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HomeFootball Recruiting

Demps liked atmosphere at UT

Jeff Demps already felt comfortable in Knoxville before he made his official visit to Tennessee last weekend.

The running back from South Lake High School in Groveland, Fla., was in Knoxville in July when he won the 100- (10.26) and 200-meter (21.04) dash at the AAU Junior Olympics.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Demps said he was able to spend time with UT’s coaching staff while he was in town competing.

“That really helped me,” said Demps, who is also considering Florida. “I had a feel of what everything was like.

“I had already talked to people and the coaches. When I went up (last weekend) I already knew everybody.”

Demps said during his summer visit he noticed the close relationships between UT’s coaches and players. He said he got the same impression during his official visit.

“I liked the atmosphere and how everybody got along with each other,” he said. “It’s like one big family.”

Demps said he could see more of the family environment while spending time with his host, tailback Montario Hardesty.

“He was telling me people really take care of you and look after you,” Demps said. “He said it’s a really nice place to play.

“That means a lot to me. I want to go somewhere where I feel like I’m at home.”

The idea of leaving home could be UT’s biggest obstacle in battling Florida for Demps’ services. He said he likes the idea of being close to home if he chooses Florida, which is about an hour and a half from Groveland.

“It’ll be a big factor to stay close to home because my mom could get there much easier,” he said. “It would be harder for her to get to Tennessee.”

Demps said he doesn’t have a preference between playing in Florida’s spread offense or what he called UT’s “NFL style.” Either one he believes should be able to take advantage of his best asset, speed.

“It gives me a big advantage because I’m usually the fastest guy on the field and it’s hard to get to me,” he said.

Demps said he doesn’t plan to make a decision until he takes his official visit to Florida, a trip he hasn’t yet scheduled.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       58 Comments

Posted by Ironcity on October 9, 2007 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sounds like a UF recruit

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is odd that Rivals on rates him a 3* considering the attention kids get in Florida. I wonder if he can't catch or something?

I hate UF and would rather see him go anywhere else... but understand why being close to home might matter if he's close to his family.

Posted by mjohnsonvols on October 9, 2007 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank god CR's comment was removed. See, the most negative person in TN. Please keep him off this article, heck keep him off the hole website.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on October 9, 2007 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IronCity, I'm with you. My money says he's already a Gator.

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

James Stewart was over 6' tall and went about 200 lbs. Travis Henry was short but heavy. Charlie Garner was short and not incredibly big.

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UF has a bigger glut of guys at WR than UT. They don't really feature a RB in the spread but he'd still be behind Rainey and at least one guy they've already pickedup this year plus the transfer from USC.

He may be convinced to open up his recruiting once Leavitt comes visiting.

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't Stephens go over 1000 his only year as a starter? Garner seemed to have some pretty good stats too.

Posted by juicetke on October 9, 2007 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is a video of him in High School. He is fast!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=JOfwCUgHRbc

Posted by nastyman on October 9, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All these articles are putting me to sleep. We must have the most boring writers in the country. Please, somebody write something interesting.

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Before I forget, UF may not sign him. They've already signed a number of players. Several are skill players if I remember correctly. They are on the board for several other kids ranked ahead of this one. They might not have a scholarship for him.

I can't remember for certain but I think this has to be a small recruiting class for UF and UT.

Posted by 99gator on October 9, 2007 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i follow florida recruiting pretty closely. in florida circles, the worst kept secret is that this kid is coming to florida. uf is still looking to sign wr's and has none officially committed. this is one that is believed to be secretly committed. caldwell graduates, ingram will leave early to the pros. they will sign two to three wr's or athletes to play wr.

Posted by 99gator on October 9, 2007 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yes, i said wr. at florida, that's where he will play

Posted by inquiry on October 9, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

alfully small looking to me

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, How many scholarships does UF have to give this year?

BTW, Do you really think Ingram will leave early or be drafted that high if he does?

He's a force in CFB but he's too small to play TE in the pros and not quick enough to play WR. At best, I could see someone taking him in the later middle rounds as a project.

Posted by 99gator on October 9, 2007 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

on ingram....

yes and yes.

florida has anywhere from 16-19 schollys. i know that sounds weird. it depends on who leaves for the nfl. right now, that is believed to be harvey and ingram. how many may transfer.

also, because of the last two years of recruiting.... meyer is going to be very selective. the classes were very good and very large and all of them qualified and got in school. so, you will see them reach more for the stars at a couple of spots and if they miss out so be it. there are only a couple of positions of real need. but, even there they are going to be real selective

Posted by 99gator on October 9, 2007 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

also, the trautwein injury has an affect. he will likely be a medical redshirt and be back next year even though he is a senior.

Posted by sjt18 on October 9, 2007 at 6:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's what I thought and why I think UF may pull this kid's offer. You've already got about 10-12 commits, right?

Posted by 99gator on October 9, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no, florida has 8 commits currently.

2 of them are from a high school in savannah, ga. word round the campfire is that spurrier may end up luring them up to carolina.

regardless, florida has no wr's committed. demps is a player they will make room for and will take if he commits. meyer values speed over everything else.

Posted by TommyJack on October 9, 2007 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CR...apparently I'm not the only one not wanting to read your mindless bilge

Posted by Ironcity on October 9, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UF will have 25 scholarships to give out once the crimal justice system down there gets into action. They have more future cons on that team then everyone in the SEC combined (1 out of 8 just this year). As for the article Demps all but says he's staying close to home.

Posted by 99gator on October 9, 2007 at 7:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iron city

that's the pot calling the kettle black, don't you think.

this is one of the things i am tired of. every school, including yes, tennessee has its discipline problems. i am not saying florida is perfect, but we are not alone. tennessee has a list of problem student athletes that is long and distinguished. so back off on that one.

Posted by flstf on October 9, 2007 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

crvol, you are the poster child for moron! KSN staff is there any way possible to keep this idiot from posting here?

I'm sick of having to wade my way through his idiotic post to actually get to read something from someone that has a clue.

Please for the love of God get him off of here!

Posted by mikeinknoxville on October 9, 2007 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good to see Hardesty doing his best for the team on and off the field

Posted by yeavols on October 9, 2007 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey everyone...Has the laughing gas worn off yet? If you want any chance at the SEC this year, the VOLS have to stay focused, hungry, aggressive, with passionate coaches and fire in everyone's eyes. Still have it this week? P.S. it's not December yet.

Posted by B_A_VOL on October 9, 2007 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol is hilarious. I read his stuff and get a kick out of it. This is still freedom of speech, and everyone has that right I hope.

Remember, Opinions are like A holes, Everyone has one and most of them stink a little.

Posted by sjt18 on October 10, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, No offense to you personally but Meyer is not a disciplinarian on off the field stuff by any stretch. CPF wasn't either until 2005 but since he's been very stout.

The suspension last year of the DT was an absolute joke. Joiner would have more than likely been punished had he done the same thing at UT even if the charges were dropped. I think the charges against Schaeffer were resolved without a conviction and CPF gave him the boot.

Maybe Joiner is a good kid that screwed up once but it isn't like what he did was unintentional or without premeditation... say like a fight or something.

Posted by auttat on October 10, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't Travis Stephens have something happen to a family member and he decided to redshirt so that he could play the year after Travis Henry left? He played behind Jamal Lewis and Travis Henry. 2 of the best to ever play at UT. And I think 99gator would attest to the fact that we used Stephens pretty well in 2001. However, I will leave it to you, oh great one jwraymond. The rest of us are just morons. The one thing that I remember about Stephens before 2001 is that dang blade of grass that seemed to always trip him up.

Posted by flstf on October 10, 2007 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol one of these days your actually going to run into someone you have insulted on this site in the real world and its not gonna end well for you.

Posted by flstf on October 10, 2007 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes your probably right there CRVol, I would imagine you would run like a little scared school girl. Doubt you would actually have the guts to admit who you are if the situation were to arise.

As was stated by someone earlier, you have the right to post, so you just keep up your internet tough guy BS.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Could we have an interpretation of that last post. It went right over my head.

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marinevol, you can't understand that post because we are all morons, except for the few posters here who know it all. We have to wait for them to enlighten us.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks volster, I was afraid it was just me.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Volster, did you hear something?

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes marinevol. That was one of the enlightened ones passing judgment on our comments. Fear not marinevol, for you will not be harmed. At most you will have your inteligence berated and your manlihood questioned. Do not think that a Marine is immune from such scrutiny by the enlightened ones.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't help it, Volster, I'm scared. I think I'm going to log off now. Be careful, my friend.

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I will carry on without you marinevol.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know volster, you can almost see the testosterone dripping from the posts of the enlightened one. He must be a very manly man. Has anyone ever seen him?

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes marinevol, the enlightened one is actually a fat girl from Alabama who gets a thrill out of running down the Vols and attacking the inteligence and maleness of Tennessee men.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Volster. Now it is all starting to make sense to me.

Posted by 55Vol on October 10, 2007 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol.... is really a Herbert Lom clone from the old Pink Panther movies.... every time he hears the name Fulmer or someone questions his intelligence, his eye begins to twitch..... hang tough CR...Fluff is gone now...calm down.

Posted by marinevol on October 10, 2007 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ilove_football, please do not anger the enlightened one. Now we all must feel his rage.

Posted by auttat on October 10, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol you only got one secret admirer on this site. Hey big daddy!!

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Now that's sweet.

Posted by txsvol on October 10, 2007 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Recruit him mainly for punt and kickoff returns, unless he puts on weight. Go Vols!

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be nice having a punt returner.

Posted by auttat on October 10, 2007 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT returns punts? I seriously never knew

Posted by volster on October 10, 2007 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it could be worked into the game plan.

Posted by sjt18 on October 10, 2007 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The RB playing for LSU runs about the same in the 100 m and goes 5'5"/155 lbs.

This kid is big enough if he's that fast.

Posted by auttat on October 10, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, not to be like CRVol, but we would probably show it once next year and then when the other team realized it and called time out (oh no, i think they are on to us) we would sit on it for a year. All the while, every punt would be downed inside the 10. I love UT and I want the coaches that we have now to succeed, but even I was disheartened by this acknowledgement.

Posted by 55Vol on October 10, 2007 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

why CR??...you use the same stuff all the time....i.e. FOOLmer.... moronjohnson, etc., etc......you know...calling other people names when you cannot think of anything else to say....

Posted by beatlecakes on October 10, 2007 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I enjoy reading most of the posts that follow the articles. You get great insight from fans and some different perspectives. Its not only entertaining, insightful and intriquing but it makes you better able to be in the know about the Vols.
I say all of that to say this "I refuse to read any of comments posted by CRVol." Most of the comments are non-football related, critical not only of the Vols but to others comments and posts. He also has several of his posts removed and has used perverted references to other people posting.
I suggest that either CRVol stick to football or KNS permentantly band him from posting. If I want to read negative comments about UT, its fans and everything in general, I would go to another schools site.
Give it a break CRVol...your rants are stale, crude and unacceptable to a true UT fan!

Posted by VolsFan17 on October 11, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's just not respond to CRVol. Keep the topic on FOOTBALL!!! Go UT! Beat State!

Posted by 55Vol on October 11, 2007 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRVol.... I do not agree that you always get called a name first. However, why do you feel like you always have to win the wee wee contests?

On a football note... do you predict we will winagainst State? If so, what are your odds?

Posted by 55Vol on October 11, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would agree with score. I don't think we should be ranked yet. If we beat Alabama and SC maybe at that point.

Posted by auttat on October 11, 2007 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Would anyone else like to see them add meat to both lines and a solid 6'3" 6'4" wr to next years class? What does UT consider needs for next year?

Posted by mtoms1272 on October 11, 2007 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The most overrated number is the Rivals stars. The kid plays in talent rich Florida. If we are offering he should be a good player.

Posted by sjt18 on October 11, 2007 at 5:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you look at the better players in the country... most of them were rated highly by Rivals. This kid may move up. OTOH, they do a good job of comparing kids and especially in talent rich areas where you see the better players go head to head or against the same opponents.

Posted by NCCOLTSFAN on October 15, 2007 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Shuuuuuuuu!
After reading and digesting all these posts at 2 AM because I have no life.Think I'll take a goody powder and call it a day!
Go Vols!

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