It’s not hard to figure out why Tennessee passed on offensive lineman David Spurlock.
Simply put, UT’s coaches don’t think the 6-foot-5, 290-pounder from Murfreesboro Riverdale High School is as good as the other offensive linemen that are considering (and maybe leaning towards) the Vols.
In other words, the Vols think they’re better off without Spurlock.
Spurlock was understandably upset in an interview with the News Sentinel this week, saying he got the “shaft” from UT.
It’s true that Spurlock was offered a scholarship from UT. But like so many early offers, it wasn’t permanent. So when Spurlock hesitated, UT focused its energy on others.
Many thought Spurlock was headed to Alabama. It’s still unclear why he didn’t end up there. Was he truly offered a scholarship by the Crimson Tide or did he not like something about the way ’Bama recruited him?
Either way, UT fans should view this latest development as a sign that some other offensive linemen could be on their way.
The Vols seem to be in surprisingly good shape with Barrett Jones from Evangelical Christian School, even though his father played basketball at Alabama and most of his family roots for the Crimson Tide.
UT is also firmly in the hunt for Dallas Thomas from Istrouma High in Baton Rouge, La.
And as for Alex Hurst from Arlington High, don’t think the Vols have given up on the in-state prospect just because he committed to LSU this month.
Could Hurst have made an emotional decision during a drama-filled visit to Baton Rouge as LSU beat Florida in an instant SEC classic? UT’s coaches hope so.
The Vols have commitments from two offensive linemen: Cory Anderson from Florence (Ala.) High and Preston Bailey from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville.
As for Spurlock, his opportunity to be a Vol likely expired when Bailey announced his decision Aug. 29.
UT has 10 commitments for its 2008 class. And with two to five former signees or transfers expected to enroll next summer, space is very limited. UT is expected to sign 20 to 22 prospects in February.
The Vols are being very choosy.
UT’s coaches couldn’t have been pleased that Spurlock blasted them publicly for withdrawing his scholarship offer. For the Vols, there is no way to respond to Spurlock’s accusations because of NCAA rules that prohibit discussing individual prospects.
But, turning your back on an in-state prospect certainly doesn’t make for good public relations.
But, in the long run, the Vols believe they’re better off, even without saying so.
Don’t You Forget About Me: Here are the non-traditional commitments to UT’s 2008 and 2009 class:
Cory Hall: The defensive end from Chattanooga Brainerd is enrolled in Northwest Mississippi Junior College and expected to arrive at UT in Fall 2009.
Dustin Lindsey: The former Alcoa running back/linebacker is toiling away at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He’ll either enroll at UT in Fall 2008 or pursue his playing career at another non-SEC school, avoiding the conference’s increased academic standards.
Demetrice Morley: It’s looking less a longshot that the former starting safety will return to UT in Fall 2008. He’s at Pellissippi State trying to improve his academic standing.
Stephaun Raines: The defensive back from Dalton, Ga. is at Coffeyville and is expected to enroll at UT by Fall 2008.
Rae Sykes: The defensive end from Alcoa is taking classes at Coffeyville and is on pace to enroll at UT by Fall 2009.
Brandon Warren: The former Florida State freshman All-American is taking classes at Pellissippi State and could enroll at UT in January if he’s deemed academically eligible. If not January, the former Alcoa defensive end is expected to enroll by Fall 2008.
Gerald Williams: Remember him? Williams signed with UT in 2005. After taking a year off, going to prep school and enrolling at City College of San Francisco, the linebacker/defensive end from South Florida is expected to be a Vol by Fall 2008. (No, really.)
Rufus Williams: This Florida defensive end is expected to enroll at UT by Fall 2009. He is enrolled at Coffeyville.
Recruiting Rap: UT defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell joked that he heard more about Nick Saban’s salary than his recruiting prowess when the former Miami Dolphins coach was hired by Alabama in January.
“More than anything, you hear about how much money he’s making,” Caldwell said with a grin. “That was the big deal. It wasn’t that he was coming to coach, it was how much money they were paying him.”
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He can be reached at hookerd@knews.com.
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Comments » 25
WCT59 writes:
You are a joke. You need to let this go instead of making some type of deal out of it. It is what it is. Be a professional and let it drop. Yes, David was offered by Alabama. Do you really want verbally assault a 17 year old kid? Or do you want to chalk his statements up to immaturity? You my fiend are the adult here.
kb7398#233189 writes:
Hey Hook...Saban is at Bama, not LSU.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Sounds like Mr. or Mrs. Spurlock reads the KNS online...we all wish your son the best, wherever he ends up...
Volchaz writes:
This is the second article I've seen about the Spurlock kid. Are we hard up for stories during BAMA WEEK?????? KNS should know what this week means to Vols fans and what we want,not some typical offseason banter about disgruntled prospects.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Good point, Volchaz...but when the dogs are hungry, I guess they'll eat anything.
kaplan#211944 writes:
There are plenty of stories advancing the game. More than 20. This is a weekly recruiting column that Dave does.
scvols writes:
What is this phooey that Steve Caldwell said? Is he saying he is not worry about Saban's recruiting? I know all coaches were happy when Saban was giving 4 million a year, but he will not make it long if he does not get things turned around quickly and that means better recruiting from Alabama.
BigUn writes:
Wow, I noticed that Spurlock gained 30lb's in between articles. In the first one he weighed 260lb, now in this article he weighs 290lbs! Could be the depression from getting the shaft in the recruiting game.
I know Spurlock is upset, but this is the recruiting the game and even though it does suck that UT didn't inform him that he no longer had a scholly, recruits do this to universities all the time. Committing and renegeing on their pledges to attend etc. It does stink, but unfortunately it is the way that big time college recruiting works.
utwick writes:
It sounds as if we have some decent players in the "wings" (2008 and 2009). Hopefully they can make it onto the field earlier than our most recent batch of Jucos. Why recruit (for the experience) if they just sit on the bench? Or maybe we should be more selective with the choice of Jucos too.
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Think Fulmer will be around to coach all of them? :)
andy112382#209793 writes:
Hmm, Morley and Berry in the secondary together, that would be very sweet.
Gerald Williams, how can you not feel bad for him? Well, he'll be three years older, maybe that will make him more likely to become a team leader on defense given all he has been through!
Phowell23 writes:
I forgot all about Morley! Morley was our lone 5 star recruit in the 2005 class and ranked the #2 cornerback in that class and 21st player overall according to Rivals.com. Sounds like our defense will get quite a boost next season if everyone qualifies. It's funny how you forget about all these guys who didn't qualify for their freshman year.
Check this out...
-Morley (Cornerback) is a 5 star recruit in 2005, #2 Cornerback, #21 overall.
-Brandon Warren (Defensive End/Tight End) is a 5 star recruit for Florida State in 2006, #2 DE overall or ESPN rated him as #1 Tight End. Also rated as #1 player in TN in 2006. Played Tight End at Florida State earning Freshman All-American status but left to come closer to home to take care of his ailing mother and was also homesick. Could be a star tight end for us or play defensive end.
-Gerald Williams (Inside Linebacker), ranked #7 four star linebacker in 2005 by Rivals.com, and #19 Florida recruit
utmdm writes:
TDTN Ok I'll be sjt18's agent and he'll take it for 3 1/2.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
If these recruits show up combined with solid and maturing defense and give 2008 relatively friendlier schedule...I'm looking at 2008 as a championship year. If Fulmer can't cap his career with a great year in 2008 than it will definately be time for change. I'm willing to support him through next year. This team is very interesting and quietly trending up, particularly with the talent base. The one wild card will be how well Crompton runs the offense. He should have an outstanding offensive line and a stable full of stud running backs to help him.
blhvols#210231 writes:
Good article, Dave!!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
ThaiVol and other international vol fans:
After an hour of searching I just found that the Alabama game will be FREE on yahoo sports online!!
This is my first game of the season!!! YAAAAAHOOOOOO!!
I hope you guys get this. Go VOLS!!
utmdm writes:
TDTN what can I say. I was noncommission.
WCT59 writes:
Hey Hooker,
Maybe you can play for Fulmer. You seem to have all the qualities necessary to be a vol. Ha! Ha!
phi0129 writes:
Ha! Gilbert you must be living in fantasy land. Fulmer couldn't win an SEC championship with the New England Patriots as his team. He has proven over and over again that he can't cut it. How much longer can you follow a man that is ruining the history and tradition of TN football? I think this year is more than enough to prove his lack of leadership. 2005 was the free slide. NO MORE!!!!
AlpharettaVol writes:
It looks like the entire Coffeyville roster is committed to Tennessee. I guess their program will have to fold after all those guys pack their bags and move to KNoxville.
WCT59 writes:
I wonder if Caldwell is still joking about Saban now? Loser!
smashmouth98 writes:
WCT59 is the joke!! I don't think Spurlock even got the offer from Bama. He is a CHUMP. He should not have waited so long to tell the coaches that he wanted to attend UT. That is part of the recruiting game, the early bird gets the worm or should I say scholarship!!
WCT59 writes:
Your mouth is about as big as Fulmers belly. Talk about something that you truly know about. Calling someone a chump is not what I would call friendly, however what would you expect from a member of Jethro Nation?
bigbluevol writes:
WCT, let it go that your boy didn't get the offer he wanted. He had a chance, they're both going their separate ways. Good luck to him, go Vols, and let's move on.
gmccown007#392764 writes:
What if I were to GUARANTEE you that I can give all of you the name of the ONE and ONLY coach in the whole of America that can return Tennessee to ALL of its heartbreakingly long lost days of glory? Now, if I could "do" such a miraculous, seemingly impossible thing, would you immediately "sign up" and --- with all of your heart --- "get on board"? Or would you --- with the NEGATIVITY that has now engulfed the VOL NATION --- and indeed, is now threatening to DESTROY it --- INSTEAD join --- GLEEFULLY, no doubt --- in the FLOOD OF NEGATIVITY that would almost certainly follow an idea so "wild" and, no doubt, certain to be PERFECT? Perfect, that is, once all EMOTION is completely wiped away.
I have --- literally --- been sitting in that once hallowed stadium for OVER 55 YEARS!!! NO ONE'S blood runs any more orange than mine! NO ONE'S!!! Consequently, there is NO PRICE (other than my immortal soul) that I would not pay for a return to those once halcyon days of glory.
Want to return to such days of triumphant joy? Admittedly, now, only for a mere handful of remaining years? Or do all of you prefer to merely continue to endlessly, fruitlessly bicker? There is only the tiniest window of opportunity now left. But that window DOES exist. With no blasphemy whatsoever intended, there is a "savior" available to us. Incredibly, he is even a native son. Tennessee born and bred. Further, he is, regardless of one’s prejudices, the GREATEST football "genius" alive. WITHOUT QUESTION!
Now, mind you, we do not always see eye-to-eye. Collectively, or otherwise. But who cares? Particularly, for such a magnificent ultimate "prize"? I have sat around a hundred tables and heard it repeated a thousand times.
"Native son or not he would never take the job. Besides, there is no one alive who hates Tennessee any more than he does”.
I promise you, folks. Neither statement is true. Now, it IS true that out of high school, he “refused” our recruitment. But only because he was determined to remain a quarterback.(Tennessee still ran exclusively single wing and not being a Tim Tebow “type” (of that day or any other), he knew his running skills simply were not adaptable to U-T's offensive sets. And, mind you, he was more than "right".
Once he became a coach, though, he has been ready --- more than once --- to come back to Tennessee. Justifiably, though, he has never judged it "right" or "proper" to do the asking. And, indeed, why should he have?
Of whom are we speaking? Well, the one and only one man who can save the "train-wreck" that is now Tennessee football. Steve Spurrier.
By the way, time is running out. Like Lou Pinella with the Cubs, this would, guaranteed, be Spurrier’s last hurrah.
At this stage, it would probably call for one dollar more than Lou Saban. In case you have forgotten, the man who just handed us our a$$.
I don’t know about you but I will never forget that pain. Never.
I’m good for the first $100,000.00. Anybody got a dollar?
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