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Rod Wilks plans to start making his sales pitch to fellow recruits considering Tennessee.
Wilks, a receiver from Smyrna High School, has been committed to UT since Sept. 19.
The News Sentinel’s second-best prospect in the state said he plans to call UT’s coaches to find out which prospects he should help recruit.
“Maybe I can help get them to choose Tennessee,” Wilks said on Football Futures on The Sports Animal. “Hopefully we can do that. We’re young and I feel like Tennessee is going to have a great program and we’re going to win a national championship soon.”
Wilks has already made his pitch to one prospect — Alcoa quarterback Randall Cobb, who received a scholarship offer from UT last month.
Cobb, who committed to Kentucky last June, has been torn since the Vols came calling.
Wilks said he hopes to change Cobb’s mind.
“I’m trying to get him to come on down to UT so we can win as one,” said Wilks, who’s playing alongside Cobb on the East squad in today’s inaugural Toyota East-West All-Star Classic.
Wilks said he’ll do his best to sway recruits, but he also wants to leave the decision up to them.
“I feel like I can have an impact,” Wilks said, “but I want them to go wherever they want to go and that’s where they want to be. Wherever you think you’re going to play go ahead and good luck and I’ll just see them on the field.
Wilks, the younger brother of UT cornerback Marsalous Johnson, believes the Vols will put a good product on the field in upcoming seasons.
Wilks pointed to youth in the secondary, which started two freshmen this season, and improved play from the Vols in the second half of the year.
“Every year we’ll get better if we stay focused and if they go back and watch film and learn from the mistakes they’ve made this season and they’ll know what to do better next season,” Wilks said.
© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by hdhurst on December 16, 2007 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I like the sound of Wilks attitude. Taking a lead role and do what it takes to get better...that will be the key to getting us back to prime.
Posted by Plasticman on December 16, 2007 at 12:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't wait to see Wilks play. I heard he is similar to Eric Berry in atheletic ability. Keep recruiting Rod!!
Posted by volnmdtn on December 16, 2007 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wilks sounds like a winner! We need more player with his kind of attitude. What was his record in high school?
Posted by BigOrangeVol29 on December 16, 2007 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This kid was a force in Smyrna's championship game. I love his attitude and desire to be a force at UT. I really look forward to seeing him in orange.
Posted by IPOrange on December 16, 2007 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This team needs leaders, and it looks like we found a good one in Wilks. He' not even on campus yet and he is already illustrating leadership qualities. This guy could turn into an Al Wilson type of motivator before he is through, here. Glad to have you on board, young man! I can't wait to see you on the field.
GO VOLS! BEAT THE BADGERS!
Posted by dgarland1 on December 16, 2007 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've seen Wilks play a lot over the last two years, and he is going to be a real asset to our receiver corps. Not as fast as E Berry, but with moves and strength and cunning in his routes and positioning to make the catch. I think our coaches will teach him some things he doesn't know yet about blocking downfield. He will contribute right away. imo
Posted by pdhuff on December 16, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wilks, welcome. We need a lot such as yourself to compete for a SEC ring in this always up-grading conference.
Talent and preparation usually will result in success. Glad you're a Vol.
Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on December 16, 2007 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Second best pospect in the state? I thought all the best in-state guys were going to Bama.
Posted by Phowell23 on December 16, 2007 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Call Terrell Pryor.
Posted by 99gator on December 16, 2007 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
terrell pryor has eliminated tennessee from as a potential place to play football.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitts...
Posted by 55Vol on December 16, 2007 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rod is a winner. I have watched him play for all four of his HS years. He has developed into a real leader this year. He sometimes talks trash but he can back it up. He can play WR but can also certainly play DB. He is not afraid to hit.
Posted by Basketball_Jones on December 16, 2007 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea read the article on Pryor, adds to another kick in the cahones for UT
Posted by txsvol on December 17, 2007 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't sweat Pryor! We have three capable QBs already on our team, and all these hot-shot guys want to go where they can get playing time, and be coached by someone they trust. If he goes to Duke, then we'll really know that he wants to be coached by Cut. Go Vols! SAVol
Posted by sjt18 on December 17, 2007 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This was the wrong year for Pryor anyway to come in and start within 2 years. Other schools have more to offer. I'd have to believe that Michigan will be in the hunt for him very soon. RR will need a guy like him... I wouldn't even be surprised to see him go there and start with Mallett transferring.
As I mentioned last week, Cut leaving is a big deal. They should have done more to keep him. IMO that would have included a timeline and maybe even an announcement that he would become HC a la Jimbo Fisher. Have no doubt that FSU did that to keep Fisher from taking a HC job elsewhere. It would have also given UT an excuse to match the salary that the Dukes of the world can offer.
Posted by sjt18 on December 17, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
99gator, Look for UT to be back in that mix if they hire someone like Marrone or Brown soon. It sounds like the process will take too long though.
The short term best answer would be to give the OC job to TT. But that carries the biggest long term risks if he doesn't pan out.
The chances of this recruiting class making a really good comeback are now fairly slim. They can create some excitement with the right kinds of hires though... but that's really the only chance of saving this from being one of CPF's lowest ranked classes.
Posted by orangebloodgmc on December 17, 2007 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we get a few big linemen?
Posted by pdhuff on December 20, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Could Wilkes coach receivers on the side?
orangebloodgmc - amen and amen. It begins and ends there, both D and O.
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