A regular-season loss turned into a recruiting victory for Tennessee.
The Vols picked up a commitment from sophomore tight end/defensive end Eric MacLain from Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, N.C., on Wednesday.
MacLain, 15, is already 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. He won’t turn 16 until March.
MacLain is UT’s first commitment for the 2011 class. The Vols don’t have a commitment for the 2010 class. UT has 16 pledges for 2009.
The commitment was based off a trip the MacLain family took to see UT play Florida on Sept. 20, a game the Vols lost 30-6.
Lifelong UT fans, it wasn’t the game that stood out to the MacLains; it was coach Phillip Fulmer’s response when he visited with several UT prospects and their families afterwards.
“After the game Coach Fulmer came into the room with his head held high and was talking about ‘This isn’t the Tennessee Volunteers that you saw today.’ ” MacLain said.
Eric MacLain’s father, Michael MacLain, agreed.
“After the debacle of the Florida game, Coach Fulmer came in and talked to the people there,” Michael MacLain said. “The passion in his voice is what you’re looking for.”
The MacLains also were impressed with UT’s players following the loss.
“There was no finger pointing,” Eric MacLain said. “They took the loss like a man.”
The MacLain family, who lived in Powell for nine years and have several family ties to Knoxville, knew they wanted their son to go to UT following the Florida visit.
“I don’t want them (other schools) to be misled,” Michael MacLain said. “Let’s make this official.”
UT’s engineering program also factored into the decision. Eric MacLain selected Jack Britt in order to take part in a special engineering program. He has a 4.36 grade point average.
The Vols made MacLain his first offer. It won’t likely be his last, especially since MacLain can’t sign with UT until February 2011.
“I’ll listen to what they have to say,” MacLain said of other schools, “and I’ll tell them ‘No thank you. I’m committed to the University of Tennessee and that’s where my heart tells me to go.’ ”
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 74
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Too bad he won't be playing for Coach Foolmore.
jhayes1911 writes:
Good thing we have one of the top engineering programs in the nation...or else its off to another school for him. He also probably saw the "potential" of starting over the guys we currently have. I just noticed that this is three years away from now...maybe he factored in that we will have a new coach...LOL!
AVolFan writes:
Wow. If they lose 8 more they could recruit an entire defense.
Go4Two writes:
Once again coach is a class act. Kids like playing for him but more importantly so do their Mom and Dad's
Striker writes:
Welcome to Tennessee Eric! Despite the Coaching situation you have picked well. Your a real man, one not scared by passionate fans, rather a rich tradition and passionate fans!
GreerVol22 writes:
I fell so much better about that loss now. Don't you?
GerryOP writes:
Oh yes, much better.
yeavols#228407 writes:
I am still waiting when we are going to have a coaching commitment. My mind is abuzz. It won't be this year, we are too broke to buy another coach..probably after next year when we still don't go to the SEC champ or a BCS bowl game. Geesh another season yet to go after this one.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Defensive end? Sophmore? We need a QB now. Too bad you cant sign a free agent in college football!
letshave1more writes:
He is a Sophmore.............
VolGraduate writes:
I don't think most of you understand that "Foolmer" and staff get these recruits to come to UT. UTs prestige, facilities and academics are secondary
BleedOrangeForever writes:
He is very young to make such a big decision. Certainly hope he keeps his word.
mdvol writes:
Eric.....get your mama to load up on the mashed potatoes and gravy. Eat you a bunch of pizza and Big Mac's because we need you to be about 300 when you get here so you can play DT.
HamptonsVol writes:
Lets hire Kiffin. He wanted to coach at Arkansas but they hired that piece of $$it Petrino instead. TN is a way better job than AK.
TommyJack writes:
Welcome, son. Better days ahead. Right Mikey?
tennecwingrider writes:
Finally, some good news for a change. Glad to hear Fulmer was able to to make a positive out of a huge negative. Guess the bad news is he will have to do that a lot more this year.
SemperVol writes:
Probably highly unlikely, but what about Bill Cowher?
That 'stache would look mean in orange.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Welcome to the Vol family Eric. Good to have you aboard.
Looks like a very smart young man and BIG for a Sophmore. He may end up at DT before he gets to campus.
tnvol737 writes:
Anyone heard anything about how the QB competition is shaking up? How is Stephens doing? Sure hope he gets to start....
chrisw2967 writes:
oh, this kid is just a sohpomore he still has 2 years left to change his mind.
just hope he keeps his word
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Perfect Storm in 2005 we started 3-1....this year aka Perfect Storm II we are 1-3. Hey FOOLMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMGDAO!!!!!!!!
HamptonsVol writes:
Even better. We wouldn't keep either one of them for long though. Someone would steal them away.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
What the heck is ROTFLMGDAO?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
FIRE FOOLMORE
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Looks like my negative comments are affecting recruits yet again!!!!!! I guess my voice is being heard. Can you hear me now Jim Haslam? Oh, and I thought Clawson was going to have "total control" of the offense. At least that's what the morons like little man sjt claimed all summer. ROTFLMGAO!!!!!!!!!!!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Foolmore hired Clawson, Saban hired McElwain.....OOOOPPPSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VolFanNGA writes:
They will try anything to make Fat Phil look good. A sophomore in High School? Come on Now!
TommyJack writes:
The kid was promised, that in 6yrs when he's a college senior, he can get PT. It's Phixable's tried and true method.
CheckerboardPhilosopher writes:
Spurrier coming home?
http://3rdsaturdayinblogtober.wordpre...
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Why are all of these kids committing early? It never ever used to be this way?
TommyJack writes:
No Spurrier. No Kiffin. Stand up Chuck.
GerryOP writes:
A Sophmore, right? He has played one year of high school ball, right? And Fulmer already knows that he has UT/SEC capabilities? How is that possible?
GerryOP writes:
Hope I live long enough to see this kid play.
maholt49#632667 writes:
Doesn't he realize that none of the current coaching staff will be here when he arrives?!!!
byobbio writes:
Wonder if the chinese can help get him eligible now?
kevin151 writes:
Fulmer cant keep talent in state and is another reason he needs to go. I see players from TN makiing impacts all over for other schools. This is unacceptable!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
gavolfan writes:
Welcome to UT FOOTBALL!! It will be a pleasure to watch you play. GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!
zqvol writes:
I have no idea whether this kid will be worth anything by the time he gets here, but in spite of what the fools on here like to preach this commitment is based solely on the class act that is the UT staff. Say what you want but this staff consistently wins more games than it should and doesn't get the school put on probation. If CPF goes anywhere it will be up to special assistant to the AD or something of that nature, he is not going to leave so get over yourselves.
b.skelton#207404 writes:
GT is an excellent engineering school, although some would argue some of their graduates are not as well prepared to work in the "real" world. While TTU has a good engineering program, I would place UT's more in line with Auburn and VT, both very good programs. The Honors Program this recruit is talking about is extremely competitive to get into at UT, but it sounds like he will be in a position to do such.
madisonvillevol writes:
a soph. commitment. get outta here. we have a kid in vonore who is ready to commit-hes in the 6th grade. how about it spanky?
GoVol writes:
He'll change his mind once Fulmer is fired....which will not be soon enough for me!
airvols#371403 writes:
Well he's from NC, Maybe he could bring Butch Davis with him to coach.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Rolling On The Floor Laughing My G__ D___ A__ Off. Glad I could help.
givehim6 writes:
2011? Great to have you Eric, lest you've got a bit of time to think it over. Be glad to have you.
ONUV writes:
who else was recruiting him?
pammyvol1000 writes:
Thank you.. I often wondered myself what that meant.
BSweet writes:
First, I agree with those pointing out he's a sophmore so you have to take into account plenty can change in the next two years. Second, for those pointing out how it's Fulmer who gets these kids to commit, I won't argue that point. But on that note, what has he done with all the talent he's brought to Tennessee? And please, don't bring up what he did ten years ago. This team has been on the decline for the past several years. While I have great respect for Coach Fulmer, the game has passed him by. The best situation we could hope for, Fulmer renegotiates his contract and accepts a position in the athletic department, stepping aside to make room for a new coach. Of course, it won't happen because the one thing greater than Fulmer's love for the Vols is his pride. He cannot admit it's time to go. It's like any great sports figure who tries to hold on past his prime. There comes a point you have to let go.
yeavols#228407 writes:
BSWEET..you are so on target. The ideal situation is to step down, stay at UT, hold a position where all fans can enjoy the good memories..all coaches run their course, but Fulmer just doeesn't see it. It looks like we may have to have another sheriff to run someone out of town. Of course, I am no sure it can happen either.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I wish we could commit to fielding a competitive SEC football team.
bluetick writes:
"ROTFLMGDAO!!!!!!!!"
That was soooo funny..NOT! And you're not rolling on the floor laughing your @ss off, and neither is anybody else. So enough of the childish L E T T E R S dork.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.