There was a time when Tennessee’s 2008 recruiting class was the envy of the SEC. It’s true.

In September of 2006, the Vols actually led all of their SEC brethren with three commitments for 2008. At the time, only three schools — Arkansas, Georgia and Ole Miss — even had a commitment for 2008.

The Vols even picked up two more 2008 commitments before the ball dropped on 2007.

Problem is, that was just the beginning. Today, it’s National Signing Day and UT fans are learning the hard way that assembling a recruiting class is a marathon, not a sprint.

UT has 16 public commitments and will need some serious signing-day surprises to reach the type of rankings that have been commonplace in the Phillip Fulmer era. The Vols are expected to sign approximately 20 prospects today.

UT ranks ninth in the SEC according to Rivals.com and Scout.com. Nationally, the recruiting services rank the Vols 39th and 44th, respectively.

There are plenty of reasons, and/or excuses why UT hasn’t produced a top-five, a top-10 or possibly even a top-25 class.

Coaching turnover is certainly a valid theory. UT went almost a month with four coaching vacancies from mid-December to early January.

The Vols failed to receive even one public commitment as Fulmer tried to interview prospective coaches and recruit with barely more than half a coaching staff.

Moreover, quarterback Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette (Pa.) High School, the highest-rated prospect in the nation, eliminated UT when offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe left Knoxville to take the head coaching position at Duke. Before Cutcliffe’s departure, those close to Pryor said UT was towards, or at, the top of his list.

Coaching speculation is another theory. Fulmer faced more stringent criticism than ever before. Questions concerning his job security circled like vultures.

Opposing schools never found it easier to use negative tactics to recruit against UT.

Once considered a rock of stability, Fulmer’s future was considerably uncertain from the Florida loss in September until the Vols pounded Arkansas on Nov. 10, helping pave the way to the SEC championship game.

During that time, the Vols secured one public commitment, receiver Rod Wilks from Smyrna, who had long been expected to select the Vols.

Off-field incidents certainly haven’t helped UT to make a late recruiting push. Five players have been involved in four run-ins with local law enforcement during the past four weekends.

As far as rankings, UT doesn’t expect to get a fair shake from recruiting services, which place a heavy emphasis on skill position players and large classes. The Vols, on the other hand, needed offensive and defensive linemen more than ball carriers and have only a limited amount of scholarships to offer, meaning they will have one of the smallest classes in the SEC.

In retrospect, perhaps UT’s recruiting approach was part of the problem. With a fast start to the 2008 class and a limited number of scholarships to offer, the Vols held some prospects at bay, waiting to uncover the intentions of their higher-rated counterparts. Some of those prospects UT once held off have moved on.

Whatever the reason, UT has only signing day to finish what it started so well so long ago. A class that was supposed to be built on offensive and defensive lineman is woefully short of both, with two and three committed, respectively.

With some luck, all that can change today. With few scholarships available, UT’s coaches knew they didn’t need the speed-laden group they signed in 2007.

All UT needed was some highly touted linemen to complement last year’s class. That’s still a possibility, but it will take a strong push today to make it happen.

Here are the UT prospects left to watch:

n E.J. Abrams-Ward: The 6-foot-5, 210-pound athlete from Thomasville (N.C.) High is expected to choose between UT and North Carolina. He has expressed interest in playing basketball in college.

Prediction: North Carolina in a very close one over UT.

n Quinton Coples: The 6-7, 235-pound defensive end from Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., once called UT his leader. North Carolina has since made a strong push.

Prediction: North Carolina

n Enrique Davis: The 5-11, 220-pound running back from Hargrave Military Academy originally signed with Auburn. He’s considering the Tigers, along with UT, Oregon, Maryland and Ole Miss.

Prediction: Auburn, but don’t be surprised if it’s Maryland.

n Jerrell Harris: The 6-2, 220-pound linebacker from Gadsden City High School in Gadsden, Ala., seemed to eliminate UT in a Tuesday report. Then, school officials denied that claim. Also supposedly considering Alabama, Clemson, Auburn and Southern Cal. Sounds like somebody is looking for a big signing-day crowd.

Prediction: Alabama.

n Cameron Henderson: UT had a ton of ground to make up to land this Auburn commitment: a 6-5, 240-pound defensive end from Shades Valley High in Birmingham, Ala. UT is at least in the mix.

Prediction: Auburn.

n Jeremy Lewis: The 6-4, 280-pound defensive tackle from Palm Beach Lakes High in West Palm Beach, Fla., represents the biggest coup left on the board for UT. Lewis has taken official visits to UT, Clemson, LSU and North Carolina after committing to Miami in April.

Prediction: Miami.

n Antoine McClain: For months, the Vols seemed to be in great shape to land this 6-6, 315-pound offensive lineman from Anniston (Ala.) High. Then, Clemson made a strong push.

Prediction: Clemson, in another close one over the Vols and Alabama.

n Dallas Thomas: The 6-6, 260-pound offensive lineman from Scotlandville High in Baton Rouge, La., hasn’t done much talking. But the Vols have long been thought to be in the driver’s seat. Thomas is a high school teammate of UT commitment Herman Lathers.

Prediction: UT.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.