Junior college signing day doesn't have the same recognition as its high school counterpart.
Fans won't likely take the day off today as some do for National Signing Day in February.
Some junior college prospects don't even sign when the NCAA first allows. They'll sign their scholarship papers whenever they get around to it.
Yet coaches who are rebuilding programs know the date well, Dec. 16, 2009.
Theoretically, junior college players will have an immediate impact, while high school prospects who sign on National Signing Day on Feb. 3, 2010, likely won't help a program until 2011 or beyond.
Tennessee is one of the schools on the prowl for immediate help. Here are the junior college prospects who are considering signing with UT today or in the near future:
Ken Adams — The Vols received a commitment from Adams in November. Some worried when Adams' primary recruiter, Frank Wilson, left the Vols' staff for LSU this month.
However, Wilson vowed not to recruit Adams to LSU.
The Vols had done a good job of "group" recruiting Adams. Linebacker coach Lance Thompson and recruiting coordinator/defensive line coach Ed Orgeron were involved, so the 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive lineman from Copiah Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss., looks UT bound.
The Vols will lose their top two defensive tackles - Wes Brown and Dan Williams - from 2009, so Adams should have a great shot at immediate playing time.
Adams is considered a solid prospect, having also fielded scholarship offers from Auburn and North Carolina.
Bruce Irvin — Irvin committed to UT in May, but changed his mind and committed to Arizona State in October. The Vols never gave up and it would hardly be a surprise if the linebacker/defensive end signed with UT.
Irvin, from Mt. San Antonio Junior College in Walnut, Calif., is in no hurry to announce his decision and is expected to visit UT's campus this weekend.
The 6-3, 235-pound Irvin would be a huge pickup. He's widely considered one of the top junior college prospects in the nation. His size and speed make him an exciting prospect with his hand down or playing in space.
Kenbrell Thompkins — At 6-3, Thompkins can be the big receiver UT was missing in 2009.
Thompkins, El Camino Junior College in Torrance, Calif., is highly regarded as one of the best junior college receivers in the nation and should have plenty of explosion and speed to go with his frame.
Thompkins, who committed to UT in November, also received scholarship offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida and Arizona.
Matt Simms — Without a junior college quarterback, UT would open the 2010 season with two quarterbacks with limited experience: Nick Stephens and Nick Lamaison.
High school commitment Tyler Bray has upside, but he needs to add weight and experience.
Simms should at least provide a stopgap, especially if Stephens struggles.
The 6-3, 215-pound Simms is from El Camino Community College. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Phil Simms and the brother of former Texas standout Chris Simms, who is on the Denver Broncos' roster.
Simms left Louisville when he didn't believe he could win the starting job.
Ultimately, it will probably be more UT's choice than Simms' if he ends up a Vol. UT is the most prominent school recruiting Simms and has taken its time offering him a scholarship.
Others — There certainly could be other junior college mid-termers join this list. Such prospects have until Jan. 15 to sign in order to enroll for the spring semester.
Expect another wave of junior college prospects to sign on National Signing Day. Those will enroll during the summer or fall semesters.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 33
99gator writes:
i don't know if anyone can confirm this, but i heard jose jose is now a usf commit.
tdforvols writes:
Yeah, It's true. Jose has put on a ton of weight (currently at 385) so the Vols kinda put him on the back-burner.
99gator writes:
i thought he was close to that big to begin with.
did they ask him to lose weight and he didn't do it?
ltrtiger writes:
Yet another revelatory article from Hooker. My gawd...they actually pay him for this tripe?
Maverickman writes:
Swweeew I hope nobody rubbs there breast on them before they sign
Maverickman writes:
HOOKER keep your breast off tha players man !!!
tdforvols writes:
Earlier he was listed at 355. Part of his offer was that he come in at a certain weight. Not sure what the exact number was but it must not have been 385.
UT4ever writes:
article is a joke....."some others".......who are they?? this is not reporting.....this is just pure lack of information!!! HOHOHOOHOO!!!
ThurmondEppy writes:
I for one do care what 99gator thinks. His comments are insightful and thoughtful. He's welcome here anytime.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
He's not a troll - just a gator fan.
Nuthinbutorange writes:
I agree, TE. Gator99's comments are most welcome here. I hope he's not the alter ego to one of the lizard trolls who camp out on this site.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Did Hook get his info off Rivals.com? LOL!!!
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Ken Adams is a DE/TE recruited as a TE. Yet Hooker is talking about him replacing one of our graduating DTs and getting immediate playing time as a DT. Then Hooker tells us that we'll have only one QB next year with playing time beyond high school unless we recruit a JC like Matt Simms. How could Hooker not know that we already recruited a JC QB named Nick Lamaison, who enrolled last January?
sidwalkvol writes:
Somebody somewhere last week suggested that Simms had committed to Ala-bubba. Or was that a different Simms?
UTVolAlum writes:
Dave Hooker, please tell me you are joking...
"The Vols will lose their top two defensive tackles - Wes Brown and Dan Williams - from 2009, so Adams should have a great shot at immediate playing time."
Ken Adams committed as a TIGHT END, but UNC and Auburn are recruiting him to play DEFENSIVE END.
Brown and Williams are DEFENSIVE TACKLES, so how would that play into Adams "early playing time" at Tennessee???????
Southland writes:
We need a QB in the worst sort of way. Why not give the kid from giles county, bo wallace a try. He has good size and a good arm and great stats and he led his team to a state championship. Try to get him to walk on or on thru an academic scholarship
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I would rather stick with the 3 qb's we have already and not mess with a Simms from that family. They are quitters with no regard for the team. One quit UT, the other quit Louisville. If he sees he can't beat out Tyler, he will just leave.
Txvol57 writes:
Jose Jose, Pat Harris, and Brousard all had grade issues..do not be surprised if we dont get these guys. This was expected which is why we have recruited so many DLinemen this year. Kiffin has a plan...keep the faith
MDiv writes:
Steamboat...You are hereby ordered to re-read the article. Hooker mentioned Lamaison.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
So Ken Adams is my dad's name. He's not the player, but I may tell everyone he is haha jk.
mm29680#645909 writes:
Come to UT, but you better not look at good-looking girls. The NYT will "out" you.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
He does now. I reread the article before posting.
volinky writes:
Hey Dave - can you give us an update when the signing are faxed?
UTVolAlum writes:
Please update the article Hooker...
Adams would not call himself de-committed, but said that all three teams were equal at this point. The Vols are recruiting Adams to play on the offensive side of the ball at tight end, while the Tar Heels and Tigers are hoping he'll choose defense as his future position destination.
"Tennessee wants me to play tight end," Adams said. "They've also told me I can come in and rush the passer on third down too. I don't really have a preference. I just want to be on the field making plays for my team and helping them win."
hueypilot writes:
Many are called but few are chosen.
Keep coming back 99. For all those who dis you, many think you make intelligent posts, and besides, it's good to know what the enemy is thinking.
givehim6 writes:
A few good commitments even if they are juco may be what UT needs to clear away this black cloud.
hueypilot writes:
You mean like Rick Clausen?
Thy_blood_runneth_Orange writes:
Simms signs with the Vols! Scout has the story...
Vol_in_Mich writes:
That IS discusting!
GO VOLS!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Don't know if the article changed since you read it, but Lamaison's name is right there in the first line of the section on Simms. Agree that I had heard the same thing about Adams weeks ago.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Jose Jose has decommitted from UT and is a USF commit. The word through the grapevine is that this is due to UT's decision to aggressively recruit over Jose. Apparently the Vols' recruiters believe they have a legitimate shot at a better prospect.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
I'll take a Simms over a Clausen any day of the week. If Kiffin & Co. saw something in this kid that they liked, then I'm going to take a wait and see attitude. If Simms has any hope to make the leap to the next level then this is the staff to do it.
Crompton was a train wreck and Kiffin stayed with him, nurtured him, and developed him. In ONE YEAR Kiffin took a football headcase and turned him into one of the most prolific QBs in the SEC (and the NCAA) AND in a pro-style offense. Simms has to know that if he shows up, works harder than he ever has, then he has a shot at 1) the starting position, and 2) a patient, faithful, and capable coach. I badmouthed Kiffin for sticking with Crompton for the first half of this season...and I was WRONG. I'm sure not going to make that mistake again.
If Matt Simms wants to come to UT, work hard, not rob anyone, and compete for a starting job...then it's UT's gain. I LIKE THIS ACQUISITION. WELCOME TO UT MR. SIMMS. AND GO FREAKING VOLS!!!
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
I, for one, spent much of my growing-up life proving I was nothing like my older sibling...which I wasn't. Us younger siblings usually learn from the struggles of our older brothers/sisters. He's already responded to those charges, and we need to welcome him with open and expectant arms...and not immaturely bash him like Crompton. Thanks for choosing to be a Vol, Matt!!
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