Jackson
Will Jackson had begun to wonder if he was being forgotten.
Not totally forgotten, mind you. Just by some schools.
After receiving five scholarships before mid-March, April was quiet for the Farragut High offensive lineman.
Now, the number of offers has doubled thanks to the spring evaluation period.
“Two or three coaches at the school everyday,” Jackson said, describing the last few weeks, “and it seemed like an offer almost everyday.”
Well, maybe not everyday, but at least one a week.
Jackson had already received offers from West Virginia, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech and Middle Tennessee State before the spring evaluation period began.
Now, he’s added Kentucky, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Marshall to the list. Louisville and Stanford have also shown strong interest.
“It’ been great,” the 6-foot-4, 280-pounder said. “I kind of had a month lull where I wasn’t getting too much attention.”
No more. Even the neighboring Vols have gotten in on the action.
“Tennessee, they really started coming on,” Jackson said Wednesday.
The spring evaluation period was full of UT coaches. Both offensive line coach Greg Adkins and defensive tackle coach Dan Brooks visited Farragut.
The attention isn’t one-sided. Even without an offer, Jackson still has strong interest in UT. He’ll visit campus next week and take part in football camp in June, just two of countless times he’s seen the Vols up close.
Jackson said he likes everything UT has to offer, but admits he’s developed great relationships with other schools while the Vols continue to evaluate his skills.
“It would be cool getting offered from the hometown school,” Jackson said. “But if they (the Vols) offered, I don’t see myself committing on the spot.”
The calendar pages are flipping quickly for Jackson, who has said all along that he wants to make a decision before his senior season.
Jackson says he’s still “wide open” and isn’t ready to start whittling down his choices, but two schools have pushed their way to the forefront.
“I know I like Georgia Tech,” Jackson said. “I also like Ole Miss, but I haven’t been able to visit everywhere else.”
At least one school seems to have fallen off Jackson’s radar. After weeks of serious recruiting, Auburn never offered the scholarship Jackson thought was coming.
Alabama, like UT, could prove to be a tough competitor for Jackson if the Crimson Tide decides to offer. ‘Bama has been consistently recruiting Jackson for months.
Along with UT, Jackson said he will take part in Alabama’s football camp, plans to visit Wake Forest and N.C. State and hopes to make a repeat trip to Vanderbilt this summer.
That itinerary could change quickly depending on the schools that are still debating whether to offer.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 104
Silent_Fulmer writes:
ummmmm, decline much?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Color him Crimson.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
I have to admit, it's a real shame when the hometown boys are recruited by the Vols and they aren't saying, "Hell yeah, my childhood dream come true".
FWBVol writes:
I don't have any idea as to what kind of football player this kid is, but so far West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Ole Miss are the two best programs to offer him a scholarship.
CPF and the Vol staff will catch grief if they offer a kid that only Ole Miss, Vandy and West Virginia have offered, and catch grief if they don't offer a local kid before Alabama or Florida.
WVVOLFAN writes:
FWB, WV finished in the top 5 last year. What's wrong with them offering. Last year WVU would have beat UT. I think that if WVU is offering, UT should be on this kid big.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
UT or Ole Miss????
UT or Vandy???????
UT or Georgia Tech????
UT or West Virginia?????
If he wants a super education I can see him looking at Stanford or Vandy, if he is after a football career his best choice out of the listed options is UT.
I question his decision making ability, not sure he is what we need at UT.
invisiblekid writes:
Vol_in_LSU_land, ease up a little, I'd think it would be hard to get too excited since the Vols have not offered yet. Academics may also play a role as well. Getting a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech and possibly Stanford isn't anything to take lightly if he wants a good education. Not saying he couldn't get one at UT as well but those two schools are some heavy hitters in the academic world. Hope he has done very well on his SAT's.
Vol13 writes:
I bet you that WVA would beat have beaten us 3 of the last 4 years. I wouldn't exactly turn my nose up at their offer.
bigbluevol writes:
Wasn't there an article about this guy recently or mention of him in article and Hooker made the point that this guy might not be the type of lineman UT was looking for? The West Virginia offer is a good one, but they run a very different style of offense from what it seems we are looking to run. The hesitancy to offer might be due to that reason. His hesitancy to accept could have to do with hurt feelings or the notion we're hearing a lot that "such and such gave me the most love." Just food for thought.
turner_c writes:
I doubt Wake Forrest or Vandy offer players that don't have good academics.
GerryOP writes:
Hmmmmmm. GaTech/Vandy or UT/WVU?
"Tennessee and West Virginia, which each had three teams on the list, were the only BCS schools with more than one team penalized. Each school had three teams make it..."
Guess it depends on what is most important to young Mr. Jackson.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GerryOp, how many O-lineman do we have on scholly? Also, DBs? Any idea?
Just curious....
TNfaninMS writes:
Workin-
Why is it that you have nothing positive to say any of the time? I'm just curious because this kid hasnt even set foot on a college football field and you are already calling him a loser? I dont understand the negativity about these kids coming from some of ya'll. Give these kids a break but I guess you have to make yourselves feel good about something. HUH?
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GerryOP writes:
pdhuff, don't know. Too many OL and DB? And not enough DL? All I know is that if young Mr. Jackson is most interested in an education, I would advise him to look at GT/Vandy rather than UT/WVU.
This APR thing strikes dang close to the blow hole with me. The most significant stat to come out of K'town. One of only two schools that had more than one sport fail to pass, and UT and WVU each had three. They are both on young Mr. Jackson's list.
The bright spot I see is that Coach Fulmer's teachin' and mentorin' saved the football team. However, his secondary job will be evaluated by the end of September.
If we make it through September .....
wballer writes:
GerryOp....if you have so little respect for degrees from THE UNIVERSITY of Tennessee, then could you please let us know why you are a fan? If you are partial to Vandy, then you can go hang out with the other liberal arts grads and sip the champagne that you bought with your parents' money. UT students seek degrees from nationally ranked programs that are of ACTUAL USE to their professional lives.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Who said I was talking about the kid? I should have clarified.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Should have said as long as he doesn't end up at Furman where most losers end up.
miamiVOL writes:
LadyVolsEighTimes wow take off your blinders, WVU has been to THREE BCS GAMES since TN has been to one, and current recruits dont remember watching BCS games on TV 10 yrs ago, they remember watching WVU light up OU last winter
pdhuff#552644 writes:
GerryOp, 6:35- I believe that's teaching and mentoring and cantering and repaying. He has to have a vacation or two along.
At the end of the doldrums, a Bruin awaits.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
will Sterling qualify this year?
GerryOP writes:
wballer, 6:49 PM: Since you are new here, or maybe you are one of the bozos who like to change there screen names, I will try to be polite. My post referred to the APR results from the past academic year. Our University was freakin' tied for dead last.
Maybe you are simply one of the folks that Chris Fowler was talking about in 1997. Or, prehaps, reading comprehension is not one of your strengths.
BTW, FWIW, BS Engr, UTK, 1966 (Paid my own way through UT)-- Retired in 2003 and doing very well for myself, thank you very much.
BTW, also, it would be more constructive if your posts addressed the topic of the article ratehr than attempting to trash other posters
Be well my friend.
FishTacos writes:
Coach Fulmer hardly ever offers local kids because he has no respect for local high school football. Even though East Tennessee has some of the best teams in the state. Dennis Rogan didn't turn out too bad did he? Foolmer has let Carl Stewart go to Auburn, Brandon Warren to FSU, and Baron Huber to Bama, Kyrus Lanxter to UK and countless others. Fulmer can't evaluate talent until he sees an offer from Bama or LSU, then he says well this kid must be good so I will offer last minute. Thinking his 1998 National title will get the local kid to stay home even though he probably already knows the whole Bama campus. Yeah right. Fulmer just doesn't respect the local kids. The local kids should start disrespecting him too by dropping 41 on the Vols like Bama did last year. Fulmer is a joke. I wouldn't play for Foolmer if I was a local kid.
Go Vols!! Recruit some O linemen from Hawaii or California. They will be real loyal Vols when the times get tough like they have been lately.
GerryOP writes:
pdhuff - 7:36 PM, fear the Bruin ... and the 'Croc and the Tiger.
If we make it through September ....
pdhuff#552644 writes:
D1AStarters, interesting take, don the kevlar, however, the Ites will come for you.
TommyJack writes:
GerryOP 8:16: By Gad, that was a good retort to the baller. Props to you.
beachvol1 writes:
I totally agree....Phil needs to pay more attention to what is in-state rather than what is in California, Texas, Florida, ect....appears to me that there is more talent in high school football within that the Vols are not getting...no brainer to me....
FishTacos writes:
Did he offer Carl Stewart before or after every other SEC school? All I am saying is that the Tennessee offer for most of these local kids usually comes after they have been offered by the 11 other SEC schools. Fulmer is a day late and a dollar short when it comes to local kids. Baron Huber started at Bama as a Sophmore and Carl Stewart wasn't bad at Auburn. He offers kids too late. Last year Tennessee offered Rogan after and only after Miami and a few other schools had already offered him. Fulmer shows non interest until the last minute with these local kids!!
http://www.loveliestvillage.org/journ...
MillisaAnn writes:
I hope he comes to UT.
Vol13 writes:
Come onboard, young man!!!!! Why get an education from Vandy when you can come to UT and major in Urban Studies while playing football?
chrslyp writes:
i believe fulmer does a good job of recruiting local players, as far as brandon warren, the kid grew up a huge fsu fan, kyrus lanxster would have had too much competition at ut. hell, you can look at all the local players he recruited this year, maples from maryville, douglas from maryville, cobb from alcoa, who committed to uk. if you're a descent local player, ut will most likely at least give you a look.
chrslyp writes:
also, forgot to mention dustin lyndsay from alcoa a few years ago, can't qualify, rae sykes from alcoa this year..the list goes on and on. most of the talent is coming from blount county though.
auttat writes:
Workin,
"He should just go to Furman. That's where most losers end up anyway."
Pretty sure you have no defense on this one. Even you are above this.
GerryOP
"This APR thing strikes dang close to the blow hole with me. The most significant stat to come out of K'town. One of only two schools that had more than one sport fail to pass, and UT and WVU each had three. They are both on young Mr. Jackson's list.
The bright spot I see is that Coach Fulmer's teachin' and mentorin' saved the football team. However, his secondary job will be evaluated by the end of September."
Please explain again how every single ounce of this burden falls onthe coach's shoulders. Where is the guidance from the University or the parents, and the where is the will of the kid involved in all of this? What about the ones that are kicked out of school, or, GASP!, sign million dollar contracts before they graduate. Let me just tell you, if in my junior year of college, a corporation had offered me a million dollar job, you better believe I would NOT have a college education. Isn't that why I was there in the first place?
Sure the coach recruits the kid, but the burden does not rest solely on his shoulders.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
sjt18, I would give these recruits a little more credit than that, being they are of the ultra-communications world. They are young, but slightly more jaded than we give them credit for. The ones I'm around march to their own drummer.
Compared to geezers and others....
chrslyp writes:
anyone notice in the kid's picture, he's wearing an orange shirt? it's a start.
GerryOP writes:
auttat-
If I implied that the APR failures should be laid at the feet of the HCs, I apologize. This problem lands squarely on the desk of Mike Hamilton. What the HC is responsible for is recruiting qualified scholar/athletes. Kids that can meet the academic requirements. The HC can not be 100% right on all recruits, but, that's why folks like Coach Fulmer get paid the big bucks.
Do you find it interesting that when John Adams attacked Fulmer, Hamilton and Coach Fulmer wrote articles of outrage and indignation. After the 2005 season, Hamilton "suggested" that Coach Fulmer write a mea culpa memo. However, what have we heard from Hamilton now that the UTAD is tied for worst in the country in APR? Nothing but a deafening silence.
As far as the NCAA standards being right or wrong, I am an old fashioned kind of guy. I still believe in respecting authority. You either live by the rules which you voted on and agreed to abide by or you get the rules changed. Do you remember last Fall when one kid was not allowed to play in the Outback Bowl because he failed to sign up for the correct courses? Certainly the kid is ultimately responsible, but, where were all of these caring and loving UTAD folks when the kid reviewed his Fall academic schedule? Yet Coach Fulmer pointed a finger at the rule changes, changes made BEFORE the start of the semester. Is Fulmer trying to get us to believe that no one on the entire UTAD staff was aware of the rule change? I guess that tells us what Fulmer thinks of the intelligence of UT graduates!
And the APR failure is not a loss in double OT or by one point. Remember, only two universities had more than one sport fail to meet the APR standards, UT and UWV. And each had THREE sports fail to meet the standards. Are you proud of that? Does that performance reflect well on OUR University? I think each of you have to answer those questions for yourself. And Mike Hamilton should certainly being doing more than a little evaluation of his program.
I am proud of my degree from The University of Tennessee. I attended UT of my own free will. I gave up a scholarship at one of the highly ranked northeastern universities to attend UT. I earned and borrowed money so that I could attend UT. And I love all UT sports. It hurts me to see UT attacked in the press for athletic failures, but, it pains me more to see Our University critcized for academic failures.
I have a favorite UT t-shirt. I think it came out after the '98 NC. It lists the accomplishments of some highly successful UT graduates -- Rhodes Scholars, astronauts, Noble prizes, judges, etc -- and closes with something like "...And we play a little football too!" Think about that!
Be well my friend.
auttat writes:
Maybe I read too much into the last paragraph that is in the post that I copied from your original concerning Fulmer.
I agree that the APR is a huge failure, but I just wish the NCAA was a little more realistic in the standard. Why should it be to the Universities detriment that a kid decides to leave for another school? Or, that the kid was a bad apple and the school removed it? I appreciate my degree as much as the next guy, but I can guarantee you that it will never afford me the opportunity to sign a 6 yr. $68 mil contract ever in my lifetime. If I had that opportunity presented to me before I got my degree, PEACE!
coxo921 (Inactive) writes:
Reading these posts completely disgusts me; I have been a proud Vol fan for most of my adult life. However, the past few years have worn on me mostly b/c of the incredible lack of respect and amazing amount of stupidity fans show when given the chance.
There is no reason freedom to post rights should be given under the "Football Recruiting" articles. Young men who are being recruited by UT, and others who aren't, read your ridiculous comments about players and coaches. These kids are still very impressionable and have minds that develop opinions very quickly not only about what they read but what is told to them by others (like non respectable dirty recruiters from other schools) not to mention family members of coaches and players alike…come on Think About It!!!
You all are entitled to your opinion, and no matter how stupid or insensitive it may be, you have the freedom to express it however, it SHOULD be done in person around the water cooler at work or other person to person communications in your own daily setting, not hiding behind the veil of a internet bulletin board with no repercussion to your comments.
Look at it this way, do you really want to lower yourself to the standards which have disgusted many over the years involving other programs like Alabama, Kentucky and others. Where the fans make a mochery of their school by the things they say and the actions they take in public.
Or is it TOO LATE? Due to the insane amount of sports talk radio in Knoxville and streamed over the internet, not too mention ridiculous forums that KNS (volquest/gridscape etc) allow to be posted, I would say at this point....YES, unfortunately. However, it’s never too late to change.
COME ON! Be a true fan and a real MAN, support UT, their coaches and players and respect others who may want to join...in short be a good sport.
If not or...If you want or feel the need to post something so ridiculous, at least put your name to it and an address, email or otherwise. SO that if you feel so overwhelmingly important that your opinion of others needs to be posted… no matter how hurtful or wrong. Then the said person you put down can contact you and have a discussion of why you feel so outwardly spoken to post on an internet chat forum about someone you don’t know personally.
Otherwise quit denigrating a very good and respectable institution and a fine city with quality scholar athletes on various levels coached by people who have dedicated themselves to their profession.
By the way this is my first and last post, I will be petitioning KNS and their editors to please remove this posting forum from the "Football Recruiting" portion of their site.
If you have a comment about this or would like to help me in my petetion effort, please I encourage you to email me at
coxo921@gmail.com
Thank you, patrick from North Carolina
Vol13 writes:
Well said Patrick!!! Now, if you don't mind will you please list all the players since the internet started that didn't sign with UT because one of our "stupid" fans posted something negative about the program?
Also (if you don't mind), fill us in on the current guys we have on the team that signed because some gleeful fan had the audacity to post a big "Go Vols!" on the www.
Thanks.
GerryOP writes:
auttat, no, the APR problem is not Fulmer's problem. It is a university/UTAD problem. And it affects every UT grad.
As far as the APR rules, I am not an expert. However, I believe that as long as an athlete leaves in good academic standing it would not negatively impact the football APR. I am sure someone on here will correct me if I am mistaken!!!!!
Be well my friend.
auttat writes:
GerryOP, I have no idea how it works. Probably be best if I didn't comment on the subject at all. Sorry for reading your comments incorrectly. Just get tired of people laying EVERYTHING at Fulmer's feet.
Nice try Patrick. Several of us appreciate your sincerity. However, a-holes will always be a-holes. It took Vol13 just a few minutes to prove it.
wballer writes:
GerryOp...the fact that UT finished in the bottom 3 of the APR rankings does not speak to the quality of the institution. It may be an indictment of the basketball program under Buzz Peterson or of our pitiful baseball program with it's numerous problems, however it does not reflect on the quality of an education from UT. If academics are truly a priority for Mr. Jackson, then we should all hope that he takes full advantage of the opportunities presented at UT, and sets an example for those around him. We certainly know that the Vols can always use leadership in that area.
BTW...I commented on your post because the last thing that we need on a recruiting message board is a UT fan/grad insinuating that if an athlete values his education, he should not choose UT.....
"Guess it depends on what is most important to young Mr. Jackson."
TommyJack writes:
coxo: 2 words. free speech. Totally asinine to think that any recruit would take this site seriously enough to make a decision. If anything, this site exhibits the passion of the fans...just different approaches. BTW, many of the poster's names are just a click of their screen name away...as is a method for emailing them. FYI
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
If anyone wants to personally email me, feel free to contact me via the way TommyJack suggested. I love getting fan mail.
auttat writes:
TommyJack, please do not try to defend the following post:
"He should just go to Furman. That's where most losers end up anyway."
Free speech or not, that was totally uncalled for.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
LOL at auttat!!! He's still crying.
Vol13 writes:
GerryOP:
Great, great post!!! You kind of tap-danced around the issue without saying it. But I will. What in the heck do all those associate AD's, special assistants, academic counselors, etc. do on The Hill? They are drawing an annual salary from the UTAD and I have to assume they are getting state benefits and retirement, although I could be wrong about the last part.
This has been a joke for years. Open the media guide and look at all the "phat" in the AD up there. There is no excuse for ANY kid in the athletic program up there not being steered to at least follow the NCAA academic rules. And with all the tutorship, etc. that is at their disposal there is really no excuse to have a failing grade in any course. If I would have had people around to babysit and cater to me like that in college then I would have had a 4.0.
The UTAD is a joke. But probably not so much more of one that most AD's around the country. But I swear that I have been to at least 3 games where either Haywood Harris, Gus Manning, or both retired at halftime. Yet, at last check both were still on the payroll. It's all about the good ole boy network and protecting the establishment. Winning is just an added bonus.
GerryOP writes:
Ashley @ 11:37 - And your point is? But, then again, we all know that many of your posts have no point. Sir, you have a good day.
wballer @ 11:13 - Just a small misunderstanding on your part. UT did not finish in the bottom 3 of the APR, WE FINISHED TIED FOR DEAD-FREAKIN'-LAST! By a large margin! And, I in no way meant to imply that one could not get a good education at UT. Many of us have. I just get tired of the UTAD promoting the vaunted Thornton Center as the answer to all of a student athletes education problems. Thornton is clearly not getting the job done. To repeat, we finished tied for dead-freaking-last in the APR rankings.
Second point, I advocate that those that keep screaming about the negative impact this board has on recruiting are making two seriously false assumptions. 1)They are underestimating the intelligence of the recruits; and, 2)They are overestimating their own importance to UT athletics. You can be assured that if the negative impact is real, UT would have it shut down in a heartbeat! Both Hamilton and Fulmer would write letters to the KNS overflowing with angst and indignation pleading thier case!
As an OBTW, if a potential recruit takes the inane posts by some of the bozos on this board seriously, we probably don't ... well, you know!
Be well my friend.
FishTacos writes:
I am not saying that Fulmer doesn't recruit local players. He does but he does so during their later years after they have been pursued by other schools since their freshman years. Why do you think guys like Carl Stewart went to Auburn it is because they recruited him early in his high school career. Maybe Carl Steward didn't turn out to be great but Baron Huber who started for Bama last year sure did turn into something since he and his Tiders put up 41 on the Vols last year. LOL. Plus UT didn't beat Aubie while Stewart was there either. Who is laughing now Phil?
http://www.loveliestvillage.org/journ...
If you notice that article says "not long after his high school career began, Auburn won over his heart." Fulmer jumps on these kids late. Rogan was seriously considering Miami before the blimp finally offered him. You know where Phil was when he lost these local kids? He was probably out in Texas eating Cheetos chasing (a slow lumbering chase) around some kid that went to USC where he has a chance to win big games.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
"your". Nice usage Ashley. I thought you were better than that. I guess I was mistaken.
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