Safety Hunter waiting to talk with Kiffin

Tennessee commit D.J. Hunter still has more to learn about the Vols’ new coaching staff.

The safety from Middletown (Ohio) High School got started on Tuesday when he received a visit from tight ends coach Jason Michael, who took over Dave Clawson’s recruitment of Hunter.

The 6-foot, 196-pound Hunter said he still doesn’t know much about UT head coach Lane Kiffin.

Michael told Hunter to expect a call from Kiffin soon.

“I hope he’s a good coach,” Hunter said. “My friends always told me his dad (Monte Kiffin) is good and he’s good too, I guess.”

Hunter said it’s good that Kiffin has head coaching experience with the Oakland Raiders. He hopes that experience will prepare him for the NFL.

“That’s what everybody is talking about,” Hunter said. “‘Oh, you’re getting an NFL coach. It’s going to be good for you.’

“I think it’ll help out a lot.”

It will help Hunter when he finally meets Kiffin.

He still plans to take an official visit to UT but hasn’t set a date.

“That will be very important to see if I’m still interested with this new staff,” he said. “I’ve got to get to know these new coaches now, but I think it’s all good.”

Hunter said he isn’t worried about the change of UT’s defensive staff.

He said he was disappointed to see the entire defensive staff let go, but he expects it to work out.

“It’s different,” Hunter said, “but not much.”

Hunter said he’s unaware of any coaches who plan to join UT’s defensive staff.

He said he has received calls recently from Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and other Big Ten schools.

He said he hasn’t scheduled visits to any schools other than UT.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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