In-state prospects hearing from Kiffin

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.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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