Tennessee's football coaches are hoping a California connection can take place in Knoxville.
On the first day allowed by the NCAA for schools to sign junior college mid-term transfers, the Vols signed two Wednesday: quarterback Matt Simms and receiver Kenbrell Thompkins from El Camino Community College in Torrance, Calif.
Thompkins had 58 catches for 1,020 yards and nine touchdowns.
"It's a great opportunity to play for such wonderful coaches and be a part of the tradition of Tennessee," Thompkins said after he signed.
Simms threw for more than 2,000 yards despite missing two games with a broken throwing hand. Simms' cast is off and he expects to be throwing soon after arriving on campus in January.
Simms seemed shocked that anyone could turn down UT.
"When you go on the visit to Tennessee, it's hard to turn it down, just for the tradition, the academics," the 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback, said Wednesday moments before signing. "Who doesn't want to be a Volunteer? You've got to be crazy not to want to be a Volunteer."
Actually, a member from the Simms family was just that crazy. Simms' older brother, Chris Simms, committed to UT before pulling that commitment and signing with Texas.
"He needs me to salvage his rep down there at Tennessee," Matt Simms joked. "He's really happy for me and so is my family. We're real excited about it."
The paternal Simms is a well-known former NFL quarterback. Phil Simms is now an analyst for NFL telecasts.
"I do believe my father is very fond of Coach (Lane) Kiffin and Monte, his father," Matt Simms said, referring to UT's head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively. "He respects them very much."
Matt Simms said he had two goals in junior college: to graduate in December, which he has done, and enroll at a school where he can compete for immediate playing time.
Simms appears to have done both. UT has two quarterbacks with limited experience returning from this year's team, Nick Stephens and Nick Lamaison, and one high school quarterback committed for the 2010 class, Tyler Bray.
"Coach Kiffin and the staff have told me that I will have an opportunity just like everyone else to compete," Simms said. "You couldn't ask for anything more."
Simms left Louisville to enroll in junior college after he didn't land the starting job.
"My game has changed a lot," Simms said. "The confidence, for one, (by) getting reps (and) competing against a lot of great players."
Thompkins said his connection with Simms goes way beyond the football field.
"We actually live together so our communication level was higher than the rest of the teammates," Thompkins said.
Still Waiting: Tight end/defensive lineman Ken Adams from Copiah-Lincoln in Wesson, Miss., has said he will postpone his decision. He also is considering Auburn and North Carolina. Adams committed to UT in November.
Arizona State defensive lineman/linebacker commitment Bruce Irvin from Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut, Calif., also has decided to postpone his decision in order to visit UT this weekend.
Simms and Thompkins competed against Irvin, and Simms was impressed.
"I know one thing; Bruce is really, really fast," Simms said. "I had to run for my life like two times that game.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 48
VolInIndy writes:
this space occupied
Titan writes:
Simms signing is huge. With the background and connections that his father has, there is no way he would have signed if Phil thought there was anything to the NCAA investigation. You can start putting Mr. Thamel's story to bed now.
gcscvol writes:
ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE NEW BLOOD FOR COMPETITION'S SAKE. WELCOME YOUNG MEN, AND GO BIG ORANGE.....
CoachFulmer writes:
The Adams's kid postponing his decision is not a good sign of things to come from this guy.
516milesfromUT writes:
urban meyer likes dudes!!!!!!!!!!
"Pete Thamel and Urban Meyer have a relationship."
Golly i read this somewhere, so it's GOT to be true!! lol
huntined#565710 writes:
SAME STORY just changed headline...KNS STOP THIS B.S.just report it once and let it go. Same story over and over..
chargervol writes:
I think Nick Stephens had better be working his tail off. He can't afford subpar performances in practice. Simms and Thompkins should have their tendencies down and timing. If, Thompkins turns out to be as talented of a receiver as said, Simms has a foot up. Competition is good. Let the best man win. Good luck to Stephens, Simms, Lamaison and hopefully Bray. GO VOLS!!!
Voluvr writes:
Stephens has a cannon, but seems a little like regrooming Crompton. Maybe not, but Simms has the sperience and ESPn vibes with Thompkins.
It's on now.
Voluvr writes:
Any news on the possibility of Kippy Brown or Sly Croom? Just saying, would either be good for us?
rubbervol writes:
Its on the way just hold on to your hats.
rubbervol writes:
Betcha more NFL Coaches are on the way also my friends.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Go Vols! CLK is racking up! Now let's get some blockers! I love it!
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Just read Bray was dressing for the bowl game. Healthy QB competition is just what we need. Go Vols!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Welcome to UT Tompkins and Simms!!!
Don't know what y'all are seeing, but I don't really see anyone beating out Stephens for the starting job next year. Probably could have beat out Cromps if he hadn't broken his hand in the Spring. I don't think that Kiffin and Cheney taking the race all the way down to the wire was just lip service to up the competition. Good luck to all. One thing we have learned from last year for sure is that they'll all get the chance to earn it on the field in practice.
chrisw2967 writes:
KNS just changes the headline cause they cant come up with nothing on their own,they either get their info from another paper or just make one up.truth to be known Kiffin probably wont give KNS the time of day.
britt writes:
Will these guys be coming in as Jrs or Sophmores? Glad to have them both
87UTVOL writes:
Who else offered Simms?
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
Beg to differ. From what little I did see of Nick, he has a quicker release than Crompton, his ball leaves his hand with as much zip as Crompton, he exhibits more mobility so scrambles better, and mostly he has an attitude of I'm going to whip your rear into whip cream consistency. i honestly believe we will end up with 2 if not 3 capable QBs so we wouldn't miss a beat if one went down. Nick S. is going to shock you doubters.
murrayvol writes:
Props for originality.
murrayvol writes:
Orange Pride??
murrayvol writes:
Even if Simms doesn't become UT's next great QB, having his dad around the program can't hurt.
I'm glad we've got both of these guys....and maybe Irvin changes his mind.
Docrok writes:
Actually it is well known that Nick Stephens neither has the skill set nor the arm strength of Crompton. Thats why Kiffin repeatedly said Crompton gave the Vols the best chance to win. As for his mobility in all the games I watched him play he did not appear more mobile than Crompton. Additionally Nick Stephens is considered to be less accurate and his decision making is not as good, hence he throws to many INT's even in practice. Now I am not saying I dislike Stephens I am just making evaluating the information so to speak and with all that I just don't believe Stephens wins the starting job.
Mule_Days_King writes:
I believe he is only allowed to practice with them for the bowl game and not travel with the team.
DT4Vols writes:
who will cameron newton sign with?
kiddtigger#228291 writes:
I agree with Stephens possibly transferring. He reminds me of the Matthews kid several years ago (yes, that's Matthews with two T's, not one). Tall red-headed kid, too. He played mop-up at UT then transferred to Memphis and had a nice career.
gnm53108 writes:
I know you're not wrong often,but I hope Nick suprises you.
arkyvol writes:
i just hope the younger simms doesn't turn out to be the bust his big brother has been. after crompton,...well, surely lightning doesn't strike twice on the same team.
Docrok writes:
Have you heard any rumors about Brent Vinson and Chris DOnald
TaintBuster69 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Mule_Days_King writes:
I think he played on special teams most of the year. I seem to remember he played some DB in either nickel or dime sets, but I could be wrong.
richvol writes:
I just can't understand why any quality player would want to go to Auburn,yet they crop up in practically every article in recruiting. It's in the middle of nowhere,is clearly the second of the two teams in it's own state,has no tradition compared to Tennessee and is considered a cow college. I don't get it.
deakinbi writes:
Hey Bill...go kick your dog...no reason to be so nasty...all are entitled to their opinions. Where's your holiday spirit? Ler alone your goodwill to fellow VOls?
mytrifecta writes:
Not sure where you get your information but every story I've read and heard say Stephens arm strength and mobility are equal to or better than Crompton. However, his decision making ability has always been the issue because he has the "gun-slinger" mentality. Regardless, I look forward to seeing some healthy competition at the QB position in the spring.
Docrok writes:
That was the rumor I had heard. Supposedly Donald is looking to transfer and Vinson did not or will not return to practice?
huntined#565710 writes:
Read in FL paper that he may go to MISS STATE nothing signed yet.
Docrok writes:
I have never read an article that references Stephens mobility, and my statement said what I saw from him on mobility. As for the skill set and arm strength I am gonna ask that maybe you post a link to reference that because all the reading I remember states that Crompton had the superior arm strength. Again I'm and not hoping for Stephens to fail and would like to see him succeed, because his success only bodes well for TN. I am merely commenting on what I have read and heard. Everything is mere speculation until Kiffin names his starter. And rest assured the starter will be that from start to finish since he has obviously shown great loyalty to his QB
VOLsince68 writes:
Chill dude!!
This is not one of the many Trolls we have on here. It's a fellow Vol fan.
GO VOLS!!
kabulvol writes:
He could transfer to a I-AA school (or whatever they are calling it these days) and play immediately, right?
Either way, I don't see the need for the name calling.
kabulvol writes:
What was Simms rated as a recruit coming out of high school?
285exp writes:
Could be because they have a coach who doesn't act like a buffoon.
vols4ever93 writes:
this is good because if Stephens wins the job that let Simms learn the system and take over after Nick then Tyler Bray will be 6'6" 225 by the time he takes the field and will have this system down pat. looks like the QB position is on the up & up
wayoutwill writes:
It's hard to see the words "bust" laid on any college player that becomes a professional player in the NFL!He may even wind up in the Hall of Fame;not likely,but he's still in the pros and I wonder if you've ever heard the story of the Q.B. that was stocking shelves in the grocery store after "busting out" in the NFL,got a shot to play one Sunday when Trent Green went down and at this point is about to make the play-offs again this year and a possible fourth trip to the Super Bowl and a possible 3rd MVP trophy!Don't call Chris Simms a bust!I'm sure that he isn't worried about your labeling him a bust as you grind out your 3rd shift swing shift job at the local Wal-Mart,but still....WAKE UP AND SMELL WHAT YOU ARE SHOVELING!
orangepridenation writes:
sorry, but stephens has been in this system for a year so he's got the upper hand on this job, and yes dude...i've watched the guy play, and he has a cannon, i don't really need a link for that. as for mobility, well idk if you've ever watched any film on tyler bray, but if there's one thing that kid lacks, it's mobility. so i'm really not sure how high mobility is on kiffin's list of traits he necessarily must have in his qb's. i'm in stephens' corner 100 percent. he has the most experience, he's been around some good coaches, he's been in the system for a year now, and bottom line...the kid can throw. i'm sorry but the signing of matt simms doesn't exactly get me thrilled, i think kiffin brought him in primarily for competitive purposes. I had the same feeling about Nick Lamaison.
orangepridenation writes:
dude i know you're probably joking but shut up. my father worked what you would probably refer to as a "3rd shift swing job" whatever that is for 40 years in a factory. one thing that gets me is when people insult others who do what they can to get by. so if you're going to present an argument, then stick to whatever it is you're arguing and leave the minimum wage BS out of it.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Well said, OPN. I got respect for anyone who works to make an honest living.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I expect that we'll see Thompkins contributing on the field next year. As for Simms, I watched a video of the guy, and he was putting the ball where the receivers needed it. My guess is that Stephens will win the 2010 starting job and do a Crompton, i.e. lead the team with good QB play. But Simms does look like a QB who can go into a game with no fear and move the chains, so he might prove very competitive early on. Glad to have him a Volunteer.
AUtim writes:
You're kidding, right? You want to put down a city when your school is in Knoxville? Not to mention the other problems of your city, but do you really want to compare the QUALITY of people in each? Didn't think so. They don't call it a small town for nothing. Anyways, you do know Auburn owns you head to head? No? You do know Auburn's beaten you 5 straight meetings, right? You do know the overall records are pretty damn similar, right? Especially excluding your great grandfather's years. You want to play the Alabama card? You do know the Iron Bowl is even since the 60's? Auburn has more players in the NFL? Better fans? Better people? You want to compare academics with the Bubbas now? There is so much legitimate competition in Tennessee also. Kudos to UT for being tops in the state, HA. I know you're bitter because Auburn is taking your recruits, but don't tell lies. Auburn has a great and proud football tradition and a terrific, CLASSY staff. Can UT say both? Hell no.
BTW, the last time I checked, Auburn is not called the Auburn University School of Agriculture. They have a separate department for that, no? And if I may ask, are you seriously putting down agriculture? What do you eat? It's amazing that some people insult an agricultural department that does so much for little piss ant humans like yourself. UT has great academics like Auburn. Can't believe you and the elephant fans really want to go there with your insults.
Maverickman writes:
BRAY!!! BRAY !!! BRAY !!!!
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