Posted by KingsportVol on June 12, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome aboard Kevin.Wear that Orange proudly.

Posted by kdt0725 on June 12, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothin like competing for lineman with Duke and getting commits from guys who were considering Furman...

Posted by VolPride_13 on June 12, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, a lot of the guys who were stars for us in the last couple of years have been 3-4 star prospects coming out of High school, so i'm not worryin'!!!

Posted by hcjournals on June 12, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kd-

Tap on the brakes. In state recruits sometimes don't get the credit they deserve from the national press. He already has the height. If he shows up next year at 300 and in monster shape, he may be a good one.....

Posted by kdt0725 on June 12, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

True statement. I was just being negative which normally i'm not. Just think we may be losing the recruiting touch. I hope he turns out well and with some hard work he should. GO VOLS

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 12, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome to the Vol family Kevin. Good to have you aboard!

Posted by cmoore7 on June 12, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great news! Does anyone know how many commitments we had at this time last year/2 years ago? Keep it rollin'!

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kdt, volnation has a thread on the kid with a more indepth article about him quoted.

Apparently he's been getting alot more than passing attention from UCLA, Penn State, Aub, and others. It looks like CPF caught this one on the rise. Of course if the offer had come later... CPF would have been condemned for always being behind the curve.

Posted by chrisw2967 on June 12, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmm. I never heard of him and I live here and I sure didnt know we had anybody being recruited by Tenn or any other school as far as that goes , I usually make it to a couple of games a year and get the paper every week and this is first I heard of this and Rhea County isnt even that big of a place but oh well anyways I hope it works out

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OL and DT are the most difficult positions for the recruiting svcs to evaluate.

Funny. This kid grows every article I read. The earliest one I saw had him at under 6'3" and 261. The next 6'4" 261. This one 6'4" 270... He keeps getting bigger at that rate he'll be incredible by the time he gets on campus.

From what I've read- great feet, 3.8 gpa, 28 ACT, aggressive, loves the game, loves the Vols... What more do you want?

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yeah, reportedly he's a very, very hard worker.

Posted by jcherrie on June 12, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/77...

Posted by thesavageorange on June 12, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Revis was also being recruited by Georgia Tech, Auburn, UCLA, South Carolina, Indiana and Louisville.

Just because a kid doesn't get an immediate offer from every school recruiting him before he plays a snap as a SR doesn't mean that they weren't going to.It is common practice to get some kids on campus to evaluate before offering.Tommy Tub has become a master of this and it has fared well for him.Remember he sent his entire staff after a supposed 3* last yr at the last minute.Plus every coach out there figured out pretty fast that Revis and his entire family was orange blooded.

Will jackson is also at camp and has severall offers including G Tech,NC State,Ole Miss,and W Va, yet CPF pulled the trigger on Revis 1st.Think there might be a reason?Not saying Jackson won't get an offer ,but it does say something about how Revis performed at camp w/ guys like Stavion Lowe being there.

Posted by Silent_Fulmer on June 12, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, this guy is almost as big as me!

Posted by marc_ash on June 12, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good player. I do a lot of work in Dayton, and he is the real deal. Welcome aboard Kevin. Good pick up for the Vols.

Posted by bigfan502 on June 12, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WE've had a score of recruits fron Rhea county over the years..but only a couple did the vols any good....Andy Kelly, and "termite" Bobby Bringle of Spring City were very good players. Bringle a "scatback" could break to daylight with just slightest blocking up front. Of course, Andy Kelly, Vols Quarterback, was uncanny in locating open receivers. Just before the second world war..Dayton had several terrific prospects enrolled at UT. They were Horace Mansfield, one of the great high school backs in Tennessee history, Herb Walker, a blocking guard that would litterly explode in your face, " Ham Langley", a tough offensive guard that made mince meat of opponents who attempted to double team him. These three terrors were recruited by coach J.( Gab ) Gabbert, who produced the top teams in Rhea County history. All three were recruited by Vols' Coach Neyland, and if not for the war, this group of recruits were called by many as one of the top classes ever recruited by the Vols' and the prospects were from all-around the country. Tom Siler, the late writer for KNS called the recruits the best ever at Tenn. Too bad, the recruits soon were headed to the army, navy, marines etc. We would never know how good they could have been. Perhaps the prize of the Dayton group was Mansfield considered by some as the top running back in Eastern part of the U.S.

Posted by txvolsfan on June 12, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jcherrie, as many bust as big times!!!
interesting stuff.
I agree lineman are tough to gauge because they will either develop good fundamentals or be lost
GO VOLS

Posted by tngeoff on June 12, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome to Tennessee Kevin! Be a difference maker!

Posted by rllipscomb on June 12, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Usually a 5-star recruit has the physical tools but might blow the mental aspect. But some kids just don't get the visibility via multiple camps and so forth to get on the radar of recruiting services. So they might be "only" a 3 or 4 star recruit before they sign with the home state school.

The other thing I have seen is that if multiple big name schools start looking at a kid, then other big name schools start approaching him. The whole thing snowballs and the ratings start going up. Suddenly a 3 star recruit is a 4 because "everybody wanted him".

Then look at the pro draft. These guys have unlimited access and testing, and they get to pick who they want in their slot. Look at how many busts there are there.

Frankly, I am shocked that the colleges do as well as they do.

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Miami went down the tubes while signing 5* players.

Posted by Brama on June 12, 2008 at 5:08 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by jcrewvol on June 12, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

can we switch him to d-line?

Posted by Einstein on June 12, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He will get bigger. Academically he is in great shape.

Posted by thesavageorange on June 12, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, OG Jon Halapio a UF commit is a 5.6
5.5 to 5.7 are all considered the same type prospect.So I guess Fulmer and Meyer are both idiots huh.Or maybe neither are.
Rivals grade system:
5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team.

No no no no sir, kindest regards to you!

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

all

i wouldn't know this guy from adam. congrats to him and to tenn. i hope the kid is happy and successful and wish him nothing but the best.

but, please stop with the recruiting rankings don't matter garbage however.

give me all the 5* and i'll give you all the 3* and we will see who wins.

you can't name a recent national champion that does not consistently get high profile recruits or finish high in the recruiting rankings on a year in, year out basis. and the teams that battle for conference titles have the highest recruiting rankings within the conference. there are one year flukes, but not on a consistent basis.

the exceptions to great program that don't have high recruiting rankings are schools that don't play anyone with high recruiting rankings. west virginia is an example.

Posted by marc_ash on June 12, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brama,

I don't generally make negative comments towards people, but if you truely believe what you wrote, then you are an @ss hole.

Hope you don't live in a glass house.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 12, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UF takes 3-stars too. Besides, the lower rated prospects are usually the ones to commit 1st. The 5 star guys who have their pick of the best programs in the country usually wait it out and take some officials before they commit. It helps to land those commits later in the game when you've already built up a nice class with early commits. As far as Revis is concerned he got a 28 on his ACT, he loves the Vols, and he's got the frame to grow into a great O lineman. If there's 1 position that we can coach them up at it is O line.

Posted by volfan5521 on June 12, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

don't they have message boards for you gator fans, like we care about your comments

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 12, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's bigger than McNeil at least.

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

don't misinterpret that last post either. they can't all be five star kids in a class. wake forest has done an outstanding job of evaluating talent off of the radar and developing them into good football players.

i am not trashing this kid who just committed. he may be outstanding. he may be average and become outstanding. he may be outstanding and decides he likes weed. i have no idea.

i just don't want to hear that recruiting ratings don't matter when all the top teams usually have top notch classes.

Posted by ButchIsBack on June 12, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually Gator, one of the services went back recently and compared the top 10 teams over the past few years and looked at their recruiting ranks. It was all over the board and many of the schools that ranked the highest in recruiting was not even close to the top 10. Their conclusion, ratings are subjective. Big surprise. But your comment is that of an idiot. Just an opinion of course.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 12, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator-

They go hand in hand. When you are winning at a high level you are going to land the best recruits. When you are landing the best recruits you have a better chance of continuing to win at a high level. When you play in the SEC East all the wins are high level!

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

butch

i would like to be enlightened as to which schools have high rankings and don't have the results on the field. and which service was it that came to that conclusion.

the only school i can think of like that is florida state....because their kids never get in school.

always good to know i am an idiot. guess texas, lsu, oklahoma, georgia, ohio state, etc, have just been lucky.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 12, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim-

I wasn't talking about anyone in particular. I don't know much about UF's recruits, and I don't really care. You won't find me on their message board trolling for some new info for the scouting report. But I do know that pretty much every big program will end up with some 3 stars in their classes. Also, it is early in the evaluation. Two of our recruits had no stars on Rivals until this week. Now one of those former 0 star players is the 4th rated fullback in the country.

Posted by volfan5521 on June 12, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim your an idiot

kindest regards

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, OU, Texas, and tOSU are fine programs but have also benefitted greatly from the competition they play against.

Ratings do matter but they are based on far less objective data for OL's and DT's. What those positions are required to do isn't easily predicted by anything that can be measured in a one day combine, a week long camp, or even by a HS stat sheet.

Tell you what. Let's both have 4/5* skill players... and I think I could make a OL made up of 3* players that would compete with one you could make up out of 5* players.

UT's Foster and Parker should both be preseason All SEC picks. Both were 3* players.

Posted by thesavageorange on June 12, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator , I understand what your saying ,but I think coaches are doing a better job of evaluating prospects instead of letting the recruiting services do the footwork, including Meyer.Over the last 2 yr's UF has signed 13 players in the same group as Revis.How many will contribute, who knows, but for some reason he didn't wait untill the last minute just to fill the class.These rankings are also updated every month so who knows were everybody will be come febuary.

mcbrim1998 ,I know you were just taking a friendly jab, but Meyer inked Sam Robey last yr and he was 6'3 253lbs.Point is ,most guys in HS who are Halapio size are completely out of shape.(notice they don't list his squat or 40)Guys like Robey/Revis will gain weight through workouts where guys like Halapio will have to lose lbs 1st then regain muscle mass.If I were on the other side I would say the same thing though.

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, This kid's ranking climb will probably be short-circuited by committing. However, he is a recent discovery who has just been bombarded with interest. Not really an apples to apples comparison when the other kid has been "known" for awhile and this kid is new on the radar.

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"If I were on the other side I would say the same thing though"

No you wouldn't savage... you have class.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 12, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

little sjt, your break is over and your shift is about to start again. LOL!!!!!!

Posted by Vol13 on June 12, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Posted by ButchIsBack on June 12, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actually Gator, one of the services went back recently and compared the top 10 teams over the past few years and looked at their recruiting ranks. It was all over the board and many of the schools that ranked the highest in recruiting was not even close to the top 10. Their conclusion, ratings are subjective. Big surprise. But your comment is that of an idiot. Just an opinion of course."

Well, whoever wrote that article didn't do an iota of research because that is completely wrong. Here are the winning percentages for 1998-07 (Top 10). I only see one team on the list that doesn't recruit in the Top 5-10-15 in a given year.

Boise State - Does not recruit in the Top 15
Texas
Oklahoma
Ohio State
Virginia Tech
Georgia
Miami
Southern Cal
Michigan
Florida

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on June 12, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep in mind Butch also thinks Rod Delmonico is a great baseball coach and said he was getting interest from Miss St, Auburn and UCF about their baseball openings. None of them even considered that guy for their head coaching positions.

Posted by Vol13 on June 12, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Said Revis, "I committed to Coach Bill Battle.....er......Fulmer on my unofficial visit."

Posted by BigOrangeVol29 on June 12, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice to see a local kid make well, I've never been silent about the fact that it has been frustrating to see some of the area talent head elsewhere when there is a great institution in their backyard. I will give credit where credit is due on this one, nice job Vols, we can always use some of the "Big Uglies" and this kid is apparently a diamond in the rough. Look forward to seeing you in Orange the next 4 or 5 years young man, welcome home.

Posted by gnm53108 on June 12, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome aboard Revse.Now here's hopig our new offense can get back to running the ball with athority.I really miss us being able to say were going to run up the middle,on 3rd and short,and there aint a daggum thing you can do about it.

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18

it is true for defensive lineman and offensive lineman as well. all of lsu's d-lineman were heavily recruited as were florida's d-lineman of 2006.

Posted by gnm53108 on June 12, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That should be Revis.
Not enough koolaid yet.

Posted by thesavageorange on June 12, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 ,I was refering to his 5:34 post not the other one.But yes I do try to conduct myself w/ a certain degree of integrity.Thanks, I appreciate the compliment.

Posted by thesavageorange on June 12, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TouchdownTennessee ,I agree.

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i am about to go on a long rant....so bear with me.

talent matters. period. ratings matter. period. not always, but most of the time.

we live in a dream land where rocky balboa is a symbol of what can be. that it takes heart and that heart will win. will over skill. wrong.

talent matters.

lawrence taylor played throughout his whole career with a drug problem. mickey mantle was a drunk. the early 90's dallas cowboys were the best football team i have ever seen and were a complete mess off of the field.

there is a reason everyone went scrambling to find out where scout and rivals had this kid rated. if ratings don't matter, why check.

florida won a national title because they had a two deep nfl defensive line (they were all highly recruited kids). lsu had a disgustingly good d-line and those guys were all highly recruited. so, yes, they can't scout those out of high school too.

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

savage

i said earlier they can't all be studs. my comments really are not about this kid.

it just bothers me when people say ratings don't matter.

they do matter. it ends up showing up on the field and it ends up showing up at the nfl draft in most cases.

Posted by bigfan502 on June 12, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The group of Vols recruited just prior to Pearl Harbor was according to the late Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd the greatest collection of high school stars up to that time ever recruited by one team in the south, according to KNS writer, Tom Siler, the wily coach Neyland and the Vols were set to perhaps rule football in the south for years to come. ..but then came the war..Hitler, Togo, and Pearl Harbor. As it turned out we would never know.

Posted by ncvol on June 12, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know it's great to be a Tennessee Vols.
Welcome to UT, Kevin. Go Vols!

Posted by gnm53108 on June 12, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ncvol:It's even better with cold frost-brewed koolaid!

Posted by sjt18 on June 12, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

2007 SEC 1st Team All Conference OL/DT's and Rivals rating:

OL Robert Felton Arkansas 6-4 320 Sr. Houston, Texas 3*
OL Andre Smith Alabama 6-4 348 So. Birmingham, Ala. 5*
OL Anthony Parker Tennessee 6-3 305 Jr. Jonesboro, Ga. 3*
OL *Herman Johnson LSU 6-7 356 Jr. Olla, La. 4*
OL *Michael Oher Ole Miss 6-5 325 Jr. Memphis, Tenn. 4*
OL *Chris Williams Vanderbilt 6-6 320 Sr. Glynn, La. 2*
C Jonathan Luigs Arkansas 6-4 315 Jr. Little Rock, Ark. 2*

DL # Glenn Dorsey LSU 6-2 303 Sr. Gonzales, La. 4*
DL Wallace Gilberry Alabama 6-4 264 Sr. Bay Minette, Ala. 3*
DL *Quentin Groves Auburn 6-3 254 Sr. Greenville, Miss. 4*
DL *Greg Hardy Ole Miss 6-5 255 So. Millington, Tenn. 3*
DL *Eric Norwood South Carolina 6-0 258 So. Acworth, Ga 3*

Posted by thesavageorange on June 12, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator, I know what you mean.My post was in the making as yours was being posted.I got pulled away and didn't get to read it in time.

My point would be that individual ratings don't, but the class as a whole does.The more 4-5 * guys you have the the more you will have that actually turn out to live up to that billing.It's all about percentages.Your brethren on the other hand seems to dissmiss or dog every guy that isn't a 4-5 *, unless they play for the gators.

Posted by invisiblekid on June 12, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rivals says the kid squats 460 lbs and he made a 28 on the ACT so there are at least two things he brings to the table, some natural strength and smarts. Glad to see him in Orange, he should make a good heir apparent for McNeil.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on June 12, 2008 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Welcome, Kevin. You'll do fine. But now that you have committed to us, don't be so unwise as to go ahead and take visits to our rivals. Some of them would set you up for disaster while they were "taking care of you." It has happened more than once.

Posted by pdhuff on June 12, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vol13 6:13- hard to argue with reality, but some will. This course has stayed us into the ditch.

Anymore of that old koolade left?

Posted by givim6 on June 12, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What TDTN 6:01, sjt, Ibleed, Savage O said!

Invisible and mcbrim, my sentiments exactly!

Wow, I'll have to wait for the next article to say something provacative, enlightning, engaging, and erudite. You gents have said it all here about this kid.

Posted by TommyJack on June 12, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's about being a "true vols fan" and having orange blood run thru your veins...ratings, smatings....true orange veined kids matter...about heart, not ratings. Give me a true TN kid at #2 over #5 rated out of staters anyday. Stay the course.

Posted by IBleedOrange444 on June 12, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pwdrpff-

I've got plenty of koolade for everyone. What else are we going to wash these fritters down with?

Givim6-

I think that is the 1st time anyone has ever been able to post anything to the effect of, "Wow, I agree with what TDTN AND Ibleed said!" It must be an omen. The perfect storm is brewing! I can see it taking shape in the reflection off of this big cauldron of koolade I'm stirring. Gotta get ready for the season. How many days 'till football time in Tennessee Ashley?

Posted by Bigger_Al on June 12, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55% of the Top 20 recruits of 2005 (all 5* recruits) now have criminal records.

This guy is a smart, hard working achiever with impressive physical skills. I'm hoping he plays with the fire of another under-rated Kevin from back in the day - Kevin Mays.

Welcome the the NATION, Kevin!

Posted by miamiVOL on June 12, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

he picked TN over AU , ill take it

Posted by ncvol on June 12, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gnm53108 Don't drink koolaid but I do love the Tennessee Vols. Whose team do you cheer for?

Posted by abnermc on June 12, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gator 99, you always visit our site w/ your subtle put down of our fans, our coaches ,our team,etc & imply how great oscar is.Yes, you ran up the score last year ( it was an 8 point game late in 3rd quarter I believe before the back breaking interception?) But how many 3 * players from the SEC east were in Atl in December?

Ahh, mcwhatever is back.Ditto abt you except you aren't subtle. Go home.

Vols 11- 1 this year. lose to Fla again. Ga will be the usual disappointment. Go Vols.

Posted by vtvol on June 12, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18, that was good research of the top linemen and their respective recruiting ratings.

Sounds like this kid has the frame to build the body of an ALL-SEC lineman upon.

Posted by ncvol on June 12, 2008 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gmn53108 Just read some of your posts and I see that you are a UT fan. Never know if someone is being insulting or not about the koolaid drink.

Posted by 99gator on June 12, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

abnermc

i honestly don't know what you are talking about. who did i put down? who's oscar?

Posted by 1974Vol on June 12, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Rating stars mean more when evaluating skill position players; QB's, WR's, RB's etc. There is such a physical transformation from being a HS Sr. to being a starting lineman in the SEC its harder to tell who will grow up and who won't. Its just easier to look at 4.2 speed and say wow what a prospect than to look at 6'3" 265 and see what the kid will be like in 2 years.

Posted by awhill00 on June 12, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good catch. Thanks, Phil. Thanks, Kevin.

Posted by ONUV on June 12, 2008 at 9:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what other teams actually offered scholarships?

Posted by 55Vol on June 12, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt..your 7:14 post was right on. Nice use of CR's tactics. Notice he had no smart-mouthed juvenile comeback like LOL!!!

Posted by imw8n4u on June 12, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99 - I know you don't need me to tell you this, but pay no attention to the peanut gallery. You have proven over time to be a reasonable guy, knowledgeable fan, respectful poster, and valuable member of our little community here. Many times you are the only one that makes any sense. There are a few posters I always skip and a few I always read, yours are on the always read list.

Anyway - back to the article - welcome to the Volunteer Family young man!

Go Vols!

Posted by txvolsfan on June 12, 2008 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18, WAY too much time on your hands!!!! I'll tell you exactly how good this kid is and guarantee you I'm 100% correct in 3 years!!!
Roll the dice, go with your evaluations and your gut!!!
and GO VOLS!!!
TXVOLSFAN

Posted by jgvol8 on June 12, 2008 at 10:06 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by txvolsfan on June 12, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So do you jgvol8

Posted by jgvol8 on June 12, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TX Do u really think Fullmore is good?

Posted by pdhuff on June 12, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doldrums.

Posted by jgvol8 on June 12, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by jgvol8 on June 12, 2008 at 10:27 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by bobbarbilly on June 12, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99 gator, what you said about the Cowboys of the 90's, Mickey's love of brew and LT'S drug problem only points out that for them to play as well as they did under those conditions that they had to have heart and a lot of it. A 5 star without heart is a 3rd string suit.

Posted by hcjournals on June 12, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99gator:

It may be time you to be quiet for awhile. If not, we may have to run you off. Chill out. We got a good recruit. Someone in Gainesville bought a wife-beater t-shirt today. Something good happened in both cities. Go empty the sewage and don't forget to turn off the hot plate.

Posted by DarthVol on June 13, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fwiw, here's the list (compiled by someone much smarter than me) of teams with the highest recruiting rankings from 2002-2008.

Top 10 from top to bottom. (highest avg. stars)
USC
Florida
Oklahoma
LSU
FSU
Ohio ST
Mich
Texas
Georgia
Miami

#11 Tennessee

Posted by richvol on June 13, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

" Toughness and tenacity were the aspects of his game " and the reason they wanted him UT coaches told the young man. Combine that with good size to build on,plenty of smarts and him bleeding orange and this translates into a prospect that has a great chance of success.

I will take a tough kid who's willing to work over a "star" who believes his press clippings anyday.

Posted by jack_2222 on June 13, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How highly recruited was Scott Wells? He only started for over 3 years at UT and is still the starting center for the Packers. This kid is from the same mold-- hopefully.

Posted by VenomousVol on June 13, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Take that Cut! Dookies can't hang!

Posted by VenomousVol on June 13, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Almost forgot! John Adams rules!

Posted by pdhuff on June 13, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Darthvol-7:20am - good list, limited by years, but good list.

How many top ten finishes did we manage out of those recruits for the 2002-2008 period?

Or BCS bowls....

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 13, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's a question. Are the rules (in regards to the new NCAA graduation rates) influencing who gets offered a scholarship? Are coaches looking a few years ahead and thus trying to improve the program's standing w/ graduation rates. My point, maybe we are recruiting "smarts" so we don't lose scholarship(s) somewhere down the line. Maybe a 3* guy (who may graduate and will grow as a player) is worth more to a program than a 5* that flops and doesn't graduate. Maybe these programs who don't consider graduation possibilities for a player are just building their program on sand...in regards to NCAA graduation rates.

Posted by murrayvol on June 13, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DarthVol: I'm going to assume Dupree had little or nothing to do w/this list.

Excepting the continuing meltdowns at FSU & Miami, I'd say this ranking tracks closely with the AP & Coaches polls.

Posted by murrayvol on June 13, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

RJ_Vol: Interesting question. My guess is most coaches at top tier programs will say "gimmee a mess of them 5s" with hopes of molding those young men into the adults we all want them to be. Thereby letting the APR chips fall where they may.

Posted by brokebackvol on June 13, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In-state talent so important. Remember a guy named Dale Jones? He was no blue-chip recruit!

Posted by volboy81 on June 13, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

its good to see these ET boys being recruited by UT and great to see them so happy to be a Vol!
Welcome aboard, Kevin!

Posted by douglasawilliams on June 13, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

99 Gator, high profile recruits do matter but are not the only thing of importance in predicting the success of the team. A 5 star very weak academically might eventually become ineligible. All the extra help colleges have given in the past to weak scholastic college athletes is being closely watched now by the NCAA (ie the scandal at FSU).

Posted by 99gator on June 13, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

douglaswilliams

i am operating under the assumption that the potential recruit is a kid who will handle the academics and will not be familiar with the criminal justice system.

Posted by givehim6 on June 13, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

O-line & D-line, 3.7 GPA, raised to be a Vol, hometown kid, GREAT! Just hope he will say the same when it's time to sign! GOVOLS!

Posted by orangebloodgmc on June 13, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And if any of our players break into an auto impound lot to get a vehicle out, we'll just make death threats to the lot owner until the charges are dropped.

Posted by auttat on June 13, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is the kid's pick from Junior High? Geez he looks young.

Posted by sjt18 on June 13, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DC, I'm not ready to say the kid can't play and was just picked up because he's instate and smart.

Fulmer has recruited, coached, and coached against enough really good OL's to know what one looks like. This kid's star had just begun to rise. He was getting attention from Penn State and others all of a sudden.

Something he showed at the camp convinced Fulmer that this was someone he wanted to lock down quick. Meanwhile, UT remains on the radar with several top OL's.

The wolves will howl but this could be another ho-hum class as far as rankings go. UT needs to sign at least 6-8 DL's and at least 4 of them need to be DT's. UT has 3 sign and place DL's that are on track to return next year. They need 2-5 OL's to go with them.

They are selectively shopping QB's but that's not a "must" until next year. They'll sign one or two RB's but their target list is again selective. The two most likely candidates are Oku and Giles. WR isn't a position of desperate need but Clawson is after some guys for their playmaking potential- I don't think they'll sign WR's just to sign them. They already have a commit from Stokes (Rivals100) who seems likely to end up a 5*.

UT seems to always sign a couple of "athletes" and LB's.

Posted by TommyJack on June 13, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Auttat: Hope that Gillispie doesn't see the photo.

Posted by sjt18 on June 13, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yeah, The state of Tn had only one 4/5* OL for 09- Bullard. There are NO 4/5* DL's in Tn for 09... or LB's... or RB's... or QB's... or TE's.

Brown and Gordon are the only two 4/5* players besides Bullard right now. Zach Rogers, who had the fastest 100m in Tn HS track this spring, is listed as a 3* Athlete... #68.

Of course ANYONE could recruit a load of 4/5* players to UT every year in spite of this handicap... just ask the experts here. They'll tell you.

Posted by DarthVol on June 13, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From above, here's more info to add...if you like this sort of thing.

Conference championships of those listed over the same time period.
USC (6, shared twice)
Florida (1)
Oklahoma (4)
LSU (2)
FSU (3)
Ohio ST (4, shared twice)
Mich (2, shared once)
Texas (1)
Georgia (2)
Miami (2)

ALL national champions reside in that group.

Recruiting rankings of note:
12 ND, 13 Ala, 16 Aub, 25 VaTech

Of the 10 teams ranked above UT, only USC and UF have nabbed more 5* recruits.

For entertainment purposes only.

Posted by iam4ua on June 13, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Spin cycle is on high speed at the moment.
He's a great Div-1 prospect...gulp..
Fulmers OK, Your Ok & everthing is A-OK on the rockkky top ;)

Posted by invisiblekid on June 13, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Your input is always appreciated DarthVol in raising the level of discourse around here.

Posted by Vol13 on June 13, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Of course ANYONE could recruit a load of 4/5* players to UT every year in spite of this handicap... just ask the experts here. They'll tell you."

Very well-stated. That's why we pay upwards of $2 million per year. I'm sure a bunch of guys out there with P.E. degrees would turn their noses up at that kind of coin. Heck, you can get that coaching pee wee ball if you get a couple of parents in your back pocket.

Posted by iam4ua on June 13, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is that kid old enough to drive??

Posted by RJ_Vol on June 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

DC(12:01) ...Didn't mean to impy we're "settling" for Revis. I am excited that Fulmer signed a quality in-state player. Rhea County is a strong football community. I was just adding that he may be a "steal" since he's a good student and a good athelete. I agree w/ all other posters on this thread in saying that evaluating OL talent is not as easy it sounds. I am on "thin ice" in saying that since I am no evaluator of OL talent. I also think for the East Tennessee community, signing fine individuals such as Revis is crucial. It is important that we keep our young people in this area so they can contribute back to the community later in life via leadership, new ideas, and excitement. I'm glad he'll be suiting up in orange.

Posted by pdhuff on June 13, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I only wish the General was here to explain the ramifications and long term prognostications of our current and soon-to-be-upon us situations.

Thusly. Or

Free TDTN.

Posted by philfan on June 13, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18 said: Something he showed at the camp convinced Fulmer that this was someone he wanted to lock down quick.

I agree and there is much more to this story that is being told. I think Cutcliffe first recognized this guy, perhaps after having seen him in high school games, and was very impressed. After Revis expressed reluctance to go to Duke, Fulmer's pal called Fulmer and told him of a very talented player named Revis he should check out. After Fulmer and his assistants had seen him in action (the endurance, the speed, the strength), Fulmer offered him a spot on the team.

The article suggests, to me at least, that Fulmer impulsively offered him the position. I have never thought of Fulmer as impulsive. for instance, his hiring of Clawson was slow,deliberate, and thorough.

I think Fulmer saw a massive diamond in the rough and snatched him up quickly before anyone else could beat him to the draw.

Posted by foreverorange on June 13, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I too played for Rhea County and from everything that is said about the kid is that he apparently is a stud. I read an rhea co article on him and it had a list of every school that has sent him a letter and it was every big time school in the nation. The coach, who played for Auburn and has seen a ton of talent from RC and others, said he has never seen anybody like him before. Represent the big RC Kevin!

Posted by rdholland on June 14, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A tad on the small side. That's what I thought about Will Overstreet. No surprise if he ends up on the d-line.