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Abrams-Ward says UT is in final three
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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.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by pdhuff on January 20, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
E.J., welcome to UT.
Posted by TommyJack on January 20, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have a lot "you're in my top 3". Hope we have a closer on staff.
Posted by nivatne on January 20, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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!!!
Posted by AllVol on January 20, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
E.J, it don't get no better than this, son. Put on the Orange and White and get ready to rock and roll.
Posted by tngeoff on January 20, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tennessee's the place to be!
Posted by james on January 20, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by IPOrange on January 20, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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?
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 20, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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!
Posted by marc_ash on January 20, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A lot could happen in the next few weeks folks. Don't be surpised if UT makes the surprising push they did in 03 when they got a lot of commits the last 2 days.
Only time will tell. hope it pans out. Hope the packers end up winning this thing....
Posted by ctownvol on January 20, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by Hunter on January 20, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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??
Posted by ThaiVolFan on January 20, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by BallantyneVol on January 20, 2008 at 9:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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....
Posted by BallantyneVol on January 20, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny story.... Jameel Owens was a lock until we started hosting weed parties on viits... Oh well we'll have to win without him
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 20, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by newtonrail on January 21, 2008 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by tenncorncob on January 21, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 21, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Percy Harvin - athlete
nuff said.
Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 21, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by sjt18 on January 21, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ballantynevol, Hopefully you know that Owens was a longshot at best?
Vinson was listed as an athlete if I remember correctly. Savion Frazier and Hardesty were as well. There are probably several others.
Posted by sjt18 on January 21, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Why would a top guy even think about going to North Carolina"
More than likely because Davis is an excellent coach who is selling past UNC's liabilities in support and facilities. He's more than likely telling them that with the ACC down they can come there and be in a BCS bowl within a couple of years. If he gets the right players, it is possible... then Petrino will quit and Butch Davis will go home.
Posted by bullfrog07 on January 21, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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.
Posted by sjt18 on January 21, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bama is having their best class in a long time. Neither they nor Auburn hit great classes every year. Auburn and UT are fairly similar with a little edge to UT. Bama has improved with Saban.
UT doesn't have the homegrown talent of LSU, UGA, or UF. There are only about half the number of 4-5* recruits in Tn this year as last year. That along with coaching changes, mid-season criticism, the lack of opportunity for immediate playing time, etc have all contributed to this perhaps not being a great class.
Posted by mojojojo on January 21, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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".
Posted by mtoms1272 on January 21, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Abrams-Ward should have been matched up wit Meyers-White. We welcome all hyphenated names. Go Vols!
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