Hooker: Tennessee has hot hand in recruiting

That's the best way to describe Tennessee recruiting.

The Vols received two more commitments this week. Defensive end Rufus Williams from Astronaut High School in Titusville, Fla., pledged to be a part of the 2007 class. Junior running back Tauren Poole from Stephens County in Toccoa, Ga., also told the UT coaching staff he would play for the Vols.

With the addition of Poole, UT has four commitments for the 2008 class. Only two SEC schools have commitments for '08: Georgia (two) and Ole Miss (one).

"We are keeping up with the Joneses," said UT coach Phillip Fulmer, who can't comment on specific prospects. "Everybody is working faster now. We've really tried to get out there."

Fulmer is being modest. Right now, it seems like the Joneses are trying to keep with Tennessee.

UT's early success surely helps. The Vols are 6-1 and as hot as they've been on the recruiting trail since assembling the highly ranked 2005 class after they finished 10-3 in 2004.

Early recruiting success puts Fulmer and his staff at an interesting crossroad. Far from desperate, they have the luxury to be a bit choosy as to who they pursue.

It's not that the Vols need to pull any offers, but focusing their efforts can have a similar effect. Now's the time to focus on the surefire prospects.

Family Man: Running back prospects from Georgia carry a certain reputation in recruiting circles. Fairly often, ball carriers from the Peach State carry egos as well as footballs.

Then, there's Poole. He's not your average Georgia tailback, according to Stephens County coach Travis Noland, who also coached UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton.

"You never catch him out on the streets or anything like that," Noland said. "He's a unique kid for today's times, especially down here."

Said Poole, "I don't try to put myself in difficult situations. I don't fool with some people."

There's good reason why you don't see Poole on the streets. Even though he's just a high school junior, he has more responsibility than some adults.

After school and football practice, Poole heads straight home to watch his 11-year old sister while his mother works the third shift.

"She needs somebody," Poole said of his sister. "She has my mom every day. I'm just here to fill in when my mom goes to work."

Most high school stars would bristle if their mother asked them to stay home and watch their kid sister. Not Poole.

"It was expected of me," Poole said. "She didn't have to ask."

Carolina Connection: Call me crazy, but I believe North Carolina commitment Dwight Jones ends up at Tennessee.

The receiver from Cummings High School in Burlington, N.C., said he is still "100 percent" committed to North Carolina, but admitted he is less certain about joining the Tar Heels.

I'm not sure how you can be "less certain" and 100 percent but it sure sounds as if North Carolina has some work to do to land Jones after firing coach John Bunting last week.

Jones attended UT's 16-13 win over Alabama last Saturday.

"People were screaming my name that I didn't even know," Jones told GoVolsXtra.com. "They just knew who I was. I was signing autographs. It was real cool."

" Carolina's more laid back with their fans. Tennessee fans, they're in the game the whole game from kickoff and before the game even starts. It was very exciting."

Fans aside, UT's players also tried to sway Jones, who visited extensively with former North Carolina stars Josh Briscoe and Montario Hardesty.

The key to the entire recruitment could be a close relationship with defensive coordinator Marvin Sanders, whose future status with the Tar Heels is very much in doubt. Jones said Sanders' future could have an impact on his commitment to the Tar Heels.

Usually schools don't retain coaches from a fired staff. In terms of landing Jones, that spells trouble for North Carolina -- and promise for the Vols.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.