Commitment Johnson helps recruit Page

Meet Tennessee's newest recruiter, Austin Johnson.

You may already know the 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker/ defensive end as a football commitment in the Vols' 2008 class. But last weekend, Johnson was even more.

Last weekend during his official visit, Johnson was almost as much host as visitor, thanks to a late decision by highly touted prospect Kenneth Page to make the trip to Knoxville.

"I was talking to him, trying to get him to be my future teammate," Johnson said of Page. "It was cool to have him there."

Page, a 6-4, 300-pound offensive lineman from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, S.C., certainly got the point.

"He said when he came up there the first time it just blew him away," Page said. "He said he chose Tennessee because he felt it was the place that could make him the best that he can be."

Said Johnson, "I think he really liked Tennessee."

UT's coaches certainly hope so. Offensive line is a position of need for UT's upcoming class, and Page could certainly help fill that void.

"I had a great time," said Page, who is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the Southeast. "The facilities are beautiful. Knoxville is a beautiful place to live. It had a home feeling there.

"The coaching staff is great. The team is great. They have young players but they're winning games. The coaching staff, the players and the academics are great."

Page, like Johnson, plans to major in business. That gave UT another chance to shine.

"I could be able to get good internships there with all the businesses downtown," Page said. "The way the business school is structured helps out a lot."

Before UT fans get too excited, there is the business of battling other schools. Page has already visited Notre Dame and plans to visit South Carolina on Nov. 30 and Clemson on Jan. 11.

Georgia Tech and North Carolina are battling to get into Page's final grouping.

Alongside Johnson in recruiting Page was UT junior offensive lineman Ramon Foster.

"He said it's a lot of hard work but it's worth it," Page said. "He said playing on the offensive line there is great. He said you get to compete in practices. He said it's hard, but on game day you're ready."

Page said he's fond of UT's offensive balance and coaches' use of screen passes.

"The offensive linemen use their athleticism to get out there and block," he said.

Undoubtedly, Page also is fond of feeling needed.

"The position I play is their priority," Page said. "I won't have to worry about a bunch of seniors and juniors in front of me and I'll get a chance to play."

Josh Ward contributed to this report.