Khalil Wilkes’ visit to Tennessee last week was just the beginning of his summer tour.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J., visited UT along with his teammate, athlete Nyshier Oliver, who committed to the Vols during the trip.
Wilkes said his visit to UT was a learning experience about the Vols.
“Before I thought of it more as a football factory,” he said. “It’s great football wise but they have a lot of academic support over there, too.
“The one thing that was eye-opening to me was the whole networking thing and connections they really have with certain businesses. A lot of people care about Tennessee football so they’re going to help the kids when they graduate, which I thought was pretty interesting.”
Wilkes, who has already visited Connecticut, Rutgers, Boston College, Virginia, Pittsburgh and Penn State, wouldn’t call UT his leader after the visit to Knoxville.
Wilkes said his list is still wide open.
He said he does plan to give UT a closer look now that he’s visited the school.
“I’ll look a lot deeper into the school than I was before,” Wilkes said. “Tennessee to me was a very exciting offer.
“I thought I was going to feel uncomfortable all the way out there in Tennessee, but they showed me being from New Jersey I could be comfortable, which I thought was pretty good.”
One person who would make Wilkes feel comfortable at UT is Oliver, a close friend to Wilkes.
Wilkes said Oliver has continued to mention the possibility of them playing together at UT while being respectful of the recruiting process.
“He promotes it as much as he can,” Wilkes said. “Tennessee is a great place.
“He knows at the end of the day I have to go to the school I’m the most comfortable with. If it so happens to not be Tennessee then he understands also.”
Oliver said it would mean a lot if he and Wilkes are able to play together in college.
“We’re all a family,” Oliver said. “We’re familiar with each other and it would be important to go and win an SEC championship and a national championship.”
Wilkes has more visits to take before he will make a final decision.
He said he plans to visit Wake Forest, Stanford and perhaps California this summer. He said he would like to make return trips to Rutgers, UConn and Pittsburgh.
Wilkes said he hopes to choose a school by the start of his senior season, but it could take longer.
Whichever school Wilkes chooses, he wants to make sure it’s the right one.
“I’m just really trying to take my time with this process,” he said. “I don’t want to commit somewhere and then end up decommitting. If I pick a school I want to know for sure, 100 percent that that’s the school for me.”
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 62
Ironcity writes:
Sounds like smart sound kid. I hope he comes to UT. I like the idea that he doesn't want to decommit when he makes his decision
chrisw2967 writes:
Has anybody informed Fulmer and Chavis that there is Def. still being played in football ?
chrisw2967 writes:
Has anybody informed Fulmer and Chavis that there is Def. still being played in football ?
chrisw2967 writes:
didnt mean to post the samething 2times
thesavageorange writes:
Chris Bonds the 6'4 265lb DT from Columbia (SC) will be on campus early next week.I don't expect a commit this early ,but our campus/facilities have been huge for us so far.Again, getting them on campus is the biggest priority.
Hubbs said that he has never seen UT do a better job of getting guys on campus, and even said that some guys that weren't even scheduled to camp showed up anyway.
I looked back to see when the 4-5* guys signed back in 07'.(probaly UT's highest rated class)From earliest to latest.
Sawtelle 4* April
Coleman 4* June
Jones 4* Nov.
Langley 4* Nov.
O'Neal 5* Dec.
Willingham 4* Dec.
Walker 4* Dec.
Berry 5* Dec.
Martin 5* Jan.
McKenzie 4* Jan.
Vinson 5* Feb.
Paige 4* Feb.
Creer 4* Feb.
Sykes 4* Feb.
The current staff is even ahead of the torrid pace of 07'.All of the big time DT's they are recruiting have said UT will get visits ,so don't give up yet.Just trying to keep the kool-aid cold.
CoverOrange writes:
Please check the schedule guys. This year is the year of the OL and DB. Last year was the year of the WR. The year before was TEs. I think DTs are scheduled for 2012.
RJ_Vol writes:
Nice job KNS - running some recruiting artcles! That's what a high caliber sports section should do.
Colliervol writes:
I heard one of the local recruiting "gurus" (and I use that term VERY loosely) talking yesterday about the number of high quality DT's getting fewer and fewer every year. According to him, a lot of kids don't want to play the position and the numbers aren't as plentiful as they used to be.
It seems to me a lot of the big kids who are any kind of athlete end up on the O-Line now because they are looking for that lateral quickness and good feet for pass blocking and speed to pull and block downfield. Just a thought.
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18 , Jones commited in November , but there were alot of rumors saying he was wavering on his commit.Jones later said he didn't know where the rumors came from, and that he was Vol from the get go.Martin did commit at the US Army game ,which I'm pretty sure was in January.
TurboFan , Are you saying we aren't going to get any quality DT's b/c we haven't got a commit from one yet even though we are 8 months from NSD?Just curious.
CoverOrange writes:
Just being facetious, sjt.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
We can only pray daddyvol
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Hey Wilkes, don't waste your time going to Cal. Trust me on this one. The stadium is small. The student body is dorky. The restaurants and nightlife around the campus are phooey, and they can't get the dirty hippies out of the trees to upgrade their facilities.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Bring 'em on. The more, the .....
Congrats, young man and your buddy if you so choose.
invisiblekid writes:
“The one thing that was eye-opening to me was the whole networking thing and connections they really have with certain businesses. A lot of people care about Tennessee football so they’re going to help the kids when they graduate, which I thought was pretty interesting.”
Maybe I am alone in this, but I get a little nervous when I read about a recruit talking about certain business connections helping players. I guess being familiar with Alabama's recruiting practices over the years and seeing things like the Reggie Bush allegations has made me paranoid.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Ahsley-
I didn't know TDTN was a Clemson fan?
IBleedOrange444 writes:
TDTN-
I wouldn't admit to looking like that EVER.
thesavageorange writes:
invisiblekid , You weren't alone.I hope he was talking about the local car lot hanging power T flags, or the local barber shop giving free haircuts on Tuesdays after a win.Atleast he said "when they graduate".
Well ,what do you know ,another wizzing contest.Doesn't seem right w/o sjt18 & Workin not involved.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
TDTN-
That may be true, but this guy looked like a homo in some purple polyester pants. He resembled me at no time in my life.
jimr07 writes:
chrisw2967--i am sure coach fulmer and staff would appreciate your input. you do seem to know more about the recruiting process.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Come to Knoxville big guy.
utwick writes:
Does anyone else get tired of posters moaning about UT having no DTs committed thus far? Go to Rivals.Com and look at the top DTs and DES, and they all have offers from UT. UT can't make the choices for these kids but are definitely trying to sign them. I am impressed that the coaching staff is being aggressive (proactive if you want) in offering players this early. I, for one, am looking forward to the changes that this staff brings to UT and am willing to give them the credit of being able to identify some talent before other schools come calling. Some of these 3 stars could be 4 or 5 stars by the time the high school season is over. Also, some of the 5 stars may be "busts". chill out. Give the staff a break and most of all "GO VOLS".
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18 , just kidding around.As far as the quote goes ,it was harmless , but at 1st read it just sounded kinda schemish.
volroadwarrior writes:
utwick you missed the point. The moaners will complain no matter what the team does as long as Fulmer is HC. If we sign a stud 300 pounder that is mean as hell, runs a 4.4 40 they will moan that Fulmer recruited him too early, too late---or something stupid like that.
philfan writes:
These students never mention anything about the course of study they are pursuing or might consider pursuing. It is almost as if the academic work is not even an issue, you know, just let me play some football, get me a job, and then I will be happy. i wish them all the luck in the world but there has to be some concern for the future other than football, since only a very small percentage play in the NFL.
philfan writes:
Good post from thesavageorange at 2:48 p.m., June 20
I would think that the job of head coach, not just Fulmer but any head coach, would have to be one of the most stressful jobs in the nation. Trying to read the character of a player on the basis of a brief visit, guessing if he will or not get in trouble with the law, deciding to offer a player a position now or waiting until much later, dealing with fans who expect nothing less than perfection, dealing with sports writers who are interested only in promoting themselvers, choosing assistant coaches from a list of 20 0r 30, realizing that one poor season could ruin a career...phew!
I suppose I could do the job for 3 or 4 million though, but my nerves would be shot.
I
cjraney writes:
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/762608....
Interesting story about an unranked OL from Bama that grew up a Vol fan.
utwick writes:
Roadwarrior, in other words the "moaners' will moan no matter what? I think you are dead on with that assessment. I don't know if I missed the point, and if so, that's one point well worth missing. I support the Vols and know that Fulmer is still the man in charge, I have may complaints with him, but feel that some positive changes will happen in the next couple of years.
The talent will come. The staff needs to develop it. That's my main beef over the recent past.
murrayvol writes:
invisible @ 5:33: Maybe he didn't get the memo on things we don't discuss for the record.
jasvol writes:
cjraney: good link on this unknown OL that is a Vol fan! LSU is all over him and he likes them for their Vet. school. UT has an incredible Vet school, I hope the coaches begin workin like heck on this one.
volmattna writes:
yeah come to big orange country big guy
kisnjas#228679 writes:
Many fans have been critical of Fulmer for not making the most out of talent at UT. In 2000/2001, Cosey coleman would have been awesome, but he went pro early. In 2003, Jason Witten would have helped Clausen win one, but he went pro early. Now, in 2008, jerod majo would have made the defense a beast, but he goes pro early. I can't say that I blame them for taking the money, but that is the cause of the championship drought. Coach fulmer gets the blame, which he is paid well for, but the players need to trust him and stay through their entire commitment. When that happens, we will wiin another one.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff 8:37 - did you mention the "excuse" word?
Shame, shame.
No one can recuit DTs, because they're aren't any.
Well, maybe other thasn the 8 or 10 Saban found somewhere. Or the ones LSU always seems to have.
Stay the course, wave the shaker and have a warm, low-cal fritter. Don't raise the hood to see why the truck won't go over the hill. Just put another coat of wax on it.
Lose the facts!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
It's June...just maybe we can convince a few of the DTs on the board to come this way over the next 8 months. If come Feb we still don't have any DTs then by all means we should all piss and moan at the top of our lungs. But all this whining and hand wringing now just sounds like a bunch of chronic complainers who desperately need to go find something else to do over the summer. I haven't posted here much lately because frankly the usual suspects on here are down right depressing to read.
TommyJack writes:
You naysayers constantly complaining about lack of DT's need to find another team. You're not TRUE VOL FANS. Have faith, the universe will provide.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just hope the gnat's haven't forgotten how and when to poot!
TommyJack writes:
PD: Always pays to keep those knats on the fiber diet.
Geoff: CPF has said that the on-side kick was NOT a factor. Do you not remember the comment?
No biggie.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
tngeoff, I don't want to be negative either but the reality is UT was 9th in SEC defense last year, not the formula for a SEC Champion. I was at every home game and watched every down of away games. It was a good bet if you ran off guard or tackle at UT you would gain 4 yards or more. That says our DT's were not effective. I really do expect our defense to be much better this year. I'm expecting Bolden and Dan Williams to play better this year also. We do need some high caliber recruits to play DT at UT. If memory serves correct there were at least 3 games which teams gained over 500 total yards (Florida, Alabama, S. Carolina), can't remember if Cal gained more than 500 but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. The secondary should be greatly improved and help with rushing defense more this year. The return of Morley is a definite boost because the kid can tackle. Chavis would be wise to use him on a safety blitz every now and then.
TommyJack writes:
"lazy and stupid"? Don't hold back TDTN!
Too early to worry...the Chief hasn't sent out his email blast yet. Anyday now.
CoverOrange writes:
1738 hours till kickoff time in Californ-i-a.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TT,10:14 you tell Dupree I want those cast iron skillets back some day. You should buy him a real anchor.
'
He was funny trying to dig up those moles for bait....
tngeoff, you're asking for it mentioning DTs who are not needed in the 2-9.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
I JUST MADE THE CONNECTION! Dupree is TDTNs severely retarded son, played DT in HS in Kingsport. KingsportVol is his uncle and coach. Evidently, his highlight films were sent to CPF to evaluate and Fulmer thought he was being solicited for donations to the Special Olypics. TDTN and his entire inbred family have never forgiven CPF for not recruiting Dupree.
LongtimeVol writes:
I don't give a d%$@ whether posters complain about DT's or complain about other posters who do. I care a great deal about leaky defensive line we are putting on the field and I cannot understand why every other Volunteer fan doesn't also care. As for attempting to avert our gaze from these problems by celebrating Alabama's 7-6 season, I can only say how much more embarrassing a 24 point beating by such a team was last year.
LanceR24 writes:
TouchdownTennessee if you would have used the drop box on your rivals link you would have noticed that 4 out of those seven years tn is ranked in the top 10 in DTs and one year at 22.
2002 #7
2004 #3
2005 #5
2006 #22
2007 #7
LanceR24 writes:
what has happened with those may be a different story but you cant say we havent recruited the supposed tallent.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Hey TDTN, I heard Les Miles is looking for someone to hold his headphone cables on the sidelines. Think Dupree could handle that job? If not, maybe you yourself are qualified. Application only requires you to spell LSU. Might be tough.
LanceR24 writes:
lol never said they were great, but if you are gonna use some stats to try to bash your team you might wanna look at all of them so you dont come off lookin like an idiot. ill agree with you on one thing though most of the DTs we have got lately have been busts.
LanceR24 writes:
i think the biggest problem with our OL came when cut wanted to slim them down so he could run some zone blocking for the running game. you cant do it both ways you either have to have a zone blocking line or trational otherwise you have an undersized line because you make them cut to much weight. that and i dont think a lot of these kids have had the mean streak they needed to run block.
TommyJack writes:
I got a big AMEN for LongtimeVol.
LanceR24 writes:
all i know for sure is i hope some of these kids that are going to be playing fullback are pretty good because i miss the old i formation im gonna run the ball down your throat and you cant stop it lol.
TommyJack writes:
grvol: Beautiful outlook brother.
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