Stan Drayton's first 24 hours on Tennessee's campus went something like this: meet the press, fill out some paperwork and attend orientation classes.
His next three days figure to be every bit as hectic - albeit a bit more focused. They'll go something like this: recruit, recruit and recruit.
The Vols will hold their most significant official visit weekend in recent memory, as approximately a dozen official visitors are scheduled to be in Knoxville this weekend.
As UT's newest coach, Drayton figures to be right in the middle of it.
"That's why I came to Tennessee, to be able to at least have that opportunity to recruit those premier athletes and be able to compete in a premier atmosphere on a weekly basis," Drayton said Thursday, a day after being introduced as UT's running backs coach. "That's why I'm here and I accept the challenge."
It's unclear exactly where Drayton's primary recruiting area will be. He has experience nationwide with a strong focus on central Florida and Georgia.
That's a good fit for the Vols. Drayton's predecessor, Kurt Roper, recruited the same area of Florida before accepting the offensive coordinator position at Duke. Former receivers coach Trooper Taylor was heavily involved in recruiting the Atlanta area before leaving UT to become a co-offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
For now, Drayton isn't worried about his area. With less than a month until natinal signing day Feb. 6, Drayton is more concerned about doing whatever he can to help the Vols immediately.
"I'm just going to fill in where I fit right now until I can get a heads-up on where my primary area is going to be," Drayton said. "I'm just going to help where help's needed right now."
There's plenty of help needed for UT, which has only 11 prospects committed for the 2008 class. Perhaps Drayton's three-year stop at Florida could benefit the Vols.
"Although there may be some crossover, there's not complete crossover between the athletes that Florida is looking at and Tennessee is looking at," Drayton said. "I'm coming in with a couple of guys that I may have been recruiting that they're (the Vols) not looking at."
One difference between UT and Florida is the travel expected of each school's recruiters. The Gators survive mainly on their rich in-state talent base. However, the Vols' recruiting base is spread much more nationally by necessity.
"It's sinking in," Drayton said with a smile. "When I sit there and I hear the (UT) coaches going to Texas or all the way to New Jersey, that's a little different."
Drayton's most important recruit is rising senior tailback Arian Foster, who is contemplating an early departure to the pros after receiving a second-round grade from the NFL's college advisory committee.
"We're going to have a nice little talk, figure things out and see what he thinks," Drayton said of Foster, who was scheduled to return to Knoxville from a semester break Thursday evening.
Commitment Update: Former Alcoa High School tailback/linebacker Dustin Lindsey isn't expected to be eligible to enroll in UT this year.
After failing to achieve academic eligibility when he signed with UT, Lindsey hasn't made the necessary progress at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College to enroll at UT, a source close to the situation told the News Sentinel.
Antonio Bell is no longer being considered a UT commitment. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound receiver from Mainland High School in Daytona, Fla., told huskersillustrated.com that Nebraska and West Virginia lead for his services.
Bell committed to UT in May before even making an official visit to Knoxville.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 96
ATLVOL1 writes:
From Scout:
Drayton, who joined the Vol staff as running backs coach on Tuesday, spent considerable time Wednesday trying to “re-recruit” Arian Foster. The 6-1, 225-pound junior rushed for 1,193 yards last season but is strongly considering a jump to the NFL rather than returning for his senior season as a Vol next fall.
“I had some great conversations with Arian and his family,” said Drayton, who was running backs coach at Florida prior to joining the UT staff.
The NFL Advisory Committee told Foster he projects to be a second-round pick in the next draft if he chooses to leave college early.
“He got a decent response from the draft committee,” Drayton said. “But we talked about what his long-term goals are … what he wants to do as a football player in general.”
After describing running back as a “prima donna position,” the newest Vol aide said Foster surprised him by saying he’s a “team guy” and that his goal is simply that “I want to win a championship.”
Still, Drayton appealed to Foster’s ego by pointing out that the SEC’s two premier running backs of 2007 – Arkansas juniors Darren McFadden and Felix Jones – are leaving for the NFL.
“I said, ‘They’re gone. So who’s the next guy?’” Drayton recalled.
When Foster replied that he didn’t know, Drayton applied the clincher: “I said, ‘You are the next guy. You could be the next guy that could be the premier back of the SEC, where you can improve yourself to a situation in next year’s draft where you can be a first-rounder.’
“I said that really believing that.”
While Foster was mulling the prospect of being the SEC’s premier back in 2008, Drayton continued his sales pitch.
“I told him, ‘Hey, if you’re all about becoming a student of the game … all about being the best you can be – attacking your weaknesses and making them your strengths – then you come back and you work on those things.
“He said he heard me. He said he was listening to me.”
The key, of course, is this: Will Foster heed what he heard?
You go Stan!
dfreeman writes:
Amen to that!! He sold me, when's practice coach?? LOL
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
All I can say is...I hope it works.
DownTheField writes:
that is a good, confident coach speaking.. we got a good one!
mdvol writes:
Who is going to be the damn OC??? Come on.
RockyTopRooks writes:
Does anyone think Hardesty is a more dynamic back than foster?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Man, they're dragging this one out. Must be awaiting a fax. Every outlet from ESPN to every TV station around has proclaimed Clawson the next poo-bah.
Glad you're aboard, Drayton. Stay busy.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
RockyTop R - I've always liked Hardesty but staying nicked up gave Foster his chance and you can't fault a 1000+ yds. Hardesty runs North and South, not toward the stands. I believe he's faster then Foster who I surmise will be a workhorse back used some for blocking schemes in the pros. We'll see. I know he runs harder.
mdavis332#560634 writes:
Randy Smith of Channel 3 news in Chattanooga said Clawson had been offered the OC and said this was a reliable source.
dfreeman writes:
CBS 6 Richmond ran with this!! Welcome Clawson!!
Clawson Leaving Richmond Spiders
Posted: Jan 10, 2008 05:55 PM EST
Multiple sources have confirmed to us tonight that Richmond football coach Dave Clawson has accepted an offer to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee.
The official announcement is expected sometime later tomorrow after Clawson meets with his players on campus.
Clawson interviewed for the position on monday....and had to wait until late this afternoon before it was officially offered.
This year's Spiders set school records for wins and points scored in a season while advancing all the way to the 1-AA national semifinals.
Clawson had agreed to a contract extention with Richmond last week...but sources have told us his deal with Tennessee is expected to be worth 400-thousand dollars per year....or about 100-thousand more than his extention was worth with the Spiders.
Speculation has already begun about a replacement....with Virginia defensive coordinator Mike London and South Florida offensive coordinator...and former Spider and Lee-Davis standout Greg Gregory heading the list
MisterVol writes:
I don't know a ton about this Clawson, what do you guys think?
lpvol writes:
Clawson it is...
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/s...
cjraney writes:
I think Clawson sounds better than the Michigan retread. He'll bring some new ideas but not changes so radical that it scares Fulmer away.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Clawson Leaving Richmond Spiders
Posted: Jan 10, 2008 04:55 PM
Multiple sources have confirmed to us tonight that Richmond football coach Dave Clawson has accepted an offer to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee.
The official announcement is expected sometime later tomorrow after Clawson meets with his players on campus.
Clawson interviewed for the position on monday....and had to wait until late this afternoon before it was officially offered.
This year's Spiders set school records for wins and points scored in a season while advancing all the way to the 1-AA national semifinals.
Clawson had agreed to a contract extention with Richmond last week...but sources have told us his deal with Tennessee is expected to be worth 400-thousand dollars per year....or about 100-thousand more than his extention was worth with the Spiders.
MisterVol writes:
He sounds good, what's his philosophy?
BigOrangeVol writes:
Dang, I got scooped by nine minutes! :-)
waterskier3#226480 writes:
let foster go... he is way to slow/fumbles for us... he's a 4 yard back and that's it... several times this year a normal tn back would have scored but he was caught from behind... bring in the creer and hardesty..... they seem to have more speed...
good or bad this is what we're going to have so recruit baby recruit......
i will wait until the official announcement.
knoxvegas75 writes:
pro style philosophy with spreading out the field.
a richmond he ran power I - 3,4,5 wide sets.
he was qouted in this video
http://richmondspiders.cstv.com/sport...
to say he loves to air it out and wanted in the alantic 10 a 3000 yard qb and 1000 yard wr and rb...can't wait for his wants out of an SEC team..
way to go phil
agentorange writes:
from tennessean.com
KNOXVILLE – The search for the University of Tennessee’s new offensive appears to have narrowed to two candidates and school officials say a decision will be announced in the next 72 hours.
UT Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said Thursday a decision will be made by the end of the weekend and that the announcement could come as soon as Saturday morning.
FWBVol writes:
This might be one of CPF's best recruiting ploys ever...Think about it, you wait to announce the new OC until you have all the recruits on campus this weekend.
That makes them feel as if they are part of something special with being on campus for the announcement and press conference. Hopefully, they'll also feel a bond with Clawson, or whoever it is.
texvol writes:
And the KNS won't even say that? Amazing.
wesw33z#667083 writes:
unless im mistaken, foster is on track to break the all time ut rushing record - if he comes back for his sr season. 4 yards a isnt bad. thats 12 yards every 3 downs :). personally i hope he comes back.
DingoVol writes:
Where does this leave Loeffler?
ellisonfamily writes:
It seems that Clawson is definite. I wonder what will happen with Loeffler? If he works out, then we have guys with experience in Michigan, Virginia, and Florida. That pretty well covers the eastern U.S. With an offensive line that promises to be very good, and one of the best def. backfields in the SEC, there is reason to be optimistic. I have NEVER seen this forum so positive, but there is definite reason to be.
danthemanwells#1340833 writes:
so excited about Clawson. If we pull in Loefeller as our QB coach and he brings Ryan Mallett with him, this will be one of the best offseasons. Even if the recruiting class doesn't look great, a few things need to be remembered:
Demetrice Morley - former 5 star who won't be counted.
Ryan Mallett - #4 prospect last year. won't be counted.
Vince Faison - experienced athelete who won't be counted.
Those are some big contributors who would go unnoticed on the recruiting rankings.
Also, does anyone else feel like Fulmer took so long because he's trying to find his eventual replacement? I think that he wanted to hire a coach that would move up into his spot in a couple of years when he leaves, making it a lot easier on the school to get a coach who knows the system and knows what he's doing. Just a thought
texvol writes:
Foster is a power back in the SEC. Four yards here is six everywhere else. No one would be discussing this if he had not explored the NFL and our drug addicted backup hadn't taken his third strike looking.
rockyknox writes:
Hey danthemanwells, don't forget the tight end from Alcoa/FSU.
lpvol writes:
This article came out yesterday, but I haven't seen it posted on any of the boards and had some info I hadn't heard before...
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports....
TommyJack writes:
A Foster was an important part of our team. Anyone not seeing that, doesn't know the game.
All backs don't run 4.4 40's, nor do they need to in order to be effective.
hueypilot writes:
Agree Dan. Fulmer, for all the vitriol that has been spewed here about him, has been a good steward of the Tennessee football program and would have concern as to how and to whom he left it.
I think he is definitely looking at an OC who will be a quality coach and perhaps a man who can ascend to his job, if and when. Go Vols. I am juiced about the future of UT football.
danthemanwells#1340833 writes:
great point rockyknox. i forgot about Brandon Warren, another former 5 star. And Rae Sykes, a 4-star defensive end from last year. Thats 3 extra 5 stars, an extra 4 star, and Faison. Even better!
jevolball7 writes:
Of all the scenarios that were out there,this seems to be the best one that we could expect!! I have some problems with CPF but brains and business aren't the ones. Good job!
gdotallen#639789 writes:
Just got off of the phone with a good friend who told me that his buddy over heard a conversation from someone real close to Fulmer in regards to him taking a flight to Virginia tomorrow (Fri). There appears to be a press conference or something in the works in Richmond to announce Clawson as the OC. Go Vols!
texvol writes:
Agree hueypilot but keep watching your master power light. If Fulmer is looking for someone who could ascend to his job this guy may be able to climb faster than he thinks given the hostile environment here the last few years.
getridoffoolmer writes:
im glad there some people on here that agree with me about a. foster
texvol writes:
gdotallen, Hard to believe CPF would go to Richmond for a resignation press conference. Laughable.
MisterVol writes:
I'd love to have Foster back, he gained over 1,000 yds. that is not a bad year, by any stretch. I like Hardesty, too and really haven't seen much from Creer besides kickoff's.
I'll take em' all!!!
texvol writes:
Some people in here can remember what a power back can do when we commit to the run. ie. James Little Man Stewart UGA at Athens 1994.
bigbluevol writes:
According to Channel 3 here in Chattanooga, Clawson will bring his WR's coach, Latrell Scott with him. We'll see if that turns out to be accurate.
AFVolunteer writes:
texvol, you brought back some memories.... I was 10 yrs old and can remember my dad mumbling those words go litlle man go.... James Little Man Stewart... Its been awhile... Go VOLS
AFVolunteer writes:
BigBlueVol, here is some info on Latrell Scott:
LEXINGTON, Va. - Latrell Scott, VMI's wide receivers coach the past three seasons, will assume the same responsibilites at the University of Richmond.
Richmond second-year head football coach Dave Clawson announced Tuesday that the Richmond native and Hampton University alum Scott has been hired as an assistant coach.
Scott joins the Spiders after serving the past three years in the same capacity for head coach Cal McCombs at VMI. Scott started his coaching career at Fork Union Military Academy during the 1999-2000 seasons before working at Western Carolina in 2001.
During his tenure in Lexington, Scott helped lead the progression of a solid passing attack. Last year, two Keydets averaged more than 10.0 yards per catch, including team leader Zohn Burden who had 57 catches, seven touchdowns. Burden was third in the Big South Conference with 5.18 receptions per game last fall. Burden posted his second consecutive 500-yard season in receiving and led the team with 57 catches for 595 yards and five touchdown and extended his consecutive games reception streak to a school-tying 23 games.
In 2003, VMI led the Big South with 209.1 passing yards per game. T.J. Snelling was third in the league with 3.09 receptions per game while Burden ranked fourth (3.00).
A three-year starter at tight end during his playing days at Hampton, Scott earned All-America honors following his senior season. He played on two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship teams and appeared in two NCAA I-AA playoffs.
Scott earned his B.A. in sports management in 1999. The 29-year-old native is a product of Lee-Davis High School.
Scott becomes the second VMI assistant to leave the 2004 football coaching staff. Linebackers coach Will Holthouser was announced as defensive coordinator at Gardner-Webb in December.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
foster gained 1000 north to south but he gained another 4 or 500 east to west
FWBVol writes:
If the OC was going to be DeBord, it seems as if Fulmer would have made the announcement by now as he's out of work right now.
It would be common courtesy to let a departing head coach tell his team before making the formal announcement.
texvol writes:
VC, when you disguise a run with a pass block scheme that's what you get. We had to do that all year this year and last to protect an injured Ainge.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
first clawson now scott, both from (2 or 3 ball)heck lets go to tennessee tech or carson newman for a qb or tight end coach.......what are we doin here playing the lottery picking number hoping to hit it big time or going after div. 2 recruits?
Rockytop98 writes:
Welcome to all that come the door is wide open! GO VOLS!!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
like i said before texvol, your as dumb as a bag of hammers.... 4 sacks all fewest by far in the country and 2nd they werent disguising nothing with hardesty in there running north to south very quick and with power
texvol writes:
AFVolunteer, My daughter was also ten at the time. She has a poster of Little Man signed from" Little Man to Little Woman" hanging on her student apartment....in Athens! I threaten to repossess it every time I visit her.
lpvol writes:
This info about Scott came from another board:
Latrell is a solid, up and coming coach.
He grew up in Richmond and graduated from Hampton in 1999. He had a very good career as a player at Hampton. He was a 3 year starter at TE and a 1-AA All-American his senior year.
He is still really young at 30 and Clawson is very high on him. At Richmond he was hired as the assistant head coach, wr coach, and recruiting coordinator. he has really turned the recruiting program around with Clawson. The talent they have brought in has been a huge upgrade over the previous coaching staff. The HS coaches accross the state seems to really like him.
I have had amny conversations with him and can say he is a really nice young man. He is very bright, articulate, and very personable.
Positives:
He is young.
He is African American.
He can relate to today's college players better than most (heck he looks like one).
He has had good success with young WRs in limited time at Richmond (FR Kevin Grayson had 68 recs for 970 yds & 7 TDs and was CAA Rookie of the Year this season).
He has a very good rep in the mid-atlantic and can recruit the Tidewater area for UT right away.
As recruiting coordintator at UR he knows the job and has the HS contacts, he may not have recruit the same players at UR but he works with the same HS's and coaches.
Negatives:
He is unknown nationally right now so he will have to develop as a recruiter at least outside of the mid-atlantic / Virginia areas.
He is still relatively inexperienced as a coach, he is only ~30 years old.
He has no 1-A experience.
Overall, I think he would be a very good hire for UT. Of course I am biased but Clawson thinks very highly of him. He was pursed by several 1-A coaches but Clawson was able to keep him at Richmond by promoting him to assistant head coach and convince him hat it was in his best interest to stick with him. From what I can tell he is pretty darn loyal to Clawson.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
if we were going to hire guys like this why not george quarles????????????
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