Lane Kiffin's recruiting plan to "build a fence around Tennessee" as he said during his introductory press conference on Monday is already in action.
Tennessee's new head football coach offered a not-so-subtle hint that he was off to Memphis to visit the top prospect in the state once his media obligations were complete.
That would be 6-foot-5, 205-pound receiver Marlon Brown from Harding Academy. Brown is the News Sentinel's highest-rated prospect in the state.
Brown told the News Sentinel on Monday that it meant a lot that Kiffin would make his way to Memphis with such haste.
Brown said he is considering UT, Ohio State, LSU, Florida and Georgia. He is unsure if he'll try to play basketball in college, a goal he expressed early in the recruiting process.
As for what to think of Kiffin, Brown said, "Right now I have no idea. I don't know a lot."
That should soon change.
Kiffin also is focusing on an in-state commitment, 6-2, 175-pound receiver Zach Rogers from David Lipscomb.
Rogers said he is expecting Kiffin this week after receiving a phone call from him Sunday.
"I think he's getting all the committed guys first," Rogers told the News Sentinel during the Mr. Football awards banquet on Monday. "I think he's coming Wednesday, so I'm looking forward to that. He's going to bring in a great staff. The Orange is going to prevail again. I'm excited to see what happens next year."
Having been committed since July, Rogers is more recruiter than prospect.
"I'm working on Marsalis Teague right there," Rogers said as he pointed to the 5-10, 170-pound athlete from Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn., who was standing nearby. "I was talking to him when we were sitting over there.
"I'm just trying to get as many in-state guys as I can. That's a role as a committed guy to bring the best talent around you and try to further the program. We have some great talent in-state. If we get all those guys, our class is going to be even better than it is now."
Teague also is another Kiffin target, according to Rogers.
"He said Kiffin called him yesterday," Rogers said. "He said he's coming to visit him, too. I'm trying to keep a positive mind about it and keep him with a positive mind, too. He's an outstanding player. To get him would be a great, great thing."
While Rogers still hasn't met Kiffin, an impression clearly has been made.
"He seems like a great guy," Rogers said. "As a coach, he's done some great things in his career."
Jesse Smithey contributed to this report.
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Comments » 58
Volsfan75 writes:
1st
wally writes:
Rock 'n Roll!!!!!!
jax3333 writes:
Coach K was not kidding when he said he would roll up his sleves and go to work.
utkell65 writes:
He also wasn't kidding when he said he was going to put a fence around Tennessee.
tnbigg writes:
I love the "fence around Tennessee" part!
hotrodvol writes:
Lock 'n Load!!!!!
junder13 writes:
Kiffin is the MAN!! D***, I'm so pumped! If I were a top prospect I would give him both ears no matter where he coached, especially at a school with the tradition, facilities and as rabid a fan base as Tennessee has!
iowavol writes:
Vol75, you are a DA.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
"The Orange is going to prevail again. I'm excited to see what happens next year", said Rogers.
Interesting comment that we're going to "prevail again". Folks, even the recruits know that UT has been in a rut. Recruiting is key, of course; however, we all know that highly-ranked recruiting classes don't turn into victory on Saturday.
The real test is to see how well Kiffin coaches. Time will tell. I wish him the best and am pulling for the Vols to be feared by each opponent on Saturday. Go Big Orange!!!
britt writes:
When is National Signing Day anyway?
DennisVols writes:
Just 4 months till the Orange and White game. Can't wait to see this team in action.
blitzshoot writes:
I hope Coach Kiffen takes UT to the promise land every year. I just hope that if all works out, that he remembers who opened the closed door. Good luck Coach.
For now, round'em up.
1volfan98 writes:
bring in a quality coaching staff with you and the recruits will follow.kiffin is starting off on the right foot.i'm sure as the days go by alot of the recruits will be taking another hard look at UT and re-considering.sure hope kiffin does well i wish him lots of luck
murrayvol writes:
Likewise. That "fence" has been in a state of disrepair for many years now. Prime livestock wandering hither and yon.
murrayvol writes:
1st Wednesday in February.
Triton1 writes:
yep!
vailvol writes:
i am loving every minute of this. i love ole phil and just watched the fulmer show from Sunday and got a bit emotional, but i must say i am fired up about Kiffen. I had gotten to the point that going to games was a foregone conclusion. of the 15 games or so i had gone to in the last 8 years i think i saw 3 wins. 2001 in the swamp, the comeback in death valley and GA last year. This year i went to the AU and GA game and again left disappointed as i had most games this decade. At least now we have HOPE for another decade of dominance.
I am counting down the days until Western Ky and the rematch with UCLA. i have never owned season tickets but am going to take the plunge. YAHOOOOOOOOOOO
montanavolfan writes:
And........
FedUpVolFan writes:
So nice to be excited again!
Go Vols!
GOBIGO72 writes:
"Put a fence up" is a slogan Orgeron used when he took over Ole Miss, but then he lived up to it, as I feel confident Kiffen will too. Quite an impressive team Kiffin is putting together. Recruiters and coaches all on the same team - what a unique concept - Can't wait to see his dad D-up on Meyer - it feels good to win - it will feel even better to win against the best. To watch Bama cry in their $4 mil beer - what a Monte Cristo day that will be - fire'um up boys the smoking lamp is lit.
byobbio writes:
I get tired of people like Jimmy Hyams saying that the TN job is fifth or so in the conference. After this press conference, I would have to say we're top two with Alabama tops. We HAVE the talent in TN. There are some great, great players here. Hyams is dead wrong and to say that he knows anything about football or recruiting, is a farce. He needs to consult with Lane Kiffin to see if the job is really fifth or so in the conference. He also didn't have the foggiest idea of who Matt Barkley is. Hey Jimmy: He's the top player coming out of High School this year and is reportedly interested in coming to Tennessee. Give me a break.
Sorry, had to vent.
BYOBBIO
asand211#361548 writes:
Yahoo.com is reporting that Spurrier is accusing Kiffin of an NCAA violation after he called a recruit yesterday before taking the NCAA test.
vol4gzus writes:
1st what? So childish.....we won kickball today at school and figured all vol fans wanted to know...yeah right. Lets leave the first grade "FIRST" stuff in the past. We have a new coach so come up with something ...ok?
Welcome Coach Kiffin do UT proud!!!
asand211#361548 writes:
You hit the nail on the head.
BillsBrother writes:
No worries.
Kiffin stated during the press conference that he passed the necessary test last week and that he started making calls Sunday.
asand211#361548 writes:
Thanks for the info. That's a relief. I guess Spurrier couldn't come up with something as funny as you can't spell Citrus without UT so he had to make something up.
jacksfacts writes:
I sense some of our rivals being a little concerned not that Kiffin is here but that Fulmer is out. But in the back of their mind they're probably wondering "what if this guy can coach and consistently recruit top 5 classes?" Spurrier knows SC may never again finish above UT so he threw that little jab out there. The only difference is now we have a coach that may punch back. Enjoy fans, if Kiffins plan comes together we may in for quite a few years of fun.
NorthwestVol writes:
Concur. Get the best out of our own state, fill in gaps with nation wide recruiting. But don't forget to pick up a few 'marginal' in-state boys with a love for UT and it's traditions and history. Those will be the glue that binds.
orangesox writes:
I like your thinking, NWVol. There are plenty of kids throughout the state that would give anything for the chance to run through that T. Passion is something no recruiting service can measure.
BigOrangeVol writes:
St Stevie Superior is mad because:
A.) he's losing his Recruiting Coordinator, David Reaves, to UT.
B.) because both Reaves and Kiffin called Jarvis Giles yesterday to try and get him back onboard since he decommitted after Phillip was fired.
C.) because his winning percentage at U of F was 81.3 and now at USC it’s 57.1
BigOrangeVol writes:
Gaither High School star Jarvis Giles said in a text message to The Tampa Tribune that Lane Kiffin told him during a Sunday morning telephone conversation he was bringing his father with him to UT.
BillsBrother writes:
I understand that it is only runor and innuendo at this time.
Coach appears to be concentrating on the current (or former) commitments and the in-state prospects.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I have a grandmother in Baltimore who is a huge Bob Barker fan...she just can't get over this Drew Carry "Price is Right" sham
mlbrown5454 writes:
I have a former neighbor in San Diego who feels the same.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Barkley would be a major coup but who said anything about him decommitting from USC? He is supposed to be enrolling at USC in January. He's out of the same high school that produced Heisman Trophy winners John Huarte and Matt Leinart as well as Colt Brennan. The only rumor I heard was that he was also looking at Notre Dame and Texas.
Of the Top 50 2009 class of Pro-Style QB’s…
UGA is getting #3 Aaron Murray and #10 Zach Mettenberger.
Bama is getting #6 A.J. McCarron.
UK is getting #9 Ryan Mossakowski.
MS St. has #14 Tyler Russell and #31 Josh Hollingsworth.
LSU gets #16 Chris Garrett.
We got #23 Bryce Petty.
Arkansas has #33 Will Secord.
Of the Top 35 2009 class of Dual-Threat QB’s…
LSU gets #1 Russell Shepard.
We got #3 Tajh Boyd.
Florida has #11 Jordan Reed.
Auburn got #12 Raymond Cotton.
UK has #14 Morgan Newton.
VU got #35 Charlie Goro.
That’s 12 of the Top 37 QB’s in the nation coming into the SEC next year… already.
Overall LSU is #3; Bama is #5; UGA is #9; Auburn is #12; SC is #13; Arkansas is #15; Florida is #17; Miss St. is #20 and we’ve dropped to #21.
UK is #39; Ole Miss is tied at #57 and VU is #75.
tnbigg writes:
It seems as though we may have finally shed...well...in a tune...it could best be described by the group called Sea Train...in their song, "Despair Tire". Goodbye despair tire...hello Lane Kiffin...bring it on!
BigOrangeinCharge writes:
As much as I've been griping about other aspects of his hiring, Kiffin's recruiting strategy looks great so far. Tennessee doesn't crank out as many superstar recruits as Florida, Texas, California, or even some of our other neighbors in the SEC, but we have a lot of in state talent here that the previous coaches let slip away without even trying.
Some examples...
Curt Phillips, the 2007 TN Gatorade Player of the Year who grew up 90 minutes from campus and is regarded by many as the 2nd coming of Tim Tebow, is redshirting at Wisconsin now because Fulmer and Co. told him they didn't think he'd ever be more than an average safety at UT. The consensus is that he may be the best QB prospect to come out of the state since Steve Spurrier.
Alabama's currently starting 2 stud LBs from Tennessee who will be in the NFL in the next 3 years. Fulmer didn't try too hard to get 'em, and said they'd probably have to redshirt.
Nashville's Golden Tate went to Notre Dame because Fulmer said he'd have to redshirt and sit a few years at UT. It looks like he'll be a high NFL draft pick in a few years, and is better than anyone the Vols have had since Donte Stallworth.
Then you've got Cobb and about a half dozen other players from the immediate Knoxville area who are playing very well for Kentucky this year.
The in-state recruiting on Fulmer's watch was a disgrace. While our state doesn't produce the number of prospects that some others do, Fulmer didn't bother to recruit half of them anyway.
Kiffin and his staff would be wise to look at Oklahoma, or those old Nebraska teams under Tom Osborne, for an easy template on how to do it right:
1. Lock down your borders so the prospects in your backyard stay home. Remember this is your talent base and the foundation of your program. With the reputation and facilities UT has, there's no reason for a local kid who wants to play in the NFL to go elsewhere.
2. Recruit out of state, but only do it as much as you have to. Let it suppliment your in state talent supply, but not replace it.
3. Let the walk ons and overlooked in state prospects with desire grow into competent starters and reserves.
At their peak in the 90s, Nebraska never recruited OL, FB, WR, TE, or P/K because they knew they could plug in athletes from other positions or walk ons to fill those roles. Worked well for them until their idiot athletic director (who mentored Mike Hamilton) came in and decided it needed changing to stay "relevant."
MidTennVol writes:
LMAO -- nice one nooga.
Alwaysthinknnextyear writes:
Wish the stock market had this much energy. It is good to see some energy back on the hill. Just like Pearl brought. Energy is contagious. No more pouty faces and slumped over coaches. Hopefully this recruiting energy will sweep through the State and beyond. This guy has to be hungry and work his you no what off. He is starting from scratch. All upside from here. So all the naysayers go stick your head back under a rock since that is where you have been the last 7 years.
txvolsfan writes:
He already took the test did Spurrier not listen to the press conference. He said he started calling Sun. because NCAA said it was OK because he passed the test.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Most humorous, my fellow Chattanoogan!
Smokey57 writes:
Would that be the same rabid fan base that called CPF names for the last few years, booed during games, and didn't show up for games even after buying a ticket?
By your description, rabid = fair-weather.
If I were a top prospect, I would consider those rabid fans as pitiful.
Hudro writes:
after a decade of we have to watch the film and working like heck...., I am excited again. I think we are going to get competitive again. Not win every game, but at least compete and have an element of doubt as to the outcome instead of the foregone conclusion that we are in for another paddling.
I think that once we get a QB and the OL line straigtened out we will compete again.
TommyJack writes:
Spurrier was never concerned that we had a violation. He's just pizzed about CLK stealing his recruiting director. Just a barb..classic visor boy BS. It has to be hard on the ol'ball coach knowing that with each day, he becomes less relevant.
JBruce writes:
There are all kinds of rumors swirling all throughout the internet about Kiffin's connections with recruits all throughout the country (Matt Barkley, Manti Teo). We know that Kiffin definately brings an X-factor that we haven't had.
Are there any big time prospects that maybe have already committed to another school that will take another look at Tennessee?
illinoisvolfan writes:
Marsalis Teague is from my hometown and is an outstanding individual. Vanderbilt is after him also, as he has a 4.0 GPA. I know he played quarterback at HCHS, but I'm sure he would make an outstanding WR or DB as well. Maybe getting Teague would reverse RB Dominique Allen's LSU verbal commitment as well...
HotlantaVol writes:
Buidling a fence around Tennessee is a worthy goal. However, CLK needs to make sure there are several strategically placed one-way gates in the fence to allow our misplaced Vols in from Bama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, etc.
SemperVol writes:
Last year Tennessee spent more money on the recruiting budget than anyone else in the country.
If this continues for Kiffin, coupled with the enthusiasm we've already seen from him, in regards to traveling and talking to prospects, there should be some phenomenal talent here.
hooverd283#563729 writes:
Man !! His wife is outstanding...he recruited her.. football players should be a breeze....GO VOLS
Jdacris writes:
With you on that Hoover
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