For those that think Tennessee doesn't recruit nationally, take a look at the football visitors this week.

UT's eight official visitors will travel more than 15,000 miles roundtrip to inspect the Vols up close and personal. That comes out to 1,875 miles per prospect. Cody Pope has the farthest to travel, more than 4,400 miles.

From San Diego to Miami. From Washington, D.C., to Hempstead, Texas, the Vols are flexing their recruiting muscle. And why not?

After all, UT has done its best to secure the state. The Vols have landed seven of 14 prospects from within Tennessee's borders and seemed poised to secure more "Volunteers" later in the year. The foundation is laid. Now, it's time to hit some home runs.

Also, this is the last chance to showcase UT's big game atmosphere (no offense, Kentucky) to prospects that would otherwise struggle to make the trip because of logistics.

This will be the most significant official visit weekend during the 2006 season and the most important until UT hosts several closer-to-home prospects Dec. 10.

Here is a list of the participants:

• Marvin Austin: UT has been a key figure in the Austin race for months. The Vols have a good connection with the 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive tackle from Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. Austin and his family are good friends with UT redshirt freshman linebacker Rico McCoy and his parents.

Austin has plenty of options but smart money is on UT and Florida State.

• Travaris Cadet: Call him an athlete. Call him a quarterback. Either way, he's a solid prospect.

Best of all for UT, the 6-0, 195-pounder from Central High in Miami, Fla., has had his eyes on UT for months. The Vols seem to have the inside track, especially since they're willing to let Cadet try his hand at quarterback.

• Gerald Jones: There's no doubt that this 6-0, 185-pound athlete from Millwood High in Oklahoma City is considered one of the country's top prospects. Jones could play offense or defense. That's a dilemma UT's coaches would love to have.

• Rolando Melancon: This 6-2, 260-pound defensive tackle from Lutcher (La.) High would fit nicely in UT's class, especially since the Vols don't have a commitment from a defensive tackle this season. UT was also light in that department in the 2006 class so immediate playing time could be a strong sell.

• Ahmad Paige: The Vols never gave up on this 6-3, 175-pound receiver from Sterlington (La.) High even when Paige canceled numerous visits to Knoxville this year. He is also committed to Florida State but no school seems to be taking that very seriously, especially after the Seminoles (4-4) have struggled.

Georgia, Florida and Southern Cal are also in the hunt.

• Cody Pope: You remember this guy. Pope, a 6-5, 275-pound offensive lineman from Cathedral Catholic in San Diego, Calif., signed with UT last February. He even practiced with UT before an academic shortcoming forced him home.

As a prospect for 2006, Pope is allowed a new set of official visits. He is expected to enroll at UT in January.

• Terrance Toliver: UT put out the call for wide receivers and the 6-4, 185-pound prospect from Hempstead, Texas came calling.

Toliver would be a pleasant surprise to UT's class. It's amazing what a strong passing game can do when it comes to recruiting wide receivers.

• DeMarcus VanDyke: Miami's loss(es) could be UT's gain when it comes to the 6-0, 165-pound athlete from Pace High in Miami.

VanDyke is committed to Miami but the Hurricanes are struggling and could replace coach Larry Coker. The last time UT saw a Florida school struggle, they pulled three prospects (Demetrice Morley, Vladimir Richard and Gerald Williams) from former Florida coach Ron Zook.