Vol Report
Tennessee has a new recruiting rival - that looks very familiar. Arkansas and new coach Bobby Petrino are proving to be a bit bothersome for the Vols.
First, the SEC's newest coach put a dent in UT's recruiting class by securing Ryan Mallet, the Michigan transfer who was also considering UT, especially before the Vols decided against hiring former Michigan coaches Scott Loeffler and Mike DeBoard.
Then, Petrino showed he intends to lay recruiting roots in Tennessee when he landed Elijah Epperson, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end from Humboldt High School on Wednesday.
Now, Petrino is looking to cement Lavunce Askew's commitment. The 6-3, 280-pound defensive tackle from Fairview High in Camden, Ark., committed to Arkansas last summer but has since looked at other schools following former coach Houston Nutt's departure to Ole Miss.
Askew still considers himself an Arkansas commitment but won't finalize his decision until sometime this month. He is taking his official visit to Arkansas this weekend. Petrino has made an impression.
"He's a great guy," Askew said.
But just how great? If Askew doesn't publicly announce that he's 100-percent committed to Arkansas following his official visit, UT fans would have reason for hope, especially when reading how he described his official visit to UT last weekend.
"I loved it, great atmosphere," Askew said. "It was everything I expected."
Askew said he's most impressed with UT's winning percentage. He added that previous success is important, but can actually be a detriment if it's too overwhelming.
"I want to make an impact at a school, too," Askew said. "I don't want to be just another good player. I want to be the greatest."
To be the greatest, Askew's work ethic will need to live up to its self-proclaimed billing.
"Me and my coach, we live at the field house," he said. "I'm always the last to leave."
Askew said he's also considering Texas Tech, which he's visited.
Cause For Casey: Quarterback Casey Kelly's recruitment is really ramping up. The 6-2, 190-pounder from Sarasota (Fla.) High hosted UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson on Thursday evening.
"I liked him a lot," Kelly said of Clawson via a text message to the News Sentinel.
But Kelly didn't commit to Clawson. Now, Kelly's on an official trip to Arizona State, which he said is UT's chief competition.
Oregon has also made a strong push to secure an official visit from Kelly. But he said it's unlikely that he'll make the trip.
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Comments » 32
utwick writes:
I don't think this is exactly invading. Mallet was wishy-washy and seemed to be trying to "play" UT, but Fulmer didn't bite. Kelly was probably recruited by Cut. I'm not familiar with the other 2 players and don't know that UT was seriously after them. I'm sure we have "invaded" Arkansas a few times and come away with better.
Pullingguard writes:
With limited Div 1 talent in Tennessee and other teams invading that territory it becomes harder for UT to reap benefits from border states due to the high profile coach's being hired. It probably is reflective in this years committments, not up to standard at present.. But you have new and old profile coaching staffs in each of the border states and when you reach beyone border states the recruiting gets very difficult in getting the quality athletes... And we must remember the Vols have a number of coach's who just do not cut it at recruiting.. The defense is reflective of that.
scvols writes:
I am glad to hear Clawson is on the road recruiting, we are way behind. Last I looked we are ranked 50 and only Vandy is behind us in the SEC. Who are all the Defensive coaches recruiting? I understand why we are having problems with getting 4 and 5 stars on offense, but where are the 4 and 5 stars on defense? With less then 3 weeks to go, this may be the weakest class in Fulmer's reign.
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
We only know what UT can offer to a prospective player. It appears that other schools have had a different set of standards and perhaps some more lucrative attractions than what UT can give. It is doubtful, too, that the other campuses have the birddoging media and local police that are present in Knoxville.
volntx writes:
Nice article...slow news day?
andy112382#209793 writes:
Just give it a year or two before Petrino 'moving on' rumors start up. It's laughable hearing him talk about commitment.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I could complain that this is the exact same news on Kelly that we saw about 2 days ago, or say that I don't know if we were even really recruiting those other guys... but, it is an article on TN football and I am glad to have it knowing there will be misery for the next 8 months!
txsvol#372416 writes:
Petrino doesn't want Devin Thomas, who was committed to Arkansas when Houston Nutt was still the coach. He's about the size of Tauren Poole, but is 2.5 seconds faster, and played in AAAAA Texas football, in probably the toughest district south of Dallas. His season was cut short by an ankle injury, but in six games he had 1447 yards. In his junior year he racked up over 1800 yards. Check out www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyBSYJDFpo. The AP's best AAAAA Player in Texas, and only 5.7 by scout.com? He's very undervalued at that level. Put on 20 # in the weight room, and he's all-SEC first team. Somebody send this video to CPF. AND, HE RETURNS KICKOFFS, TOO!!! SAVol
SoTexHog writes:
Have to disagree. The toughest 5A districts south of Dallas or anywhere in Texas for that matter are in the Houston area.
Actually Petrino did want and would have taken Thomas. The kid would not give him a firm committment. So when he got one from another RB of equal talent the relationship with Thomas was at an end. Thomas will probably wind up at Baylor.
txsvol#372416 writes:
And the other of San Antonio's two outstanding TBs--Marcus Wright, a 5' 7" 180# fireplug out of Ronald Reagan, who managed only 3374 yards in 355 attempts, a 9.5 average, with a long of 65, and 45 Touchdowns. He recently switched from Tulsa to Georgia Tech, having relatives in Georgia, and relating really well to the new Yellowjacket coaches and Paul Johnson. Can't find his youtube site. SAVol
pdhuff#552644 writes:
txsvol good post- Wright appears to be tailor-made for Paul Johnson. Will watch with interest GT's progress with a coach who believes in pounding a hard rock. Ga beware in 2-3 years.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
ga and ala to the south and nutt at ol miss and pet at ark means that the only place fulmer will have an edge is kent........ its a good thing the coaches like to travel because they are going to have too for recruits.... WE NEED SOME RECRUITS DL AND OL AND A GREAT RB...
I SEE 3 losses next year with our talent and that's unacceptable to have a 5-6, 9-3, 10-4 and 3 or more losses in 08. 0-championships. while other sec teams have several sec champ and national titles.... that's just me... i expect great things of myself and the big orange!!!
we were good in the 90's because of great recruits and we don't have great recruits on the hill as of today
pms151 writes:
We need to get off our butts and start hitting states like Texas.
pms151 writes:
So txsvol, how come UT (austin) and the Aggies are not after this kid? And So Tex Hog I tend to agree with you but if you include Tarrant Co. (Southlake, Grapevine,etc.) I would have to rate Dallas area higher.
TommyJack writes:
PD: I'm hoping that after Paul Johnson's success at Tech, a little of his game will rub off on the region. The "spread", etc. is getting us closer and closer to texas tech, hawaii, etc type if loses...55-53, etc. Get back to pounding the rock and playing D. It ain't that complicated.
tnvolfan30 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TNHogFan writes:
UT can have Ryan Mallet as Arkansas has no interest in him. The Razorbacks signed Arkansas native Ryan Mallett and look forward to him being their QB in '09.
As for Mallett being wishy-washy. Not really sure where that idea came from: He grew up a Hog fan, wanted to play there - the former coach did not recruit him - and when he left MI only visited one school - UofA and has been there since last Friday. The only ones who really thought UT had a shot at him were people like the writer of the above article who can't even spell his name correctly.
utmdm writes:
TJ, Agree 100%. I am sure the coaches are looking but right now it is all about the DL.
pms151 writes:
tnhogfan, UT didn't want him because he and his family are the next Mitch Mustain. Too bad Hogs fans have the memory of a Hog.
orvol writes:
It will surprise me if Petrino has huge recruiting success at Arkansas. How can anybody trust this guy? This is the guy who constantly talked about loyalty and commitment while coaching the Falcons, and then ABANDONS his players during the season. This is the same coach who, while at Louisville, did everything he could to undermine Tubberville in hopes of getting the Auburn job. As one of his former players said, "The NFL is a league for men, and Petrino realized that he didn't belong."
This guy is a snake oil salesman. A significant percentage of people will see him for what he is.
utwick writes:
TNHogFan, Wishy-washy in the sense that he, with the help of his dad, dangled himself (at least according to the media) in front of a lot of programs (UT, UCLA, not to mention Arkansas) after reportedly leaving Michigan. If this kid was so in love with Arkansas, why mess around with other suitors and just come out and announce his intentions? Did his dad think that he could influence other schools to hire coaches with which his son was familiar in order to make his path easier? UT doesn't need any more Leaks or Simms or Jimmy Clausens.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Texas already has Tre Newton, Nate Newton's son, out of Southlake Carroll, committed. With Jamaal Charles' announcement that he is foregoing his senior year, Darrell Scott, a ***** prospect out of California came off his commitment to Colorado, and will most likely become a Longhorn. Javorskie Lane has another year of being the primary bowling ball at aTm. There are some RBs who, barring injury, are can't miss prospects. Thomas and Wright are two of them. Maybe we'll make a late push for Scott, using A. Foster's influence. Go Vols! SAVol
rkastens writes:
I can't imagine why anyone would want to play for Petrino. With his track record of leaving programs? It seems like he is always looking for the greener grass somewhere else. He may be a good strategist or a good designer of an offense, but he is not a program builder. He is not a consistent, year after year, builder of tradition. My guess is he will be gone from Arkansas in four years or less.
dgb63#654261 writes:
I agree with the comments about Petrino. I'm so glad that we didn't go get an OC like him. The last thing we need is a coach that is chasing the next contract as soon as he was hired by us. I really hate to go through this type of change every 2-3 years. Look what Bama has gone through!!
4jerry#421688 writes:
Yeah dgb63, look what Bama has gone through:
Hired the best coach in the country;
About to have the best recruiting class in the country; 41-17 winners over Tenn with Independance Bowl talent and 5 players suspended.
Good luck next year protecting your house with #50 recruiting class against the likes of Hightower, Barrett Jones, Chris Jordan, and Baren Huber.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
4jerry 6:14- "41-17 winners over Tenn with Independence Bowl talent and 5 players suspended". Ouch!
Man, that harpoon struck near the blow-hole. I'd just about forgot most of that memorable outing. At least you didn't say that was from a team that lost to La-Monroe.
That may bring Tdtn and tngeoff back to life.
orvol writes:
Anybody see this article from ESPN about a hypothetical Petrino in-home session? Seems on the money.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/column...
WizardofhOgZ writes:
College football fans must be the most simple-minded idiots around. Since we're on a Vol site, let's use you guys as "exhibit A".
Anyone with an IQ higher than your mascot can see that there is EVERY reason to expect Petrino to be around AT LEAST 5 years; and if a coach of his quality is somewhere that long, he will be successful. If he's successful, that makes it that much more likely he'll be there 8 to 10 years.
But all that you parrots can do is knee-jerk and regurgitate the ESPN mantra: "Petrino is a jerk . . . he's a quitter . . . he'll be looking for a new job in a year or two . . . I would tell recruits to not go there . . . if given the choice between releasing Charles Manson or hiring Petrino, I'd let crazy Charlie free".
The reality is that Petrino was betrayed and lied to by the Atlanta owner (Blank), who then threw Petrino under the bus after he (Blank) reneged on a promise to Petrino that he would let him out of the contract to return to college coaching at the end of the season. That is to say, there are 2 sides to every story, and Petrino has taken the high road by not firing back. The truth is out there if you want to look instead of trust the talking heads.
As for Mallett, here's the facts (whether you choose to believe them or not). He grew up wanting to be a Hog and would have been an easy LOI to the Hogs EXCEPT for the Springdale sideshow (coach Malzahn and his wonder-boy QB, Mitch Mustain). Ryan M. could see the handwriting on the wall (he was right), and so he went elsewhere (Michigan). However, as soon as last spring, he regretted his decision and it was widely known in Arkansas that he wanted to transfer back to the U of A. His parents forced him to "stick it out" - which, as a parent of a college aged son myself, I believe to be the right thing to do - and he did. Fast forward to this December, with Carr leaving Michigan and Rodgriguez (and his spread offense) coming in, and Petrino bringing his pro-style balanced attack to Arkansas, and this was a done deal a looong time before it was publicly affirmed recently - because Petrino demanded that all the i's were dotted and t's crossed with the NCAA and Michigan before a word was said "officially".
Ryan is a polished young guy in front of the media, and he DOES like his former Michigan OC, so when asked if he might consider Tennessee (or the other schools where that guy might end up), Ryan said the "politically correct" thing, which is that he has a great deal of respect for (whatever his name is) and would certainly consider going wherever he ended up, yada, yada, yada. Meanwhile, he and his family made a bee-line for Fayetteville where they met in person with the coaching staff, saw their playbook for themselves, then set the paperwork in motion.
Colliervol writes:
You fellows need to trust what this Wizard guy says. If anybody knows "simple minded idiots", it would be a Hog fan. Have you ever been to Northwest Arkansas? (Hint: You can't get there from here.) It makes Tennessee look downright cosmopolitan. Have you ever seen a Hog Hat or heard a bunch of grown folks do the "Woo Pig Soiee!" I rest my case.
WizardofhOgZ writes:
Colliervol,
Thanks for yet another simple-minded comment. Note how not ONE THING you said was responsive to anything I posted. Again, you pander to the simpleton mindset of your orange brethren instead of becoming legitimately engaged in the conversation (and - no - that doesn't mean you have to marry the mother of your child; she can still just be your sister). You're a real member of the Rocky Top Nation!
Now, if anyone wants to comment on the CONTENT of my message - bring it on.
Colliervol writes:
In all seriousness, I semi-agree with your comments about Petrino and Mallette is where he wants to be so why even discuss it. (On Petrino though, nothing in his background suggests he knows what "loyalty" means so we'll have to wait on that one.) But, really, I don't care to engage in much of a discussion about it because I really don't care. I am much more concerned with what's making UT's program better and not what's going on in Arkansas.
"College football fans must be the most simple-minded idiots around. Since we're on a Vol site, let's use you guys as "exhibit A".
What I think is funny is when fans of other schools come onto another fan site and start phooey and then don't expect it to be handed back to them. Something I wouldn't waste my time doing. I don't figure the Arkansas fan sites would care what I think. So why would you?
philfan writes:
I am not trying to be a smart aleck but I don't think Tennessee has that many great high school football players. That is the reason we very often have to go out of state to get our superb players. If Petrino can grab a few of our better high school players, let him have at it! We can now concentrate on the wealth of talent in Florida now that we have Stan on our coaching staff.
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