Abrams-Ward says UT is in final three

By Dave Hooker

Originally published 07:33 p.m., January 20, 2008
Updated 07:48 p.m., January 20, 2008

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.