Login | Member Center | Contact Us | About Us | Site Map | Archive | Alerts/Photos | Subscribe to the paper | knoxnews.com

Home › Football Recruiting

UT coaches, players make Witherspoon feel at ease

By Josh Ward (Contact)
Originally published 09:43 p.m., January 13, 2008
Updated 09:43 p.m., January 13, 2008

UT coaches make Witherspoon feel at ease

Marcus Witherspoon saw what he was looking for during his official visit to Tennessee this past weekend.

The linebacker from Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, N.J., has been committed to Michigan since June.

Witherspoon said his experience during his visit to UT is similar to what caused him to commit to Michigan before head coach Lloyd Carr announced his retirement in November.

"It was the same atmosphere, pretty much the same," Witherspoon said. "It was almost the same reason I did commit to Michigan."

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Witherspoon said he was struck by the relationship between UT's players and coaches.

"How they all just come together as a family," he said. "It shows. Every day it's how everybody is around there.

"It meant a lot. It showed me that I can come there and it could be my home."

Witherspoon was hosted by linebacker Adam Myers-White. Witherspoon said he asked Myers-White about his experience at UT and the education he's received.

"I'm not worried about football," Witherspoon said. "My main concern is, 'Am I going to be good with the players and am I going to be good with the people overall?' "

Witherspoon said he felt good while he spoke with coaches Phillip Fulmer, John Chavis and Larry Slade, who is in charge of Witherspoon's recruitment.

Witherspoon said the coaches promised to help him improve on and off the football field.

"They told me I could have a great impact and I could get a great education," he said. "There's nothing else you need."

Witherspoon said he's unsure if he will visit any other schools. He said Michigan State and Rutgers have called asking him to visit.

Witherspoon also will try to develop a relationship with head coach Rich Rodriguez and his new staff at Michigan. Witherspoon said he's unsure how easy that will be to do.

"It took me two days to get to know the Tennessee coaches and how they were and how good they are," he said. "We'll just have to wait and see."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       12 Comments

Posted by BigVolinCarolina on January 13, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's considering the right factors--the players and the people. Football is football.

When a young guy is thinking like he is, this is the kind of player you want to have.

Posted by mbible1utk on January 13, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I could only wish he sees this.... but seriously, it's DANG cold in Michigan, screw that! Come to Tennessee!

Posted by dfreeman on January 13, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think he's ours, tell him to watch the last two national championships and then tell us which conference he wants to play for!! It's a no brainer!!

Posted by jevolball7 on January 13, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Too cold in MI. Brass balls -vs- Southern Belles!!? HMMM,I'd have to think about that one. NOT!!

Posted by dburgVol on January 14, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You dont want to play on a team that cant win the one tough game a year(Ohio State) that they play(besides the bowl game) and hires a coach for that particular reason. Let's face it, Michigan'smain concern is beating OSU, thats why they hired Rodriguez, because OSU cant defend the spread. Rodriguez's defenses have never been good and his offense wont be able to hold onto the ball in the cold northeastern weather.Come play in the greatest division in the greatest conference in college football and run through the T wearing the orange. What happened to Michigan the last time they played UT? 45-17, that's what.

Posted by ellisonfamily on January 14, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One consistent thing that PF seems to do is create an atmosphered of family for these players coming in -- many of whom have never been away from their families for this length of time. Whatever you think about PF, the consistent statement about his coaches and players is a tone of family. Mark Richt is another who does that (unfortanely :) ) You think Petrino or Saban have that?

Posted by TigerVol on January 14, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We keep talking about how bad Michigan is and how they can't win the big game against O (for 9 against the SEC) SU team. When is the last time we beat Florida or won the BIG Game???? Lets get real here. We need him at Linebacker in the next year or so and we hope he doesn't mesh well with Rodriquez. Go Vols!

Posted by oldorange on January 14, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is certainly going to be interesting to watch the new coaches hit the ground running and miraculous should they be able to convince some of these kids to come to rocky top.

Posted by Vols1998 on January 14, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, none of the visitors committed to UT?

Any news?

Go Vols!

Posted by peerlessvolfan on January 15, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I live in Michigan and we have 4 inches of snow right now! I'm not sure I'd want to play for a coach who is suspected of shredding nearly all of the information on the current WV football players--what does that say about Rodriguez' character. I'd take Phil and Tenn. weather over the Wolverines any day.

Posted by sjt18 on January 16, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah. What RR did has to violate NCAA rules.

Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.

Username:

Password:
(Forgotten your password?)

Your Turn: