Recruits had good view of Vols

Fifty-nine to 20.

That score alone doesn't send recruiting tidal waves across the nation.

But when that score is the final tally from a rivalry such as the Tennessee-Florida series, shock waves are far reaching.

At the epicenter in Gainesville, Florida rocked the recruiting world when it picked up athlete Will Hill from St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, N.J. Hill, who will play defensive back at Florida, picked the Gators over Southern Cal on Thursday. He is widely considered one of the best prospects in the nation.

Just days before, Florida secured a commitment from cornerback Jeremy Brown from Boone High School in Orlando, Fla.

What did these two players have in common?

You guessed it. They both took their official visit to Florida last weekend to see the Vols get dismantled.

While that game was an obvious boost to Florida's recruiting efforts, it remains to be seen just how adversely it will affect UT.

This much is known. It seems the Vols have slipped in the Etienne Sabino race, and the linebacker from Krop High in Miami took his official visit to Florida last week.

UT seemed to be well within Sabino's top five before the season began. Now the Vols are trying to maintain that position, by securing an official visit that may be slipping through their fingers.

Offensive lineman Barrett Jones from Evangelical Christian in Cordova was also in Gainesville on an official visit last weekend.

"I enjoyed it," Jones said of the visit. "I'm sure that's not the best thing you can say in a Knoxville newspaper.

"It was a lot of fun. Obviously, that atmosphere down there is really good. They love it when they beat Tennessee. They were all real happy, to say the least."

So does that mean the Gators have risen among Jones top suitors?

"It definitely was a special night but I'm still going to see what the best decision is for me," said Jones, who is the News Sentinel's third-best prospect in Tennessee. "You really can't base it on one game."

Even though Jones was in Florida on business, it seemed as if it was hard to lay aside the many times he's cheered for the Vols.

"It was a tough game," Jones said. "They caught Tennessee on a bad night. It happens to the best of it."

Despite consistent rumors circulating that Jones' decision will come down to Alabama and UT, he maintains that all schools in his top five (UT, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Vanderbilt) are all even.

UT's next chance to impress Jones will come Oct. 6 when Georgia comes to Knoxville. The actual game may not be as important to Jones as the overall experience. But that doesn't mean another lopsided loss will be easily overlooked.

The Vols will be up for inspection once again on Oct. 20, when UT plays at Alabama.

Jones will be there, on hand to inspect the two teams many believe lead for his services.

"It's not really about who wins one game," he said. "It's definitely going to be a battle like it is every year.

"I can't really say whoever wins that game is where I'm going, because that's certainly not true. Obviously, it will be a good game and a chance to see two teams I'm interested in."

The Vols will face an uphill battle to make a solid impression on Jones in Tuscaloosa.

Not only will the Vols have the crowd against them, they'll also see Jones surrounded by his extended family, much of whom still live in Alabama, and his father, Rex Jones, who played basketball for the Crimson Tide.

Not a bad home field recruiting advantage.

Whether it comes against Georgia or Alabama, UT will soon need a big win to boost its 2008 recruiting class. Prospects, like fans, have questions.

Credit UT with landing a top prospect while still in the shadows of the Florida debacle. Securing a commitment from Smyrna receiver Rod Wilks on Wednesday was no small feat.

UT's efforts weren't lost on Jones.

"If you take a week off in recruiting, you're dead," Jones said of the Vols. "They're still out there looking for the best players they can get."

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