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.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
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Comments » 20
pdhuff#552644 writes:
E.J., welcome to UT.
TommyJack writes:
We have a lot "you're in my top 3". Hope we have a closer on staff.
nivatne writes:
Well, all I can say is we need to "work like heck" to get E.J. in the Orange and White. His commitment could spark a few others, and we could possibly salvage this year's recruiting efforts. GO VOLS!!!
AllVol writes:
E.J, it don't get no better than this, son. Put on the Orange and White and get ready to rock and roll.
james#216392 writes:
Looks like the new coaching staff are turning some heads. Good to see someone excited about coming to Knoxville. Now let's get 8-10 more excited. Go Vols.
gohawks1 writes:
Good to have you here, E.J. Now let's get some big 'ol beefy defensive linemen to show some interest.
WHERE'S THE BEEF?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
EJ,
The sweet tea and BBQ is much better here. North Carolina has way too much vinegar in their sauce and no region or state containing the word "north" can possibly know how to make sweet tea.
Come on over!
ctownvol writes:
North Carolina, South Carolina and UT? I certainly know where you SHOULD go. C'mon in EJ. The water's fine! I second nicksjuzunk- You won't find better seet tea and bbq.
Hunter writes:
It worries me that Bartholomew says that "a few of them are interested." If only a few are interested, why are the rest there? I am always a little skeptical of these "athletes." Derrick Tinsley was an "athlete" - how did that work out? Then again, so was Devin Hester, and that guy's pretty good. I am with IPO - WHERE'S THE BEEF??
ThaiVolFan writes:
nicksjuzunk,
How is it going? Are you still overseas or back stateside? We will travel from Thailand back to Tn. in August. I'm hoping to go to the Florida game. Looks to be an exciting year next year. Glad I will be stateside to watch college football instead of up in the a.m. in Asia listening to Kesling. God bless you.
BallantyneVol writes:
I'm curious as to what these recruits are told. Why would a top guy even think about going to North Carolina.. Can't wait to get WB on the hill his brother was a STUD....
BallantyneVol writes:
Funny story.... Jameel Owens was a lock until we started hosting weed parties on viits... Oh well we'll have to win without him
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
thaivol,
Still here. Always here. Hope you catch that game. Got to run to the doctor. My wife is pregnant and she needs that check up. Talk to you later.
newtonrail writes:
Hunter, that's a little unfair on Derrick Tinsley. The guy was out one year with a broken leg, and kept having nagging injuries that cost him several games in a row at the beginning or end of season. Oh Yeah, there was a reverse he ran in the Orange Bowl Stadium that proved our winning margin over Miami in 2003.
tenncorncob writes:
NO offense to our brethren in the Knoxville area, but if you want the BEST BBQ in Tennessee you'll have to come west of the Tennessee river where BBQ is still the king.....lol.....go vols
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Percy Harvin - athlete
nuff said.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I once hit up this BBQ joint right across the TN line in Guthrie KY, but we'll just say it was TN... C & E BBQ. Clemons and Elliot, two brothers from the other color who used an old cigar box for a cash register.
Needless to say, that junk was right on time. First time I had the thin cornbre' too.
bullfrog07 writes:
I can't remember such a year as this one in Phil's tenure. Hope we close strong. Seems like we're on the every other year big class deal where our conference counterparts (Fla, Ga, LSU, Aub, Ala) get in the top 10-15 each year. We needed to follow last year's class with a big class. Come on newbies pull off some magic.
mojojojo writes:
Zeke says, "EJ, there are several excellent dry cleaners close to campus, so you don't have to worry about looking your best after the game! Everyone should support your local dry cleaners".
DooleyNoted writes:
Abrams-Ward should have been matched up wit Meyers-White. We welcome all hyphenated names. Go Vols!
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