Curtis' visit to UT campus helps solidify Vols' appeal

The star tailback from Fairview High School in Camden, Ark. had never seen Tennessee's campus, despite having followed the Vols since he was in middle school.

"It was a good visit," the 5-foot-9, 204-pounder said of last weekend's trip to participate in UT's senior camp. "It was a good campus."

So, did anything stand out?

"The football stadium," Curtis quickly replied. "It was real big and real nice."

The trip to Knoxville seems to have solidified UT's already strong position. Curtis said the Vols are in his top five, along with Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Clemson.

That list of leaders should have UT coaches pleased. Several other schools, including LSU and Mississippi State, were once being considered. Now, they've fallen out of consideration.

Some believe UT may hold a lead for Curtis' services, but he's not willing to go that far.

"I just have a top five right now," Curtis said. "They're all together right now."

Anxious recruiting fans shouldn't have to wait much longer. Curtis said he plans to announce his decision before his senior season begins this fall.

If UT does have the lead — and even if the Vols get an early commitment — the fight is far from over, especially with the hometown Arkansas Razorbacks in the picture.

Then again.

"There's not that much pressure," Curtis said of fans urging him to stay in state. "People want to see me wherever I go. They'll be proud of me if I go somewhere else."

Arkansas, perhaps fearing that Curtis was going to leave the state's borders, made sure to secure one of Curtis' close friends, Fairview quarterback Jim Youngblood, who committed to the Razorbacks in February. If it was Arkansas' intention to sew up a package deal, there's more work to be done.

"It won't be a factor," Curtis said flatly when asked of Youngblood's decision.

Curtis will take in two more football camps this summer: one at Oklahoma State later this month, the other at Texas Tech in July.

Brushing up on fundamentals is often the last thing on coaches' or prospects' minds during senior camps. Schools use the events to visit with prospects much more than to dole out pointers.

Prospects surely don't mind. They get to see what that prospective program is like up close and in person.

Likewise, Curtis appreciated meeting UT's coaches and seeing its facilities, but he also picked up some tips from running backs coach Kurt Roper.

"Coach Roper taught me some pretty good things," Curtis said.

UT's coaches would be quick to remind Curtis that there's plenty more to learn.