Tennessee prospects Kenneth Page and Brandon Thompson have both committed to Clemson, according to TigerIllustrated.com.
Page, an offensive lineman from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, S.C., announced his decision on Friday.
Thompson, a defensive tackle from Thomasville (Ga.) High, had recently eliminated UT and was also considering LSU.
More online and in Saturday's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 209
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Oh well. Page was a gamer, but hated to see Thompson turn away a while back. Step it up, Vols.
williamshockley#225607 writes:
We are not doing well at all.....I don't understand. Somebody explain to me how we could be Top 5 only a couple of years ago, and now this.
tripper writes:
Finally, some news on Tennessee recruiting. It not good, but at least it's news.
TommyJack writes:
williamshockley: Blame it on the losers/haters.
bullfrog07 writes:
This looks to be the worst year in CPF's tenure for recruiting. Our only recruiter on the staff was CTT, he had to close the deal for every coach. The new guys - it'll be hard for them to have an impact this year. I remember CTT didn't really have a big impact during the '04 class (only b/c he had only been on staff for about a month).
Chavis, Slade, Adkins, etc. those guys aren't recruiters. They don't have the personality for it. Caldwell and Brooks do "ok". Hopefully Scott and Drayton will be good ones, next year will tell.
Our immediate future looks good but long term I'm worried. You have to recruit good year in and out.
There is in-state talent this year its just there going elsewhere (Ala, OM, etc.)
chipper10 writes:
I don't think highly rated prospects see Tennessee as an upper tier program right now. Probably perceived as third in the East. Winning big games changes these perceptions and although UT won the East last year, they were blown out three times, twice on national television.
These things go up and down. We just aren't the hot program right now, but we will be if we win championships.
ATLVOL1 writes:
Thompson was never really a prospect, Page is a 3*OL...not a big deal...we need to Close Wadley and Mcclain though to offset these opportunities.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
We better hope Berry and Co. can get 'er done becuase this class is looking like a black hole. Thanks Cut! What would we have done w/o your QB expertise for all of 2 seasons? Uhhh...not have a 2008 Outback Bowl trophy??? Great! At least we met Hammy's expectations for the program.
TommyJack writes:
sjt: Yes, I really think they're neutral. All teams have boards...most have losers/haters. Too much credit given to them. These kids are too savvy to make a pick based on what 1/10th of 1% of the fan-base says. The drop-off, IMO, is due to our coaching staff getting lazy the past 6-7 years...taking for granted that most studs would pick us. I think the staff (including CPF) is back on track now, but we're paying for a few years of complacency.
ATLVOL1 writes:
Ok....its time to worry if any of the folllowing committ elsewhere:
Mcclaine- Tenn or Auburn (hes from AL to)
Coples
Witherspoon- Michigan verbal
Abrams-Ward Tenn or UNC (from NC)
Waggner
Wells- FLa ST verbal
Enrique Davis would be nice...
These are our most solidified recruits as far as leaning towards us at all lately as I can tell.
CPF get out there and change some peoples minds like last year, stay the course.
bowerst#242774 writes:
Some are saying that last year's #1 class also plays a role in this year's drop-off. Most rate the 2008 team as stronger than 2007 at every position except QB (and LB with Mayo leaving early). Maybe we get a few this year, and save some spots for a blowout 2009 recruiting year.
UT4ME writes:
Any recent news on Brandon Warren? First time poster here...some observations:
Yes, I think recruits, their friends and families, etc., do read online stories about the university they are considering, as do other coaches and recruiters looking for any information to find an edge.
The story on Vereen got 3 different headlines...first about the arrest for public intoxication, then to "clarify" it was related to a fight, and finally, Phil's punishment of the whole team. Some local media members seem to focus hard on the negatives relative to UT.
Why the story on Pryor from KNS? Could it be that CPF and Clausen have continued pursuing him despite the comments about Pryor taking UT off his list after Cutcliff left?
Any insight on these issues appreciated. I've been reading most of the stories and comments on this website since being extremely frustrated with UT football after the Alabama loss. I remember laughing my ass off that night, as many people were speaking their mind about the state of UT football after that game...and still do. Not into personal attacks and name calling, but generally agree that change is needed at UT for us to regain national, and in some cases regional, respect. Hoping the new coaches can at least give us that, and some last minute, positive surprises on the recruiting trail.
Went to Tenn Tech for BSME, but did graduate from UT 10 years later after spending a year in the EMBA program. UT fan in all respects.
ATLVOL1 writes:
I think Abrams-Ward,Coples, and Witherspoon would be terrific signees, not to downplay the others....
McClaine is a future NFL body at 6"6"315 and 18yrs old, just think hes Auburn bound being from Bama.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
sjt18, I've read quite a few of your posts concerning recruiting and you certainly have a common theme. Coming off the 2005 season, CPF had to make a significant change, the team performed very well early in 2006 and that convinced a lot of the current recruits that 2005 was a one time deal. Losing the Outback bowl and falling into the back of the Top 25 left a tremendous of damage to our program nationally, and we had to live with it for 9 months. Starting off 2007 with some bad losses just killed any momentum that CPF had built up. Looking back on it, the only way out was really to win the SEC Champ game and the BCS bowl. If we had accomplished this, then many of the "Second Place finishes" in recruiting would be ours. The negative talk and chat room stuff certainly didn't help, but a good portion of the fan base was unhappy with CPF. One poster suggested it was a small minority, but that was a naive statement. If he can land 4-5 big guys then this class would actually be a success for our needs today. There is always next year!
thesavageorange writes:
I'm the eternal optimist ,but this hurts.Coples,Kelly,and E Davis are in this weekend.We really need Coples and Davis.Coples is rated a 4* and Davis a 5*.If for nothing else but momentum.They are not DT's like we need , but for others considering UT , it might help if we move up the board.The folks out in Oregon seem to think Davis is down to UT and Oregon.Davis may be waiting to see what Pryor does.Pryor is in OR this weekend I believe(or next)and will be hosted by Dixon.Pryor goes to Oregon, forget about Davis.
TommyJack writes:
sjt: Sooooo, in the final analysis, what is the MAIN reason recruiting if off? And it is.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
As far as defensive tackles and ends are concerned, I don't know why we cannot get some big recruits this year, but my opinion is that the reason we cannot land any big time skilled players anymore (QB'S, WR'S, RB'S) is because players realize as long as CPF is at the helm of TN they will not be able to pat their stats to earn an early pick to the NFL. Even when we get a big lead Fulmer calls of the dogs and the opponents come back. I realize its the classy thing to do in fulmers shoes, but classy doesn't always get you the best tallent in the land. We are still getting solid players, but were not going to get the tebow's and pryor's of the world when we don't even beat our smaller opponents by more than 14 points.
ATLVOL1 writes:
I think we need to concentrate on getting transfers from USC
ATLVOL1 writes:
Recruiting is off because of Troop leaving, Cut leaving,Cal 45 Tenn 31, Uf 59 Tenn 20, Bama 41 Tenn 17.
thesavageorange writes:
foreverorange ,We are 1 yr removed from a top 3 class.If what you say is true that would not have been possible.
KENVOL writes:
I'm not to worried about recruiting for 1 year. We can always pick up juco players if we have to to fill holes. We will be OK.
drone#208075 writes:
We could look at it this way. This year's a bust with all the changes and maybe that's for the good. Instead of potentially wasting scholarships this year, hold on to them and market the 2009 class as the best to ever be assembled and one all need to be a part of and take this approach. We should have substanially more scholarships to offer next year this way and could be a huge recruiting tool.
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
Something's wrong when we can't get DLs in here with them knowing they can have instant playing time.
thesavageorange writes:
Spurlock was a mistake.B/c we may have to start movig some O-line to the D-line.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ- without defensive help, does anyone think we're going to see anything but a repeat or worse than 2007?
Chavis is an above average DC but you can't have a good jug band without jugs. We play as last year and those cliff-hangers won't all go our way. Dang giving up 400-500 yds a game and 28-50 points a game. We look like UNLV used to in B ball. Let them score so we can get the ball back.
As I said , at $38,000.00 per week, I hold Phil directly responsible. If we're a mess, HE, not anyone else, led us into it. 68th in Run defense, 84th in pass defense, know some don't like to hear it, I don't either. When is he ever held responsible for no rings in nine years? I digress.....Top 10!!!!!
ATLVOL1 writes:
Think about this in 2008: Clemson,UGA,ARK,Bama,VT,UNC,LSU,AUB,S CAr,Wake are all worthy of being ranked and getting recruits.
1998: Tenn and FLa were good.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Ouch on these 2 not picking Tennessee.
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18 ,I read it on one of Oregons boards.There was a mention of him possibly having scheduled 2 visits on 1 weekend though.He may have to move a visit here to next week, but I am not sure.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
davis is visiting 02/02/08
TommyJack writes:
VOLstuck: What??
volunteer_cowboy writes:
vinson will not be at corner next year, johnson will be back
volunteer_cowboy writes:
vinson was a WR out of high school plus Rains is coming in
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i would take the marty everett kid, its between ut and uf
ATLVOL1 writes:
SJ
ANTONIO GAINES WILL START AT CORNER--- WILLINGHAM IS NOT FIRST TEAM
BERRY MORLEY VINSON SOLID
I HEARD THE DL MAY FEATURE MARTIN AND GERALD WILLIAMS AT THE BOOKENDS D WILLIAMS AND BOLDEN IN THE MIDDLE
MZKENZIE AND MYERS - WHITE SAW A LOT OF SPECIAL TEAMS AND BACKUP DUTY LAST YEAR, DONALD IS A YEAR OUT FOR STARTING I THINK.
PRETTY GOOD FIRST TEAM D AND O NEXT YEAR
volunteer_cowboy writes:
marsalous johnson Will start at corner
ATLVOL1 writes:
Berry saved Willingham's azz many times against wisconsin , then he went head hunting.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
gaines might start at corner only in the NFL he was a senior this year so he is gone
ATLVOL1 writes:
JOHNSON AND GAINES START
VINSON NICKEL CORNER
ATLVOL1 writes:
GAINES IS GETTING A 6TH YEAR- PER FULMER
volunteer_cowboy writes:
maybe we get billingsley, savage and everett then throw in ward, mcclain, wells, coples and wadley and WE ARE GOOD TO GO
pdhuff#552644 writes:
sjt18- I guess we'll all know after UCLA, huh. Conjecture will turn into realism, good or bad, pro or con. Wonder what Vegas will have us at per winning the SEC. Admire your steadfast admiration for Phil. You truly stay the course.
ATLVOL1 writes:
Yeah I like Vinson too, hes quick....I watched tape of the Outback Bowl and Berry and vinson were hitting people as fast as our LB's...Mayo included....speed kills
volunteer_cowboy writes:
AND THE WILLIE BOHANNON KID THATS A KENTUCKY COMMIT
UT4ME writes:
ATLVOL1
"PRETTY GOOD FIRST TEAM D AND O NEXT YEAR"
Exactly. We aren't going to be ranked very high with our recruiting this year, period. However, we do have enough talent to compete for a championship next year...we even played the national champion (LSU) very tough this year despite Ainge's shortcomings.
IF Crompton plays with emotion and truly leads the offense, and Clawson duplicates his offensive success at Richmond, 2008/09 SHOULD be a great year.
If we play up to our potential next fall, and if we get the lucky breaks needed to win a championship, then the recruiting will fall in place again. If we blow it and have a significant number of off-field incidents and/or grade issues...again...then I will give up on CPF, period. I don't buy into the next year or two being a "transition" year due to new coaches. It has to be a substantial success, and CPF has already been given multiple passes IMO. This year has to result in SEC championship and a BCS bowl, and no less.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
UT could actually have a good DL next year, just not a lot of depth. Looking forward to seeing Martin get a full time starting job.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
fulmer has 4 new coaches to blame for bad year if we have one and also bad recruiting year
GerryOP writes:
Those who think that things like this board, talk shows, or any other forum that is a place for fans to toss out opinions are a major factor in our recruiting problems are making two mistakes. 1) Underestimating the intelligence of the recruits, and 2) over inflating their own self importance.
In my opinion, the two biggest factors in our downward recruiting slide are embarrassing failures on national TV and a stale persona/image led by a coach who consistently lives in the past. Now that PAF claims to have made a commitment to change, we'll see ... in the next couple of years. 2008 could be a rather difficult year. As Pennington said, winning would cure many ills. Just my opinion.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
i also hope we get the CB reuben johnson kid from jersey
ATLVOL1 writes:
haha Cowboy! Cut may be Head Coach for this recruiting Class by the time they are Juniors /Seniors....Fulmers sales pitch could be "dont worry young man Coach Cutcliffe will take my place in 10' after they fire my rear."
volunteer_cowboy writes:
OLineman are OLineman for a reason, they dont have the speed to be DLineman, they are roadblocks not road graters
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