ORLANDO, Fla. - College coaches can't attend high school football all-star games, the NCAA deemed this offseason.
That, however, doesn't mean recruiters can't be on hand. They just have to be wearing shoulder pads.
It's one of the oldest tactics in college recruiting. When a school can't officially call or visit with a prospect, have a fellow prospect take the coach's place.
That puts Tennessee at a distinct disadvantage this week as prospects mingle at the practices and functions leading up to Sunday's Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Fla.
The Vols don't have one public commitment on the 80-man all-star roster despite being in on as many as 10 prospects.
One of those is the News Sentinel's top prospect in the state, receiver Marlon Brown from Harding Academy in Memphis.
Brown was invited to both the Under Armour All-American Game and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Both will be played this weekend.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder didn't choose to play in the Under Armour game over its counterpart because of Mickey, Goofy or the dwarves.
Brown chose Orlando because of friends on the Under Armour roster.
"Because Matt Barkley's here," Brown said shortly after arriving in Orlando on Tuesday. "Because Shepard's here and all those guys are here."
UT shouldn't be worried about Barkley, the highly touted quarterback who is committed to Southern California. Brown was once considering USC but has since said he's only considering UT, Georgia, LSU, Florida and Ohio State.
Which brings the conversation to Shepard and "all those guys." Shepard is Russell Shepard, the athletic quarterback committed to LSU.
Then there are Brown's other friends he later mentioned. Two are committed to Georgia: tight end Arthur Lynch and running back Washaun Ealey. Another, running back Jamal Berry, is committed to Ohio State.
In other words, every school that UT is competing against for Brown is represented, yet the Vols are not.
He said he'll take the not-so-impromptu recruiting from his fellow prospects in stride and will base his decision on a number of factors, not just friends he's made in recruiting.
"It's going to be funny," Brown said. "I just came out here to have fun. It's going to be an exciting game."
He confirmed that he hasn't made any changes to his recruiting plan, which he outlined this month.
Brown said he won't make any public announcement on schools he's eliminated until National Signing Day on Feb. 4 when he'll choose his destination from three hats during a press conference.
Brown will visit UT on Jan. 30, giving the Vols the last chance for a face-to-face impression.
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Comments » 25
Regulator writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
beatlecakes writes:
Just saying it almost make you one...
cobbwebb writes:
dave hooker should be our #1 recruiter in orlando! cmon dave bring some of these kids to knoxville, tell em about the mouses ear,(you know the gvx sponsor) all the parties that the alumni throw for the players, you know where you are expected to take part in all the drugs and booze, and naked chicks get freaky with you and each other, oh wait a minute thats at texas my bad! sorry dave , anyway get in some of these kids ears in orlando!
cobbwebb writes:
marlon brown should be recruiting for tenn., but i have a hunch this kid will be playing for the ohio state university next year! barf!
sirshanksalot writes:
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CAUSE!!!
Now on to the story...I am SICK of these HIGH SCHOOL all stars acting like NFL Pro-Bowlers...let me rephrase that because NFL Pro-Bowlers don't go to a press conference and take "3" hats with them. I would prefer to have what Alabama put on the field this year that that kind of phooey...kids that were TOLD what there place in the scheme of things is and if you don't like it, go play somewhere else...I hate'em but I respect'em.
sirshanksalot writes:
Wait a minute..my mom must have cleaned up my previous message...let me revisit it..."I would prefer to have what Alabama put on the field versus the kind of c, r, a, p, UT did...BAMAkids were told what there place was in the scheme and thet said,,,rooltide and spanked ut's rear,,,those bama boyts are winnes,
sirshanksalot writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
cobbwebb writes:
wtf? have you been drinking tonight pal? i will probably be posting stuff like that tomorrow night, but you started a little early didnt you?
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
You've got to have some prime donna's to take it to the top. Look at Tebow, how he brings it on! Does someone want to pledge a fraternity with nobody in it? With just a promise to play? Well this time, we do have a strong NFL connection to draw from, and my friends, this IS the big EQUALIZING FACTOR! Do not count this out!!
jturne44 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
volroadwarrior writes:
From the tone and quality of these posts, it appears we had a lot of bloggers starting one night early with the fire water!!! Hey guys, sleep it off and you will feel better.
4ss#446072 writes:
I hope you are right.
I really hope we get the kid, but if not, I wish him the best of luck in the future.
GO VOLS!
chestnutglade writes:
I an tired of all these HIGH SCHOOL KIDS telling everybody else what they are going to do. It seams like they are saying what is in it for ME , what will you give ME, I am up for bidding. Then a press conference is called to see who won.Then when the so call 4 star players get into collage and don't get his way on the football field the next big news flash is which collage is he going to transfer to.In the end when a room full of big heads and only Selfishness pride all you get is hardships. It takes a group of guys working together to win not one guy listing to his I POD in the vol walk blocking everybody else out to look cool.I am seeing this at the middle schools now.We need coaches that would tell the players NO I PODS and show RESPECT to the other people who TAKES TIME TO SUPPORT YOU IN THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with this statements.I am SICK of these HIGH SCHOOL all stars acting like NFL Pro-Bowlers.
tripper writes:
Did Otis visit the board last night? I didn't know Andy had internet in the jail cells.
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
Hmmmmm glass houses and stones and all........How about appropriate?..lol
Go4Two writes:
Patrick Turner has had a good career at USC. However is not a highly rated reciever for the draft. Tennessee has had several WR that were higher rated. I hope he likes living in Southern Cal. He does not have a lot of job power in Tennessee.
shoalcreekvol writes:
I feel an incessant need to fit in, so here goes:
2nd to whoop yes lookable Fince of whatthe thisydesires much more,,,here is p wishing...if
Phil only appointed certain players as his chosen, must the rest accept the sideline as their fate? Answer : Yes or perish at Vandy...a horse worse that M-ville for them girls. My name is Yuck Fou and I've drink been notting.
GR82BAVOL writes:
AAAAAAAMEN!!!!
These kids just kill me these days. Of course the press doesn't help either.
I think every county oughta have a press conference if they have kids going to play college ball at any level. Line em up and have them state their name and college they've decided to play for. No hats, no bling...just act like a normal high school wannabe because the bottom line is that's what they ALL are until they prove themselves at the next level.
99gator writes:
being still reasonably young......i can't stand it when people pick on kids for something that is the fault of the adults.
did the kids come up with rivals.com and scout.com?
did the kids come up 24 hour a day sports channels that need something to report?
did the kids come up with 24 hour a day sports radio programming that need something to broadcast?
is it the kids fault when grown men and women ask for the autograph of someone still in high school?
is it the kids fault that they get a big head when adults who make millions (nick saban, urban meyer, lane kiffin, etc, etc, etc) bend over backwards and kiss their rear ends to get them to attend their school?
did the kids demand the forum by which to announce their commitments on national television or did the adults who run the networks and all-star games give them the means, motive and opportunity?
did the kids force high schools to interupt the school day so that a kid can announce his school of choice (which has happened at a few schools with a few kids) or did the adults running the school allow that?
if you want to blame someone....look in the mirror. i will too.
99gator writes:
here's some billy gonzales news....
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...
GR82BAVOL writes:
I can definitely understand that 99.
cainclifton23 writes:
As long as he puts on a Tennessee hat. I could care less if he had 117 hats on the table.
We NEEEEEED Marlon Brown
mhillvol#275693 writes:
I agree, If college coaches and universities would put there foot down and say, I will not let my recruiting class hang on one or two recruits until the last minute on signing day, some of this hoopla would stop. These guys have their mind made up before signing day, they just want the extra attention. But if you put them in a situation where that is clear. Tell them if you want this scholarship you will let me know before signing day so I can offer this opportunity to someone else!
southernson writes:
Weve got our MOJO back baby YEAAAAAAA,
OrangeAppeal writes:
Thanks for your valuable input, hs! I'll take him off my list now.
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