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Tailback Giles' goals well grounded
Commitment not thinking only football in run to Vols
Giles
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TAMPA, Fla. — It’s not hard to envision tailback Jarvis Giles as an NFL player one day.
The Tennessee commitment has the size (6-foot and 185 pounds), speed (4.37 in the 40-yard dash) and high school production (1,501 yards and 20 touchdowns last season) to make him one of the top prospects in the nation.
But Giles doesn’t make such assumptions about a professional career. When he looks into the future, he sees surgical scrubs where others see shoulder pads.
“Truthfully, I see myself working in a hospital over playing in the NFL,” said Giles, who aspires to be a surgical technician.
Perhaps such dreams come from a childhood visit to the hospital when Giles found a stick lodged in his knee while competing in some gymnastics competition with his cousin.
Perhaps his solid upbringing and everyman attitude are reasons he’s a top-100 player.
“I’m not a cocky-type person,” the star player from talent-rich Gaither High School in Tampa said. “Later down the line, that will come back on you. I try to be down to earth.
“I love to take care of people.”
Stan the Man
The first person in Knoxville who Giles took care of was Stan Drayton, UT’s first-year running backs coach and lead recruiter in Florida, by committing to UT in June.
You’d be hard pressed to find anyone in the Tampa football community speak disparagingly of Drayton, a former Florida assistant who still garners the same respect wearing orange and white as he did when he wore orange and blue.
“Stan is just an outstanding individual,” Gaither head coach Mark Kantor said. “He was very up front, very honest and very open. That’s what drew Jarvis there.”
Giles admittedly didn’t consider playing for Drayton when he was coaching at Florida. Then, a Florida fallout changed the recruiting playing field.
“I heard they did him pretty nasty,” Giles said of Drayton’s departure from Florida.
Whatever the circumstances of Drayton’s departure, Giles was suddenly interested in what Drayton had to say.
“He came back with the orange on and I said ‘We can talk business.’” Giles said.
The familiarity of knowing prospects, like Giles, in Florida certainly helps Drayton, but he believes there’s more. For Drayton and the many coaches he knows in Florida, professional is now personal.
“It was good that they were able to see me — not for the colors that I was wearing — but for the genuine concern I have for athletes,” Drayton said. “They know that’s what I’m all about.”
Grounded Game
Have a conversation with Giles and you’ll walk away wondering how he ever was dubbed “Primetime”.
The moniker must have stuck thanks to his play on Friday nights, since his personality is more unassuming than flashy.
To wit:
Giles said he came away from a 60 Minutes profile of his idol, San Diego Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson, reflecting on the star running back’s generosity.
The way sick children lit up from a Tomlinson visit was the lasting memory — not his stats, his wealth or his ability.
“I want to be next to that kid right there (like Tomlinson) making him feel happy,” Giles said.
Giles also lights up when his shoe collection, perhaps the one aspect of his personality that could be considered “Primetime.”
Giles works at a shoe store in Tampa, in part so he can get an employee discount on his footwear.
“I’m a shoe fanatic,” said Giles, who has 20 to 25 pairs of shoes in his daily rotation.
Giles, a Nike man, is even willing to change his allegiance when he arrives at UT, which has an exclusive contract with Adidas.
“If the shoe looks good,” Giles said with a smile, “I’ll wear it.”
Riding the Wave
As with any class, committed prospects become recruiters and elite athletes often draw others to the same school.
Giles is doing both. Within three days of Giles’ commitment, four other prospects went public with their decision to sign with UT. Within another week, two more were on board.
Not bad for a school that is known all too well for its strong finish rather than its fast start in recruiting. And while certain commitments have raised eyebrows, there are certainly a handful of elite athletes in the fold.
Quarterback Josh Nunes from Upland Calif., said his decision was made much easier by Giles’ announcement.
“It’s nice to have a complement to a passing game,” Nunes said. “You have a powerful run game with Jarvis now.”
Now, Giles is focusing on UT’s recruiting future.
He and Nunes each have called Memphis receiver Marlon Brown, the News Sentinel’s top prospect in Tennessee.
Giles also is in close contact with defensive tackle Demonte McAllister from Alonso High School in Tampa.
McAllister may be a longshot for UT after committing to Florida State on Saturday, but with offers from Southern Cal, Miami and Georgia among others, he’s a shot well worth taking.
McAllister said he’s still considering other schools. As for UT, McAllister said he likes how the Vols have sent so many players to the NFL. Then, there’s Giles’ influence.
“I live right down the street from him,” the 6-3, 265-pound McAllister said. “We talk all the time.”
Giles, as is usually the case, is all too happy to help the Vols try to sway McAllister.
“I want the best players on the football field,” Giles said, “so I want the best recruiting class.”
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by awhill00 on July 21, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great article about a fine recruit. GO VOLS!!
Posted by BSweet on July 21, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great article, Mr. Hooker. I really like this kid's dedication and character. It sounds like we've found a real winner with this one.
Posted by beachvol1 on July 21, 2008 at 11:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least give us a try!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by brdteton on July 22, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well written.
Posted by yemmusdarb on July 22, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now here's a good article. John Adams should stop writing about Alabama and Florida and take a page out of Hooker's notebook.
This is goVOLSextra by the way.
Posted by cjraney on July 22, 2008 at 12:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to the hills Jarvis. That attitude will take you far in life. Best of luck in the Orange.
Posted by BSweet on July 22, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yem, pages... Hooker's notebook. Seems like those have been getting people into trouble. Just ask the former NY governor.
Posted by BSweet on July 22, 2008 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Interesting, Jiles said, "I heard they did him pretty nasty." in reference to Drayton's departure from FL. What??!!! I'm shocked! According to all the gator fans who love to visit this site, St. Urban is a class act. Yet here a recruit, from FL no less, says otherwise. Well no wonder he's coming to the Vols, he must be some kind of delinquent liar. The gators must not have wanted him. Sorry, I've been reading the gator fans blasting us all day and it's kind of left me a little jaded tonight. Don't visit a Vol fan site if you don't want to hear Vol fans' opinions. I personally find it rude. If you want to dialogue, that's one thing. But coming to another team's web site just to hate and bash is classless. I don't visit gator sites to hate on them. If you don't like the Vols and you can't be civil, then just don't come into our house, Stay home. I know it may be difficult, but at least act like you have a shred of class.
Posted by GreerVol22 on July 22, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hooker wrote this before JA returned...and he needed some filler articles so JA was forced to put some UT information on the site.
Nice job Hooker..really.
Posted by General_Watermelon on July 22, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. A big time player who is well grounded. I hope he is successful in getting the DT.
Posted by RichRollin on July 22, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't think I would pass up the NFL to be a surgical tech, not a good move AT ALL! 20-25 shoe rotation, man were just trying to get an 8-10 man d-line rotation!! Welcome to Knoxville, we need more like you bro'!!
Posted by johnlg00 on July 22, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I knew I loved this guy from the time I heard about his enthusiastic reaction to the scenery and people of Tennessee. My comment at the time was that it is refreshing and all too rare these days for ANY teenager to admit to spontaneous enjoyment of the experiences life brings his way, let alone a pampered and highly sought-after elite athlete! It seems that there is indeed a lot more to like about this guy. I hope his playing career has as much impact as his first few months as an incoming Vol. Glad to have you aboard, Jarvis! Much success in your future! GO VOLS!!! Starting to get the fever!!!
Posted by nicksjuzunk on July 22, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the article. Good stuffage.
Posted by marc_ash on July 22, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hooker,
Good article. Thank you.
Adams, I hope you read this. All Vol fans don't need 24/7 info on UT. However, what they do need is information that will be balanced and useful. Please, stop beating the dead pony and make some changes.
Hooker, thank you for the info on Giles and Nunes calling recruits. Thats good stuff. Do you have any other information on how FL did "Drayton Dirty"? Would be interesting to read some details.
Posted by Volfan1 on July 22, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job!!!! Thoughful, informative, and insightful....the antithesis of a Tuscaloosa John article.
Posted by Volchaz on July 22, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very nice article, with plenty of details. Stan has some built-in relationships in this fertile recruiting grounds, which is awesome. Keep up the excellent articles...
Posted by LanceR24 on July 22, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
he seems like a great kid my favorite line was about lt's charity work and wanting to do that becuase how excited the kids were.
Posted by posivol on July 22, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i really like the attitude and honesty im reading about w/ our new coaches and recruits.
although i liked cutcliff,i felt his crew were lacking in the recruiting department.
chavis has much respect from recruits w/ all the prime time players to make the nfl trek but needs a young gun directing them to his office quickly.
fulmer still has a handle on our team and will lead them to one more championship before he steps down.
man its good to be orange----go vols!
Posted by givehim6 on July 22, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a good filling knowing our running game is in great shape for the future. With Foster graduating after this year we'll have Creed and Pool, then Giles. And I'm sure Drayton is just starting with giles. And with Giles and Nune already talking about the vols future, I see a good things. GO VOLS!
Posted by newtonrail on July 22, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kaplan, we have both QBs listed from Midlothian,Texas. Nunes from CA.
Posted by VolGraduate on July 22, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good article. should've read this one instead of the ja article.
Posted by pdhuff on July 22, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have throwers, we have runners, we have catchers, we have blockers, we have a punter (kinda), we have a FG kicker, we have LBs and DBs!
If I haven't missed anything we should be ready to roll....
Posted by RichRollin on July 22, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PD MY MAN, you forgot the most important6 thang. We have DANCE TEAM and we have CHEERLEADERS. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by gavol2572 on July 22, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yeah come on jarvis!!! we cant wait to see ya on the field out running linebackers and running over safties heading for the end zone!!
Posted by RichRollin on July 22, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey guys, I've put this on almost every post on this websight so if you have seen it then dis regaurd. TN/FLA.06' just came on CSS @ 7:30!!
Posted by IPOrange on July 22, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy sounds like a true winner! I can't wait to see Giles and Nunes in the same backfield. If Marlon Brown finds his way to UT as well, that would be a heckuva lineup on O.
Posted by supersmo18 on July 22, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not one to ever get too optimistic about a season until it plays out, but, I haven't felt this solid about our team in a long time this far out in preseason.
And JA's articles suck. Please, PLEASE stop talking about UF, UA, and LSU. I agree with yemmusdarb at 12:32-- this is goVOLSxtra!!!
Posted by ctownvol on July 22, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He's a suitor! He's bonafide!
Posted by volmattna on July 22, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love this guy already and i cannot wait to see him running all over the little gaytors he seems like the real deal GO VOLS!!!
Posted by 1manningfan on July 22, 2008 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
live 10mins from gaither high school, going to every home game to support this future stud for tenn. i will update you guys every weekend in football season and tell you guys how he performed. I know running backs when i see one, so go ahead mark it down he is going to be a beast. hopeully i can get his attention so he knows vol fans are already supporting him in tampa lol...
Posted by gnm53108 on July 23, 2008 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
1manning..Let him know he already has the VOL NATION pulling for him.Can't wait to see him in Orange.
GO VOLS!!
Posted by jmbigorange on July 23, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad to see clawson is bring a fullback back into the offense. Foster ran for almost 1200 yds last year in a pass oriented offense, imagine what he can do with a lead blocker in a more run oriented offense. Bring on UCLA!
Posted by HighlanderVol on July 23, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good article this is a good change from some of the trash that i have been reading on here . I cant wait to here how lizards boys take up for saint Urban on this article . Good luck Giles. I can't to see you run through the T. And run over the swamp lizards too
Posted by mparker on July 23, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jarvis, one word about the surgical tech: set your sights as high as you can, that is the only way you get anywhere.
enough philosophy; I like that you have a non-football career plan. Darwin Walker (engineering) is a good example of that.
Best wishes, fella!
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