Sykes says Fulmer wins over grandmother

UT football coach Phillip Fulmer spent much of his in-home visit on Wednesday night with Sykes' grandmother, who has been "a bit under the weather" recently.

"No other coach has gotten a chance to do that," the 6-foot-4, 245-pound defensive end from Alcoa High School said Thursday. "She liked the meeting we had yesterday."

Fulmer's visit is the first stage of UT's final push for the services of Sykes, the News Sentinel's second best prospect in the state. Sykes plans to announce his decision on Wednesday after an official visit to UT's campus this weekend.

"I want to go to the Thornton (Academic) Center. I've never been there," Sykes said. "That's something I'm looking forward to."

Sykes isn't the only official visitor UT is expecting this weekend. Huntingdon linebacker Chris Donald and, possibly, Brian Coulter, a junior college defensive end from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss., are scheduled to make the trip.

Coulter has been committed to Florida State since November.

Postponed: Defensive lineman Cory Hall from Chattanooga Brainerd has postponed an announcement on his decision. Hall had planned to make an announcement by the end of the week but said on Thursday it will probably be this weekend.

"I have no idea," the 6-5, 260 pounder said. "I'm still praying about it."

Hall said he was leaning towards committing to Marshall early this week. If he signs with the Thundering Herd, he can enroll immediately and sit out this season if academic hurdles can't be cleared.

If Hall signed with UT with the same academic issues, he could not enroll, as per SEC rules, and would likely have to enroll in prep school or junior college. Even if Hall qualified, it might be impossible for UT to fit him into the 2007 class because of limited scholarships.