Photo by Nikki Boertman
Harding Academy football star Marlon Brown.
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Tennessee fans are not going to like what they are about to read about Marlon Brown.
First, Brown is one of the elite prospects in the nation and the News Sentinel's selection for the No. 1 prospect in the state.
Rivals ranks the Harding Academy receiver from Memphis as the No. 2 receiver in the nation and the 17th-best prospect overall. Scout ranks Brown as the country's third-best receiver and the 27th-best prospect overall.
Wait, what's wrong with that? Just wait Vol fans.
Brown has visited West Coast schools, such as Southern Cal, UCLA and Stanford. All have offered him a scholarship, along with countless other schools.
Brown's recruitment is eerily familiar to that of Patrick Turner, the receiver from Goodpasture High School in Nashville who picked Southern Cal over UT in a heated recruiting battle in 2005.
Like Turner, Brown is highly rated and strongly considering USC.
Think distance is a factor?
"Not at all," the 6-foot-5, 205-pounder said. "I just really don't care about going far for college."
Of course, no two recruiting battles are exactly alike and UT has as good a shot as any school to land Brown.
Brown had Tennessee among 10 schools that last week he put on a short list of considerations. The list also includes Southern Cal, UCLA, Stanford, Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma.
"I love them actually - a lot," Brown said of the Vols. "They have a good head coach."
Let's assume that Brown means head football coach Phillip Fulmer. However, Brown also could be referring to head basketball coach Bruce Pearl considering Brown plans to play both sports in college.
Thanks to UT's basketball success, it's no surprise that the Vols' new marquee program has made an impression.
"Big-time," Brown said of Pearl's crew. "It's amazing."
Amazing is one of the many adjectives Harding Academy coach Ryan Derrick could choose to describe that moment last season when he realized he had something special lined up at wide receiver.
Harding Academy called a screen pass to Brown. After breaking a handful of tackles, finding nearly imperceptible running lanes and sprinting past defenders to the end zone, Brown led Derrick to re-evaluate his game plan.
"We had to change our offense and find ways to get this kid the ball," Derrick said.
That meant handing Brown the ball on end-arounds and reverses and lining him up at tailback and quarterback, a la the Arkansas Razorbacks' "Wild 'Hog" package. The last thing Derrick could let happen was for the double and triple teams at receiver to continue.
It worked. Brown caught 41 passes for 870 yards and six touchdowns and rushed 56 times for 640 yards and 10 touchdowns. (And, by the way, Brown also had a touchdown on an interception and a fumble return).
On the basketball court, Brown is a double-double man, averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Still, Brown doesn't carry any delusions where his athletic future lies. He's the first to admit that he's better at football than basketball. Why?
"I'm 6-5 and I'm a receiver," Brown answers matter-of-factly, trying not to imply that a dumb question has just been asked.
Derrick agrees that size is the difference. He's seen all too many swear that Brown must be 5-11 - not 6-5 - after seeing him on tape.
"He's one of the most skilled kids you're ever going to see," Derrick said. "Obviously what makes him unique is he's that skilled in a 6-foot-5 body.
"You just don't see a kid that size make those moves. That's why he's getting the attention he's getting."
Brown said he's considering USC, UT, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and UCLA. Like Turner, UT fans will have to wait until after his senior season to hear Brown's decision. He said he's not making any announcement until National Signing Day, which is Feb. 4.
Brown, who was selected to play in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Fla., in January, has been to Knoxville twice this summer, yet said he has no idea where he'll take his official visits this fall.
And when it comes to the prerequisite that Brown is looking for from a school, he said, "Good coaching. That's about it."
It will take that aforementioned good coaching - and good recruiting - for UT's coaches not to feel a sense of deja vu.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
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Comments » 94
wyomingvol writes:
Please all things good and right, let this guy sign with UT.
JCVol85 writes:
If we get this guy, along with Stokes and Nunes throwing to them we could be known as Wide Receiver U again.
BillVol writes:
Where is Harding Academy?
tvinney#234411 writes:
Another Patrick Turner...
BillVol writes:
>>And when it comes to the prerequisite that Brown is looking for from a school, he said, "Good coaching. That's about it."<<
Dang!
What about great steamed sandwiches? Shouldn't that count for something? Let's bring him by Gus's and see where he wants to go to school!!!
KHVOLFAN writes:
Come to Knoxville Marlon and play for the big Orange. GO VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
Funny kdt.
Brown would be a great pick up.If he decides to come to UT,I'll be dag gum glad to have him.He would be another jewel in this already great looking 09 class.
Kepp workin like heck and pound the recruiting trail coaches.You're doing great.
Go VOLS!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Please, Pearl, use the Saban DT approach and tell him anything that's remotely true.
Looks like the real deal! If he was a DB, he'd be a lock.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Any more Joey Kent's out there?
99gator writes:
from everything i hear.....
this kid likes every school and every coach (which is why he still has a list of like 10 schools).....very hard to get a read on.
could land anywhere from florida to usc and all points in between.
richvol writes:
If he is as good as billed then Dave Clawson is smart enough to build an offense around him. That's what you talk to him about. Then let Pearl and Pat Summit double team him on basketball. How could anyone resist that?
bd330794#206783 writes:
Jamie Newberg of rivals stated in a recent chat that he expected brown to go to UT.
dvols writes:
just make us wait until feb. then put on that tennessee hat with a little memphis style!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
99gator, You can't blame the kids at 16 and 17 years old to try and get every official visit and opportunity possible.
We should be able to at least keep this one in the SEC. Vols put a beat Down on UCLA and Ohio State takes its annual Bowl Beating by the SEC, just really leaves USC. The Cardinal can be talented, but it doesn't get that much showcase attention.
99gator writes:
ladyvols
i don't blame the kid at all. it's his decision.
i don't even get upset when people "decommit" or change their minds or whatever.
florida is trying to sell him on the fact that murphy, ingram, and harvin will be gone.
HellBornElfChild writes:
Send em some where else. So this guy lists ALL the top schools as his leader???
Little arrogant if you ask me.
GoVol writes:
Since he still has 8 schools on his list it will be interesting to see which ones he takes official visits to since he can only take 5. Since he's already been to UT a few times, he may pass up UT for one of the offical visits? Hope not!
Bigger_Al writes:
Marlon - Join the Nation!
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
I think he will take all of his visits, see some awesome places, be treated like royalty... and when (if)he gets tired of all the hoopla- he will make his choice. I would love to see him at UT, but the Memphis area has a ton of negativity toward the vols and that could hurt us.
velovol writes:
I agree with the comparisons to P Turner. They are pointless. Besides Turner isnt exactly tearing it up out there anyway.
Phowell23 writes:
He's probably going to wait it out and see how TN does with their new coaches before making a decision. If we do well, then I think he comes here. If we do poorly and lose 4-5 games he goes USC. I think it's mainly down between USC and UT.
sampears writes:
TG4BP! Has a football program gotten to where we need our basketball coach to bring in our football players? What ever man this guy looks like a star and it would be so nice to see him in front of 105,000 screamin fans each Saturday! Go vols!
VolGraduate writes:
Harding is a private school in Memphis and the competition is terrible. It's in the DII small school division. TNGeoff would be a 5* recruit if he played there
GerryOP writes:
For all of you folks who are convinced that ESPN hates us, Pat Forde is at it again!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/column...
Volchaz writes:
Looks like this kid is California dreamin'. Interesting that kids like the Clausens', and Nunes love to come back east to play Big time SEC football, and yet other kids like P. Turner, and this guy lean towards the west coast. IMO, if he goes west, we'll never here about him again.
Go4Two writes:
GerryOP
It's great being in the underdog role.
DingoVol writes:
On the Tallahassee news last night, they said one of Georgia's top offensive linemen committed to the Vols. His is from Valdosta. He had offers from FSU, UF, Georgia, LSU etc. but he chose the Vols. If it is news in Tallahassee, shouldn't it be on this site?
murrayvol writes:
This young man likes the limelight which accounts for 10 schools left in the sweepstakes. That's 10 GVX type boards firing up every time he clears his throat or drops a hint.
And why not? You only go around once and when the euphoria of recruitment fades, it's the weight room and 2-a-days.
He could be a great one or another Turner. Hope we get the chance to find out. But if not, the sun will surely rise on the 1st Thursday in Feb.
BigOrangeHustler writes:
My only question about this list is where was Daniel Hood? He is a hell of alot better than most of the players on this list. He has more and better scholorship offers than anyone else on this list except Marlon.
volmattna writes:
iam4ua, you must really be bored. Man i hope we get this guy he could help bring this recruiting class to the top GO VOLS!!!
Volfan1 writes:
Did Hooker attend the "John Adams School of Negative UT Journalism"?
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Is it just me, or do we let too many in-state prospects slip away?
Any opinions on this?
I understand why talent laden Florida and Texas let a lot of prospects slip away. But it seems that we should be able to get almost 1/2 of the best talent in Tennessee.
Kids have a lot of reasons for going to different schools. Early playing time can easily send a young man to a school other than his childhood favorite.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
BillVol - I believe that Harding Academy is in Nashville.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
So Cal., is surrounded by so many great athletes in the Los Angeles area..Brown should think twice before signing with USC. If he is as good as they say..he might be just another player for USC. The 28 player signing limit prevents USC from probably completely dominating college football most years. Already, the Los Angeles media has already tabbed So. Cal., as almost a sure thing to win national championship next season. Many things go into recruiting top talent, such as attitude, personal work ethic, team player etc. Brown would be taking chance that he would develop as fast for the pros at USC. Surrounded by super players he might get lost in the shuffle. Good luck young man regardless of school you choose.
volchiq writes:
As a teenager that has watched the glamour of LA and beaches and beautiful girls on TV, I am sure that it looks much better than little ole Knoxville, TN. While I think UT should recruit this guy and others like heck, I also think that if a kid decides that he wants to try the excitment of the west coast (P. Turner), there isn't really anything that UT can say that will put a beach and movie stars at our back door. It isn't until they get there that they realize that it isn't as grand as it was made out to be (again, P. Turner).
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Harding Academy is in Memphis.
miamiVOL writes:
TN should not focus on M.Brown , he is the next P.Turner-esq bust, no explosive-ness, R.Randle the #1 WR from L.A. is the truth and should be the Vols top concern
murrayvol writes:
jcherrie @ 12:27: It's just you. And I'm just kidding. I think we notice it more because TN produces relatively few (sjt says 4-10/year) top tier athletes.
Tennessee isn't for everyone. Regardless of how much we wish that were the case.
invisiblekid writes:
jcherrie, I think it looks worse than it actually is over the past few years.
The bigger problem we have had recently with the in-state recruits is actually keeping them on campus and out of trouble. Daniel Brooks and LeMarcus Coker are two prime examples of solid prospects who blew their chance to make an impact for the Vols. Throw in a guy like Lee Smith, who never even made it to his first practice, and it's more of a matter of signing the guys, just not getting anything out of them. A couple more examples, Todd Cox and Malcolm Rawls. If you can tell me who they are and where or if they are playing, then you are more of a college football fan than me.
If you look at Patrick Turner, Barrett Jones, and Brandon Warren, there were likely other circumstances that led to them signing elsewhere. Turner was probably looking for a chance for early playing time. We had Smith, Swain, Meachem among others in the rotation already. Jones had family that went to Bama and Warren grew up a Florida ST fan if memory serves.
Just my take on it.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GerryOp 10:20 - good read, caught that the other day. It will surprise some that Phil is not viewed as the second coming by all in the football world.
Someone mentioned "top-tier athletes" (murrayvol). That's a deadly combination with "top-tier" coaching 'em up. Mediocre if their best year was their first.
TommyJack writes:
PD: Are you wallowing?
jcherrie#219531 writes:
BillVol listen to awhill00 and hcjournals - not to me. Harding Academy is indeed in Memphis. There is a Harding Academy in Nashville - but it's a day-care center. Maybe some coaches want to recruit there.
sjt18, murrayvol, invisiblekid -- good insights and I agree it's probably more perception than reality.
invisiblekid writes:
"Declaring an article that has no teethers to reality a "good read"... is wallowing."
Or it could simply be that he agrees with the author or feels his writing skills are top notch.
I didn't pay much attention either way when I read it. Seemed a pretty obvious guess to me considering Fulmer and Spurrier have been around the longest. Also, keep in mind Forde called it a "guess" on which coach he thought would leave and that the story was written over a week prior to the announcement of Fulmer's new deal.
PDHuff complaining about Fulmer is set in stone just like Fulmer's contract. Not much point in complaining about either of those issues at this point sjt18.
auttat writes:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec
This is a running blog on all things SEC. The bottom of the first page talks about Gerald Williams and Brandon Warren. Interesting to hear that Warren is still appealing. Anybody have word on this?
invisiblekid writes:
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2008/m...
Still waiting on the NCAA on the eligibility appeal auttat. He is a student in good standing, now it's just a matter of whether he gets to play this year or has to sit. As of right now, I believe I read where he is allowed to work out and practice with the team.
auttat writes:
Thanks, Ikid. I think someone should have been slipping him notes to just go back to class at FSU and then leave at the end of the semester. A LOI is for a year right?
BSweet writes:
DC, I'll have you know I am a very credible source. ;)
invisiblekid writes:
The Vols just offered Euclid Cu__ings, 6'3" 230 lbs, DE out of Roswell GA. Only 3 stars but it sounds like he opened some eyes at the camps. SavageO will probably have more information than me on him.
invisiblekid writes:
That has been my understanding on LOI's auttat. He is in summer school now it's just a question of whether he suits up this Fall or next.
Unrelated, but I can't believe I just got busted by the Go Vols nanny for attempting to post a guys name, hence the spaces in the 4:48 post. Name is C_U_M_M_I_N_G_S BTW.
invisiblekid writes:
Yep sjt18, 4.53 is comparable to all the top rated guys and faster than most on Rivals. Only been playing ball for one year according to the story so you can imagine the upside.
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