Tennessee running backs coach Stan Drayton has put the Vols in good position with Rodney Smith.
The receiver from Archbishop Carroll High School in Miami said he’s strongly considering UT because of his strong relationship with Drayton.
Smith said he speaks often with Drayton, who visited Smith’s high school Friday.
“He told me they don’t really have a big difference maker at receiver,” Smith said. “He felt like I could be a difference maker early at Tennessee.”
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Smith said early playing time will be a factor in his decision.
Smith said he believes his size will help him contribute immediately in college.
He said his large frame allows him to attack defenses however he wants.
“I feel like I can do everything on the field,” he said. “I can be a big red zone threat. I can take a short pass and take it down the field.”
Smith holds scholarship offers from about 20 schools, including UT, Auburn, Florida State, Ole Miss and Missouri.
He said he has also received strong interest from Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Michigan and Michigan State.
Smith said he’s looking for a school that can prepare him for the NFL.
He said he believes UT’s offense would help him develop into an NFL-caliber receiver.
“They get the ball around a lot,” he said. “That’s real important.
“I feel like I could be an NFL wide receiver. Tennessee could be one of the schools to help me out in getting to the NFL.”
Smith said he will wait to see if he receives more scholarship offers before he finalizes his summer visits.
He already plans to make stops at UT, Florida State, South Florida and Central Florida.
Smith said he will use his summer visits to find the campuses that will make him feel comfortable.
“I want to have a good relationship with the coaches of whichever school I go to,” he said. “You want to be comfortable around the people you’re with and the coaches. I want to go where it feels like a family.”
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Comments » 174
tigervol9802 writes:
What about some D-tackles?
ctownvol writes:
Don't get me wrong...I'll take a really good, big receiver, but I'm with tigervol. How's my ol' buddy TNGEOFF? Anybody heard from him?
invisiblekid writes:
"He already plans to make stops at UT, Florida State, South Florida and Central Florida."
Hmmmm....UT and 3 schools in FL. Call me a negavol and tell me how much I am affecting recruiting but I don't feel real good about our chances with Mr. Smith. Said to be waiting for an offer from Ohio ST and possibly FL. Looks like he would be a good addition but I don't think I'll get my hopes up.
TommyJack writes:
ctownvol: Last we heard from ol' Geoff, he was being hauled off in a straight-jacket.
RJ_Vol writes:
We are "Wide Receiver U." Let's not sell ourselves short. There's a long long of receivers who are playing/have played on Sundays because of their experience at UT...Also, if we can lay an early foundation for an excellent '09 class (even w/ receivers), the DT's will consider us. Sounds like the offensive staff is setting their goals high w/ recruiting. I have no problem w/ that.
murrayvol writes:
TJ: Geoff in a plastic jacket? Say it ain't so.
invisible: I'm afraid you're right although he's a better fit for our offense (I think) than many others.
thesavageorange writes:
No DT's yet, but I really believe we have a great shat at Darrington Sentimore of LA.He always talks about playing time.Her is what he said earlier today.Check who he mentions 1st.
"I have not decided on anything. I like schools like Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, LSU, Miami, Florida, Texas, and Auburn. They have all offered.
"I will do what I have to do in terms of where I decide to go. I want to play early and playing time will be the biggest factor."
There's no better place for PT at DT than UT.This kid is inching his way to 5* status very quickly, and has mentioned the Vols in almost every article I've read.Just trying to keep the kool-aid cold.
vtvol#210290 writes:
I wonder how our current bevy of wide-outs feel about being labled by Drayton as not being "big difference makers?" Maybe it will light a fire under those that are playing for Tennessee now.
lawvol writes:
What is with the comments about DT's every time there is an article about another position? UT can't ignore recruiting good players at every position just because there is a glaring need at DT. Now, an article on why it seems UT is not getting any love lately from DT's would be a good read. But that would be too much to ask from KNS.
thesavageorange writes:
mcbrim1998 ,There are 8 on NFL rosters right now.These are just the ones since 98'.
Cedrick Wilson
Kelley Washington
Donte' Stallworth
Peerless Price
Eric Parker
Robert Meachem
Mark Jones
Chris Hannon
jasvol writes:
"no difference makers" - Hey, the truth hurts. The receivers already here, if they are true 'ballers' will take it as motivation and get better. If they don't then the coaches will find some that can and will... I'll take Drayton's comments anytime. He played for a National Champion. Obviously, they don't let a lack of talent get in the way of hurt feelings. GO VOLS.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
McBrim, your research skills are abysmal. Between your "I meant to do that" misinterpretation of that other article and this wide reciever blunder, why don't you tuck tail in shame and go away?
PaulTheVol writes:
I agree 100% - we don't have any difference makers and that's a problem. Name me one Vol receiver that will demand double coverage (a la Percy Harvin) or even require the safety to stay home and cover over the top. Gerald Jones may become one of those guys but he has to prove it on the field first.
If you want to open up the running game get big, fast receivers who can stretch the field and block effectively at the point of attack and downfield. Then you will be delighted at how much better our running backs look.
Don't get me wrong, I love the chaos that Percy Harvin can create with defenses but if Florida wants to run wide to his side they have to line up an extra blocker over there or pull a lineman. A big receiver means that the defense must freeze a guy to his side to cover for the DB being blocked.
txsvol#372416 writes:
From the highlight films on scout, he won't win any sprint championships, but he has decent speed, and he is VERY good at winning the jump ball on Hail Mary patterns (that seemed to be much of his team's offense), had an interception on defense, and a blocked punt on special teams. If he wants to play for us, sign him up! He might even put on 60# and give us the DT that tigervol and other 'one-note-samba' posters we have on this site want so much. I'm glad that Stan Drayton has this contact, and another with Xavier Rhodes, #38 WR, at Miami Norland. Go Stan! Go Vols! SAVol
thesavageorange writes:
PaulTheVol , We might find out we have some playmakers now that we have a healthy QB.By the 2nd half of games last yr everyone in the stadium knew we weren't going deep.(EA hurt shoulder & broken finger)Agree on strtching the field.I think every Vol fan is in for a surprise w/ Arian this yr.We all know JC isn't shy about putting it up.
txsvol#372416 writes:
FWIW, the UnderArmor/Scout combine for South Florida was held the first Saturday in April, and Rodney was the star. 4.53/40; 6.8 in 4L cone, and 40" vertical and 1'2" broad jumps were outstanding. And, he caught every ball thrown in his direction. Sign him up! Go Vols! SAVol
99gator writes:
i am going to get reemed for this....
but, drayton said "they don’t really have a big difference maker at receiver"....
1. because most coaches say what needs to be said to get a kid to sign on the dotted line.
and
2. because drayton was just at florida. he has seen up close on a day in day out basis what difference making wr's look like.
you may consider that kool-aid talkin. but, i am not sure any of tenn's current receiving corps (with the exception of maybe gerald jones) get any playing time at florida.
VOLS85 writes:
Mcbrim,
stop while you're behind.
regards
IBleedOrange444 writes:
DCflorida-
Agreed. When I saw his size and the list of schools after this guy I thought that he's probably not that fast and he reminded me of a typical FSU reciever. Then I went to Rivals and saw that he runs a 4.7 - 40. He needs to get faster or put on some muscle and play TE. Either way, Rivals still lists him as the 39th best reciever in the class so he must be doing some things well.
Forget about DTs. Have we landed any defensive players at all yet in this class?
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Well, sounds like he got faster according to txsvol.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Funny.
Mc-littlebitty-nuggets
"Just a quick search listed 10 vols W-R's have played in the NFL. That is not a lot".
Suggestion, before making a fool of yourself with "facts", maybe you should try "in depth" research instead of "quick" internet searches.
A "quick" search on my part led me to your mistake.
Was this your link?
http://www.utsports.com/inside-ut/art...
Notice the title of the page dunderhead:
Tennessee's FIRST ROUND NFL Draft Choices
So history places TEN(10) Vol WR's in the NFL thru the FIRST ROUND of the draft alone.
I wish I had the all time roster to show the overall draft picks and the free agents who played on Sundays. LOL, what a joke.
jdcvols#230433 writes:
99gator, your right. Nobody should go after you about your comments.
tndrum#214683 writes:
Why is Gerald Jones not considered a "difference maker" at wide receiver? I'm not being sarcastic; I just thought everyone was really stoked about getting him the ball this year.
Cherokee writes:
mcbrim, UT fans did not give UT the name "Wide Receiver U". That came as a result of a high number (not so much recently) of wideouts sent to the league. We've sent a lot more than 10. Without bothering to look it up or think very long, I can name:
Donte Stallworth, Robert Meachem, Peerless Price, Marcus Nash, Alvin Harper, Carl Pickens, Tim McGee, Larry Seivers, Eric Parker, Stanley Morgan, Willie Gault, Anthony Hancock, Mike Miller, Anthony Miller, etc.
That took all of 30 seconds. I'd bet I haven't named half of the ones just in my lifetime who have gone to the NFL.
TommyJack writes:
I wouldn't get too worked up over Drayton's sales job to the kid. If it offends any of our WR's, let them prove Drayton wrong. Good grief! This is the bigs, folks.
99gator writes:
i don't know what mcbrim was talking about on this one.
penn state got the name linebacker u because the lb's they put in the pro's became hall of fame level players.
miami became qb u because there was a time when being the starting qb at miami meant being a starting qb in the nfl.
and tennessee was wr u because the wr's they put in the league were all productive.
most of the names on the list cherokee provided may not be hall of famers, but they played for 10 years or so and were go-to receivers for their teams.
invisiblekid writes:
Good to see you jdcvols.
99gator, sometimes the truth hurts. The Vols have a serviceable group with Rogers, Briscoe, and Taylor but none are as dynamic as Harvin.
TNDrum, Jones hasn't had much of an opportunity to prove himself. He was injured the first part of last year and showed flashes late in the year. Give him a full year of playing time and he may well be a difference maker. He needs to take care of business off the field as well.
invisiblekid writes:
Vol_in_LSU_Land,
"I wish I had the all time roster to show the overall draft picks and the free agents who played on Sundays."
http://www.utsports.com/uploadedFiles...
There is a LOT of data to go through on that list but Vols In Pro Football is in the media guide every year.
If the link doesn't work, go to UTSports and go to the 2007 media guide. The list starts on page 195.
Colliervol writes:
The WR I really want is the kid at Harding Academy in Memphis. By all accounts, he is a difference maker.
txsvol#372416 writes:
99gator's 4:41 pm post is dead on target. Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore and Ahmad Paige might have the potential to play for the Gators, but that is because they recruit the Percy Harvin-type speed burners. I think that Cut adapted his offense to the talent he had, and I hope that Clawson goes with the best players, even if they are freshmen. Maybe Rod Wilks and these young guys will make 2008 the return of UT as Wide Receiver University. (Eric Berry can play anywhere, and I wouldn't be surprised for the offense to borrow him in certain situations this fall.) Go Vols! SAVol
TommyJack writes:
Kingsport. A-dang-men. Especially on 3rd and 19.
I think (hope) we will see a different look this year...not because we have better people, but because we have an OC that has a set. Free JC!
99gator writes:
collier and txsvol
1. the kid in memphis is marlon brown (i believe) and florida is putting the full court press on him.
2. i know florida recruited ahmad paige.
urban is not opposed to size, but speed comes first. and most of the fast jitterbug types are not over 6 feet tall.
he does like one big target....a la, ingram and new recruit carl moore.
volunteer_cowboy writes:
listen EVERYBODY be positive! This post is on Yahoo sports So all recruits are reading this and they want a positive atmosphere!!!!!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
And some say we have no recruiting woes.
At least Drayton is honest and I bet he's studied the charts.
Free TDTN!
budrhon writes:
Tigervol perhaps the Headline should say, "Chavis seeks help from Drayton for D-line help, but in the mean time Drayton recruits for the Offensive side of the ball". It is interesting of all the recruits we have heard about there is yet any big names on the D line mentioned yet.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
ssssh, budron, 6:04- that is a tender subject with some!
Maybe it'll go away.
ThurmondEppy writes:
Rodney Smith - Come to UT and play for the Big Orange!!! A sure path to PT on Sundays.
Colliervol writes:
99gator, you are correct. That would be Marlon Brown and EVERYBODY is putting the full court press on him.
budrhon writes:
Pdhuff, my bad I'll govern myself accordingly,lol.
murrayvol writes:
mcbrim: Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but your credibility is taking a hit. My brief research foray re: the wr debate yielded 10 #1 picks starting w/Stanley Morgan in 1977.
If I were you, I'd start another conversation.
txsvol#372416 writes:
The only film of Marlon Brown that I could load from scout featured him mostly at cornerback. He can play! Can't get beyond four green bars in trying to load the other three. Get him, too. Bookend wide receivers, with Gerald Jones in the slot? Go Vols! SAVol
murrayvol writes:
tngeoff: No straight jacket. Priceless. Welcome back to the jungle. You've made my day.
andy112382#209793 writes:
This guy and that kid from Memphis would be great, two WRs 6'5"+......
Just curious, though, no difference makers at WR? Gerald Jones ain't too shabby, neither was Lucas Taylor (remember how many yards he racked up!) plus I think guys like Denarious Moore and Hancock can take it up a notch, as well as Paige, we havent even seen him play in a meaningful situation. But we shall see! The more, the merrier!
GO VOLS!!!
99gator writes:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OgvVSKuexLo
here's a link on marlon brown
florida is trying to sell recruits on percy harvin being gone after this year.
GuckingFatorHaternFLA writes:
Mc_Talks_Outta_His_Arse....
Lemme guess, you were just trying to get a response and we're all easy???
Even your fellow gator fans on this site think your takes are pathetic...
Do yourself a favor...stop embarassing your fan base. Take a cue from gator99 and come on here and represent once in a while with a coherent, fact based retort.
Kindest Regards from Wide Receiver U
GuckingFatorHaternFLA writes:
McClueless....
Just for giggles, call momma into the room and have her read this article to you in full...
Perhaps Linebacker U would be a more appropriate nickname???
Little mention of Florida, waaaaay down the list at #7, a full 13 players less than Wide Receiver U/Linebacker U/still your big brother U
"Oh my, oh my, the ref may be stepping in to stop this one!"
GuckingFatorHaternFLA writes:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footba...
RJ_Vol writes:
mcbrim1998. You might not deserve a response here, but this is to set the record straight for all who may visit this site...
This was done in a hurry so apologies in advance for any inconsistencies.
Overall pick in ():
2007 Robert Meachem(27)
2004 Mark Jones(206)
2003 Kelly Washington(65)
2002 Donte Stallwork(13)
2001 Cedrick Wilson(169)
1999 Peerless Price(53)
1998 Marcus Nash(30)
1998 Andy McCullough(204)
1997 Joey Kent(46)
1996 Nilo Sylvan(180)
1995 Billy Williams(212)
1994 Cory Flemming(87)
1992 Carl Pickents(31)
1991 Alvin Harper(12)
1991 Anthony Morgan(134)
1991 Vince Moore(279)
1990 Thomas Woods(205)
1988 Anthony Miller(15)
1987 Joey Clinkscales(233)
1986 Tim McGee(21)
1986 Eric Swanson(170)
1984 Clyde Duncan(11)
1984 Lenny Taylor(313)
1983 Willie Gault(18)
1983 Daryl Wilson(47)
1983 Mike Miller(104)
1982 Anthony Hancock(11)
1979 Jeff Moore(58)
1977 Stanley Morgan(25)
1977 Larry Seivers(111)
1971 Lester McClain(220)
1969 Richmond Flowers(49)
Total: 32 Drafted Players...Not counting Jason Witten who was a Tight End, but was THE receiver for a while.
If you play receiver well at UT, you will play in the pros.
As for the "Wide Receiver U." quote, it's been widely used. Here is a recent link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?s...
GuckingFatorHaternFLA writes:
McMathmatician....
Here is basic arithmatic...32 players total listed, of those 8 are listed at 200 or higher...
Using these numbers, we take 8 and divide by 32, coming up with 25% which is less than the required 50.01% required to comprise "most" of the 32 names.
Kindest yada yada
RJ_Vol writes:
mcbrim1998 It is obvious that your goal here is to spread misinformation to those who would consider playing at The University of Tennessee. Usually, I consider your posts to be in jest or just to "stir the pot", but I'm not sure of your angle here. Additionally, I do find it interesting you do not refer to the ESPN article at all. You have been given many references to your question of how UT achieved this name. I went with an obvious source. I mean ESPN is the "premier reference" source for all sports and written at a grade level I feel you would understand best.
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