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Consider Stephaun Raines a Tennessee commitment once again.
Despite speculation to the contrary, the 6-foot, 175-pound Raines said UT’s coaches never backed off despite some unforeseen academic hurdles to overcome.
The former Dalton (Ga.) High School speedster took a unique path to UT. Raines signed with the Vols in 2006, then fell short academically.
He then spent a year at home in Dalton trying to improve his college entrance exam test score before deciding a year at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College was the best way to become academically eligible.
“I’ve just been out here getting my grades right,” Raines said Tuesday.
Mission accomplished. Raines said he has a 3.1 grade-point average and will enroll at UT in June, in time for the first session of summer school.
There was some question whether UT was still interested in Raines, especially because the Vols signed several skill-position players in 2007. Raines said UT’s coaches never seemed to lose interest.
“That says a lot about them,” Raines said. “That shows they’re committed to their players.
“Even though things might go wrong sometimes, it just lets you know they’re there for you, they’re a good coaching staff and they’ll stand behind their players 100 percent.”
Raines took his official visit to UT last weekend and met with defensive backs coach Larry Slade.
“Coach Slade just told me to work on my back pedal and my break to the ball,” Raines said.
While Raines was slated to play defensive back in 2006, receiver might be more of an option now with UT’s young secondary returning almost intact. Raines is ready for either.
“I already know the receiver position,” he said. “They’re going to give me a chance to work at both. Whichever one I fit into the fastest, that’s the one I’ll be playing.”
Raines said he’s gained at least five pounds of muscle since his high school days. But the most significant change has come in the classroom.
Raines was a surprise academic casualty when he didn’t qualify in 2006. He’s determined to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
“I’ve been trying to study a little more, make sure I’m hanging out with the right crowd, go to classes and make sure I listen to what the teachers are saying,” Raines said. “I’ve just been really honing in on my academics.”
Raines redshirted last season at Coffeyville, meaning he will have four years of eligibility at UT.
The Vols have 12 commitments for the 2008 signing class. National Signing Day is Feb. 6.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 83
Brama writes:
Good Althete in High School, we could use another DB although it sounds like Slade is concerned about his ability to break on the ball. With signing day around the corner we may not be too picky.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good for you, young man! Just stay on that path you charted and all good things will come to you. Don't be afraid to put your example out there for others to follow. It's good to know that for every immature knucklehead we have, and every school has them, there are also some who appreciate the opportunity they have. I hope you keep on kickin' a** in the classroom and on the field!
Chattavegas writes:
I have seen this kid play plenty of times. The speed is there....could use a little more weight.
GreerVol22 writes:
"There was some question whether UT is still interested in Raines, especially because the Vols signed several skill position players in 2007."
skill is like Mayfield's ice cream...can you ever really have too much?
Basketball_Jones writes:
Maybe him and Kenny Oneal can play wideout together
thesavageorange writes:
tngeoff ,You beat me to it.There are a few trouble guys on the team I'm sure , but let us not forget the quality young men we have.Berry being the best example.Raines runs a legit 4.4.He can atleast make an immediate impact on special teams.There is no excuse for us not to have one of the best return teams in the conference next year, especially w/ the emergence of Rogan.
TommyJack writes:
Savage: You mentioned special teams. Too bad we don't have a coach for that position.
Ironcity writes:
He hasn't played ball in two years. I would not expect him to help until 2010. I to like athletes and believe you can never have enough of them.
thesavageorange writes:
TommyJack ,Agreed.Hopefully one of the new coaches can help in that area.Drayton was a special teams assistant w/ the Packers from 01-03, as well as 00 w/ Bowling Green.Special teams is 1/3 of a football team.There are 2-3 games a year where ST's will win or lose a game.It was huge momentum swings in all 3 of our big losses.UF,CAL,Bama.
99gator writes:
tennessee doesn't have a special teams coach?
how is that possible?
doesn't every school have a special teams coach?
MOOREVOLS writes:
I may be mistaken, but I believe the new tight ends coach, Michael, was hired as tight ends/special teams coach.
rab63 writes:
Nope....Tommy Jacks is right.....we don't have a special teams coach...I think I remember someone one the football staff referring to the special teams as being coached "by committee".
thesavageorange writes:
99gator, Last yr coach Adkins coached Special Teams.UF doesn't actually list a coach as ST coach either do they?Who does it for your Gators?The problem is the limitations on coaches.I believe you are only allowed 10 named coaches.
thesavageorange writes:
rab63 ,that was the case until the debacle at Florida.After that CPF gave it to Adkins.
99gator writes:
florida's special teams coach is....
urban meyer himself
and if you have heard the man speak about it, he takes special teams very seriously. florida has been very good on special teams since he has been there. whether it be returning kicks, covering kicks, or blocking them.
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18 ,Is that including the HC , or is that the rule on assistants?Thanks for the info.Just wondering b/c if you include CPF UT has 10.
ATLVOL1 writes:
2* OUT OF HS..... MAYBE HE IS A SLEEPER!
ATLVOL1 writes:
WE HAVE COLQUITT, LINCOLN, ROGAN ALL COMING BACK.... DONT NEED A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH THIS YEAR DO WE?
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
On the topic of Tnnessee having skill players/not recruiting more:
I agree that you can never have "too many skill players" in a manner of speaking, but then again there is a scholarship limit on every team. We already have plenty of QBs, RBs, and WRs. We need to bulk up on defense! I don't think we need to waste any precious scholarships on positions where our cupboards are full. Wouldn't you all agree?
ATLVOL1 writes:
AGREE VOL IN LSU LAND
WE COULD USE SOME 5* TALENT THO AT RB,QB,RECIEVER *AFTER THIS YEAR*.
IF WE HAVE INJURIES AND ACADEMIC ISSUES WE CAN BE IN TROUBLE LATE IN GAMES BEING THIN AT DT,DE,LB
99gator writes:
i think i misinterpreted the special teams coach thing.
most every school's special teams coach is also a postion coach. the way i read what some of you wrote is that no one was assigned to coach special teams
thesavageorange writes:
99gator ,Thanks.I imagine UM could coach any unit on the field.Special Teams has been an on again off again problem for UT.W/ UG & UT making gains on UF(yes you are still the team to beat)ST's may be a determining factor in each of those games next year.
agentorange writes:
we have a crapload of scholarships to use. we need warm bodies at this point. bigger the better but raines is solid addition.
TommyJack writes:
moorevols: If that is so, then I missed it.
thesavageorange writes:
99gator ,Actually ,from the way it looked in the first 3-4 games,we didn't have a ST coach.No particular coach was asigned to that duty until UM's squad lit into us.
99gator writes:
sjt18
i don't think it will make anyone happy to hear that "D1AA schools were drooling over him".
most of the board will ask why is tenn fighting for kids recruited by D1AA schools.
thesavageorange writes:
ATLVOL1 ,By the way on Vereen.If Raines is a true 4.4 guy then it probably puts Vereen closer to 4.5.I say that b/c Raines runs a 10.6100m,and Vereen runs a 10.84.Just thought you might want to know.Although on a given day who knows?
99gator writes:
savageorange.....
i haven't studied enough to give an opinion on who the team to beat is. i think schedule means a lot.
i will say this....tenn can not lose to florida and win the division in 2008. tenn would still have auburn and georgia on the road as well as bama. tenn has to beat florida.
and who was the genius that gave tenn back to back games....9/20- florida, 9/27 @ auburn
bigbluevol writes:
99gator, I read the same thing that sjt was saying about the 1-AA teams. The point in that article (from the Chattanooga TimesFreePress) was that Raines hadn't gotten a lot of 1-A attention because of his size. The 1-AA coaches were thinking that he would be a talent that slipped through the cracks. Since his last official listing he's said to have gained between 5 and 10 pounds without losing any speed.
99gator writes:
i also give credit for tenn playing a....
cal, notre dame, ucla, etc... over the years when they don't have to. the SEC is tough enough as it is.
florida, georgia, and south carolina have natural out of conference rivals....tenn doesn't and still schedules a strong out of conference opponent.
no one else does.....although lsu did play va tech this year....but that is not typical
next year, @ ucla, @ georgia, @ auburn. and ucla would love to make a splash in the early season with a new coach. tough road schedule
thesavageorange writes:
99gator ,Agree 100%.Don't know about the schedule.Last yr we played our west games in Oct.Whoever did it needs to be choked.
thesavageorange writes:
I think the reason UT schedules those out of conference games is b/c of TV exposure in different parts of the country.Tenn has one of the toughest recruiting jobs in the country, and that exposure has paid dividends.
mattrob44 writes:
Guys Im from Dalton, this guys a play maker. The better the competition the better he plays. He can compete
thesavageorange writes:
tngeoff ,Nice.This guy has another gear.Looks explosive.
ATLVOL1 writes:
SCHED. IS HUGE NEXT YEAR IN THE SEC
GEORGIA AND LSU HAVE BRUTAL ROAD SCHEDULES
AUBURN AND FLORIDA HAVE EVERYONE AT HOME (IN SEC)
SANFORD STADIUM IS A HOME GAME FOR US, AT LEAST RECENTLY.
I DONT THINK UGA AND AUBURN WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH US OFFENSIVELY NEXT YEAR.
FLA/TENN IS THE EAST TITLE GAME -I AGREE.
ATLVOL1 writes:
OK FLA PLAYS US ON THE ROAD TO SNAP OUR HOME WIN STREAK...
thesavageorange writes:
Well, we'll know how good we are pretty fast.Clawson won't even have a warm up game.
99gator writes:
sjt18
florida was lucky enough to get lsu every year.
i think the SEC did this to maintain fairness in the league. florida's natural west rival (historically) is auburn. but the SEC could not break up GA-Auburn, and Tenn-Bama. they also could not give florida, let's say mississippi, so they gave florida ....lsu.
with regard to schedule....for florida... the tenn game is critical because it is the biggest conference road game.... win it and most of the rest of the big games are @ florida.
99gator writes:
sjt18
i was not trying to pick on the kid. i feel good for all kids who get a chance to get a scholarship and live a dream...etc.
i wrote what i did because i know some of the negative folks that usually post here will not be impressed about anything with D1AA in the same sentence.
volntx writes:
yes ,
tenn/bama
florida/lsu
georgia/aub
sc/ark
vandy/ole miss
ky/miss st
could have last two backward
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
99gator, I live in Lakeland and I know one thing. Florida has a lot of players to chose from year in and year out. Tennessees' population can't compete with the numbers. Plus it's easier to sell tickets to games against quality programs than it is for second tier programs. It works for UT. And the players like to jell with other players from across the nation, there is more to talk about when you come from different parts of the country.
GO VOLS!!!
99gator writes:
what you all are saying makes sense. if you are going to recruit nationally.....you have to play "national" games. that would also explain constantly playing california schools as opposed to..... let's say michigan.
VolSwaff writes:
i played against this guy in high school. he was a good athlete for the area. but the region he played in is the slowest and smallest in the state.
he should be at UTC not UT. He can't hold a candle to any athlete on our current roster. i promise you.
volntx writes:
Raines said... that show they're committed to there players...
UT standind by there word to him means a lot regardless of where on the field he plays. That is what could land UT bigger recruits... like defensive lineman
volntx writes:
s
g
99gator writes:
the only 2* i can remember recently is brandon james, who is certainly valuable.
meyer did not want to give him a ship becuase he is 5'6. one of the assistants, can't remember who, kept bugging meyer about it to the point where urban gave in.
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18,Thanks.Forgot about UAB.Phew, thank god.UCLA will be pretty solid and unpredictable next yr.They have a very good staff.They(luckily for us)start w/ Fresno St.They may have to show us a little more than we have to show them.
99gator writes:
sjt18
well, like i said....i give tenn credit for doing it.
99gator writes:
because it's been a topic recently...
FYI....so far....
florida has 22 commitments. 11 are from out of state
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
sjt18, I think we owe them one. And it's doable now.
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