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Three days that will keep coaches and fans on the edge of their seat.

Three days that could continue the resuscitation or confirm the worst.

Three days that will decide a signing class.

Entering the final stretch before National Signing Day on Wednesday, the Vols are expected to sign approximately 20 players. With 16 public commitments, that leaves UT with four spots to fill.

And while the Vols would gladly welcome commitments before Wednesday, don't expect it. Most prospects that have waited this long will ride it out and announce their intentions when they sign their national letters of intent.

Here are the final candidates to be the remaining few pieces of UT's 2008 puzzle:

n E.J. Abrams-Ward: The Vols have certainly made every effort to land this 6-foot-5, 210-pound athlete from Thomasville (N.C.) High School. Abrams-Ward has said he'd also like to play basketball, which certainly makes UT more attractive in the Bruce Pearl era.

Problem is, Abrams-Ward is also considering North Carolina and its rich basketball tradition. Moreover, North Carolina football coach Butch Davis has certainly won more than his fair share of battles against the Vols since taking over the Tar Heels in 2006.

n Undra Billingsley: Just how committed to Alabama is the 6-4, 260-pound defensive end from Woodlawn High in Birmingham, Ala.? Probably too much for the Vols. But UT got a January official visit from Billingsley, who also took a trip to Georgia Tech. Chances are Billingsley stays with the Tide but the Vols have put themselves in the mix.

n Quinton Coples: The 6-7, 235-pound defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., once called UT his leader. Originally from Kinston High in North Carolina, Coples could elect to return home by signing with North Carolina or North Carolina State. Florida State is also in the mix.

n Enrique Davis: The 5-11, 220-pound running back from Hargrave Military Academy signed with Auburn out of Mosley High in Lynn Haven, Fla., in 2007. Now, Davis is re-considering Auburn, along with UT, Oregon, Maryland, and Ole Miss.

n Jerrell Harris: It's not easy to pull one of the top prospects in Alabama away from the Crimson Tide. It's also not easy to win a recruiting battle with Southern Cal. But that's what UT is trying to do with Harris, a 6-3, 215-pound linebacker from Gadsden City (Ala.) High, who is also considering Clemson.

n Cameron Henderson: It would be a huge surprise if the Vols landed this 6-5, 240-pound defensive end from Shades Valley High in Birmingham, Ala. But UT got a January official visit so there's at least reason for UT to be optimistic.

n Jeremy Lewis: Talk about a signing day coup. If the Vols could land the 6-4, 280-pound defensive tackle from Palm Beach Lakes High in West Palm Beach, Fla., there would be plenty of reason to celebrate. Not only is the Miami commitment one of the top defensive line prospects in the nation, but he also plays a position that UT is trying to upgrade: defensive tackle. Lewis has also taken official visits to Clemson, LSU and North Carolina.

n Antoine McClain: The 6-6, 315-pound offensive lineman from Anniston (Ala.) High is the type of prospect that would highlight a class, especially since UT is in such dire need of offensive linemen. McClain is also considering Clemson, Auburn and LSU.

n Dallas Thomas: This would also be a big (pun intended) surprise. The 6-6, 260-pound offensive lineman from Istrouma High in Baton Rouge, La., is considering several schools. He is a former high school teammate of UT commitment Herman Lathers. However, UT's relationship with Thomas never seemed the same after losing Trooper Taylor to Oklahoma State.

n Keith Wells: The Vols seem to be a finalist with the 6-5, 215-pound defensive end from Gainesville (Ga.) High. Ohio State is thought to be the main competition and Notre Dame has made a final push. UT coach Phillip Fulmer met with Wells on Wednesday to make a final impression.

Only Two: Marcus Davis did not make his official visit to UT as planned this weekend. That would seem to eliminate the Vols from landing the 6-4, 220-pound athlete from Ocean Lakes High in Virginia Beach, Va.

Davis, who has said he wants to play quarterback, is also considering N.C. State and Virginia Tech. Davis couldn't have been pleased when UT received a commitment from 6-2, 190-pound quarterback Casey Kelly from Sarasota (Fla.) High on Wednesday.

UT hosted two other official visitors this weekend: Enrique Davis and Harris.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He can be reached at hookerd@knews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.