Vols appear to be strong leader for Giles

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.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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