Post-surgery gives Vols inside track with Brimfield

Brimfield, from Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School in Neeses, S.C., said he favors UT ahead of South Carolina. He's also considering North Carolina and Clemson.

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Brimfield said the Vols became his leader last month when head coach Phillip Fulmer visited him the night after he underwent surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder.

"That was special," Brimfield said. "I was coming out after surgery. I'm not committed and you're showing me how much you want me. That actually meant something to me."

Brimfield will take an official visit to UT on Jan. 12. If the visit goes well, he could commit to the Vols.

"Like I tell the coaches," he said, "it's probably going to be a good chance that I will commit. Who knows? It all depends on how the official visit goes and how I like it."

Brimfield, who committed to North Carolina during the summer before re-opening his recruitment in October, said UT has recruited him heavily throughout the process. He said the interest was always mutual.

"Tennessee is a great school," he said. "I know some things about Tennessee. They have great history with their football program and coach Fulmer. It's simple."

Brimfield said UT has an advantage over South Carolina because of its staff is more experienced.

The Gamecocks' defensive tackles coach, Brad Lawing, just finished his first season working for head coach Steve Spurrier. UT defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks has worked under Fulmer since 1994.

"Some of the things he did and some of the guys he put in the league (NFL) is just amazing," Brimfield said. "I feel like he can do the same thing with me. I just need to take the time to sit down, look, listen and work my tail off."

Brimfield would meet a serious need for UT in the 2007 signing class. The Vols only have two commitments from defensive tackles, a position that was a weakness last season.

Brimfield said he's aware of the Vols' need at his position, but he expects to earn his spot either way.

"No matter how long the depth chart is, no matter how short is," he said, "I feel like if I can come in there and put on a performance that I'm known for doing and work hard to my ability, there's always a spot on the field for me."

The Vols are helped by a tie to Brimfield.

UT commit DeAngelo Willingham, a cornerback from College of the Desert junior college in Palm Desert, Calif., is a native of Calhoun, S.C. The two were basketball rivals when Willingham attended Calhoun County High School.

Willingham has made a strong push to convince Brimfield to join him at UT since he committed to the Vols last month.

Brimfield said Willingham's message was simple: "DeAngelo, he was like, 'I'm going to give you a couple pointers and I'm going to leave it like that. If you don't commit, you're crazy. It's too good of a school for you to just let it go by like this. By you becoming a part of this team, the future ahead of you is in the NFL.' "

Brimfield said his chat with Willingham was convincing, but he wants to wait for his visit to UT.

"This will be the first time I see this place," he said. "I want to know where I'm going to be at and be around for the next four or five years of my life."