Changes at Tennessee changed the future for Morgan Moses.
The top-ranked offensive tackle from Meadowbrook High School in Richmond, Va., said Sunday night he had planned to announce his commitment to the Vols on national television during the U.S. Army All-American game in San Antonio on Saturday.
When Phillip Fulmer was asked to resign as coach of the Vols on Nov. 3, the 6-foot-7, 347-pound Moses said he decided to part ways.
“I was going to do it here,” Moses told Armen Williams of rivals.com. “But some situations came up, so I’m looking forward to taking some more visits and enjoying my visits.”
Fulmer was replaced by Lane Kiffin this month, but it wasn’t enough to move Moses.
“That’s a real good school,” Moses told rivals.com. “I hadn’t visited officially, but I went there when they played Florida. The game atmosphere is crazy and you see over 100,000 people in orange just jumping up and down.”
Moses is considering North Carolina, Ohio State and Alabama.
However, Norm Wood who covers recruiting for the Daily Press in Hampton, Va., wrote Sunday in his recruiting column that Moses seems destined to spend a year in prep school.
Wood said he believes Moses will commit to Alabama.
Wood also has an update on Phoebus High quarterback Tajh Boyd of Hampton, Va. The 6-foot, 210-pound quarterback visited Ohio State and Oregon after de-committing from Tennessee after being told by Kiffin this month that he did not fit into the Vols’ pro-style offense.
“At this stage, it looks like a three-horse race between Ohio State, Oregon and Boston College for his services,” Wood said. “Virginia has tried to get back in the mix after the departure of offensive coordinator Mike Groh, who was recruiting Boyd.”
Wood said he believes Boyd will end up at Ohio State.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 109
ncvol writes:
We will in the end recruit the players that are good for UT and be committed to play for Rocky Top...
Wish the lads farewell and good luck....
Go Vols!
Txvol57 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
newtonrail writes:
How do you know what he thinks? He apparently had a relationship with Fulmer and Scott, and it cost us. Tell him to his face what you said anonymously on here. You would probably need to see a Dentist.
BIGEJ writes:
Opinions create a commitment to a school as a player, student or fan; not all can be a Volunteer...who would we play, pull against, hate,....you get the picture......GO VOLS
orangevolz writes:
You gotta be kidding me. You don't even know Morgan Moses, but you call him a thug or punk because he chooses not to come to UT. Fans like you are a disgrace to UT.
Txvol57 writes:
Are you retarded? after fulmer left it dropped to a top 30 class, because of Kiffin we are 17th and climbing. Get your facts straight d-bag!
andy112382#209793 writes:
Uh-huh......and you started following football this week or last? Doesn't sound like you know the typical developments of coaching changes in college football and not to mention the fact signing day is still over a month away, lots can happen.
gcscvol writes:
Well, I guess we just screwed up and made the wrong hire. Since you undoubtedly know all there is to know about recruiting and coaching we should have saved some money, and hired you away from your job. But then, who would mow all those yards?
orangevolz writes:
A top 5 class in November means nothing. What matters is what you get on signing day and how you develop that talent. Fulmer had his chance and failed. Thank goodness Hamilton had the guts to fire him and bring new life to the program. Fulmer is no longer the coach...get over your man-crush for him or go pull for another team.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Let's go after the Hood kid from Knox Catholic. Can't some of you knoxville guys take him into coming to Tennessee?
govols87 writes:
Marcus Hall.
firefulmer (Inactive) writes:
Just another "baby" and "momma's boy" that knew Fulmer would coddle him. Just another "baby" that knew he wouldn't have to work. Let the little babies go elsewhere. Let Kiffin bring in the men!
jturne44 writes:
It aint signing day yet dude... and you should try your luck in the same situation... you are just another couch critic...
tnbigg writes:
I'm trying to remember...what was our recruiting class ranked last year...with Phil Fulmer in complete control from beginning to end? Speaking of the end...who could forget him going proactive at the last minute in a desprerate attempt of improving one of the worst recruiting classes ever (you know...the one that preceeded the worst football record ever)...chasing recruits around their high schools with his hat in his hand begging them (and they refused him) to come to Tennessee...get your facts straight...fly your banner and keep snuggling up with your Bama Pride friends...
http://www.accents-n-art.com/clipart/...
jobrando#216494 writes:
The anti-vols are back
shipperman#280095 writes:
Look at it this way guys, if Foolmore had stayed and the boy had signed, it would be 2 or 3 years before he would have played anyway. Looks like if he really wanted to and was capable of earning a spot, he would have definately wanted to come after Fulmer left.
HtownVol writes:
Does it not say that he plans to announce his commitment to the vols? I may be wrong but I dont get it.
Ironcity writes:
Another stupid comment from our friend Butch
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Any New Years resolutions that are publishable, Bigg?
Doldrums are here, we just don't know it.
Kinda miss Shreveport.
taggu43#427740 writes:
Kiffin is not Fulmer. If you expect Kiffin to keep all the Fulmer recruits, your wasting everyone's time. They hired the guy to bring the program back, not keep the status quo. Do you want 5-7 over and over or championships again?
For pete's sake, give the guy time to do some work. Kiffin will be coaching Fulmer's recruiting this season and the year after that. We have sucked for the last 5-6 years anyway, at least now there is some hope.
Wow, I've never seen such pitiful crying in all my life. On that note, go get one.... a life in which you truly own a pair.
jobrando#216494 writes:
They were 17th by rivals on 12/03 when Kiffin took the job. They are still 17th today. Where in time was it rated 5th?
volroadwarrior writes:
Ignore the negative nellies. If Kiffin wants the best he wants players who have a chance and motivation to make it academically. Why waste a scholly on someone who won't be here for 2 years and will probably serve academic suspensions when he finally arrives. Remember the dummies in our last 2 bowl games?
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Dude, that is funny . . . .
yeavols#228407 writes:
Key words:
"But some situations came up, so I'm looking forward to taking some more visits and enjoying my visits."
That's a real good school, (UT)" Moses told rivals.com. "I hadn't visited officially,
Norm Wood who covers recruiting for the Daily Press in Hampton, Va., wrote in his Sunday recruiting column that "Moses seems destined to spend a year in prep school."
Now, I suspect that some things have changed for this kid. They are as follows:
1. He has to go to prep school for whatever reasons (grades?)
2. He was immediately offered a scholarship from Fulmer without even visiting the school and had a change of heart.
3. He wants to visit other schools where he didn't have the opportunity before.
It is quite obvious that the kid has shifted blame onto Fulmer's resignation as a way out of his committment. It's ok though. His "situations that came up" is more of an indication of what the reality is not Fulmer's resignation. Don't get me wrong, the kid is not bound to attend UT just because he made an early committment. It's what kids always do. Nothing is set in stone until signing day and this is in NO WAY a refection on Kiffin as some of the continuing nag heads continue to insinuate. Best of luck to you in the future kid and hope your dreams come true.
LoveTheHaters writes:
Great pickup if he comes, a "thug" if he doesnt...amazing, lol!
TxFatBoy writes:
Actually, we WERE ranked #5 or so about a month before Coach Fulmer left. However, that changes rapidly as more commitments come in or as young men change their minds, which occurs very often when they commit early on. Coach Kiffen has to be given a chance to recruit HIS style players. A few of them that we lost are because HE was honest enough to let them know they weren't right for his system allowing them a chance to land somewhere they might get to start.
bluetickhoundguy writes:
Before folks start flaming you.... It does say he PLANNED to announce his commitment but in the next paragraph it says because Fulmer got fired he decided to part ways... I had to read it twice myself to finally understand...
SemperVol writes:
I'm sure he'll "make the grades" when he signs with Alabama next year... sorta like how Terrance Cody could barely tie his shoes and all of a sudden he's qualified for college in the SEC... hmmm
This does suck about Moses though. I have no ill will towards him... big miss. Good luck, CLK.
yeavols#228407 writes:
That #5 ranking is like asking what your stocks were worth 10 months ago. Let it go. Not only do kids change their minds, their stock rises and falls due to several factors. Again, nothing can be fully determined and scored until February 4th of 2009. Until then, Kiffin Squared will be on the recruiting trail hopefully with a full staff after the NFL and Bowl games are over. I am going to go ahead and make an early call. We will be in the top 10 at the finish line. Just a guess, but I believe.
SemperVol writes:
You'll have to provide an abstract following the interview... I can't load it.
Provide bullet points... I can't follow anything without bullet points.
VolGraduate writes:
What butch said is completely true. We all hope and think it will be for the good but for the moment his post is the truth
bluetickhoundguy writes:
CLK has a concrete idea of the types of players he looking for to run his offense so at this point I'm not placing a TON of importance on the class ranking... Back in their heyday the Nebraska program never seemed to be in the top ten or even twenty but because Osbourne recruited to actual need and not some "star" sytem his teams consistently competed for (and won) championships, either for the conference or National titles... Don't get me worng (that seems to be a popular misspelling on these boards along with jabs at some "Dupree" guy...I'm new so bear with me...)I think a stable of five star recruits gives you a much better shot at winning games than a bunch of two or three star guys but I stand by my point that you can get where you want to go by recruiting to fill needs. If it just so happens where that need can be filled by a five star guy then that's great!!I'm just not totally sold on recruiting rankings as the last word in deciding who (and who not) to recruit.
If CLK is going that same route in his recruiting philosophy I'm sure willing to invest some faith that it'll work out OK.
orangevolz writes:
Yeah, right. Bruce said something true? What is the punch line?
yeavols#228407 writes:
LOL Orange..i was wondering the same
indianacurly writes:
absolute foolishness to say kiff inherited a top 5 class. see jobrando for a factual post on what he inherited.
SemperVol writes:
If you quarrel with inbreds, what's that make you?
PaulTheVol writes:
Based on the tone of this blog I guess the season for goodwill to all men has officially ended. Some of you guys need to quit taking the blogs so seriously and lighten up.
senracjr writes:
Stop whinnin, we are not getting Fulmer back!
wtvol writes:
amen.
GreatPumpkin writes:
really?
cjraney writes:
You're an idiot.
TommyJack writes:
Why the roiling? Support the FNG.
cjraney writes:
Are you a Bammer, Gator, or Commodore? I'm thinking Vandy fan b/c your self loathing shines through in every post.
TommyJack writes:
CJ, I'd rather think he's a Fulmerite that can't get past it. Support the FNG!!
VolGraduate writes:
The recruiting class was ranked 7th when Fulmer was ousted now it is at 17. Kiffin has brought 2 recruits and sent more than that packing. We all know what he is trying to accomplish but at this point in time according to the numbers, which so many posters relied on to make an argument against Fulmer, Kiffin has not been a good hire. That is why I said Butch's post was a true and fair statement.
After saying that I agree with what Kiffin is doing in theory which is bringing in the players he thinks will fit his system but at this point in time the recruiting stats are not in his favor. Next year will be a better indicator of whether he is a good recruiter or not and whether he was a good hire.
miamiVOL writes:
Moses is still struggling with Alegbra 1 (a 10th grade class), he will without a doubt go to Hargrave (VA Prep) next year, and if he doesnt complete 2 years of school work in 1 school year (+ summer session) he will goto a JUCO.
Even a school like Bama wont be able to get him in under the radar because his HS transcript doesnt meet the bare minimum NCAA standards
darbhoo writes:
Fulmer's recruiting classes were usually ranked high. When he finished with them, the 4 & 5 stars and Freshmen All-Americans were either sitting on the bench "not ready to play yet" or under-performing.
Give me a class of young MEN who are ready to give it all they have and a coach that will develop the talent than a coach living off the past that could not fire the team up or develop the talent.
Less with more syndrome sank the Vols. I'm willing to give LANE Kiffin an opportunity to make it happen. ANYTHING is better than the last year of failures and excuses.
Go Kiffin and GO VOLS!!!
VolFanNC writes:
Too bad about Moses, but I don't think he will see the field any time soon with any team, so 2 years from now who knows who he will pick.
I am waiting until February til I make a snap judgement and praise or ridicule Kiffin. I am pleased that it seems like Kiffin has an idea of who he wants to recruit. It almost makes it look like he has an idea of the type of athletes that fit in his system. I haven't felt like that was the case since 2000.
asleep#212036 writes:
First, Monte's boy was brought here to coach - we already fired a guy who was first and foremost about recruiting. Second, not a single one of Fulmer's "Top 5" class has signed a piece of paper and many had other visits scheduled with teams who had winning records, good bowls, and a stable coaching staff not on a hot seat (or in our case, fired). We have no idea how many would have stayed with us. Third, recruiting season is far from over. Fourth, I don't think anybody has us as low as you claim. Fifth, at no point in history can I remember a long-time coach being fired and a school not losing a significant number of highly rated recruits. Your statement may have some bits of truth but lacks any relevance at this point. Go Vols!!!
WVVOLFAN writes:
you're right rich. it is amazing what WVU has done with its recruits after they get on campus. that's where the rubber meets the road.
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