Photo by Provided by Tim Nunes
Upland High School quarterback John Nunes passes a ball during a game last season.
Football coaches generally don’t like recruiting surprises — but in this case, offensive coordinator Dave Clawson will make an exception.
“I know I surprised coach Clawson a little bit with the timing,” said UT’s newest commitment, quarterback Josh Nunes from Upland (Calif.) High School. “I called him up on the way back from a camp and just committed right on the spot.”
And there it was. UT’s 11th commitment of the 2009 class came in the form of a 6-foot-4, 211-pounder, who is widely considered one of the top 20 pocket passers in the nation.
“I’m a pro-style quarterback,” Nunes said, describing his game. “I take a lot of time in studying the game. I believe in my abilities to read defenses. Once I do that, I can get the ball to the receivers.”
It’s not that UT deemed Nunes a long shot — far from it. The Vols felt good about their chances of landing Nunes, who threw for more than 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns.
However, UT coaches surely figured Nunes would need to visit Knoxville (which he hasn’t) and/or see Clawson’s offense in a game (which he hasn’t).
“I formed a good relationship with coach Clawson,” Nunes said. “I can tell he’s the kind of person that will put in the work to get things done. I’m very confident in his ability to coach the offense. I’m sure things will be good.”
As for campus life, Nunes said, “I’ve done a lot of research on the schools I’ve been looking at. You can’t go wrong at Tennessee. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I just felt like I should jump on it.”
And so the Elite 11 camp invitee announced his decision over scholarship offers from Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arizona State among others. Nunes seemed unfazed by the recent commitment from quarterback Bryce Petty from Midlothian (Texas) High School, who chose UT over Portland State and New Mexico.
“Anywhere there’s going to be competition,” Nunes said. “I’m coming into compete no matter what so, overall, it didn’t affect my decision.”
Petty said his commitment to UT was still solid even with Nunes’ commitment. As a lower-rated prospect than Nunes, most would say Petty will be the underdog when the two compete for playing time. Petty doesn’t see it that way.
“It’s definitely a motivating factor,” Petty said. “He is higher ranked than I am. I can’t really say anything until we strap it up.
“I know he’s going to go compete and so am I. Whoever gets it, gets it. I’m confident in myself that I’m just as good as he is.”
Petty and Nunes have both said they are willing to redshirt their first season at UT in 2009. That would still give both a chance to compete for the starting job in 2010 against redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman and sophomore Nick Stephens.
The Vols seem well equipped to move on without Sarasota (Fla.) High School quarterback Casey Kelly, who was drafted with the last pick of the first round by the Boston Red Sox in this spring’s amateur baseball draft.
Since being drafted, Kelly has said all along that he expects to pursue a professional baseball career instead of a football career at UT this fall. Kelly told the News Sentinel this week that he expects to sign his contract in the first week of July.
Under the tentative stipulations of the agreement, Kelly wouldn’t be able to play college football for five years once he signs with Boston.
Nunes is UT’s seventh commitment since June 12. Given UT’s recent success, perhaps sudden commitments shouldn’t be that surprising.
“I just woke up feeling really good about Tennessee,” Nunes said. “Things are rolling for them right now and it was the right time to pull the trigger.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Signing day celebration at Neyland…
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Comments » 468
caskew#218608 writes:
Great news! GO VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
Welcome aboard Josh.
LargeOrange writes:
Welcome aboard Josh, you have made a good decision. Great job again Coach Fulmer and Coach Clawson. I know you Fulmer haters are in mourning over the recent recruiting successes, but you can always focus on defensive tackles and keep your negative spin alive. It is all good. GO VOLS!
firefightervol writes:
Keep em coming GO VOLS!!!
VOLS85 writes:
doldrums...
WAIT!!! Here's your next starting QB for the University of Tennessee, boys...check out his videos on rivals, they're free. Looks like this recruiting class is well on its way to a top 10 finish. IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!
VolPride_13 writes:
People, this is a great sign of things to come later on in the fall and winter!!
Keep'em coming, GO VOLS!!
jclowers writes:
Definitely check out his videos. He definitely has a lot of arm strength. Some of his throws are so long and quick that the camera can't keep up with them. He is also clocked at just over 4.8 in the 40 which means he will be able to move the pocket around. Perhaps him and Stokes can create a nice little QB-WR combo.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Yippee Kie Yay!
jteague4#662464 writes:
how many of you knew that this commit was coming about and mr. savage what does the future look like for the 09 class. go vols
andy112382#209793 writes:
Awesome! Wasn't really expecting to read about him committing anytime soon considering he was the highest rated QB left on the board and with plenty of offers!
Great job! GO VOLS!!!
gnm53108 writes:
Sounds like our coaching staff is workin like heck on recruiting.This 09 class is really shaping up.Dag gum it,I'm 6hrs away from something cold and frost brewed.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I wonder if he is Tebowesque, since Florida was after him.
ONUV writes:
dont take this negatively but by the way people were reacting, i thought he was an ELITE QB.
he's the 10th rated pro-style QB and 181st overall prospect.
GOOD get but seems the expectations in recruiting have been lowered as well.
VolPride_13 writes:
well, he still has his senior season left and wasn't Erik Ainge a three(or four) star coming out of the Pacific coast!! I'm just sayin', it is not the amount of stars (though they would be nice) that a player has next to his name, it is the heart and drive of a player to get better!!
hglover40#234154 writes:
He's a 4 * recruit.
hglover40#234154 writes:
On scouts there are only 5 QBs rated higher than him who have not committed. He is a 4 * andis listed as the 18th best QB on scouts. Compare this to -
Schaeffer who was a 4 * and ranked 14th
Ainge who was a 3 * and ranked 26th
Compton who was a 5 * and ranked # 3
hglover40#234154 writes:
The number 1 QB in the NFL draft this year...Matt Ryan, was a 3 * and ranked 44th on scouts when he came out of HS.
tigervol9802 writes:
2 quarterbacks, 0 D-tackles.
*sighs
GreerVol22 writes:
Not if but when Clawson's O turns complicated in a couple of years, he'll need a brain to run it. Sounds like good planning to me.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Great potential! Had over 20 offers. Clawson is making an impact. Keep it going, Vols. Kudoes to the recruiters.
Don't stop now, Phil, as tngeoff said, we're seeing some of the old fire.
richvol writes:
It does appear that Coach Fulmer has rededicated himself to getting Tennessee back to the top. That would cement his legacy at Tennessee and have him going out on good terms.
I wonder if Chavis is feeling the pressure to break through on some big time defensive recruits? It would be great to have a story or two written about Chavis and his staff by KNS on our efforts in this area. The defense showed some flashes of toughness last season at year end. If we could build on that with some newly signed defensive studs it would be terrific.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey tngeoff,
Dare I say that you are coming back to Fulmer's side??? He seems to have made the hires that are bringing in the results. Are you optimistic this will translate on the field or do you feel we still need change at the top?
VOLinDAWGland writes:
wow...I did not expect this. Seems we're getting our mojo back. Now let's go get some DTs and a couple of stud LBs.
I was reading about this kid...very intelligent, seems to be a great kid not as ego centric as the QB prospect from San Diego.
The change I'm seeing in this class is not just the chasing after the obvious studs but a careful selection of good player/athlete with high intelligence and character. This should translate to a few close wins and will allow Bama, FSU, FL, Miami, VTU, UGA and others to blow past us in the police blotter sweepstakes.
A pool of high character/great athletes will attract high character great athletes.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Just saw the videos on him.
Big arm but a soft touch on the ball. He is tossing it around like it's a tennis ball out there.
I think he probably would have doubled his TD output last year if he had any receivers who could stay on their feet after the catch!!
His profile pic looks just like a TN QB. Can't wait to see a white helmet wrapped around it
volroadwarrior writes:
Imagine that. The kid liked Fulmer. Welcome!!!!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Hey Savage,
Any news on if we are in the running for Jamarkus McFarland, DT from Texas? I know it's tough to pull a top one out of there but I saw on Rivals they listed TN as a possibility... of course I think everyone is listed as a possibility for TN as well. So what's the real shakedown?
VOLinATL writes:
He sounds great! However, frankly, if he is smart enough to get into Harvard of Stanford, I am surprised he chose UT. Hey, it's my alma mater, but if I could've gotten into schools like that I would have jumped at the chance....especially if given a free ride!
alfrizzle097 writes:
Fair weather fans. Not of the helmets with the T on the side. Of Fulmer. Of his coaching staff. Of their players.
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Agreed Volindawg
i've noticed that trend as well. Im tired of hearing about all the arrests and negativity off the field. Im sure Fulmer and staff are tired as well. As long as their quality athletes their intellegence will make up the difference if you have a smart man coaching them, and I think clawson is that guy, but time will only tell. Anyways this is great news, go vols
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
tngeoff,
Well said. I just don't know why others can think reasonably like that. I mean doesn't it seem like some people really want the team and players to fail in order to justify their own opinions?
I still remember after victories last year how some would come on here and be upset about it because we shouldn't have won... blah, blah, blah.
With that reasoning, go on back to the NC year. Syracuse was 1 pass intereference call away from a win. Florida was one field goal from extending the game, Stoerner laid the ball on the ground like a honeybaked ham and we still needed K.State and UCLA to lose their last game to get in! Didn't hear all the "backing your way in" talk then though. Never-the-less, my wife requires that I clean now so I will leave my post and do some husbanding.
SmokeDog72 writes:
VOLinATL,
I am also looking at the kid having Stanford and Harvard on his list. That is a great sign IMO. He should be great as far as soaking up Clawson's offensive system. If he has a solid understanding of the system due to mental abilities and can make the throws then watch out!!!
He may be ready to jump in right after Crompton completes two years.
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
Between Coach Pearl and Coach Summitt, Coach Fulmer and his staff have a lot to compete with in terms of nationally respected recruiting classes.
Competition is good. It can make you work harder and tunnel in more than you normally would.
It sure does look like there's a fire in the belly this time around.
Volalumnus writes:
I say it is time (actually beyond) for Fulmer to put a foot up Chavis's rear and get him moving. If he still doesn't move, then give him a foot out the door.
Chavis already looked bad and disconcerned, but the new coaches are making him look reaaalll bad.
Just shows it not just what a coach can or has done, but how much excitement he IS bringing.
Can't expect players to get fired up with the level of energy the coaches HAVE shown the last few years.
This is a change, lets hope it goes through the whole staff and to the players to get that extra yard per play on the feild.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Indeed sir. Nobody in their right mind was happy with the jekyll and hyde tendencies of last year. I about died when SC came roaring back but it is just a matter of opinion about how we get back to the top. As with you, I hope that Fulmer can do it! Now my wife is scolding so I really got to go!!
b_neas writes:
Why are we getting so excited about getting good recruits? Maybe not every year but at least once every 3 years we have a solid recruiting classes, this is nothing new. Problem is all they ever accomplish is a 8 to 10 wins season, IMO due to coaches not developing this 4 and 5 star talent. Hopefully with the coaching shake up we can get back to the level we were at in the mid to late 90's.
Volalumnus writes:
volfan5521
First, this isn't cards, so you shouldn't call unless you know, Otherwise it immediately challenges your point.
Potential doesn't derive production on field.
Won't matter if the rest of the defense is great (which has to be proven) if the line allows 4-5 yards each play before they meet up with the "great" part of our defense.
If it was about what potential there was, then AL and FL would not have happened last year, never mind all that has occured the last few years.
However, I take from your comments that you do expect great things from the defense this year. Thats good, there shouldn't be any excuses then.
Hope that it happens on the field.
Bigger_Al writes:
The last QB we had that could have gone to Harvard was Peyton. And even the Harvard grads would have to agree that he made the right choice.
Josh, welcome to The Nation! We're glad you're here!
HotlantaVol writes:
VOLinATL - Harvard does not give athletic scholarships. In fact, none of the Ivy League schools give athletic scholarships. They made a pact called the Ivy Group Agreement back in the 1940's to prohibit athletic scholarships. This was even before the athletic conference was even formed.
That being said, he might have made a good case for an academic scholarship, but those have a lot of competition, and athletes are not given any preferential treatment. In fact, some say athletes have a harder time than normal students because the school doesn't want to appear to give preferential treatment.
auttat writes:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns...
Could you ever guess this guy is an alumnus of GA? Can ANYONE possibly see the Outback Bowl taking UT for a 3rd straight year? Especially with a rematch of Penn State. Or, do we need to just permanently place this game on our schedule?
MrBamSeydu writes:
Hey Kaplan/Hooker,
Nunes is actually the 11th commit. Just wanted to let you know.
Oenoboy writes:
Great pick-up!
Is anyone surprised our two signal calling recruits are both Pro-Style QBs? So much for the Dreaded Spread.
This class has a feel of another top class for Fulmer. I am scratching my head that some of you act like it is out of the norm. Two of our last four classes were ranked in the top five in the country. I'll just contribute it to short term memory loss.
volinky writes:
Forgive me for being a pessimist, but the west-coast guys have been somewhat disappointing to me in the past. I HOPE that I am wrong and I am thrilled with all of the early committments.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
just wondering if clawson offense is a spread type offense why are we still recruiting pro style Qb's... didn't watch any of the videos but just an observation.
also please quit refering any QB to eric aninge.... he was average at best and his record proves it....
give me a QB like tee martin that has heart, drive and legs to go with it with this new offense then we can talk....
I want to forget the last 5 years and move on to a new era at Tennessee :)
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
I can't believe this young man committed considering my comments that have great influence over people's actions.
TommyJack writes:
Nicksjuzunk:8:15 No.1, you need to man up. Who runs your household, you or your wife? :) #2. Except for a few FL,,AL,KY fans on here, who do you feel really would "want the team and players to fail in order to justify their own opinions?" Who, Nick?
VOLinDAWGland writes:
waterskier:
If you'd been paying attention, which apparently you haven't, Clawson's offense has been discussed adnauseum. His is not an exclusive spread offensive system, it is more a West coast hybrid but is flexible enough to adapt to the skill set of his players. If he's got a great athlete for QB then it might be more spread oriented, if pro style QB than more pro style/West coast type of look.
Now pay attention and stop asking stupid questions.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
I don't remember having so much quality QB depth spread out over the classes. We always seemed to have a huge gap between the senior starter and the next starter and ended up relying on a Frosh to emerge...dangerous business that. We've got Crompton, who's been seasoning for three years for two, we have Nick Stephens who's been around for two, BJ one, two good looking Frosh coming in of which at least one will RS and possibly Stokes coming in next year who will likely RS. We appear to be in great shape at QB for at least 5-6 years. That's a great recruiting asset for top WRs, RBs and lineman prospects.
I have a hunch that if Nick holds down the 2 spot we might see BJ transfer to Duke. Hope not, but wouldn't surprise me.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
I'd rather have my O-line full of hatred for the Bama's and Florida's and let the QB stay centered, focused and surgical in their dismantling of the enemy.
Coyoteuglyvol writes:
What a shock. Hooker getting beat by Hubbs again...and so badly. Hooker is to journalism what Rocco Mediate was to the U.S. Open.
b_neas writes:
Not sure i agree on ainge being "average at best". Give him the WR's and backs and TE clausen (or even peyton) had and he is easily above average. That is when he was under Cutcliffe's wing. Under Sanders he blew.
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