Stokes
Tennessee's 2009 football signing class started with a bang on Sunday when Je'Ron Stokes became the Vols' first verbal commitment.
"Man, it's a weight off my shoulders," the 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver from Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Pa. said. "I'm very excited."
Stokes isn't just any prospect. He's widely considered one of the top 100 recruits in the nation.
Last season, he had 26 catches for 670 yards, 465 yards rushing and seven total touchdowns.
Stokes' final four consisted of UT, Oklahoma, Illinois and Penn State. That was before he visited Knoxville late last week.
"It wasn't a rushed decision," said Stokes, who has 24 scholarship offers. "But I didn't think I was going to make a decision anytime soon."
Stokes first came to UT two years ago when his pastor, Harry Jones, brought him to Knoxville to visit Jones' son, former UT receiver/defensive back Mark Jones. The trip made an impression.
"I loved it," Stokes said. "I was a little smaller and lot younger. Everything seemed so big, but the idea of making it to that level, playing on that stage, that was my motivation."
Stokes was initially recruited by defensive backs coach Larry Slade. Then, receivers coach Latrell Scott made a strong impression.
"He really kind of sealed the deal," Stokes said of Scott, the first-year UT assistant coach. "His personality, his style, his fairness, I have an opportunity to come in and play. That's all I asked for."
Considering a pastor brought Stokes to Knoxville, it's no surprise that faith helped him make the decision.
"Coach (Phillip) Fulmer is a great man, very spiritual," Stokes said. "That's good because that's how I am."
Stokes is Tennessee's first public commitment of the 2009 class, a distinction he said was important.
"It means a lot," Stokes said. "Tennessee is a great program. It's a powerhouse. I wanted to be the first one. With my status, I think I can help bring other players in."
Although National Signing Day isn't until February, Stokes maintains he's firmly committed to be a Vol, and won't take any official visits to other schools.
"I wanted to seal the deal and play for a great university and play for great fans and win a championship while I'm there. That's the goal," Stokes said.
"Tennessee is home. I don't need to look around."
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Comments » 134
BigOrangeHustler writes:
Nice pickup
cdonsbach writes:
GO VOLS
VolPride_13 writes:
YESSSS!! We finally got one and it's a good one!!!
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Did a kid from Philadelphia, Pa. just say TN is a "power house"? And here I thought the rest of the country thought TN is a dying, laughing stock program? Shows what I know...
Fire Fulmer anyway....
note sarcasm.
Welcome aboard young man. We look forward to seeing catch passes wearing orange.
TNfaninMS writes:
Rock and Roll baby!!!!
1 down, many to go!!!!
GO VOLS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
arkyvol writes:
to paraphrase the famous director, sam goldwyn, an oral contract (commitment) isn't worth the paper its written on. its a long time till february. i hope he feels the same way then.
Ironcity writes:
Great to see UT getting back in PA. It use to be a hotbed for UT.
TommyJack writes:
Iron: Good point. True.
philfan writes:
"Coach (Phillip) Fulmer is a great man, very spiritual," Stokes said. "That's good because that's how I am."
Almost all of the players Fulmer recruits speak highly of Fulmer. Either the players are lying, they have been conned into thinking that Fulmer is an honorable man, or he really is a good person and they pick up on it right away. Since Fulmer has never been involved in a major recruiting scandal and the players speak so well of him, maybe he really is a great person to work with. Someone on this discussion group once referred to Fulmer as a major embarrassment to the athletic program. I don't think so.
dogboy writes:
Welcome to the Big Orange Nation Je'ron. I can't wait to see you in that orange and white...GO VOLS!!!!!
dburgVol writes:
Wow! This could not have played out any better. A young Christian man that loves Tennessee and wants to get started out right away recruiting. Great pickup, quality recruit, helps the moms and pops when they here from this type of young man. Exactly what we need. No more potheads. Go VOLS!!
Volfan1 writes:
"Amen" about the spiritual side to this recruit and no thugs.
gohawks1 writes:
Great news! Welcome aboard, Je'Ron. Coach Scott is already working on next year's class. Great work!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Glad we snagged a big recruit, but I'll believe it when he signs...anything can happen between now and 2009.
Not trying to be pessimistic, but changes of heart do occur. I'll be praying that his heart stays Orange.
abills#477949 writes:
"It means a lot," Stokes said. "Tennessee is a great program. It's a powerhouse. I wanted to be the first one. With my status, I think I can help bring other players in."
Evidently we are still relevant on the national stage.
beachvol1 writes:
According to rivals, he still wants to take a couple of more visits...why??? This is not as firm as one may believe, but cross your fingers!!!!
thesavageorange writes:
beachvol1,18 and the red carpet treatment.I would too.There is a couple of things he said that make me think he will stay commited.
"Paster Jones took me down to Tennessee two years ago and I fell in love with it then," Stokes said. "When I went back this week I fell in love with the Vols again. I prayed about it with my family and we talked about. I knew in my heart Tennessee was the right place for me so I wrapped it up yesterday.""I didn't know I was going to commit," Stokes said. "I thought I might do it at the U.S. Army game or on signing day. But I knew where I was going so didn't see any reason to wait."
"Coach Fulmer is the man," Stokes said. "He is a players coach. He is spiritual and is going to make you a better person and will be beside you every step of the way.
miamiVOL writes:
good to see new coach wrapping up a top recruit, i love the speed on the edges and if he wants to run track(scout reports 10.7 100m dash), give him a shot
GreerVol22 writes:
Fulmer and staff have never made shallow promises of immedaite playing time to recruits or their parents to get them to come to UT. I'm proud to have a coach thats stays the course in this respect.
Cleve writes:
Tears in my eyes.
utchris writes:
This is great news. Now if we can lock down Marlon Brown of Memphis (#2 rated WR) we will really cash in.
Titan writes:
Mark Jones was one of the most underrated players of all time at UT. He played both ways his senior year and as I recall, his stats were better than a guy named Woodson a couple years earlier who acutally pilfered away a Heisman.
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
If the new receivers coach is swaying one of the top recruits in the nation to play for the Vols, you have to believe that our offense is going to be great. At least, that's the analogy that I will go with for now.
Excellent pickup.
GIVEHIMSIX writes:
Great early showing for the new offensive staff. The entire coaching staff, but specifically Scott, has done well early in the recruting process. If this is a sign of things to come, expect the 09 class to be one of Fulmer's typical premier hauls. seems like these 1-AA guys have no problem recruting at an SEC school.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
go find me some DT's and DE's...lot's of 'em. Still, glad the kid is happy with his commitment.
One thing is for sure: UT will get you ready for the pro game. They've moved lots of players up the ladder over the years.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Welcome!
Fulmer probably is a great coach, the statistics say so anyway.
We are just spoiled at Tennessee, and for that matter the entire SEC pretty much is. At Tennessee we want Championships! Never mind that we are one of only a handful of teamsto have a BCS Crown. Bruce Pearl has teh BBall team looking better and better, and Pat Summitt has the Lady Vols back in the National Championship game. Not to mention a damn good softball team that has went to the WCWS the last two or three years, and was runner up last year.
Never mind all the individual champions we have in the lesser watched sports.
Dammit CPF, we want another BCS Crown! And we won't be satisfied even if we get one, lol
volunteer_cowboy writes:
beachvol1: Although National Signing Day isn't until February, Stokes maintains he's firmly committed to be a Vol, and won't take any official visits to other schools. "Read" the story
txsvol#372416 writes:
I agree with thesavageorange's take: this young man's word is his bond. Does anyone else remember when Mark Jones was a senior, and this site reported of a meeting between his father and CPF asking why Mark Jones wasn't starting? CPF told Pastor Jones that he considered Mark to be one of his starters, but he wanted to have him fresh for his reps on offense, defense, and special teams, so Mark (like Manu Ginobili of the Spurs) and his father accepted Mark's role for the good of the team. Obviously this reflects great credit to our head football coach. I wonder if any Top 100 high school OL and DL also attend Pastor Jones' church. Great pick-up to start 2009 recruiting. Go Vols! SAVol
txsvol#372416 writes:
LV8X, didn't notice at first that you had posted earlier. You and Granny Clampett be sure to make the Ramp Festival in Cosby next month. Might find some more medicinal herb festivals that don't reek as much, if you look for them. SAVol
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Dang right fellas!! Way to go!! This will be a redemptive class! The rumor going around the horn says that the coaches are working the recruiting like never before and maybe it is beginning to show!
Scout has him as the #5 WR
"Stokes is very physical and plays bigger than he is. He is tough to check in man coverage. Stokes possesses sprinters speed and has that extra gear. He has outstanding ball skills and concentration. If a ball is thrown in his direction he is coming down with it. Very intense competitor who lays it all on the line every play. Runs solid routes and will catch the ball in traffic. Bob Lichtenfels/Scout.com"
txvolsfan writes:
SAVOL, Love the Spur reference, looking forward to a double back-to-back, The Lady Vols and The San Antonio Spurs!!!!
Champions everywhere.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Fulmer promised this young man to play in the Georgia Dome. We played in the Georgia Dome 2 straight years earlier this decade.
richvol writes:
That assessment by Scout is great...if it's true then he will excell in the SEC.
Ironcity,you are exactly correct. UT used to raid the northern states for talent every year. A great many of our all-americans came from there. Now it seems we rarely get someone further north than Cincinnati. We should hire someone with connections to northern high schools to canvas that area. It would seem to me that that the best kids across country would want to play in the SEC.
HotlantaVol writes:
Ashley - thanks for staying on top of the countdown even with the change to the schedule made last week. Glad to see you're on top of it. Welcome to the Orange, Mr. Stokes!!
FWBVol writes:
richvol, haven't you paid attention to Dave Clawson's background as well as those of the other new coaches? Clawson is from New York, and coached at Fordham, Lehigh and Villanova. Many of the new offensive coaches have similar backgrounds. These guys to have connections to metro New York, Philly and Washington D.C. and I see a strong recruiting foundation being established in those areas.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
sjt18,
Yeah, it's a shame that we couldn't get that penn connection a bit earlier for Pryor huh? Let's just forget about that though. I don't care for his (apparent) self-centered attitude. I could be wrong in my judgment.
UTByrd writes:
Committed early so he can help recruit other players. Can I get an AMEN!
midgetangel#279179 writes:
IMAGINE THIS!!!!! Stokes AND Marlon Brown!!! I'm salivating at the possibility!!
murrayvol writes:
Fritter: I'm sure Stokes is stoked about being a Volunteer as well.
This is a good start.
THANKYOU4GETTINGRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE writes:
sjt18 = clown and homer
GiveHimSix1387 writes:
Good to see this was Scott's pickup. Sounds like a really good kid. We need more guys like him to represent our university and prove that CPF is not only a good coach but a good person. Great way to start the 09 class! GO VOLS!
TommyJack writes:
sjt: pleasegetrid just slapped your face with a glove.
ATLVOL1 writes:
WE HAVE 1 RECRUIT AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN OUR #1 LAST YEAR TOO...LOL
ABRAMS WARD ON ONE SIDE AND THIS KID ON THE OTHER IN THE FUTURE...NICE!
invisiblekid writes:
Stokes should be a fine addition to the program and I look forward to seeing him in Orange.
In the not-so-good-news department, has anyone taken a look at recruiting for LSU and GA? LSU has 10 verbals including 6 guys rated 4* or better and GA has 7 verbals. Of course, most of these are in-state recruits and it just illustrates the point that Fulmer and company finds themselves behind the proverbial 8 ball every year in recruiting. Bottom line for me is these verbals aren't worth the paper they're written on and recruiting doesn't really get interesting until January.
givehim6 writes:
Stokes sounds like the kind of recruit UT wantes, talented, good christen values, loves his school! the kind of guy that will do a good job for us and won't end up getting suspended. And Scott helped bring in, way to go new choching staff. GO VOLS!
losvolsganan writes:
PLEASEGETRIDOFTHENOTSOSLIMONE = llorona
jimr07 writes:
PLEASEGETRIDOD--i know this is a disappointment to you. i know how much you like fulmer and co. sorry that it is bad news for you.
jimr07 writes:
Again, i do not know why everyone is so hung up on the number of stars. for many years i saved all the Tom Lemming, Max Emfinger ratings, the Parade Magazine all america team and it is amazing how few made the grade. I compare a lot of this to the first round picks in the NFL and how few actually made the grade. it is up to the coaches to evaluate the players. it is their job on the line not Rivals or Scouts.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
marc_ash i was just stating that he said he wasnt taking visits to beachvol..
TommyJack writes:
sjt: I can't really disagree.
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