Tennessee is hosting nine official visitors, including three late additions, this weekend.
Undra Billingsley would be a great fit for UT, which is trying to secure a defensive tackle for the 2008 signing class. However, the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder from Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Ala., has been committed to Alabama since last March.
UT also secured a visit from Willie Bohannon, a 6-3, 230-pound defensive end from Blount High in Mobile, Ala., and Keith Wells, a 6-5, 210-pound defensive end from Gainesville (Ga.) High.
The Vols lost out on two previously planned visitors.
This is the second consecutive week that 6-2, 260 defensive end Willie Mobley from Eden Prairie (Minn.) High canceled on the Vols. Gerell Robinson, the 6-2, 210-pound athlete from Hamilton High in Chandler, Ariz., also canceled.
Mobley is committed to Ohio State. Robinson is committed to Arizona State.
UT is hosting E.J. Abrams-Ward, a 6-5, 210-pound athlete from Thomasville (N.C.) High, 6-6, 315-pound offensive lineman Antoine McClain from Anniston (Ala.) High and 6-2, 260-pound defensive lineman Jomarcus Savage from J.O. Johnson High in Huntsville, Ala.
The Vols are hosting two prospects already committed for 2008: 6-3, 230-pound fullback Ben Bartholomew from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville and 6-1, 210-pound receiver Rod Wilks from Smyrna.
The Vols are also hosting 6-foot, 170-pound athlete Stephaun Raines from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. Raines signed with UT in 2006 out of Dalton (Ga.) High.
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Comments » 39
dburgVol writes:
No surprise about Mobley and Robinson. They want to go to weaker and slower conferences so that they can put up those big numbers. Would be nice to steal Billingsley away from alabama. Vols over Ohio State 74-69.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Undra, know absolutely nothing about you, young man, except you'd look good in Orange.
Anyone catch the Syracuse game and their jerseys with ORANGE in orange against the white? Too cool.
mj54 writes:
Who's Jeff Wilks? You mean Rod Wilks?
Don't quite understand our problem in getting committs from DT's with the playing time we have to offer.
givehim6 writes:
I think we will get what we get this year. but after kids we have a good program agian, the talent will come our way.
GO VOLS!!
hippie60 writes:
How about black pants for the football team next year? Black is intmidating. The Steelers have known that for years. Shake it up some Phil.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i think thia wiil be a lean year at tennessee, the guys have to learn a new offense but by clawsons second it will click
volunteer_cowboy writes:
this will
ssukonic#254241 writes:
Any news on how the visits this weekend have gone. Anyone verbally committed by any chance? What's going on???
southernACmavs writes:
Our recruiting has been so bad this year. I heard that fulmer has contacted Small Mike,to fill a DT spot on the team.
BallantyneVol writes:
Does anyone else wish it were August???
easton3 writes:
knoxsingle: You don't even know what you are talking about. He didn't quit on anybody. The media has blown this way out because there was nothing else to talk about.
1. He told Dolphins owner Wayne H. that he would stay if he wanted him too.
2. Dolphins owner Wayne H. admitted that Saban didn't want to leave LSU and he(Wayne H.) talked him into it. They are good friends.
3. His wife was unhappy in the pros and in Miami.(enough said).
4. He stayed til the end of the Dolphins season and talked to the players. That killed his chance of recruiting for Alabama last year. He showed loyalty to the Dolphins, not Alabama.
5. Bobby Petrino left the Atlanta Falcons high and dry. He left mid-season so he could recruit for Arkansas. His players were handed a "Dear John letter" at a morning meeting. No face to face. He showed his loyalty to Arkansas not the Falcons organization. He has been sending out his resume' from Louisville for years when he already had a job.
Last: Saban is a winner and a hell of a coach. That is why kids want to play for him. Also, smart kids don't get influenced by bullcrap media. I know you people hate Alabama, but considering the media stole that Heisman from Peyton Manning, I would expect a little bit more from you.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
What disturbs me is the lack of defensive recruits, particularly DL. Defensive coaching is stable so can't blaim offensive staff turnover and we've been consistantly putting DL into the NFL, not sure what gives. If it is a sympton of the supposed lack of interest in recruiting by Chavis then it might be time for a change as success in this environment will require tradition+facilities+good coaching+everyone recruiting like crazy. Miss any one of those elements and that will mean difference between being a top tier or just one of the rest.
AllVol writes:
Why in the hell are we not hearing anything about recruting? Is it that bad?!!
Basketball_Jones writes:
No Ballant I wish it were March and we were getting ready for a run at the Final 4. All August will do is bring high hopes for another mediocre campaign by Foolmer
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i believe this will be a so so year for football. clawson will need a year to learn what's what and the vols will struggle. i have always been told that if it sounds too good to be true that 9 times out of 10 it is.... everybody acts like clawson is the all mighty savior WATCH OUT ALL you may not want august to get here as fast as you think!!!
Vols1998 writes:
I'm with ALLVol.....where is the news? does anyone want to come to UT? what a chance for some DE or DT to start early at a premier school who will be in the thick of things next year.
My Gosh, Dag Burn it, where are the recuits? How about some over looked blue collar 6-6 320LB of "I got a chip on my shoulder" small school lineman?
Go Vols!!!
easton3 writes:
Are you kidding? Talk about getting what you deserved. The only reason TN didn't get sanctioned by the NCAA for those grades scandals is because Foolmer is a tattle tail. No discipline At UT now.
I would be careful about wanting people to get what they deserved. As far as Saban goes, I don't care how long he stays. He will restock us with talent like he did at LSU. He is also reminding people just who we are.....ALABAMA: one of the 3 greatest college football programs in history.
As far as his 9/11 comments, they were taken out of context, again by the media. Do you people think for yourselves? Personally, I don't buy everything people tell me. I'm smart enough to figure things out myself. I do agree that is was not smart of Saban to even mention 9/11, but that is as far as it goes. I like Shula but he wasn't getting the job done, plain and simple.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
jeffersongavol writes:
I would like to see Tennessee use black jerseys with orange and white numbers/letters. Not because UGA did it. I have thought this would be neat for years. Maybe one game or during the whole season.
jeremy writes:
It seems to me that recruiting wasn't attacked with the same intensity as previous years. I guess since last years class was so good they decided they would take this one off. I haven't heard any of the coaches that were leaving taking any recruits with them. Not one who has commited has left to go to Duke or Okl. st. So what gives????
utmdm writes:
i personally do not care for the black jersey or pant idea.
BallantyneVol writes:
Is there any news about the recruiting weekend?
Ironcity writes:
Easton has deluded himself. To funny. Alabama is a has been program who had to overpay a coach by 2 million dollars a year just to show up on campus. The only way Bama can compete in the SEC is to cheat. They have proved that over and over the last 25 years. By the way, hows that basketball team? hahahahahahahahahaha!!!
volmattna writes:
hey easton3 i dont know if i would call fulmer foolmer he owns alabama
TommyJack writes:
easton3: Are you Saban's spin merchant?
Black jerseys? Pants? Put down the pipe.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
new post on KNS about recruiting this weekend: Tennessee has firmly entrenched itself in E.J. Abrams-Ward’s top three schools thanks to a positive official visit this weekend.
“I’m learning new things about the school, the players and the coaching staff and what they’re trying to get done around here,” the 6-foot-5, 210-pound athlete from Thomasville (N.C.) High School said on Sunday about his official visit this weekend.
Abrams-Ward said UT, North Carolina and South Carolina are the three finalists for his services. Abrams-Ward has already taken an official visit to North Carolina, but said he’s still considering whether or not to take an official trip to South Carolina.
If Abrams-Ward doesn’t take that official visit to Columbia, UT and North Carolina would have to be considered the favorites. Abrams-Ward said he’d like to announce his decision within two weeks.
Abrams-Ward said he was impressed with Knoxville, as well as UT’s standing among other college football programs.
“It’s a powerhouse football school and a powerhouse football conference,” he said.
Versatile: Through multiple coaching changes, there has been one constant question in Ben Bartholomew’s recruitment: which position will he play?
That was the question when the 6-3, 230-pounder from Montgomery Bell Academy committed to UT in December 2006. Now, the debate rages on.
Bartholomew could play several positions, including fullback, tight end, H-back, linebacker or defensive end. Therefore, he spent his official visit this weekend visiting with several UT coaches.
“I got to eat lunch with the new tight end coach and talk with the new offensive coordinator,” Bartholomew said. “That was exciting to get to know my future coaches. Talked to the defensive coaches also a little bit, still undecided which side of the ball I’m going to play on.”
His uncertain future didn’t keep Bartholomew from trying to recruit the handful of undecided prospects that visited this weekend.
“A few of them are interested,” Bartholomew said. “I’m excited about that. It was good to talk to them a little bit. There were some good prospects. We did our best (recruiting them).”
Bartholomew said he was impressed by UT’s staff, which headed up the recruiting efforts.
“The coaches did a really great job,” Bartholomew said. “Having the new coaches there was a great blessing because it’s kind of hard to recruit people when their coach isn’t there. Getting to meet the new coaches really helped a lot.
“Most of them (the prospects) looked like they liked it a lot and they were enjoying themselves.”
Bartholomew’s brother, Will, played fullback at UT 1998-2001 and was a captain his final year. The Bartholomews’ grandfather, Sam, was a blocking back at UT 1937-39 and was a captain his senior season.
easton3 writes:
No offense IronCity, but it is "too funny". Also, we won the NC in 1992. By my count, that is 16 years of which we were sanctioned.
Talk about paying a coach to help you win....then make fun of our b-ball team; Bruce Pearl anyone.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
easton3 writes:
As for you, Marc_ash, I would hardly call it domination when we have been sanctioned and not playing on an equal playing field(not blaming anyone, just stating the facts). Also, 41-17.....does that ring a bell with anyone?
Your'e right, I don't know what Saban said to Wayne H our vice-versa. I did however see Wayne H say this himself on ESPN(I guess he could be lying). Again, I don't know what Petrino said to the Falcon players, but I did see many of the players interviewed on ESPN and they said he never said a word. They came to work and found a "Dear John letter" signed by Petrino. I also saw Arthur Blank, owner of the Falcons say some pretty nasty things about Bobby Petrino on, lets all say it at once, ESPN!! I wonder why the owner of the Dolphins would say such nice things about Saban and the owner of the Falcons would say such bad things about Bobby Petrino.Hmmmmmm. As far as LSU and Michigan St goes, I think its more of a jilted lover thing. Trust me, they both would take him back in a heartbeat. By the way, have you had the same job your whole adult life?
Again, your facts are not all together there. Alabama didn't cheat, a booster did, and later on Alabama found out and did not report it to the NCAA. I'm not bitter, but if you and every other Bama hater wants to talk about how we suck and we are no longer relevant, I think it is important to point out the obvious. "textbookgate" you really want to compare some kids trying to save money on friggin books to kids picked by the staff to take out a highly rated recruit from another state, caught smoking blunts in a car on the strip by the police...please. Get your affairs in order before commenting on ours.
Last, like I have said many times, I am a fan of UT. I don't want bad things to happen to your program. I just wish you would make sense and have facts before you attack our character. Your program IS in a little trouble right now, concentrate on that. Maybe you should tell that to your coach too. He sure seems preoccupied with his hatred of Bama a lot. Maybe he should get back to coaching football......just a thought.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
SunDevol writes:
dburgVol wrote: "No surprise about Mobley and Robinson. They want to go to weaker and slower conferences so that they can put up those big numbers."
Yea, thats why Robinson decided to commit to ASU. He must have wanted to play against slow teams like Cal. Had nothing to due with him being from Arizona and wanting to play for an excellent ex-NFL coach in Erickson. We will see how weak the Pac-10 is when ASU takes down #1 Georgia next season.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
marc ash 7:21 a.m. - Marc, lose the logic. You're starting to make way too much sense. Remember alway, if it looks like a duck.......
easton3 writes:
Marc_Ash...
First, I am a TN fan, I just love Alabama football. I don't think there are any rules against liking two teams . Second, I didn't bash the media and the use them for support in the next like you said. I said it was on ESPN; I also said it was from thier own mouths in an interview. I definitely believe in the power the media has to spin things differently, but not to make million dollar athletes, coaches, and owners lie.
Third, of course TN has beaten Bama straight up before, but you should go back and check the records. We(Bama) won the NC title in 1992. The NCAA started an investigation at the end of 1992.
We have been sanctioned since the mid 90s. Again, we deserved what we got to some degree, but I would hardly brag about beating up on a team so heavily sanctioned. We were a hair away from the death penalty.
Last, you should drop that 6-6 thing and here is why; We whipped TN *sses all over the field. Those were not Sabans players and it was a first year staff. That team has very little talent especially compared to TN, Florida, LSU etc...Look at what Urban Meyer and Les Miles did at Florida and LSU thier first year with WAY, WAY more talented teams. If Saban stays for 5 years, I promise you will wish he hadn't. Try looking at things objectively. I know that is probably hard for you, but since I am a fan of both teams, it is a bit easier for me.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
easton3 writes:
I'm not lurking. Can I like TN football? Is that ok with you? I live in East TN. My whole family loves TN football. I had a good friend who was an All-American at UT and played in the NFL. My favorite player and one of my favorite players of all-time is Peyton Manning. I actually teared up a little when he won that Super Bowl(as hard as it is to admit).
I grew up in Bama and you are born a fan, plain and simple. A matter of fact, a lot of Bama fans would call me a traitor for liking TN football.
I am a big fan of UT. But I live and breathe Alabama football.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
supersteve17 writes:
easton3:
With "fans" like you, who needs enemas?
easton3 writes:
Wow, that is clever.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
supersteve17 writes:
cute comeback.
easton3 writes:
I guess if I were a true TN fan, I would start cursing you out or go light me up a blunt. Maybe a little of that Maui-wowi or a little Tai-stick(you know that s**t that is tied to a stick).
Keep em coming genius.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
CoastGuardVol writes:
Is it possible to like two teams? I have lived in the South my whole life and know a lot of different SEC fans. I cant think of one that likes two of them. Hell I cant bring myself to root for another SEC team in bowl games when I spend all season hoping they lose so that MY VOLS can climb the polls. Can I get a amen??!!
GO VOLS!!!
CoastGuardVol writes:
Oh yeah about the Uniforms... My favorite has always been the all orange. I was glad to see them back in the SEC championship. I say we use them again and change our luck in them.
GO VOLS
easton3 writes:
Well.....the hell with Tennessee football then.
That felt goooooooooood. Maybe you are right.
Your going to see a lot more of Bama in the future.
I hope you are ready. The funny thing is, I know all of you know that. You can't be that stupid(I don't think).I can feel your desperation from here.
Off-sanctions= Here we come!!
ROLL TIDE !!!!
easton3 writes:
Would you really want to bet that TN hasn't cheated? How about USC? How about Florida?
Florida and Meyer are in trouble right now because Meyer persuaded the Florida womens gymnastics team coach to offer a scholly to the girlfriend of WR ?
Moore(cant remember first name). Now both are at Florida on athletic scholly.
My point: TN fans always point out that we are cheaters so we do the same. Whats the difference?
Am I the only one on here that made a fool of himself?
Again, I like TN football. Why would someone have a problem with that? Should a parent of two kids love one more? I grew up in Alabama, TN was an enemy. My Family lived here and I always wanted to live here with them. When we moved here, I had to watch a lot of TN football. I went to school with a big-time player and we were friends. I supported him. I became a fan of the Vols. My heart will always be with Bama. I was embarrassed by the trouble we got in. I am embarrassed by the way a lot of the fans behave. But I have not seen a big difference with UT fans, if any. Call us cheaters or whatever, but I have just as much right to be on this site as you do because again, I am a fan.
And I will respond accordingly to nonsense. I don't see any of you doing much different. At least I can admit to the truth....seems like a whole lot of imagination in this forum.
ROLL TIDE !!!!
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