Rod Wilks will have plenty of help when he gets to Tennessee.
The receiver from Smyrna High School signed a national letter of intent in February to play football at UT.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Wilks plans to enroll for the first session of summer school, which starts on June 2.
He said he will look for help from his new teammates as he prepares for his career at UT.
Wilks tells more in this Q&A.
Q: What is your most memorable moment from an official visit?
A: I’d have to say when I went on my official visit to Knoxville. It was just awesome. We hung out with the fellas. I got to meet them, go to (Neyland) Stadium, go up to visit the press box. It was fun because there’s no jealousy or hating between the players. They’re all good. They bring you in and show you around. They take you all around the college. They tell you the steps you need to take and you learn from them.
Q: What did that connection mean considering those players will be your teammates at UT?
A: I’ll be playing with these people all four years. I like it because now I’m playing with and against people that are all good and all have talent. Once you play with athletes like that it shows everyone how good you really are. You learn from everybody. Just because you’re this and that doesn’t mean anything now. You learn from them. The people already playing there, they’ll be teaching me things. One day I’ll be teaching another receiver. I’ll be making them better and they’ll be making be better.
Q: What was your least favorite part about recruiting?
A: The phone calls. You’re sitting with your family trying to have family night or hanging out with your friends and they keep calling. Sometimes I didn’t answer my phone and sometimes I did. Everybody handles it differently. I wasn’t mean about it. Sometimes I’d answer. It’s good to go ahead and answer sometimes so they won’t keep calling. Sometimes I ignored it because I’d be on the phone with my mom or at dinner with my parents or on a date with my girlfriend. You always have to have your own time.
Q: Who has made the most significant influence on your football career?
A: My brother (UT cornerback Marsalous Johnson) because he’s a small guy. He’s got a lot of speed but he’s a small guy. A lot of people doubted him. He worked out hard and he achieved. People said he won’t play, but he goes up there and does what he’s supposed to do and he gets playing time. It was just awesome.
Q: What did his success tell you?
A: If he could do it I could do it. It doesn’t matter who you are, how small you are. Put your heart and mind to it and make it happen. I saw my brother do it and found that out. It doesn’t have to be a big guy ranked No. 1 in the nation. That No. 1 athlete is just like everyone else out there. The rankings are just politics. Anybody can do it. Just put your mind and heart to it.
Q: What do you think it will be like playing with Marsalous?
A: It’s going to be fun. It’ll be fun because he’ll teach me a lot and we’ll have fun on the field. I think we’ve been apart and we’ll get closer off the field and grow closer on the field together.
Q: You’re an in-state guy. What will it be like playing for Tennessee?
A: I’m representing the home state. It feels good because you play in Tennessee in high school. Why go out of state and play against your home state? It feels good because I’m playing for my state and all of Tennessee and the Tennessee fans. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m happy to be doing it.
Q: What do you think will be your biggest adjustment to the college game?
A: The biggest adjustment will probably be being away from my family. I think I could go to Tennessee for school and football and everything. I’m a family person. Being away from my family will be the hardest thing. Marsalous will help a lot. We’re close to our parents. He’ll just help because he’ll keep me straight.
Q: What are some of your goals at UT?
A: I’ll go up June 1. I have three goals: education, football and my after-school goal to become a good person and have a good job when I graduate college. I want to be a man and do the right thing. It’ll be a big growing experience because it’s more to it than just football and all that. You have to always have a backup plan. You can’t go anywhere today and not have an education and have good job. It’s possible but it’s one out of 10. You can go and have a little bitty job. Most people want a job where one day you can have a family. I just want to have my education first. Anything could go wrong. Football won’t last forever.
Q: Do you model your game after anyone?
A: No. Everybody plays differently. Everybody thinks differently. Sometimes you’ve got to follow but sometimes you’ve got to do your own thing. Most people are like, ‘I want to play like him.’ Nah, I don’t want to play like him. I want to be better than he is. I want to have my own style and my own way. I’m not like anybody else.
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Comments » 155
TommyJack writes:
Sounds like a keeper.
JClif1 writes:
Great his goals are education in front of football... I hope hes just trying to impress us by saying that and thats not the real case haha.
Brama writes:
Sounds like he has his priorites in line now keep the toy guns out of your car when you come to knoxvile this summer!
JClif1 writes:
Yea i mean would you rather have a WR that has 20 catches for 345 yards and earn All Academic SEC... or Someone who know what Western Civ class is and catch 67 balls for 1020 yards... I think i know which i choose.
JClif1 writes:
Someone who doesnt know what**** western civ class is
CoverOrange writes:
I wish him good luck and look forward to hearing his name called out on the field.
That said, if there is one area the NCAA needs to lay down a boundary (as opposed to all the areas where they do but shouldn't) is the cell phone calls and text messaging. Wonder if anyone has statistics on average costs to kids and their families on their cell phone bills.
In an unrelated intrusion, saw an article recently describing how some states are considering a ban on toy guns that look too real. The article described the incident involving Marsalous from two years ago. Although it did not mention his name or that he was an athlete, nor that he was acquitted. Just gave the off-duty officer's "I's skeered" version.
Sorry for going off subject. Doldroms.
See you next week.
DennisVols writes:
The class coming in and the next signing class seem to be class acts. This new staff of coaches appear at this time to be turning things around not only with the talent level being recruited but also the level of person.
3 months 12 days till FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE.
Go Vols!!!!!!
bigbluevol writes:
Good interview. This kid has his head on straight (so it seems) and he is realistic about the fact he will need to work hard and see how it plays out. He's not coming in with an attitude of entitlement and I'm glad to see it. Good luck Rod. Looking forward to 4-5 great years from you.
JClif1 writes:
Yea i mean these kids we are bringin in may be a class act.. im not going to deny that BUT can these class acts beat Florida or Georgia's non class acts. These people that comment on here act like they wouldn't take a athlete thats not a class act on thier team. I mean if the guy runs a 4.2 and is a threat to score everytime he touches the ball... I really dont care what his priorities are... thats up to him its his life....
Also most of the college players who are really really good know they are going pro so they don't worry so much about the education part. i would rather have a player come in knowing for sure in his head that hes going to be good enough to go pro.
invisiblekid writes:
I think/hope the days of signing guys like Washington and Toeaina are over. It doesn't matter how much talent an individual player has, they still have to rely on the other 10 guys on the field with them and it helps when they actually like each other. Wilks sounds like he will be a good addition for the team.
auttat writes:
And to think eVOLution called me a redneck last week.
JClif1 writes:
It doesnt matter how much talent an individual player has.... its talk like that that lets me know we are ok with losing 3 games a year.
MrBamSeydu writes:
hopefully he won't just do a "little bitty job" at WR
pdhuff#552644 writes:
JClift1-many are ok with losing 3-4-5 games a year. Just read daily.
JClif1 writes:
Yea I dont want 11 really talented players... I would rather have 5 ok ones 4 decent ones and 2 Austin Rogers...... Now thats an explosive team.
JClif1 writes:
Yea I dont want 11 really talented players... I would rather have 5 ok ones 4 decent ones and 2 Austin Rogers...... Now thats an explosive team.
invisiblekid writes:
JClif, I don't necessarily disagree with your point but it's a safe bet that there are many more kids who came out of high school that had it in their heads that they were going pro than those that actually do get a chance in the NFL.
99gator writes:
you guys are missing the biggest thing he neglected to mention in his interview.
this kid's from tennessee and not once did he mention anything about a fritter.
you would think that growing up in tennessee that this kid would know fritters are essential to success in every aspect of life.
maybe he didn't mention it because it is such a given.
JClif1 writes:
haha I'm not talking about Carter Hornets 5'6" 230 lbs Wide Reciever thinkin hes going pro. I know theres a lot of kids saying they are going to go pro. Im just saying its disheartning to hear a athlete thats supposed to be D-1 material on the brink of being a star say well theres things other than football. I just think if they are D-1 superstars they are not going to say that kind of stuff. People that say theres stuff after football lets me know they are not thinkin that they are for sure good enough to go pro.
99gator writes:
in all seriousness, he sounds like a good kid.
hopefully, for tennessee, he is an equally good football player.
invisiblekid writes:
99gator, Wilks is a WR, fritters are a big no-no for the fast guys. Offensive linemen and, especially our current defensive line, are encouraged to embrace the fritter however.
99gator writes:
invisiblekid
i thought fritters were for all god's children. if you can't have a fritter when you are exercising vigorously when can you have one?
invisiblekid writes:
JClif, 5'6" 230 lbs, sounds like he is defensive tackle material because you know how Chavis likes his guys to keep their speed.
Seriously, just playing devil's advocate here but they have been burned in the past by some of these all-world guys coming in, I mentioned two of them earlier. I am also thinking that Wilks may have a little more perspective on things with his brother being Johnson. Johnson missed the end of last season due to injury and I would think he learned something from what happened to Inky Johnson as well.
volchiq writes:
Finally a quality article that isn't from an SEC jail intake log. Way to do some journalism!
Seriously though, it would be good to have an interview or story or something on each of our new guys. That would be better than some of the other stuff we have been getting.
Of course there will always be those that turn positive stories into negative ones...it is all a matter of perspective.
JClif1 writes:
haha oh yea the speed defensive tackle... or the 6'5 330 monster Bolden that couldnt push that 5'6 230 guy haha. Yea i mean i know they have to think about education bc of injuries I just like the cocky players for some reason.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Yawn....Foolmore is 11-21 vs. Meyer, Richt, Saban, Spurrier, and Tuberville. 12-23 when you throw in Miles. These are basically all the coaches/teams that matter in the SEC. We play all of them except LSU this year. If we go better than 2-3 vs. UGA, Florida, Bama, USC, and Auburn this year it will have to be considered a miracle considering at least 5 of those 11 victories were modern day miracles:
92 win vs. Florida - Foolmore was interim coach and this was before he knew he soiled his boxers when facing Spurrier
98 win vs. Florida - crowd and Al Wilson superman performance plus missed chip shot FG to win
01 vs. Florida- Travis Stephens superman performance
07 vs. South Carolina- fumble recovered 15 yards down field by backup OL and missed FG for team of destiny and Hamilton post game bear hug.
97 - Tubbs was at Ole Miss
98 - Tubbs 1st year at Auburn where they were starting Gabe GRoss a baseball player at QB and had a true frosh RB and no WRs.
More often than not in the 23 losses, Foolmore's pants have ended up around his ankles. Basically, the games we've won the ball had to bounce the right way. 2-3 best case scenario based on his pathetic 11-21 record vs. these ooaches would be an improvement. This means no SEC title which means not meeting expectations. Can't wait for us to get snubbed by the Outhouse Bowl. Hopefully, the Peacher doesn't snub us as well.
invisiblekid writes:
99gator, good point on fritters but all things in moderation. Maybe after Wilks gets on campus and runs some shuttles, he can have one.
JClif1 writes:
WorkinLikeHeck.
You could make that point about any of the games. I know his record is bad against the big dogs of the sec im not going to dissagree with you on that one.
But you could say those things about numerous losses too.
Gafneys Non catch.
A penalty called on a fumble that Hefney Ran back for a touchdown for illegal contact which was his forearm grazing the helmet a little to wipe of dirt.
DJ Halls "Superman performance"
Caddillac Willams and Ronnie browns "Superman Perfrmace"
I mean I can come up with something like that for every loss too just about.
NO doubt though, we do need to win those games which is probably not going to happen i would say at the best 3-2 in those.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
2007:
Saban/Bama 42 Foolmore 17 - Foolmore pantsed at the onside kickoff and we never recovered.
Meyer/Florida 59 Fooolmore 20 - not much to say other than 31 straight points. Similar to the 42 or 38 in a row in 1995 or the 35 in a row in 1996.
Foolmore did pants Richt somehow this past
year.
LSU 21 Tennessee 14 - Led the whole game. Fake punt gave some momentum to LSU, lost to a backup LSU QB for the 2nd time in SEC title game. That equals a pansting.
Tennessee 27 USC 24 - afformentioned team of destiny bear hug game. Blew 21-0 lead and sat on the ball. Did everything we could do to lose the game.
2-3. Par for the course. Yawn.
volchiq writes:
Workin, can you tell me one national championship team, or successful team for that matter, that can't claim a couple of games were won by the ball bouncing the right way?
You make it seem like TN is the only team to ever benefit from a little luck...that is what this game is about for teams that are for the most part well matched, one bounce here or there and you lose or win.
Seriously, when was there a team that came out and totally dominated every single game without having one remotely close?
invisiblekid writes:
Workin', I am thinking that Hambone played his last chip to get us in the Outback last year. We lose 3-4 this year and it's Atlanta or bust.
JClif1 writes:
WorkinLikeHeck must have been pantsed one too many times... whatever pantsed is. Now he likes to call out the team that loses every game haha. I love how no matter the outcome some gets pantsed.
TommyJack writes:
What the Kid said at 5:38. BTW, fritters, while not exclusive to the coaching staff, remain primarily under their purview.
hmhawk writes:
3 things 1)eVOLution please leave Ashley alone.some of us old geezers like her countdown 2)What is pantsed or whatever? 3)Are there any mechanics on this board?I'm having trouble with my 86 f150 4x4.All my troubles come back to the ERG valve.I want to know if I can remove it.I've taken off about all the smog control stuff and am running straight pipes.The environmentalists will really love me LOL.This is serious but also can be attributed to the doldrums I reckon.Any help will be surely appreciated.
99gator writes:
workin
don't throw the dirt on the body until its dead.
season hasn't started yet. too early to throw in the towel.....otherwise, why bother to look forward to the season in the first place?
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Go tell the LSU fans that they didn't need a little luck to get the NC last year. I mean how many crazy 4th downs did they have to pick up along the way? Miles even admitted that the TD play against the gators on 4th down was a coaching blunder of sorts that just happened to work out.
JClif1 and eVOLution-
Are you guys serious? Do you really think we'd be better off with a bunch of LaMarcus Cokers and James Bankses? How many times do you think Rod Wilks's mom and dad told him that his education is to come first to keep him grounded? Use your f#cking head before you type that retarded poop! You make us all look bad saying that these kids don't have their priorities straight because they are concerned about their education!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
99gator 6:12 post-
Amen!!!!
I bet you are in a lot less of a hurry to ink that "W" next to UT on the Gators' schedule than a bunch of these born losers who call themselves Vol fans.
NorCalVol writes:
IBleed, I totally agree about your comment to JCliff and eVOL...
Just because someone is a scholar doesn't mean they can't perform on the field, too (is Peyton not a good enough example of this for you??). Plus, look at what grades and/or drugs did to Ramar and Duke on the bball team. I'd rather have a solid player who saves our team embarassment, scholarship penalties, recruiting screwups, etc than a star who causes off-the-field problems that hurt us for years to come.
hmhawk writes:
IBleedOrange444-I agree with you 100% and meant to state those thoughts in previous post.Just that my truck is driving me nuts right now.But you are absolutely right.
hmhawk writes:
Also meant to tell gator99-and this hurts-that I admire him.He is probably the only rational gator fan I've ever kinda met.If he's ever in NET he can stop by for a cold one and steak on the grill.
KnoxVol_in_TX writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
IBleedOrange444 writes:
I'm glad I'm not alone on this one. Good luck w/ your truck hmhawk. I wish I could help you out, but I don't know anything about working on vehicles. If you can't get it to run, you could always go trade it in for a hybrid. LOL.
hmhawk writes:
IBO444-thanks but that goes totally against my grain,LOL.It runs but just keeps shifting from drive to overdrive and back over and over.Drives me crazy.Also you definitely ain't alone.Give me a smart athlete anyday.
hmhawk writes:
Why was KnoxVol_in_TX removed.It wasn't a bad post.Is the site staff suffering the doldrums LOL.
gohawks1 writes:
Sounds like a great prospect. Personally, I'm glad to hear that he is taking his academics seriously. Don't forget that just a few weeks ago several players were suspended from playing because of poor performance in the classroom. If they don't make the grades, then they don't make the plays. Don't listen to some of these knuckleheads on here, Mr. Wilks. Keep your head on straight, get the job done in the classroom AND on the playing field. It's the only way to continue to be a part of any collegiate team. Glad to have you, young man.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
ol Workin' roiling in the doldrums. Stirring the koolade with a Titanic paddle. Ites will be salvoing from far and near.
As GerryOp said, don't muddle the doldrums with facts. Repeat after me, WE ARE STAYING THIS COURSE!
Got it, now? See that wasn't so hard, think,
Family
Loyalty
And as someone said-
Chick-Fila Peach Bowl,
Maybe...
dfreeman writes:
Oh how I miss Vegas!! "Fly me to the Moon"!!
Silent_Fulmer writes:
99gator - thats the point. There are no seasons to look forward to until FOOLMORE is plucked.
If you think we have a chance to be national relevant again with FOOLMORE at the helm I'm all ears.
Until then, the campaign continues to roll him down Neyland Ave. into the Tennessee River.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Looks like every team we play in the East (except Vandy) has a bye week before they play us. Uh Oh. That means Florida, UK, SOuth CArolina, and UGA all have an extra week to figure out how to prepare against Foolmore's facorite play call, the FG.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
is he going to play WR or CB
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