Hooker: May evaluations lead to June's bounty

Following a whirlwind of recruiting action in June, now is a good time to look back at Tennessee's 11 commitments for the 2009 class.

There have been commitments that have given UT fans reason to celebrate and others that have given fans reason to question their ability.

The following prospects are listed in the order in which they committed with a month-by-month breakdown. They encompass almost half of UT's projected signing class, which figures to have approximately 25 signees.

April

Every class needs a strong start. The Vols accomplished that goal and laid some inroads for future success.

Je'Ron Stokes: UT started its 2009 class with Stokes, one of the top receivers in the nation. The Vols made their impression with Stokes years ago with good friend Mark Jones, a former UT standout, and his father pastor Harry Jones.

Dominique Allen: Allen has the size and athletic ability to be a productive fullback. His close relationship with Marsalis Teague, a fellow high-rated prospect/high school teammate at Henry County High in Paris, certainly helped.

Damien Thigpen: A class can never have too many speedy, versatile athletes. The Vols jumped on Thigpen in April before his stock grew any higher.

May

UT's progress slowed in May with only one commitment. But it was the work during the spring evaluation period that led to a productive June.

Toney Williams: A sought-after prospect - except by the neighboring Georgia Bulldogs. UT saw an opportunity and took it.

June

In terms of number of commitments, few summer months in recent history can compare. But did the Vols get too excited on some borderline prospects?

Kevin Revis: Phillip Fulmer took this one from good friend David Cutcliffe, now the head coach at Duke. Revis held only one scholarship offer - from the Blue Devils. Expected to play center, Revis is certainly a project.

Jarvis Giles: It's not often that UT pulls a top-100 prospect out of Florida. That was the case with Giles, who had Florida, Miami and Florida State on his trail. Perhaps the biggest pickup in the 2009 class so far. Certainly helped momentum. Strong effort by first-year UT running backs coach Stan Drayton.

Nyshier Oliver: The second highly rated prospect, along with Giles, that UT picked up in its summer camp. Oliver is one of the top athlete prospects in the northeast. He'll fit in nicely in UT's talented secondary. At this point, UT was rolling.

Aubrey Phillips: Also committed during UT's camp, Phillips brought size to the class (6-6, 310) as the Vols beat out Penn State, Louisville, Memphis, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.

JerQuari Schofield: A questionable pickup, Schofield only had offers from Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb. Still, size is sometimes worth a gamble. Schofield is 6-6 and 298 pounds. UT received five commitments during its summer camp.

Bryce Petty: UT wanted two quarterbacks for the 2009 class. The first was Petty, who only had offers from New Mexico and Portland State. The question was would Petty scare off a higher-rated quarterback prospect?

Josh Nunes: The answer to the above question is "No." Nunes, one of the top-20 quarterback prospects in the nation, committed to UT without ever seeing first-year offensive coordinator Dave Clawson's offense in action in the SEC or visiting UT's campus. Great sales job by Clawson.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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