Reading college football prospects is far more challenging than tea leaves or tarot cards.
That being said, a pattern seems to be developing with Marlon Brown, a pattern that Tennessee coaches can't help but be encouraged by.
For instance, the 6-foot-5 205-pound receiver from Harding Academy in Memphis has only taken one trip to inspect one of the many colleges that have offered him a scholarship. That trip was to Knoxville late last month. No other trips are scheduled.
After meeting with UT's coaches and seeing its campus, Brown even goes so far as to say he could see himself playing for the Vols.
But just when it seems like the clouds in the crystal ball are parting, Brown is quick to point out that UT isn't leading for his services. No one is.
"Right now, I'm just wide open," said Brown, who many believe is the top prospect in the state.
And just when it seems like Brown might be a candidate for an early, in-state commitment, he says he might not even have his decision by National Signing Day 2009 in February.
"I'm going to try and make it by Signing Day," Brown said, "but I don't think that will happen."
Talk to Brown a bit longer and you realize just why he has no plan for his college recruitment. See, Brown is still a bit shocked to be such a sought-after prospect, calling all the attention "crazy" and his stature as a highly-touted prospect a "big surprise".
Brown isn't even sure how many scholarship offers he's received.
"A lot," he said. "I don't even have a number."
Most think it's at least 15. Probably more. Maybe many more.
Ole Miss was the first to extend an official invitation. Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame and just about anybody else you can think of quickly followed suit.
What school wouldn't be interested in Brown? When asked to compare himself to another receiver, Brown offers up one of the most dominant pass catchers in recent college football history.
"Maybe, Calvin Johnson," Brown said referring to the former Georgia Tech star who just completed his rookie year with the NFL's Detroit Lions.
Like Johnson, Brown excels after the catch when he can use his frame and athleticism against smaller, and often slower, defensive backs.
"It's fun scoring touchdowns," Brown said.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
Vols' spring practice wit…
Tennessee defeats San Diego State 62-59
UT signees
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 16
BallantyneVol writes:
Hey Marlon, we'd love to see you in orange. But make the best decision for you.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I hope he doesn't turn into a Terrelle Pryor and milk it.
Sounds like a beastly player. Hope he comes here.
camoman270#222859 writes:
Marlon.....we love you Maaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!
Go Vols!!!!
tvol40#298624 writes:
Wouldn't you just like one time to see a Tennessee kid say, "Hey, there's no question about it. I'm a Volunteer."
thesavageorange writes:
Amen, Fritter, AMEN!
IPOrange writes:
6'5", 205 lbs! You da man, Marlon! I hope you come and wear the Big Orange colors proudly. Come play in front of 105,000+ fans screaming loudly for you after every catch. Come run through the T and aim for those orange/white checkerboard endzones. It doesn't get any better than that!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Marlon, you come, we cheer.
Make us geezers proud. Not many of your ilk get to wear the orange and bring 100,000+ to their feet.
Beat somebody.
murrayvol writes:
pdhuff: Wikipedia - geezer: n. Slang An old person, especially an eccentric old man. Say it ain't so.
Come on down, over, or up Marlon. You too can have a highway named in your honor.
MrBamSeydu writes:
This is ridiculous..... why could you not make a decision by signing day? I think Terrell Pryor is having a bad influence on these kids who want to stay in the spotlight of the recruiting whirlwind for as long as they can. I don't know this kid from a can of tomato soup, but it seems to me that making a choice on where you want to go to college isn't a decision that should take over a year to decide. Is he just waiting to see who will pay him the most money on the DL??? Because no matter how good a player is, if all he's concerned about is the spotlight, I'd rather see them go to a place like Miami or USC. Maybe then he'd realize he wasn't as good as he thinks he is and gets buried under the depth chart behind all the other guys who thought they were the next "Calvin Johnson".
PICK A SCHOOL!!! If you can't make up your mind by Signing Day, then I could care less where you go. I keep up with recruiting, but not with recruits like this. If he wants to go to UT, he should go there. If he wants to visit some other schools, fine. But to sit here in March and say:
"I'm going to try and make it by Signing Day," Brown said, "but I don't think that will happen."
That's an obvious sign that he wants to stretch all this attention out as long as he can. GET OVER YOURSELF AND PICK A SCHOOL!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
murrayvol 7:29 - yep >wikipedia- geezer - correct -present and accounted for
Used to be >Funk & Wagnalls circa 1941 - page 422
i.e. fanatic -one who is actuated by intemperate zeal - a zealot.
Learned lesson - now just a geezer. Saw the realistic cold light. Eyes open.
We could use ol' Marlon.
utchris writes:
Seen him play. He is legit. His vertical is out of this world. Wants to play basketball as well and Fulmer and Pearl have given him the green light. Does not get the recognition that he deserves for basketball. He already looks like he has been in a D1 weight room for 2 years. Maybe the best part is that he a really good kid and does really well in the classroom.
Brama writes:
IF he can't make a decision about where he will go to school in 11 months. We need to take back our schlorship offer because he will never be able to learn our offense.
GoVol writes:
word is he was coming to TN until he met Fulmer. Fulmer gave him one of his inspiring 'pep' talks and now the kid is looking at other options.
Just kidding of course....but seems to be on par with Fulmer's latest recruiting success/failures.
As much as TN has incorporated the tight end into the mix over the past several years one would think TN should be appealing to him. However, not sure where the TE fits into the scheme for Clawson's offense yet? So, I'm sure this could be a concern for Brown. If Brown is as good as he appears, I sure hope we land him!
GoVol writes:
sjt18 - I agree that WVU will sink rapidly. They'll be fine this year, but after that...they're program has already seen its best days. I think they picked the wrong coach.
DadwasaVol writes:
Still waiting/looking for DTs.
jdcdjc#246285 writes:
Don't care when you make your decision, just be a VOL.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.