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Sounding like an Army recruit who survived boot camp, Bryce Brown is ready to move on to his next assignment.
Tennessee's freshmen were allowed to speak to the media Saturday for the first time in three weeks. Brown, the nation's top running back recruit is, above all, grateful that game week starts Monday.
"Right now,'' he said, "I think I'm speaking for everybody on the team. Everybody is worn out, beat down.
"This is going to be a crucial week for getting our bodies back. Everybody wants to be fresh, to be 100 percent coming into the game.''
The Vols launch the Lane Kiffin Era on Saturday against Western Kentucky.
A dress-rehearsal scrimmage with limited contact was the final exercise of preseason camp. And what a camp it was. The hitting began even before the pads went on.
"I've been hit more in camp than in my whole high school career,'' Brown said, "my career since I've been playing football, actually.''
But he made it through in one piece. Brown, in fact, gained momentum the longer camp went on. He goes into game week bracketed with senior Montario Hardesty as the starter at tailback.
"He's fit in good,'' said Hardesty. "He was already physical. He's got a good build for a freshman.
"After he got into camp he picked it up and started to go with the flow.''
At 6-foot, 215 pounds, Brown is the total package: physicality, speed, vision. The knocks he took on the practice field were nothing compared to one he almost took from the NCAA.
He labored through camp with the specter of an NCAA suspension hanging over his head, due to an investigation into his relationship with free-lance high-school trainer Brian Butler.
On Wednesday he got the good news that UT had successfully appealed the sanctions. He won't miss a game nor repay any money.
"It was something I really couldn't control,'' Brown said. "The coaches told me not to worry about it. Let God handle it.
"We all know the result.''
God and Brad Bertrani. Brown acknowledged that UT's compliance officer was critical in hacking through the red tape.
"Obviously, I was relieved,'' Brown said. "But everything that went on back in high school, in my recruiting process, nothing was done wrong or illegal.
"I really didn't think they (the NCAA) could do anything about it. I had my coaches behind me 100 percent, and Brad Bertrani. They told me not to worry, that they'd take care of it and that's what they did.''
The head coach sounded as relieved as his prize recruit.
"Besides the distractions -that would be hard on a senior, let alone a freshman - he's prepared extremely well,'' Kiffin said.
Brown has an impressive skill set. He can run with power between the tackles. He can get on the edge with his speed and that, in fact, is his bread and butter.
"It was toss left, toss right to Bryce in high school,'' he said. "I'm still getting used to the zone stuff between the tackles. Screens and sweeps, I feel a lot more comfortable.''
The screen won't be the only way to get the ball in Brown's hands on the edge. He is adept catching a variety of passes.
"That's something I've always worked on,'' he said. "I actually worked on that more than I did running back stuff.''
Brown is accustomed to the spotlight. It's impossible to avoid when you're the No. 1-ranked running back recruit in the nation.
Still, he is wise enough to know you go farther as a team than as a lone wolf.
"This is a coaching staff in their first year,'' he said, "and it's our first year being with them. So that's the most important thing, getting into the system, trying to learn it better.
"So I don't think anybody was worried about Rivals' rankings or any other rankings.''
That goes for how UT's four running backs - Hardesty, Brown, David Oku and Taurne Poole - are ranked on the depth chart.
"It's beautiful,'' he said. "We're all brothers.
"I understand that it's competition but in the end we're all looking to make it to the same place. And the only way we can do that is to help each other out.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 41
panties4tebow writes:
Hang in there Bryce.....GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!
thevoice writes:
This kid is very likable. Best wishes this year.
scooter61 writes:
Best to you man...please learn the lesson today without having to be punished. Everything by the letter because people will pursue you for thier own gain.
CT_VOL writes:
Feel bad for Poole. He is the odd man out on the depth chart but his spring and pre-season performance suggests that he should not be.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Seems like a great young man, and when it all boils down to it, that's what really matters. Football is just football at the end of the day. There are alot of big heads in sports; it doesn't look like Brown is one of those.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Yeah..what's the deal there? It seems Kiff wants to see the talent he picked up rather than a proven performer in Poole. I hope he gets a shot.
VolsR4real writes:
Where's all the posters that were bad mouthing Brown when the news first broke? This guy is gonna be great. GO VOLS!
beatlecakes writes:
"What can Brown do for you?" Question answered!
chad_t31 writes:
Brown seems to be very well-spoken. Before the bashers come at me, I'm not saying that because of his race. He seems to be very mature at a young age. Saying the right things goes right up there with doing the right things. Despite all that he has been through and the task he has of upholding his top RB status of this year's class, he sounds like he is ready to roll. A stud in the making. Hey guys, it's time!!
Pdiddy10 writes:
we need to sign another number one running back. then we would have the best backfield in the nation. spread the word!
DennisVols writes:
Brown is the kind of running back that will get better as the game goes on. Punishing you for 5, 6 yards at a time until all of a sudden he is gone. Running past everybody into the endzone. Reminds you of a Bo Jackson type. You may contain him for a bit , but he will get you in the end.
This kid has already overcome many challenges since he arrived at UT and I believe it will make him stronger.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
Down_The_Field writes:
"....crompton brings the offense to the line with the ball at the tennessee 45....split right and left.......with brown in "I" formation.......here's the snap.....pitch left to brown..... stutter step to the outside and then cuts up the middle....breaks tackle at the 50.....he's got the first down and more......spin move on the safety...what a move tim priest.... he has one man to beat......35......30.....25.......20........15.........10.........5.. and into the checker board......touchdown bryce brown....touchdown TENN-A-SEEEEEE!!!!!!...<fire works>"
Need_2_Know writes:
"Taurne Poole"? This a new guy, or what? Tauren have a twin we didn't know about?
KNS, please edit...
micbrooks#212023 writes:
I have to admit that when I first started hearing about this kid I thought he might be another "thug", what with all the talk aobut his "manager", just coming out of hight school. Now I have a whole different impression, after hearing about his GPA and how he has handled himself with all the adversity. No wonder the coaches wanted him so bad. I think now, that if he can avoid serious injury, he may be another Manning type player. Having said that, I hope the coaches wont try to get too much out of him too quick.
Whiskey_Wizard writes:
He ain't stepped on the field in a true game. I'm behind Mr. Hardesty until i see BB Run. Go Vols and let the best back carry us to a winning season whether it be BB, OKU, or Hardesty. Heck, run em all. MOB (Montario, Oku, Brown)..........anyone got any Jack Daniels?
SLOBBER_knocker_U writes:
I think you've already found it cuz!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just get him some running lanes.
We'll know soon.
V0LUNT33R writes:
*goose bumps*
But I doubt BB will have to put any spin moves on any safeties. By the time he gets to the safety, he's already lit the afterburners. Don't think freshman running backs can win championships? Look at GA with Herschel...
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Two words... and let it be so... Chuck. Webb.
teampenny#658108 writes:
Not good saying what you think. Must write what the majority thinks. Life is easier that way on this board. LK does have that proven track record.
abnermc writes:
No one has even suggested BB-Gun! Go Brice ! BB for Heisman! GV
abnermc writes:
No one has even suggested BB-Gun! Go Bryce ! BB for Heisman! GV.
richvol writes:
You know what really stinks? The NCAA,in all it's wisdom,had handed down a penalty of 4 games and several thousands of payback dollars to a kid that had done nothing wrong. They just went ahead and arbitrarily punished someone without getting the facts. Unless Tennessee,and it's compliance staff,fights this thing to the end Bryce would have been wrongly punished and branded by the very organization that it's charter is intended to protect. This is complete and utter BS on the part of the NCAA and someone there needs to pay for this kind of magnitude of mistake. What a load...
Whiskey_Wizard writes:
yeah, and i'm feeling it this morning
ChattaVegasVol writes:
I like Poole too guys but come on, he's not a proven performer nor an elite sec back! All his yards came against 2nd and 3rd team d. On the two really long runs that he had in camp, the last defenders that he made miss were walk-ons! I think Lane and Gran know game breaking rb's when they see them. Poole is good but he aint great. Go Vols!!!
12packvolfan writes:
cany wait to see you on the field next week
shopsports#273141 writes:
Go Bryce...Run over Florida the way Travis Stephens did in that shocker for the swamp slime. If not this year, next. I know what Brown can do for me....GO VOLS
blitzshoot writes:
You have many wishing you the best. Stay healthy and try to havesome fun. Stop and enjoy a moment or two.
Hit hard!
doubledown writes:
Hope Bryce can Pass-Block.. Anyone know how he is in that department?
V0LUNT33R writes:
CPF, is that you?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, I was one who had some doubts about Brown coming in, mostly about his relationship with Bryant rather than his talent. It's always hard to find the truth among all the hype, but from what I have heard and read so far, he seems to be a classy guy, a good team-mate, a hard worker, and a burgeoning talent. He could be the face on the poster for the coming Vol resurgence. Go Bryce!!! Make yourself and us proud!!! GO VOLS!!! I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Well you feel bad. His preseason performance landed him 4th on the depth chart. He's a good but not great back.
Unlike Fulmer that started Mark Levine over Jamal Lewis in '97, Kiffin is starting the best performers in the preseason.
We had '0' running game vs. Florida in '97 -- and if Fulmer starts Lewis - we would have had a shot to win in the swamp.
Musicman74 writes:
I think with four runningbacks, we can keep fresh legs in the game all the time. They can wear down the defences, and thats when you open up the scoreing.
Go Big Orange!!!
VolunteerPassion writes:
please dont tell me that's their new uniforms...
AllVol1 writes:
Several thoughts...
One, I am so impressed with this young man. I wondered about the "handler" thing too, but this guy has turned out to be a class act. I am proud--already--to have him represent the UofT.
Two, we only graduate Hardesty. Then Williams is coming back. Don't forget how the coaches raved about him.
Three, me might even recruit another elite back this year. After seeing these recruiters land BRYCE AND OKU, I don't put anything out of their reach. If we had Brown, Oku, Poole, Williams, and another elite speedster, this would be a more monstrous backfield than it already is.
Four, HEY RETTIG, BRAY, SCROGGINS, BRUNETTI!! THERE'S STILL TIME TO JOIN THE BIG ORANGE SURGE!! THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT RIDE FOR SOME QB. WHO'S IT GONNA BE FELLAS?
Storm and Swarm!
westennvol writes:
Sounds like Bryce is a kid with his head on straight. Good luck young man, and good luck to all our VOLS this season! GO BIG ORANGE!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Yeah, I'm afraid we can expect some kind of tricked-out new look. As long as they don't go to black jerseys, I'll try to roll with it, but it's a shame to dump the classics just because they're...old!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I think this is a great tandem of RB's. Just read that Athlon only has UT 4th or 5th best RB group in the SEC! That blew me away!
Whiskey_Wizard writes:
M.O.B. Montario, Oku, Bryce.
Need we saw more. Don't be surprised to see em all on the field at the same time. Montario and Bryce in a split backfield. Oku in the slot. Nuke running the option.
2407westTN_VOLSfan writes:
How about H-BOP? Sounds good, has a good rythym and I give it a 95. Going way back now!
I like the 4 Horsemen comment! I hope we get to see them all play against WKY!
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Good post! I agree...Go Vols!
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