Hooker: Wilson's situation not new in recruiting game

ORLANDO, Fla. — I wasn’t particularly surprised when former Tennessee assistant Frank Wilson vowed shortly after he joined LSU’s staff earlier this month that he would not recruit any of UT’s prospects.

I’ve heard that before — several times.

When coaches leave one school for another, it’s the proper response to such queries about recruiting. But in reality, it’s just not practical.

Would a salesman who left for a similar job swear off his old accounts for an unwritten gentlemen’s agreement? I think not. Nor should he.

However, Wilson’s case did seem a bit different. LSU’s class was mostly full. There wasn’t much recruiting left to do.

But despite the vow and the surrounding scenario, Wilson is reportedly recruiting defensive lineman/tight end Ken Adams from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss.

Needless to write, that has some UT fans up in arms.

Two words: calm down.

First, it’s obvious that Adams wants to look at other schools. Otherwise, he would have signed with UT earlier this month. Instead, he waited. Is he still committed to UT? It sure doesn’t seem like it.

Wilson shouldn’t be blamed for showing interest in what looks like an undecided prospect.

Second, UT fans shouldn’t be throwing stones when its football complex is made of glass.

Here’s what Lane Kiffin said in October when asked of coaches (in this case David Reaves from South Carolina) recruiting prospects they were once wooing at previous coaching stops:

“He could have never come to me and said ‘Coach, there’s this really good player, but we’re not going to recruit him because he’s committed somewhere else. That wouldn’t work for me. And that wouldn’t work for our staff.”

“...To me, that’s his job. If you’re going to come work for me, we’re going to try to get the best players. We’re here to win championships. I think that people around here understand that now, but if you work for me then you understand that from the first day that you get here.”

Some who are reading this might think I’m criticizing Kiffin. Not true.

There’s no rule against hiring coaches and recruiting their previous prospects from other schools. Criticizing a coach for recruiting prospects for a second school is analogous to criticizing a coach for running a trick play.

My only advice to such coaches would be not to make any such vow in the first place.

Urban Recruiting: UT could benefit greatly from Florida coach Urban Meyer’s uncertain job status.

Here are some of the prospects considering both UT and Florida:

Chris Dunkley — It’s a bit unclear where the Vols stand with the wide receiver, especially after his former teammate ,Nu’Keese Richardson, was dismissed following a very public arrest. The Vols are also without their ace recruiter in Pahokee High School, Eddie Gran, who joined Florida State’s staff last month.

Dunkley, who is 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, may be a long shot for UT, but he’s still worth a shot.

Chaz Green — The Gators in flux would seem to ensure that Green, a 6-6, 290-pound offensive lineman from Tampa (Fla.) Catholic, will leave the state of Florida for college.

The Vols appear to be in good standing.

Cody Riggs — UT is in solid shape with Riggs, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound defensive back from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale.

Riggs has said he likes UT’s coaching staff and his brother, former Vol tailback Gerald Riggs Jr., is a strong connection to Knoxville.

The Dwyer Trio — Safety Matt Elam (6-foot, 205 pounds), tight end Gerald Christian (6-3, 220 pounds) and receiver Robert Clark (5-9, 170 pounds) are all committed to Florida. Will the three from Dwyer High School in West Palm Beach, Fla. rethink their decision after Meyer’s announcement?

Elam has shown the most interest in the Vols. He took an official visit to Knoxville in October.

Any Other Florida Commitment — You can bet Kiffin and crew smell blood in the water. They’ll be hunting for any committed Gators who are second-guessing their non-binding verbal pledges while Meyer contemplates his future.