Tennessee is close to securing a visit from one of the top linebackers in the nation.

Etienne Sabino from Krop High School in Miami, Fla., said he's planning to take an unofficial trip to Knoxville this summer. Whether UT makes his official visit list will be determined thereafter.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker said he's looking at several schools, with an especially close eye on UT, Miami, Notre Dame, Southern Cal and North Carolina. All have offered Sabino a scholarship.

"It's overwhelming," Sabino said. "It's shocking. You don't think it's going to happen until it actually happens."

Sabino isn't ready to name a leader, but it sure seems USC has the inside track; that's the only school that Sabino will definitely visit this fall.

"Southern Cal is an NFL factory," Sabino said. "(USC head coach) Pete Carroll, my mom definitely likes him. I think you'd be dumb not to look at them if they're talking to you."

Players of Sabino's stature rarely left South Florida before the Hurricanes' fall from the nation's elite. Miami finished 7-6 last season and replaced head coach Larry Coker with defensive coordinator Randy Shannon. Sabino doesn't seem concerned.

"Everybody knows Miami is going to get it turned around," he said.

Another well-known name in Miami football also is trying to sell Sabino on the merits of his program. And after the highly ranked class North Carolina signed last season, head coach Butch Davis can't be counted out.

"Everybody knows Butch Davis," Sabino said, referring to the former Hurricane head coach. "He's definitely after a lot of big-time recruits."

As for Notre Dame, head coach Charlie Weis already has dispelled his perceived personality.

"He's a real cool person," Sabino said. "He was a lot more than I expected. I expected him to be uptight but he was a real down-to-earth person."

UT's chances may rest on Trooper Taylor's shoulders. The receivers coach/ace recruiter has convinced South Florida prospects to head north before.

"He's one of the coolest guys I've met," Sabino said. "He's always cracking jokes. He relates to me very well. I get a good vibe off him."

Taylor's past recruiting success in South Florida hasn't produced the expected results in the college game. UT signed three prospects from the area in 2005: defensive back Demetrice Morley, linebacker/defensive end Gerald Williams and defensive lineman Vladimir Richard.

Morley was dismissed from UT in January due to academic shortcomings. Williams is enrolled in City College of San Francisco trying to be deemed academically eligible to enter UT. Richard is a reserve offensive lineman who was moved from defensive tackle last summer.

As he answered questions for this interview while volunteering at a youth football practice, it was easy to suspect that Sabino might have the maturity to avoid the issues that plague so many other prospects.

"I try to get out there every weekend," he said. "It's a good way to give back to the community."

Athletes Needed (Sort Of): If you're a high school prospect who wants to sign with UT in 2008, it's a bad time to be an "athlete."

This doesn't mean you shouldn't be athletic. It's referring to the oft-overused term "athlete" that attempts to describe those wide receiver/defensive back types who can play one of several positions.

Scholarships for such prospects already are few and far between at UT, if not eliminated all together.

For those who are just over 6 feet tall and just under 200 pounds, it's a simple numbers game. UT signed 15 prospects who fit the "athlete" mold last season. The Vols already have two such prospects committed for the 2008 class.

The prospects UT needs most also can play a number of positions, all of which have one thing in common - they require you to put a hand on the ground. The Vols' recruiting focus until February is clear - sign linemen.

The Vols only signed two offensive linemen last season. And there's always room for defensive linemen.

With that in mind, it makes the union between UT and receiver Antonio Bell all the more interesting. Bell's sudden commitment was a bit of a surprise, but UT's interest shows that he's a talent that shouldn't be passed up, despite whatever needs a team might have.

The Vols aren't going to offer a scholarship to just any receiver, defensive back or athlete. UT's coaches obviously agree that Bell is a top prospect in talent-rich Florida.

Travel Time in Tennessee: UT's coaches will spend the next three weeks on the road for the spring evaluation period. The Vols began their NCAA-allotted four weeks on the road last Sunday. Head coach Phillip Fulmer spent the week focusing on in-state prospects.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.