DE Lemonier respects Vols' recent stand

Corey Lemonier has seen the Tennessee football program make waves in the state of Florida.

Lemonier, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end from Hialeah (Fla.) High School, took notice when UT signed wide receivers Nu'Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague in February after they had committed to Florida.

That showed Lemonier that UT is ready to challenge the Gators.

"They're telling Florida that they're going to beat them this year," Lemonier said. "They're not a pushover this year."

UT has been a pushover to Florida recently, losing by a combined score of 89-26 the last two seasons.

Lemonier believes UT will have better results under new coach Lane Kiffin.

Lemioner said he was impressed when he read comments earlier this year by Kiffin calling out Florida coach Urban Meyer.

"That was positive," Lemonier said. "That's a good thing. They're not going to back down from a challenge."

Lemonier said he's intrigued by the challenge of playing for UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who joined the Vols after coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense for 13 years.

Lemonier pointed to the success Kiffin had coaching linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive tackle Warren Sapp and cornerback Ronde Barber.

"If he made Sapp and Brooks and Ronde what they are, then the sky's the limit for me," said Lemonier, who's also considering Florida, Florida State, Miami, Illinois and Auburn.

Lemonier said he doesn't have a preference of whether he chooses an in-state school or not.

"It really doesn't matter," he said. "I treat them all the same."

Still, Lemonier hears plenty from Miami fans.

He pointed to a recent trip to a water park in Miami, which is about 20 minutes south of Hialeah.

"When I was going down a slide I turned my head and there were two guys looking at me throwing up the UM sign," Lemonier said. "I get a lot of those."

Lemonier said he plans to visit Florida State on Sept. 7 to watch the Seminoles play Miami.

He said he hasn't decided which schools he will visit officially this fall.

"I want to talk to the coaches more before I start narrowing them down," he said.

Open Recruitment: Cornerback Victor Hampton from Darlington (S.C.) High is no longer committed to Florida, according to ESPN.com.

The report says the 5-9, 170-pound Hampton is likely to consider UT and South Carolina.

Hampton, who visited UT last weekend, told InsideTennessee.com he was impressed with the Vols' staff.

"The Tennessee coaching staff is so outgoing and easy to talk to," he said. "Even the head coach is easy to talk to. They told me how I would fit into their plans and how important I am to what they are trying to build at Tennessee."

Decision Day: Wide receiver Kyle Prater from Proviso West High in Hillside, Ill., said he plans to announce his college decision on Wednesday.

The 6-5, 205-pound Prater visited UT on Aug. 1.

Prater also is considering Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Illinois. USC is thought to be the favorite to land Prater.

He told the News Sentinel after his visit to UT earlier this month the Vols' offense fits his style of play.

"Their offense is fluid," Prater said. "It just moves. It's a great offense that gets receivers the ball, and the offense is a pro-style offense to get you ready for the NFL."

Josh Ward is a freelance contributor.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!