.

The 6-1, 245-pound tight end/defensive end from Benjamin Russell High in Alexander City, Ala., told the News Sentinel that he was pleased by Alcoa tight end Brandon Warren's decision not to play at UT. Warren reaffirmed his commitment to Florida State on Monday.

Aleric Mullins from East Wake High in Wendell, N.C., is another prime candidate to pick UT today. Mullins is also considering North Carolina but many close to his recruitment think he was sold on the Vols when he hit UT's campus for his Jan. 13 official visit.

The true unknown among this list is Greg Davis from Blue Ridge (Va.) High. The 6-2, 200pound safety is considering UT, North Carolina State and West Virginia. Davis has kept mum on his final decision since visiting UT on Jan. 20.

UT has 24 commitments and 25 if you count Sheppard. The Vols are expected to sign approximately 28.

Surprises aside, the prospects mentioned above are the prime candidates that will fill out UT's 2006 class. If everything goes perfect for UT, then the Vols could move into the top 15 among national rankings or higher.

If things don't go so well, then it will be a day all too fitting of a 5-6 season.