Tennessee is waiting to see how much interest Aldrick Fordham receives from South Carolina.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Fordham, a defensive end from Timberland High School in St. Stephen, S.C., received his only scholarship offer from UT last week.
Whether Fordham accepts the Vols’ invitation may hinge on his trip to South Carolina on June 9.
Fordham said he spoke to South Carolina receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. on Wednesday night to arrange next month’s visit to Columbia.
Fordham said Spurrier Jr. told him there’s a good chance Fordham will receive an offer during his trip to South Carolina.
“He told me that if I come up there and everything goes well I’ll be leaving there with an offer,” Fordham said.
Fordham, who’s grown up a South Carolina fan, admitted it would be difficult to turn down the Gamecocks if he receives an offer.
“If I come out with an offer I’ll probably commit to them,” he said. “If not, I’ll be committing to Tennessee.”
UT is hoping for the latter.
Fordham said defensive tackles coach Dan Brooks has told him about defensive linemen who turned down South Carolina to succeed at UT, such as Darwin Walker, Shaun Ellis and Albert Haynesworth.
Fordham said Brooks believes he could have similar results.
“He said I remind him of those players,” Fordham said. “He was talking about me working hard and I’d be able to come and play for them.”
Fordham said he plans to call Brooks to schedule a visit to UT next month.
Fordham said he’s unfamiliar with UT’s program, but he is aware of the Vols’ past success.
“I know they’re a school that’s always playing in either the SEC championship game or a bowl game,” he said.
Fordham said he’s also received interest from Alabama, Kentucky and Clemson.
He said he’s scheduled to visit Kentucky on June 21.
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Comments » 96
allvolinatlanta writes:
Great, now we are playing second fiddle to the Gamecocks.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
His only offer is from UT and Spurrier "might" want him!!
Dang.
volroadwarrior writes:
Some people would be negative if given a million $s.
govols96 writes:
It is hard to believe this kid isn't more excited about UT. We used to get anyone we wanted out of SC.
T0MMYJACK writes:
Some of you folks are unbelievable. Second fiddle to the Gamecocks?!
You're like those goats that faint if they hear a noise. What a twink.
Musicman74 writes:
They need to go after players from James F. Byrens high school in Duncan, SC. That program has some of the best players around. They have players playing in the SEC now. When your team wins 5 state championships in 6 years, and play on National TV the last two years you should take notice of there program.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
so, sj18, 35th last year means they're doing a spectacular job.
No it means they're taking almost anyone who will listen. Thank you for now telling people when they can and what they should post. I guess I misread where it is his ONLY offer. I guess Clemson and others just totally missed him. Note-see above where someone said he appears on NO SCOUTING reports!!!
Still on the night shift, I see.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
So Phil is good enuf to determine that this kid is the real deal and ALL the other Southern schools have wrongly misjudged him.
Amazin'! Great insight.
Predictable!! I'll give you predictable. That you are a Fulmerite to the bone moreso than a Vol fan or you wouldn't ignore all the warning signs for the last NINE years. Just an impression from your posts. Its certainly your right.
We'll see. How many days, Ashley?
BigOrangeJeff writes:
sjt18, you're dead on. You can count on the haters to ridicule any move by Coach Fulmer, even if they have to contradict themselves to do it. It appears as though this is they only way they get any validation in their so-called "lives", and they need to tear down the Coach in order to feel better about themselves.
I imagine these were the same people on the sports talk shows that complained about how we didn't deserve the 1998 NC because we got lucky and backed into the game.
I just wish they'd find another team.
BOJ
99gator writes:
can't believe with henderson and haynesworth hanging around the nfl and the legend of reggie white....that tenn is struggling to recruit defensive lineman.
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&...
spin it how you want to....but, pd has a point on this one. this kid's name should be "who dat". hope he can at least get in school.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
I see your point, 99gator, but for every can't miss 5-star player that busts, there's one of these guys that comes out of nowhere. Given their track records, I'll trust the talent evaluation the Vol coaches over these idiots every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
BOJ
Cherokee writes:
stj18, great comments about how some have such an agenda that they will find a way to spin anything as a negative. pdhuff and some others are reading this story and finding the most negative way to interpret it.
volroadwarrior writes:
sjt18----Let's face it. Some people are negative regardless of what Fulmer does. Their 1st priority is getting him fired. We won the East--they want him fired. If we win the SEC--they will want him fired. If we win the NC--they will want him fired. Down deep they don't want us to win just so Fulmer will be fired. Maybe they hope some unknown HC will lead us to the promised land after Fulmer is fired.
Maybe he should have been fired leading up to and after 2005, but history shows he and his staff knows talent. Firing Fulmer could be the panacea to get us back on top, but I am not convinced that it is the solution.
Cherokee writes:
good comments volroadwarrior. I agree that the program definitely slipped, and I think we still have a ways to go to get back to where we are consistently competing at a high level, but I also see improvement and think it's enough to warrant more time. But I will say this: for the amount of money we are paying (yes, I know many coaches make this kind of money now), we ought to expect an SEC title pretty soon. Ten years is a pretty long drought, and I doubt it changes this year.
Volalumnus writes:
Yeah.
***** sarcasm on *****
That right we don't even need any new defensive linemen because the ones we have, have been doing such a great job.
I bet we have to talk them all out of leaving early for those first round picks too.
***** sacasm off *****
Come on guys, puts some ice on it.
The guy could be great, but when Fulmer -was- creating the record that many use now to defend any and all actions, this isn't the type of recruiting Fulmer was doing. He was getting top talent from states close and far.
I bet you guys weren't saying -boy Fulmer needs to start recruiting fewer star players.
BTW . My opinion is that TN was worse last year than in 2005.
That was a decent team with no offense (really just recieving), was in every game and seem to just find a way to loose. Last year we only had one solid game and that wasn't GA it was Ark. GA we just build a lead they didn't overcome in the second half.
Also in regards to TN getting better late in the season. Flip the schedule and finish it that was then I will believe that one too.
Problem with many on defending any and all is that there is no way to address problems if you refuse to admit there are any.
TommyJack writes:
volalumnus: Exactly
Roadwarrior, BOJ: Who are the haters? You guys ACCEPTING mediocrity without a whimper are the bane of our program...not the so called haters.
Sjt18: is, well, just sjt18...sleep deprived and likes to argue with road signs.
Warmest,
GerryOP writes:
sjt18 @ 6:01 AM: "... or most importantly that he should win a championship within the next two years or be pushed out..."
What kind of championship? SEC or BCS? Just curious.
To continue on the path of recovery from 2005, and it is debatable that he should have been given that opportunity, Coach Fulmer must win a SEC title this year ... or ... take the gold watch, corner office, appreciation plaque promotion as his next career move.
If we make it through September...
richvol writes:
Let's see what kind of senior year the kid has...sometimes the school that recruits and offers early turns out to be the one he picks.
Volalumnus is right about Tennessee being in on virtually every big recruit in the nineties. I believe that getting Peyton Manning to committ had everything in the world to do with that though. Players look to see where others are going and tend to want to play together to enhance their chances for a NC. When Peyton signed the dominos started falling our way...and it helped for years.
Brama writes:
This recruit does not sound too smart!
bobbarbilly writes:
Fordham 6 Gamecocks 0
TommyJack writes:
sjt18, 6:01a : "There are no warning signs for the last NINE years".
With respect, sjt, your head is getting deeper into the loam.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Didn't mean to put sjt18 on the ceiling. I still like my idea from last year to hire him as PR director for the Vols, at least for Phil.
He'd do a good job....
Think I'll have a fritter.
GerryOP writes:
pdhuff, personal PR Manager for Coach Fulmer might be a better fit.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
TJ,
The haters are those that find anything and everything to complain about regarding Coach Fulmer. They'll even use an article about tennis as a jumping off point to bash Coach Fulmer.
The haters are those that ridicule each and every move by Coach Fulmer. SJT18 was right. He's damned if he does, and he's damned if he doesn't.
The haters are those that suggest that any who defend Coach Fulmer are accepting mediocrity. Some of us just don't want to turn into 'Bama, with five times more coaches than championships over the last 15 years.
Every program has ups and downs. According to you and the other haters, any downturn deserves swift and ruthless action, and the head coach should be thrown under the bus. General Neyland once went nine consecutive seasons without a conference championship. He also had back-to-back .500 seasons. I guess they should have fired him, since he obviously couldn't coach.
You guys are ridiculous.
cmoore7 writes:
Volalumnus: Don't totally trash the Georgia win to the get a lead/sit on it theory. We continued to put Stafford on his butt late into the second half. Knowshon went absolutely knowwhere. The only players who showed up for them(T. Chandler,D. Goodman) didn't show up until a lot of the two deeps were in.
TommyJack writes:
BOJ: Well thanks for clearing that up. Pay more, accept less. Stay the course. I get it.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Love him or hate him, Fulmer still holds the highest winning percentage of all active coaches with at least 10 years experience. We can run him out of town and take our chances with the next flavor of the month coach, but that may prove to be a very bad idea.
TommyJack writes:
sjt18: That was beneath you.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
OK, TJ. Let's hear your top three choices to replace Fulmer. And before you answer, Pete Carroll, Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer, Bill Parcells, and Jon Gruden are not coming to Knoxville.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Preach on sjt...
SJT makes a valid point that I've also been made on here. CPF is the coach for 2008 and longer as determined by the UT Athletic Board and Hamilton. That's the raw fact, like it or not. Continuous whining and fantasizing about firing him is unproductive and may be even counter productive depending on how much recruits follow and are influenced by this forum...honest answer is no one knows.
If life is just too damned painful for some of you under CPF...than by all means save your money and your time and do something else until he's gone. We're supposed to be fans of the Big Orange of which CPF is a component but the program is bigger than CPF. As a fan it's fine to drink some orange cool-aid and wear orange colored glasses...lighten up and have some fun.
Bad is what Bama has been going through the past 10+ years, what Georgia went through between Dooley and Richt, what Oklahoma went through after Switzer and what USC went through before Carroll. We experienced one bad season in 2005 and hope we don't have any more. We just haven't enjoyed the success we think the program should enjoy and is capable of enjoying. Here's to changing that in 2008 and 2009 and beyond.
Gulp...that orange cool-aid is delicious!
GerryOP writes:
sjt & BOJ, methinks you overstate your case about criticizers. In a forum like this, one would generally expect to see the more outspoken folks -- for and agin'. Likewise, when an outspoken position is challenged you should expect outspoken folks to defend their position. I find some of the "blind followers" to be just as obnoxious as you find some of the dissenters to be!
Besides, what would you guys have to write about if everyone agreed on all issues? Won't launch into to an America/freedom of speech/right to dissent discussion. But, debate of differing opinions is one purpose of these kinds of forums.
I seriously doubt that anything said here means anything to anybody, except the egos of the posters. If the negative views posted here had a negative effect on anything going on in the UT Athletic Dept., the UTAD would shut it down in a heartbeat. Folks claiming that negative posts hurt UTAD efforts is tantamount to the same folks claiming that their positive posts affect UTAD decisions. I doubt it.
Be well ya'all and have a great weekend!
BigOrangeJeff writes:
GOP, I'm not saying the haters aren't entitled to their opinions. The problem is that they rarely, if ever, defend their positions - even when asked. They just scream louder.
Actually, a debate on the issues would be great. Intelligent dialogue about the state of the program is needed and would be welcomed. On the other hand, infantile and mindless posts screaming the same things over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again get old after a while. "Foolmer" got old about eight years ago.
You have a good weekend, too, but above all, GO VOLS!!!!!!!
TommyJack writes:
BOJ: I haven't called for his head. Why? Because it ain't gonna happen. I WOULD encourage him to get off his duff and go to work again. He let things slide with Sanders...then hired the most OVERRATED OC in football to run things. Cutcliff's last year with Ainge should have been an embarrassment to TN fans.
Furthermore...his good ol' boy system is still in place with the laziest DC in the SEC..man won't even get of his fat arse and recruit.
Sooooo, we are agreed that CPF will be here till the cows come home...Let's agree that he should demand performance out of himself and his staff.
I'm hoping Coach Claw is a start...now CPF needs to do the same thing on the other side of the ball.
thesavageorange writes:
Honestly I think Brooks/CPF are looking at some guys that have the type of frame to put on weight and move to DT.It's being said CPF isn't real high on this yr's DT crop.Looking at it myself, it isn't very deep.Atleast not yet.There are guys who will emerge as the season begins.
Example:Deonte Cruse 6'2", 275lb OT/DT and teammate of Montori Hughes.He went to the Nike camp in Ohio, and took home the overall MVP out of about 400 kids.
The point?He has 0 offers at this point.
99gator writes:
sjt18
good to see you out in the daytime.
i, too, share tommyjack's criticism of david cutcliffe. there are two david cutcliffe's. one, with a manning at qb. the other without a manning a qb.
the one that does not have a manning a qb, did not impress me. i know of no one who went into a game thinking, uh oh, they've got cutcliffe. we're in trouble. i'm sure he will be a staggering success at duke.
thesavageorange writes:
By the way that included atleast 4, 4* O/D-linemen that hold atleast 36 offers beetween them.Not only did he beat out the linemen , but all the other * guys as well.
I wish I could argue w/ TJ but I can't.
99, there is also 2 other Cut's.The 1st half and 2nd half.
TommyJack writes:
99: Cut should have twin bobble-head Mannings on the dash of his Dook staff car.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Cut did his job of stabilizing the O. Other than that I'm excited about seeing what the new OC brings to the table.
GerryOP writes:
BOJ, the simple fact that you use the term "haters" to describe dissenters kind of implies your lack of openness to discussion! And, your post of 11:26 a.m. reinforces that opinion. Do you know for a fact that none of those folks are coming to Knoxville? I don't know that. Additionally, your question is simple baiting. Is there ANYONE you would agree is an acceptable replacement for Coach Fulmer?
Agreed, there are some posters on here who are arrogant in discussing Coach Fulmer, both pro and con. And I agree that name calling is inappropriate and disrespectful. But simply classifying all dissenters as haters, challenging us with baiting questions, and saying that everyone who is not a blind follower of Coach Fulmer should stay away is irrational.
sjt, I suggest that posters attacking fellow posters and labeling them as haters or worse probably leaves a worst taste in visiting readers mouths than any legitimate dissent about Coach Fulmer does! Likewise, I would venture to guess that seeing some of our displays of ineptness on the field last year has more impact on potential recruits and parents than anything said on here!
Some folks on here take all of this far too seriously. However, as long as you take it so seriously, I am sure that you will find someone who is willing to argue!
Be well...
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
GerryOP.
One comment about recruiting.
Lets play Devil's Advocate for just a moment. Let's look at this internet forum (and probably others as well) in black and white terms.
One one hand, negativity HURTS the program...
On the other hand, negativity HELPS the program.
Those are the two polar presumptions that might be made. I'll concede that, honestly, I agree that it probably does neither in 99% of the cases.
But to evaluate: Negativity HELPS the program. Maybe in the long run if we get a new coach...But I've seen it expressed here that some think that disgruntled fans have lit the fire under Fulmer in the past. That when he has defended his honor his teams have played up. Do you believe this? If so, you admit fan forums have some kind of power or influence. Or maybe you think call-in shows do?
Evaluate: Negativity HURTS the program. The case is made that young recruits and current players read this forum. Some of them feel alienated by fans and their loyalty is damaged. Young recruits who have little knowledge of Tennessee football tradition/fans read this site (especially articles concerning them specifically) and they run.
OK, I will say this with zero doubt. Tennessee (the state) is perceived as racist by many outside the state. When an athlete who Googles an article about himself reads "thug" comments from posters, I don't think it is unreasonable that his racism fears may be fed. We DO potential damage AT LEAST in that regard.
Perhaps the "bickering" over Fulmer isn't enuf, but personal slandering of players is, IMHO. This is a recruit article and we've already seen "WHO"? comments. He may be better than we know. I bet he read this. I know my ego would have me reading internet articles if I was a HS kid.
Anyway...I admit, 99% of the time we have no affect. But 1% of the time, I suspect we do. And if me, you, and the rest of us have 1% power to hurt the program, is that a 1% chance you want to take? I say gripe all you want on game day when FL or BAMA lay 59 on us or whatever. I say toast Fulmer when he's screwing up. But during the offseason we should ATTEMPT to see as much positive as humanly possible.
GoVol writes:
If his heart isn't at TN, then please go to SC where defense is 2nd fiddle to offense. If he makes a decision based on emotion, he'll go to SC. If he actually used his head and thinks about it, he'd choose UT.
TommyJack writes:
GerryOP: On the money.
Vol_in_lsu: You said a lot, to say so little. With all due respect.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
TommyJack "with all due respect"
You do not respect me, nor I you.
I did, however...until you started criticizing the length of my posts. I suggest when you see my name, just skip over them from here on out.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
In other words, eff you.
AlpharettaVol writes:
It gets very tiresome to have to wade through all the posts that say Fulmer can do nothing right or that Fulmer can do nothing wrong. I think most of us would believe that the coaching staff, just like everyone else, gets it right some time and gets it wrong other times.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Hopefully Fordham will come to UT. Otherwise, maybe he should go to Fordham.
invisiblekid writes:
"Some folks on here take all of this far too seriously. However, as long as you take it so seriously, I am sure that you will find someone who is willing to argue!"
A BIG AMEN to that comment GP.
As far as Fordham goes, we ARE playing second fiddle to SC in his recruiting, at least according to his statement:
“If I come out with an offer I’ll probably commit to them,” he said. “If not, I’ll be committing to Tennessee.”
invisiblekid writes:
Good insight on those posts, 12:14 and 12:55 Savage Orange. I have voiced concerns in the past over those Nike camps and the potential effect they could have on recruiting. It seems logical that the host schools get some advantage in having 400 or so kids on their campus. I know UT hosts their own camps as well, but have wondered if they get the same caliber of player across the board.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Its just though slogging thru the doldrums.
Even Ashley is falling down on his assignment.
Wonder if ol' Norm Chow is sitting on his patio with 6 yellow tablets scripting plays. In between picking up his drink with the umbrella.
He won't know how to act with a qb who will actually run the called plays.
TommyJack writes:
vol_in_lsu: nice
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