Saying “yes” to Ohio State was one thing. Saying “no” to Tennessee was quite another.
“The hardest thing I had to do in the whole recruiting process was tell (UT) coach (Steve) Caldwell, the defensive ends coach, I wasn’t coming to Tennessee,” Keith Wells said Monday morning shortly after announcing he would sign with the Buckeyes on Wednesday. “That was the hardest thing for me. I could sense the disappointment in his voice.”
Caldwell, along with other UT’s coaches, was surely disappointed by Wells’ announcement. Along with the Vols, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound defensive end from Gainesville (Ga.) High School was also considering Notre Dame.
Wells said Caldwell’s response was impressive.
“He said I’m going to be a great player no matter where I go,” Well said. “Some coaches might have said I’m not going to develop as a player, or not succeed. He told me no matter where I go, I’ll be successful.
“He told me he’ll follow me no matter where I go to school. He was disappointed he won’t have the opportunity to coach me.”
Choosing Ohio State was partly based on its engineering program, Wells said. The Buckeyes’ recent success and an opportunity for early playing time were also factors.
“I just felt more comfortable with Ohio State than I did with any other school,” Well said.
Josh Ward contributed to this report.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee Lady Vols 60, South…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 154
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
Too bad...we really needed a quality DL. Oh well. Here's to hoping we pull some serious commits on signing day.
Two days and counting!!!
bigbluevol writes:
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/20....
Some good news...but it's a year away.
HotlantaVol writes:
OSU must have a lot in'vest'ed in Wells for him to head north to the Choke-eyes.
TommyJack writes:
..and the beat goes on...
Don't worry folks, CPF doing a fine job. Stay the course. In Phil we trust.
superk#226173 writes:
Guys, I'm telling you for sure, we did not miss out on this guy. He will never materialize at big time D1.
Txvol57 writes:
Of course he did. Just adding to the list of people who don't want to go to UT. This is makes me want to vomit
GerryOP writes:
Well, guess it is time for Good Ol' Phil to hang onto the ol' horseshoe and live up to his reputation of having "magic dust" on Wednesday.
losvolsganan writes:
Doohhh!
Enjoy losing to SEC teams... sayonara.
Go Vols!!!
orangebass writes:
sure, why did OSU and ND offer....let's get real
another cpf failure, from elite to average, now avg to worse, just wait 3-4 yrs...
stay the course and work like heck to get better.
orangebass writes:
sure, why did OSU and ND offer....let's get real
another cpf failure, from elite to average, now avg to worse, just wait 3-4 yrs...
stay the course and work like heck to get better.
drone#208075 writes:
With all the negative press and posters here, I'm shocked the direct link between the number of University of Tennessee players on the Patriots roster and the Patriots loss yesterday has not been expounded upon here. Been reading all this phooey since August. Ya'll make me sick. GO VOLS!!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Sorry, but some of the faithful here are beginning to sound like gator99. If we LOSE a recruit, then he was no good anyway....See the pattern? gator 99 would be proud.
Txvol57 writes:
drone,
Your ability to accept mediocrity makes me sick. Wake the $%@# up and realize that UT's ship is sinking with Fulmer as the captain.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GerryOP -Ol' Phil will have to work like heck. Did Dupree screw up the charts?
Well, you can't blame it all on coaching if 2009 goes South. I'm not realy looking forward to tomorrow and listen to Bama, Ga and Fla trumpeting. Spin machine will need new gears.
drone#208075 writes:
govols57 - And Johnny Comes Marching Home I guess! Sounds about like your style.
GerryOP writes:
Anyone remember Crispian St. Peters? Good Ol' Phil on the recruitin' trail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uojz4-...
superk#226173 writes:
I have known of this guy since he and my son played against each other in 12 year old basketball. He is NOT a good athlete. He has size,but is not strong, is not overly fast. I would not say the ship is sinking because we didn't get this guy. Remember he had a big press conference to announce he was signing with FSU back a few months ago. Then they didn't show him enough love so he started looking around. Each school he mentioned he loved. He even said some schools offered when in fact they didn't. We will never miss a beat by not signing him.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
This was a big fish that we didn't catch! This one hurts! Lets just hope we get a few signees who we didnt expect to sign with us, especially on the defensive line.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Well, at least Scout has up holding serve and Tenn-based Rivals locked us in at 37th.
Surprises could move us up or down. We'll know soon. Beat the Gators.
bugman (Inactive) writes:
Tennessee is a baketball school. Football is garbage.
TommyJack writes:
govols57: The blind faith crowd wouldn't get it if it hit them in the head with a 2x4. Stay the course.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Consistant winning produces star recruits. With the exception of this year, the program has slipped a notch. Instead of being a consistant top 10 team, now we are more a consistant top 25 team. I believe that if we don't win the east this next year, then the program will slip another notch, which is consistantly not being in the top 25 and things will only get worse. We have to win the east this year again to show consistancy and once again compete for top recruits
King53 writes:
another one bites the dust...
jdcvols#230433 writes:
It was Ohio State all the way, we never had a chance. For all the blind orange kool-aid drinkers, what happened to CPF ability to recruit??
ONUV writes:
how can the great pumpkin strike out so much this recruiting season? keep deferring blame sheep.
outermonvolia.com
jdcvols#230433 writes:
sjt18, I was buying into a fast close by CPF but it looks bleak. It seems that raiding the JUCO ranks would have been easier if we were indeed shorthanded in recruiting defensive line players. Wonder what the recruits/parents are really telling the coaching staff? Which do you think of the following, recent arrests, coaches leaving, TDTN, on field performance or other is having the biggest impact?
drone#208075 writes:
What have you done for your UT lately? Done anything to help recruit or just sit around and grip like a bunch of old hens! An active Blind Faith is obviously better than the Chicken Little's who need to sit on their hands.
Make Yourself A Good Day - Make Yourself A Good Life
Phowell23 writes:
At least we have a top 10 and #1 in the SEC Men's and Women's Basketball teams.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
We still have some good defensive lineman on the board, so lets wait and see what happens before passing judgement on this recruiting class, however one things for sure, this won't be one of our better classes.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
drone, with all due respect, I have defended UT FB now for 6 years running. Living outside the state, you really get a different look at the program (no orange colored glasses or drink). EVERYONE asks me the same question, you guys used to be really good....what happened? I have lived in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and California and the questions are the same. Blind faith is foolish in relation to college football. The reality is that our program slipped badly after the 2001 season. Blind faith fans like you don't help either..what have you done to help?? Just attack the people that say anything negative about UT?
vol4jesus writes:
you sky is falling people really are entertaining ya know? this is a game played by young boys 18-21(some exceptions) who sometimes develop and sometimes don't for various reasons. I like to follow recruiting ,but life is so much more. I still think a slide year can be withstood due to last years class. However, the 2009 class would have to be very strong to keep from sliding as you all refer to. Call me koolaid drinker one more time and I will shout and pout for 15 minutes at least......then I will laugh it off as silly posters who have lost touch with the things that really matter.GO VOLS!!! Compliments of a blindly,orange-colored glasses supporter.
GreerVol22 writes:
Mr Wells, if you wanted to be an engineer, Georgia Tech is much closer, and has a much better program that OSU, so that a load of phooey. Recent success? Big 10 title, check....beating Michigan, check....dominating the SEC....take a number chump. Do your self a favor and really get that engineering degree.
redneckerson writes:
not to worry ladies, there are still 4* guys lined up waiting for phil's call - just ask sphs
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
jdcvols- your right, with the exception of this year, the program has slipped a notch. I believe a lot is riding on the next season! Win the east and have a great year recruiting and we are back on track, but less than 8 wins in regular season and someone will lose their job!
TommyJack writes:
All the guys pledged to FL & AL are chumps. We wouldn't have wanted them anyway. Stay the course. Fine job, Coach. Hay-zooos!
drone#208075 writes:
jdcvols: Actually I have lived out of state also for the past 12 years and have actually relished the past several years gigging the fine folks to the high heavens in my now resident state. I'm not attacking the naysayers per say. It just gets old reading it constantly. And what have I done? Any athlete I come across, no matter what sport, who has the potential to help us, I send whatever info is available on them to the athletic department in the interest of the student athlete and UT. I'll try to refrain in the future from making what some may perceive as a personal attack. I just made a general posting. I didn't call anyone here out. But I'm going to air my opinion also be it different from the doom & gloom. Later :)
jdcvols#230433 writes:
bigorangedude, I really hate this for CPF as it is apparent that he is working his tail off (no negative intent here) to get players. The 8 wins may be ok if they include FLA, ALA and GA. We especially owe FLA and ALA a payback. 2005 was the bottom and this past year was certainly a step forward. I've never seen a recruiting year go like this where we are missing out on so many prospects. Maybe vol4jesus and his blind faith, mind altering, orange colored drinking followers can solve it for us.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
stj18 the reason I say 8 wins or more is because back to back 9-3 seasons(with 1 east div title)is ok with most Tennessee fans because of how competitive the SEC is, but I don't believe losing 1 more game this season would cost Fulmer his job, but I believe a 7 win season would force his retirement (he will retire instead of being fired, thats the power of a Nat'l Championship under your belt).
TommyJack writes:
sjt: Welcome back. You been resting your carpal tunnel? I think ole CR has a point.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
2008-2009 East Prediction
1- Florida
2- Georgia
3- Tennessee
D_in_Iraq writes:
Well, before I hit the hay, I have to laugh at some of the folks calling people Kool-aid drinkers, blinded by faith, etc... due to recruiting "rankings".. You guys slay me. For instance, remember these names... Lee Smith, Justin Garrett, Raymond Henderson, Todd Cox, Albert Toenia, Corey Campbell, Leon Pinky, Brandon Jeffries, Heath Benedict, etc... and the list goes on... like Brian Darden, ? These were 4 or 5 Star guys that never panned out (if they played much at all), but they were labeled the great saviors when we signed them.
Yet, we have 1 star guys like Chris Hannon, Jason Hall, etc.. and 2 Star signees, like Hefney (when he was coming out of HS), Antonio Gaines, Inky, Ryan Karl, etc... that played significant roles at UT. And such low ranking 3 Star prospects, Arian Foster the 70th best RB in the Nation, Ramon Foster the 69th best OL, and on and on...
Like I said, everyone wants 4 or 5 Star guys, but I think it's been proven year in and year out that these recruiting numbers aren't an exact science.
And wait, arent we expecting Morley and Warren to join the ranks in the fall also? Or was I mistaken?
And finally, the non kool aid drinkers made excuses last year when UT was a concensus top 3 in the "Mythical National Recruiting Championships". Some said it was because we signed 32, some said it was because of the skill positions, and excuse after excuse. It's funny, no matter what Fulmer does, you guys blast him.
Well, lights out and you guys be safe fretting over recruiting rankings. Amazing...
D Out
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
stj18- like you, as I fan I expect and want a 10 win plus season. I think this year was acceptable, 10 wins which included a bowl victory and an appearance in the SEC Championship. With the talent and tradition that we have, certainly 10 plus wins a year with an occasional slip up year of 9 wins I believe would satisfy most any Vols fan. But we always have to keep in mind we are in the SEC, which means it would be hard to repeat a undefeated season like in 1998
TommyJack writes:
foolmore: yeah, but those 2009 guys visiting the enemy...we wouldn't be interested anyway. Stay the course. We cool.
invisiblekid writes:
Think I'll take the high road and wish the kid best of luck at The OSU or whatever the youngsters are calling it nowadays. I don't see this as a big loss for the Vols though, DE isn't a position of need yet. I wonder if this recruiting gig would have been easier if the Vols could have sealed the deal against LSU a couple of months ago and gotten the chance to use Hawaii as a punching bag in the Sugar Bowl? That's about as viable a theory as blaming some of the blowhards on this website for the state of recruiting. IMO, it's about time to start getting after some of these high school juniors and looking forward to next year. If recruiting is the lifeblood of a program, the Vols may need a major transfusion next year at several positions.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
I believe Florida will beat Georgia next year and Georgia will beat Tennessee. Sure Georgia has possibly the best returning talent as well as one of the best recruiting classes, but in the end I believe Florida wins the east. I also believe Tennessee will lose to Florida in Knoxville, however that will be the game of the year for the Vols in my opinion, is Tennessee-Florida, it all rides on that game for Tennessee
hglover40#234154 writes:
SEC east 2008 - 2009
FLA
GA
UT
Instate HS Talent
FLA
GA
LS
ALA
TN.
Anybody see how these list are tied together.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
stj18- Your right, Fulmer needs a great year,(BCS bid) to quieten the naysayers. He has proven he can win, but fans want wins now! The 1998 National Championship was great, but maybe once the UT coaching staff achieved that dream, they began to relax too much, just a thought!
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Well I will say I'm pleased at the talent returning for Tennessee. If we get great QB play from Crompton or whoever starts, and solid play from the defensive line, then Tennessee will be competitive, no doubt. But I think most people like Georgia's returning talent mainly because of the key offensive positions (QB/RB/WR)
GoVol writes:
Looks like all of the recruits realize Fulmer is on the 2-year plan also. He'll be gone after the 2009 season.
Fulmer's hard work simply doesn't cut it anymore. It's the results, not the effort alone that counts.
I give Fulmer credit for trying so hard, but he simply doesn't have what it takes anymore. Fulmer said it himself that 'recruiting is the lifeblood of the program'. It will be tough for us VOL fans over the next 2 - 4 years, but we'll get through it and will be stronger as a result.
getridoffoolmer writes:
this is a joke phat phil or foolmer whatever u wanna call him has let this program become a laughing stock! its unacceptable! lets hire bruce to coach football too!
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