Even with National Signing Day more than seven months away, Jarvis Giles is used to recruiting rumors.
That’s why the tailback from Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla., snickered when he heard the latest on the Internet: that he was days away from committing to Tennessee.
“That’s just a rumor,” the 6-foot, 185-pounder said on Thursday. “I’m not going to commit anytime soon.”
No commitment was needed this week to get Giles in the news. He was invited to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Wednesday. The San Antonio event invites what it deems the top 80-plus players to its all-star event each January.
Giles could have stayed in Florida for the nearby Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando. But you don’t have to talk to Giles long to realize any moment outside of Florida is a good one.
“I don’t want to stay in Florida,” Giles said, referring to his future college decision. “I’ve never seen anything different. I want to see different things. I’m not going to be trapped in Florida my whole life.”
But how about the warm weather?
“It feels like the heat is coming up from the ground,” Giles said. “I hate that feeling.”
But how about the ocean?
“These beaches are all the same,” Giles continued.
Therefore, Florida State, Florida and Miami are non-factors. And thanks to an early relationship with UT’s coaches, the Vols appear to be a strong leader.
“I mean, kind of, in a way,” Giles said with a chuckle when asked if UT was in good shape to land him. “I’ve been talking to them awhile.”
Giles is keeping his options open. Louisville, Clemson, Nebraska and Arkansas are still under consideration.
The Cardinals and Cornhuskers have been making a strong push for the tailback that is rated as the 99th best player in the nation and 13th best tailback by Rivals.com.
Giles said he hopes to make his decision before football season. Otherwise he’ll take some of his five allotted official visits. Only one visit is set in stone, a summer trip to Knoxville in mid-June for a UT football camp.
UT fans should thank first-year running back coach Stan Drayton for the early lead. Giles said his relationship with Drayton is all about trust.
“It’s like I’m just talking to one of my friends,” Giles said.
Gaither coach Mark Canter also knows Giles well. He watched Giles rush for 1,501 yards and 20 touchdowns on 224 carries last season.
“He’s a really good football player,” Canter said. “He can put his foot in the ground and get after it.”
Canter describes Giles as an “inside/outside, complete back.”
“He’s a guy that can take a lead play, run somebody over and get eight yards. Or take a lead play and get 60 (yards),” Canter said.
Canter said Giles is working on improving his pass receiving skills this offseason. Recruiting rumors, on the other hand, aren’t a concern.
“He’s worked this offseason at being more committed to catching the football,” Canter said.
Said Giles, “Recruiting is going good. I’m just sitting back and relaxing.”
But not at the beach.
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Comments » 37
DennisVols writes:
Recruiting class looking up. Looks like we gained more in the coaching change than we lost in regards to recruiting.
Go Vols!!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"Trapped in Fla", Boy howdy, refreshing!
Wear the Orange, son.
murrayvol writes:
Florida's a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there. Don't blame you for wanting to see a world without sand young man.
tigervol9802 writes:
Can he play D-tackle?
volwalk writes:
I love the D-tackle comments. Its great to get another running back/receiver/dback/linebacker.....when are we going to get some freaking DTs?????
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gentlemen- you make me proud. Finally a few of us that notice we give up a few pointsin 2007. 11th in the SEC on defense and it seems our total focus is on more offense.
Well, we know where this course is taking us by staying on it.
These are truly the times that try men's souls..
Are fritters the answer?
JohnsonCity_George writes:
If we could only inspire more recruits to read all John Adams columns, we would rule in recruiting.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
99gator,
Do you know this kid?
tigervol9802 writes:
My guess is that we're going to go to the 0-4-7 package in the next couple of years on defense since it will maximize our strengths and there is still the outside chance we will not have one D-tackle on the roster on 2010 the way things are going.
What amazes me is the D-line was so dominant in the prime of the Fulmer era (95-01). The 98 team was capable of going 10 deep up front. This year....I'll be surprised if we can get to 7. I don't understand if we reshifted recruiting focuses or if we genuinely can no longer get them. Either way, it's not working nor will it work in the future. I'd trade 3 DB's for 2 solid D-tackles any day of the week.
Phowell23 writes:
Ok back to the subject of this article..Jarvis Giles. Check out the highlight video and how quickly he attacks the holes:
http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprosp...
VOLINSC writes:
Thanks for the link Phowell. This guy looks like he could be a special player. Lets get him.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Scout has him at the 23rd RB, but Rivals has him #3. Although his speed is listed at 4.5 for the 40, nobody caught him in what should be very high-quality competition. The Tampa area usually is a recruiting hotbed. Rivals says that Nebraska has offered--undoubtedly because of Bo Pellini's contacts. Sign him up! Go Vols! SAVol
dford9#209809 writes:
Come to the orange and whiite land of good,
clean fresh air; and good living. Plus, the
finest football in the nation.
txvolsfan writes:
Is there any word on Sykes or any or Hall or any of the other DT's that went Prep and JC?? It would appear that any big lineman that wanted to play early would be a no brainer to come to UT. Let's go Mr. Brooks, work your recruiting magic!!!
GO VOLS!!!
PS: SAVOL, at least we got a victory last nite. 1 game at a time, GO SPURS GO
volroadwarrior writes:
Relax. It is a long time before signing day. I'm not worried about signing some good DTs.
In the mean time, we need to lock in as many good players as possible at every position. It is NOT bad news when we get a good player. Relax already (as they say in Jersey).
TommyJack writes:
volroadwarrior: re DT's. Not relaxed already.
tigervol9802 writes:
stj -
You have a lot more confidence in the backups than I do. They might can play that many....but I don't know how quality it will be.
Phowell23 writes:
Check out the video on 4* QB Josh Nunes (6'4" 207lb). UT just called and offered him and he liked what he heard from Clawson. Another QB from out west...TN seems to like those.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
tigervol9802, there is an old saying that quantity has a quality all its own. This would seem to be especially true in D-line play. If you have enough guys of, say, 2+* quality that you can rotate in and out, you at least avoid having them tired out in the fourth quarter. The main question is whether or not we have enough warm bodies to play right now. I too long for the return of the days when the Hendersons and Haynesworths and Whites and Atkinses roamed Shields-Watkins Field.
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
Ashley...thank you for returning. I was afraid these guys had run you off!
115 days till football time in Tennessee!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
sjt18 - Is this a great country or what? 320 posts for a B Ball guard signed and for 57 Vols graduating.....3....!
jack_2222#231746 writes:
anybody realize how few good DT prospects exist nowadays? know why so many programs, including pros, play a 3-4? why UT and so many others move DE's and LB's to DT? the speed of the game disallows slowfooted defensive linemen; for a DT to excel he's gotta be about as quick and fast as a LB. You might as well ask why CPF isn't recruiting 6 or 8 Heisman candidates every year.
volboy81#211803 writes:
FLORIDA: The home of sand, fleas, bugs, heat, humidity and flat. I'd want out too!!!!
jimr07 writes:
jack_2222--why don't you pick up the phone and ask coach fulmer that question
jimr07 writes:
jack_2222--sorry i misread your post
Huntingdonvol writes:
You got to read this(Florida player arrested for using dead womans credit card! http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/st...
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Phowell. I don't subscribe to that site. Any positives from that article?
TommyJack writes:
Huntingdon 12:36: I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Huntingdon/ TJ-
Doesn't sound like a misunderstanding to me. I can't believe that his own teammates haven't kicked his a$$ over that.
TommyJack writes:
IBleed: My fat tongue was firmly in cheek.
99gator writes:
florida is no longer ride along free in 2008.
that is pathetic. are there some people who don't have a soul?
i am tired of people referring to felonies as "mistakes".
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dwnqqj5Q1BU
thesavageorange writes:
sjt18, I think we will get Giles to commit after the June camp.I think if Wingo or Oku commits the Vols have to back of the other backs.However recruiting nowadays has become a "we'll take him just so they can't have em".See Bama, we offer they follow suit.
It also looks like were in the lead for 4* 6'4 344lbs OL, Peter White of Washington D.C., and Alex Bullard of TN.
Unfortunately we look to be in better shape w/ OL than DL.However, let's remember it's May.Rae Sykes, Cory Hall, and Rufus Williams will also be back in 09'.Hall has been a monster in Juco.Also, Montori Hughes has his grades in order and just needs to pass the entrance exam to join the team in June.In addition to the 11 or so DT's offered out of HS, the staff is starting to look at atleast 2 JUCO guys ,6-foot-1, 295-pound defensive tackle Andrew Iupati, and 6-foot-2, 330lbs Hebron Fangupo.Fangupo is a real longshot.
mikes70gto writes:
We have several D/T's on hand its just getting them in to the fray.They have a few more offered to come but who's to say. Ayers ,Bolden,Fisher,Langley,Martin,Thomas,Williams,Walker, add Hall,Sykes,and Warren (he did play some d-e- in high school)plus we are in the running for a few more standouts to come in and the Juco's.Austin Johnson is almost beefed up enough to help at that position too.Some have said that Pope and Sullins have been on the D line this spring.Dont think we are that bad of shape.
gohawks1 writes:
“He’s a guy that can take a lead play, run somebody over and get eight yards".
At 185 lbs, that'll be a little harder to do against an SEC foe. Most conference teams don't run a 2-9 defense like UT seems set to do, but he still sounds like a great prospect to me.
Phowell23 writes:
Vol_in_LSU_land - yes, lots of positives in that article. I can't cut and paste but basically Clawson called Nunes to offer the scholarship and will come visit him next week. Nunes was very excited and said UT will be one of his top choices. We'll be hearing more about him later I'm sure.
Brama writes:
Sounds good we need someone from that area that has some speed
Brama writes:
Sounds good we need someone from that area that has some speed
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