Herbert gets a call; still a Vol

Defensive tackle Edwin Herbert claims he’s still a Tennessee commitment despite taking an official visit to N.C. State last weekend.

Herbert reportedly pulled his commitment to UT but told the News Sentinel late Monday night he’s still planning to be a Vol.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder from City College of San Francisco said he hadn’t heard from UT in weeks during the transition from departed coach Phillip Fulmer to newly hired coach Lane Kiffin.

A call by UT offensive line coach Greg Adkins on Monday helped ease Herbert’s concerns.

“I talked to Coach Adkins today,” Herbert said. “He put me back in the loop again. I was kind of the dark. I went a couple of weeks without hearing anything.”

Herbert said he should still be considered a UT commitment but will consider other options before signing his letter of intent on Dec. 17.

Herbert is completing his final semester at City College and will enroll in his next school in January.

“I wouldn’t’ say I’m wide open but I’m giving other schools a shot,” Herbert said. “They’d have to do something pretty big to impress me.”

Herbert took what he described as a “cool” official visit to N.C. State this weekend. He’s also contemplating an official visit to Arkansas but said he likely won’t take an official to Florida as was previously considered.

“I want to take care of this right away,” Herbert said.

Adkins will be in California on Thursday to relay the latest developments at UT. However, it’s UT’s new coaches — Kiffin and the Vols’ yet-to-be announced defensive coordinator — that Herbert wants to meet.

“I want to talk to them before I make any decisions,” Herbert said.

Herbert likely will hear from Kiffin soon as Kiffin began calling recruits Sunday morning and is on the road this week.

UT’s defensive coordinator could take awhile. Multiple media reports have tabbed Kiffin’s father, Monte Kiffin, as UT’s next defensive coordinator.

Monte Kiffin is the defensive coordinator for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Bucs, who have four regular-season games and the playoffs left to play. It is unlikely that Monte Kiffin would leave the Bucs before their season is complete.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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