Wilks picks Vols

Chance to play early, join brother are key

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Originally published 11:54 a.m., September 19, 2007
Updated 12:06 a.m., September 20, 2007

Most thought it was only a matter of time until Rod Wilks committed to Tennessee.

After all, the News Sentinel's second-best prospect in the state lives a short drive from Knoxville and his brother, Marsalous Johnson, is a starting cornerback at UT.

Wilks finally made it official, announcing he was committed to UT during a press conference at Smyrna High School Wednesday morning. The decision, however, wasn't as easy as most thought it would be.

"It was a battle between Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina," the 6-foot-1, 210-pound wide receiver said. "I was just going for whichever school recruited me the hardest - who really showed me they wanted me."

That certainly was the case for UT, which targeted Wilks as a high priority.

"It just wasn't one or two coaches," Wilks said when asked what UT assistant recruited him, "it was everyone."

In the end, UT's depth chart proved most important.

"Tennessee did a heckuva job," Wilks said. "So did Florida, but I just felt like Tennessee was a place I can go and have an opportunity to get on the field as a freshman."

Immediate playing time certainly seems more possible now than it did just a few weeks ago. The Vols signed a bevy of receivers in the 2007 class. Despite high expectations, their impact on the field has been minimal.

Wilks' commitment is a lone positive for UT amidst a whirlwind of negativity surrounding a 59-20 loss to Florida last Saturday. Wilks didn't travel to the game, but his father did.

"All champions lose," Wilks said. "Everyone is going to have a loss in their lives. Tennessee just lost. It's over with. You've got to move forward."

Now, Wilks can move forward - with his brother.

"He's a big factor," Wilks said "All my life, we've been together. Once you separate me from my brother, it's hard for us. I wanted to reunite with him."

The brotherly tie almost worked against UT. Wilks wasn't pleased with the media coverage of his brother's run-in with the law last year.

Johnson was charged with aggravated assault following an incident with a toy gun in Cookeville. Johnson was eventually found not guilty of all charges.

"It didn't turn me off," Wilks said of his interest in UT, "but I was disappointed in some of the ways they (the media) handled it."

Wilks said he'll only take one official visit this fall, to Knoxville.

"It's exciting," he said. "I wanted to go ahead and get it behind me so I could finish my high school career with enjoyment."

In four games this season, Wilks has 19 catches for 297 yards and five touchdowns. Wilks caught 60 passes for 945 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior in 2006.