Signing Day Capsules

Deshaun Barnes
Defensive Back, 6-2, 195
Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln)
Second-team All-State as a defensive back in 2006. He recorded 42 tackles and two sacks from the secondary last season. Also caught six passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior, finished with 43 tackles, two sacks and one interception along with one defensive touchdown.

Eric Berry
Athlete, 5-11, 195
Fairburn, Ga. (Creekside)
Named to the Parade All-America High School Football Team as a defensive back, selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, named Player of the Year in Georgia by Gatorade and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He played safety and quarterback in high school. Expected to play cornerback at UT. Rushed for more than 1,500 yards and threw for more than 1,000 yards as a quarterback in 2006.

William Brimfield
Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 287
Neeses, S.C. (Hunter-Kinard-Tyler)
Named South Carolina preseason Elite 11 and first-team All-State and All-Region last season by the Orangeburg (SC) Times and Democrat. Recorded 83 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two pass-breakups.

Todd Campbell
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 180
Franklin (Franklin)
Named Class 5A All-State receiver as a junior in 2005. Injuries to key players limited his productivity in 2006. Was forced to play cornerback. Had 27 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver last season. As a junior, caught 35 passes for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns for a 23.3 yard average per catch.

B.J. Coleman
Quarterback, 6-4, 180
Chattanooga (McCallie)
American General Mr. Football Award Winner for Division II AAA as a junior and senior. He completed 6-of-7 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown, helping the West All-Stars to a 35-25 victory in the East meets West All-American football game in Orlando, Fla. last month. Completed 166 of 257 attempts for 2,927 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed 51 times for 241 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.

Kevin Cooper
Running back, 6-2, 220
Chattanooga (Baylor)
Named TSWA first-team All-State for Division II in 2006. He rushed for 1,891 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Also added 29 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Expected to play fullback in college.

Lennon Creer
Running back, 6-1, 202
Tatum, Texas (Tatum)

A huge late addition to UT’s 2006 class when he committed Feb. 1. Considered the best tailback in Texas and one of the best prospects in the nation. Named 2A Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-State. He rushed for 2,744 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2006 and 2,065 yards rushing for 16 touchdowns in 2005, helping Tatum High School to back-to-back state titles.

Chris Donald
Linebacker, 6-2, 220
Huntingdon (Huntingdon)
The News Sentinel’s top prospect in Tennessee. Named to the Parade All-America High School Football Team as a linebacker in 2006. Honored as Class 2A Mr. Football in Tennessee as a senior and was a finalist as a junior. Selected to play in the Army All-American Game. In his four-year high school career, he recorded 280 tackles, 66 tackles-for-loss, 10 forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Art Evans
Athlete, 6-1, 185
Lakeland, Fla. (Victory Christian)
Named first-team All-State in Class 1-B as a receiver by the FHSAA after his 2006 season. The 6-1, 185-pound athlete caught 62 passes for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 21.9 yard per catch average last season. Intercepted 11 passes (two returned for a touchdown) on defense and eight punt returns for touchdowns on special teams as a junior.

C.J. Fleming
Cornerback, 5-10, 165
Highland Springs, Va. (Highland Springs)
Named All-Metro in 2006 and 2005 by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He recorded 19 tackles, 10 pass breakups and four interceptions, returned one for 87 yards for a touchdown. Intercepted seven passes as a junior in 2005.

Savion Frazier
Athlete, 6-1, 225
Woodbridge, Va. (Gar-Field)
Named first-team All-Met by the Washington Post last season. Rushed for 1,420 yards and 13 touchdowns on 201 carries. On defense as a senior, added 45 tackles with five tackles-for-loss, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Cory Hall
Linebacker, 6-4, 255
Chattanooga (Brainerd)
A project with exciting potential that needs work on his game and his academics; he’s raw and short of the mark, respectively. Great frame with long arms. Expected to attend a junior college or prep school. Good athleticism. One to keep an eye on.

Josh Hawkins
Running back, 6-1, 190
Loudon (Loudon)
Named TSWA first-team All-State for Class 2A. All-District and All-Region as a sophomore, junior and senior. Last season, he rushed for 1,282 yards and 15 touchdowns despite missing the first game due to a hamstring injury. Rushed for 1,492 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior.

Gerald Jones
Athlete, 6-0, 185
Oklahoma City, Okla. (Millwood)
2006 Gatorade Player of the Year in Oklahoma. Ranked the No. 22 overall player in the nation by Tom Lemming. Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The versatile athlete rushed for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns and completed 87-of-152 passes for 1,561 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. Recorded 39 tackles, two sacks and an interception on defense. Expected to play wide receiver in college.

Donald Langley
Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 295
Germantown, Md. (Seneca Valley)
Consensus All-State as a defensive lineman last season. He finished 2006 season with 63 tackles and one interception. Totaled 48 tackles (32 unassisted) six tackles-for-loss and four sacks as a junior. On offense as a junior, landed 55 pancake blocks, tops in Maryland high school football.

Tyler Maples
Wide Receiver, 6-2, 180
Maryville (Maryville)
Named the tenth best prospect in Tennessee and the PrepXtra’s Defensive Player of the Year by the News Sentinel. He was named first-team TSWA All-State for Class 4A as a senior in 2006 and junior in 2005. Won Class 4A Mr. Football Award in 2006. Lit up the Class 4A state championship game with six receptions for 130 yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP honors. Caught 38 passes for 823 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Returned seven kickoffs for 206 yards and a touchdown.

Ben Martin
Defensive End, 6-5, 230
Cincinnati, Ohio (La Salle)
Named to the Parade All-America High School Football Team as a linebacker. Ranked No. 45 overall player in the nation by Tom Lemming. Selected to U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he committed to UT. He had 81 tackles as a senior. 71 tackles with 16 tackles-for-loss and 10 sacks as a junior. The lean standout could grow into a defensive tackle. Will start at end.

Nevin McKenzie
Safety, 6-2, 210
San Antonio, Texas (Trinity Valley Community College/John Jay)
Junior college star who’s known for his physical style. He led Trinity Valley with 74 tackles and added two sacks as a sophomore in 2006. Could be a key prospect as UT looks to replace three of its 2005 starters in the secondary. Originally committed to Kansas State out of high school.

Rolando Melancon
Defensive Tackle, 6-2, 260
Lutcher, La. (Lutcher)
Named first team All-State and District MVP as a senior. 3A State Championship game MVP while registering eight tackles, three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He recorded 97 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and six fumble recoveries in 2006. 75 tackles with 16 tackles-for-loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2005. Helped lead Lutcher High School to 3A state title in 2006. Pronounced Ma-law-saw.

Darnius Moore
Athlete, 6-0, 175
Tatum, Texas (Tatum)
Originally committed to UT on Christmas night but changed his story to build suspense. Named 2A first-team All-State as a kick returner. Named second-team Reebok Super Team as a defensive back. Texas state high school champion in the hurdles in 2006.

Kenny O’Neal
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 195
Oakland, Calif. (City College of San Francisco)
Named All-California first-team offense in Region I by the California Community College Football Coaches Association while playing for City College of San Francisco in Oakland, Calif. In 2006, led CCSF with 48 receptions for 707 yards. Also caught four touchdown passes. Averaged 78.5 yards per game receiving and 14.7 yards per catch. Was a kick return specialist for Florida State before being dismissed from the team last summer.

Ahmad Paige
Wide Receiver, 6-3, 175
Sterlington, La. (Sterlington)
Named first-team All-State, All-District and All-Northeast Louisiana as a senior and a junior. Caught 41 passes for 863 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006. Caught 45 passes for 1,208 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2005.

Cody Pope
Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 270
San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic)
Practiced with UT last August before being forced home by academic shortcomings. Now enrolled at UT. Named first-team All-City and All-League by the San Diego Union Tribune as a senior at Cathedral Catholic in 2005. More than 70 pancake blocks as an offensive lineman, along with 78 tackles and nine sacks as a defensive lineman.

Dennis Rogan
Running Back, 5-10, 170
Knoxville (Fulton)
The ninth best prospect in Tennessee and named the PrepXtra Offensive Player of the Year, according to the News Sentinel. Named first-team TSWA All-State for Class 3A in 2006. Won the BlueCross Bowl’s Offensive MVP award while rushing for more than 200 yards in the state championship game and semifinal round, leading Fulton to a state championship. Ran for 2,876 yards and 44 touchdowns last season. Rushed for 2,261 yards and 39 touchdowns as a junior. Scored 572 points in his four-year career.

Darris Sawtelle
Offensive Lineman, 6-6, 295
Birmingham, Mich. (Brother Rice)
Played in the Offensive-Defensive All-American Bowl in Florida. Earned All-Catholic, All-County and All-Metro honors last season. Was named to the Detroit News Dream Team for his play as a senior at Brother Rice in Birmingham, Mich. Had 121 knockdown blocks and finished with a blocking percentage of 94 percent in 2006. Grandfather Darris McCord was a UT captain and All-American in 1954. McCord played for Detroit Lions for 13 years.

Rae Sykes
Defensive End, 6-4, 240
Alcoa (Alcoa)
The News Sentinel’s second best prospect in Tennessee. Had 10 sacks last season for state championship team. 60 tackles, six sacks and another state title as a junior. 132 tackles and 10 sacks as a sophomore. Didn’t take an official visit until January.

Daryl Vereen
Running Back, 6-1, 205
Huntersville, N.C. (North Mecklenburg)

Set a new score single-season rushing record with 2,603 yards. Scored 31 touchdowns as a senior in 2006.

Brent Vinson
Athlete, 6-2, 180
Hampton, Va. (Hargrave Military Academy/Phoebus HS)
Signed with UT in 2006 but forced to Hargrave Military Academy because of academics. On the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Super South 100 list in 2005. Was named coaches' first-team All-State as a receiver and kick returner and named All-District as a receiver, a defensive back and return specialist in 2005 when he had more than 1,200 receiving yards, 400 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Also returned two interceptions and one punt for touchdowns.

Chris Walker
Linebacker, 6-3, 220
Memphis (Christian Brothers)
The News Sentinel’s fourth best prospect in Tennessee. Named first-team TSWA All-State for Division II as a senior. Named to the Best of Preps Private School Team by the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Productivity fell off last season as he played three positions: defensive end, outside linebacker and middle linebacker. 38.5 tackles including eight for loss in 2006. As a junior in 2005, had 83 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, two interceptions and nine forced fumbles. 53 tackles with two for loss and one fumble recovery as a sophomore. Was named one of the top-20 basketball players in Memphis by the Commerical Appeal.

Rufus Williams
Linebacker, 6-3, 225
Titusville, Fla. (Astronaut)
Was named a first-team Class 3A All-State defensive lineman following his senior season.

DeAngelo Willingham
Defensive Back, 6-0, 200
Calhoun, S.C. (College of the Desert)
Junior college defensive back could help fill one of three vacated positions in UT’s defensive backfield. Registered five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble last season. Also returned a blocked field goal 90 yards for a touchdown in 2006.