Signing Day 2009 videos
As is becoming more customary, a handful of prospects will sign their letter of intent after National Singing Day. At least two are considering Tennessee.
Defensive back Janzen Jackson from Barbe High School in Lake Charles, La., will announce his decision Thursday morning. Travel problems kept his mother from making it to his press conference.
UT is thought to be well within the mix for Jackson, who is one of the best cornerback prospects in the nation.
Former UT commitment David Oku from Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla., also did not sign on Wednesday. He told Rivals.com he was no longer committed anywhere.
"I don't know when a decision will be made," the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Oku said. "I just need some space and some time to think and sort things out. Hopefully the coaches will respect that and understand how difficult this has become for me."
Oku had been committed to UT since September. It is unclear when Oku will make his announcement. He is considering UT, Auburn and Syracuse.
"It is what it is," UT recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron said of the new trend. "The recruiting day has accelerated. You have to keep up with the times. You have to keep up with the information.
"I'm not going to stop it. You have to be able to adjust so we're going to have to continue to recruit. If guys want to come on official visits and sign (after signing day) and they're good players, we have to do it."
Tight end Orson Charles from Plant High in Tampa, Fla., won't likely make his decision until next week at the earliest considering he has an official visit to Southern California planned for later this week.
Remember Me?: The three formerly committed prospects that were told they wouldn't likely fit in at UT by Lane Kiffin found homes Wednesday.
Athlete Damien Thigpen signed with UCLA. Quarterbacks Bryce Petty and Tajh Boyd signed with Baylor and Clemson, respectively.
Notre Dame also made a strong push for Thigpen.
Intersetingly enough, UCLA plays at Tennessee in September.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 71
Layla_Kiffin_is_hott writes:
There is no way Oku comes here. I'm suprised he still has TN on his final 3 choices...
VOLKING writes:
I heard alot of "Brown will be a Vol...count on it." I will not hold my breath again on this one. Fingers crossed...yeah. Hope we get him.
Regulator writes:
Come on down fellas and get in on something special. Otherwise, don't be standing on the tracks when that Big Orange train comes rolling through!
smashmouth98 writes:
I want both Jackson and Brown. We need to get Bryce in for a visit & show him what's up!!
MrBamSeydu writes:
Chris Low (ESPN.com) is reporting Janzen Jackson will sign with UT tomorrow at 10am.
MrBamSeydu writes:
OBTW, Thigpen's scholly is going to Nu'Keese... fair trade to say the least.
dfreeman writes:
can you post a link to this?
volfan8 writes:
yea, in that article he expects Jackson, (5-star recruit according to rivals) will be signing with us tomorrow. In another article by Chris it says that Marlon informed lane last night that his grandmother wouldnt let him sign with us....why that is remains to be heard...
chrisw2967 writes:
So in other words Marlon went where Grandma told him to go ? well then sounds like to me he is going to be a misserable kid,cause if his heart isnt with Ga then he is in trouble.
but I also wonder if that is only an excuse he used ?
Govols75 writes:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec
sorry if it doesnt work, but Low is saying that Jackson is suppose to sign with us tomorrow mourning
tnvol27#546179 writes:
Recruiting involves mom & dad....and in this case granny...sounds a bit stinky...the truth will come out and I'm sure it'll be a good laugh. the SEC did well...again its the best conference period.
bud0323 writes:
If we could get either of those three or all three that would be awesome, and we would finish strong if we get those. Up to this point I really don't care if we get Oku or not because we have such a talented backfield full of runningbacks like Hardesty and Creer. Really what I'm interested in seeing is Janzen Jackson to sign with Tennessee because with him we would once again have a DEADLY secondary and getting Orson Charles. With him that would make up for not getting Marlon Brown or Stokes.
volfan8 writes:
Quote from Chris Lows article
"Every kid that we offered (in state) and continued to recruit through this process ... we were able to sign except Marlon (Brown)," Kiffin said. "We wish Marlon the best of luck. He called last night and said that he loved it here but his grandmother wouldn't let him come. So I don't know what you do about that."
bluetick writes:
That's horse hockey! I love my granny like most love theirs but I'd have to tell her.....anyways nevermind. I wish him luck.
SMOKEYSRUN writes:
Hello VOL fans,
1st time posting and I have to say we got a pretty good class considering, but not getting Marlon Brown has got me all bunched up. When was the last time we could go and get these top recievers. We r falling so far behind our rivals its just plain upsetting. I hope our new staff can really develope our talent.
volwalk writes:
This would top off a very good recruiting class--considering the changes,5-7 record, poor qb play...we will have enough dbs 1 and 2s to help us keep up with all of Fla's wrs. Next year, 2010 we will get a qb and plenty of big uglies--ol and dl. Looking at the rankings with the amount that we signed--0nly 19 vs. 28-35 its a top 15 class. VERY GOOD START!
bloodrunsorange writes:
Why?
txvolsfan writes:
Auburn got 4 RB's in this class and I truly don't think this kid wants to compete against any other backs. I say he goes to Syracuse. He may shock us all and go to Ok. State.
THEKIDWI writes:
Is it just me or does Oku remind anybody of Giles in the way he seems to be screaming "look at me, i'm committed, no i'm not, i'm just chilling, i don't know what the heck i want..."
And if that's a correct read, we'll be fine. You'd like to think Hardesty can stay healthy for one year, Creer is going to be a stud, don't forget about Poole and then we got Williams this year. It's all good.... (insert shaka sign here)
kevin151 writes:
after yesterday, I gaurantee he goes to LSU...
orngbluded writes:
I think Jackson will sign with LSU,and Oku may sign with Auburn but they signed three or four RBs on signing day so we may still get him.
Youtee1 writes:
I listened to CLK on Sirius yesterday at 4:15 and he mentioned another "surprise" coming. Could it be Jackson? We can only hope so.
mtnsvol44 writes:
It boils down to this-if they want coaching to better prepare them for the NFL, they will choose UT. If they want an average college coaching crew, they will go elsewhere.
King53 writes:
is the announcement at 10am eastern or central time? thanks!
vollowme writes:
wow. CLK threw grandma under the bus. whether marlon was telling the truth or not, his granny is now going to take all the heat from all the vol supporters in the area. what a man. (meaning marlon...)
kwlightmin#206976 writes:
I can't figure out why anybody would go to Auburn right now - at least we can win our state. Auburn will always finish behind Bama and may be worse than Troy for a few years. We have a RB's coach that put Cadillac, Ronnie Brown, and the Deuce in the NFL - what's the problem? If he doesn't come, we still have Hardesty and Creer. I also hear that Poole is really good. I still say that we should have taken Boyd. I watched the guy in the HS allstar game (can't remember which one), but he is a good passer and runner.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I would bet my old car Kiffin is regretting dropping Boyd. I dont think he realized how cut throat recruiting is in the SEC. Boyd if strung along would have been an excellant lure for others....Brown,etc
spivol writes:
Jackson would be a great surprise today if in fact that is what CLF was refering to as a "surprise". However, a Bryce Brown A-bomb would cause me to dye my hair UT orange and shave a Power T on my dog's back. Anyone else notice UT is the only SEC schoole Brown has listed on his rival's list of schools. I think he has a few visits left. Think CEO is ringin his phone about every 15 minutes? Anyone know the story on this guy?
Overall I'm pretty happy and very excited about the current class. Can't help but get a little greedy.
Oh, and by the way.... 1st!!!! (as in first posting)
jobrando#216494 writes:
I use to think that way but I now think that a progam thats winning is the most important thing to them. Kiffin now has to prove his coahing can win. A winning season this year is a must for the program to grow. I'm not sure I will live to see it brought from the depths of Fulmer.
huntined#565710 writes:
Hope we get Jackson...We also will take Oku and I don't think using the NFL for us will help much. If they are a good player they will make it to the NFL.. Look at EB.. He is just a GREAT player period. I for one would rather push SEC and N.C. Champs to them..NFL will come
Other schools are not pushing NFL and they seem to recruit well and send a lot of their players to the NFL..
spivol writes:
Oooops, sorry. I just noticed that he has Auburn listed also. WTH is this new love affiar with Auburn all about? Is Troop really that good? Both B. Brown and Oku are considering Auburn. Starting to think that they each are waiting to see where the other will go.
kixaround writes:
I say Jackson signs with us in about 30 minutes...his father is close friends with Orgeron while Bama/LSU/FL is already loaded
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Good point. But the NFL is really our only selling point right now.
We can't push championships when this staff doesn't have one.
johnsoncityvol writes:
Does anyone know what time Janzen will announce who he is signing with today? I can't find anything on the web?
GoVols_16 writes:
Marlon Brown said on a radio show that last week when Orgeron came to visit that the Vols disrepected him. He then said that Orgeron was the one to blame. Someone on another website said that Orgeron started dropping F-bombs in front of Brown's grandmother, who is a devout Christian, and she was offended by this.
I do not know if his grandmother being offended by Orgeron is true, but it seems to make sense if Kiffin is telling the truth about Marlon's grandmother not allowing him to come to Tennessee.
As you probably know, Mark Richt is a fine Christian, and I'm sure she would want her grandson to be mentored by a Christian coach, rather than by Andrew Dice Clay.
I'm a Tennessee fan, but I'm also a Christian, and if this story is true, I am ashamed of Orgeron's tactics.
He needs to find Christ himself.
kwlightmin#206976 writes:
Really don't think we get Charles, but Oku or Brown are real possibilities. I'm not going to celebrate until Jackson signs - I've been through this he said she said stuff before. One more thing, I'm a huge UT fan and hated that Marlon signed with UGA, but at least it wasn't Bama, UF, or LSU. I do not like the Bulldogs, but I do admire Coach Richt. I think he is a good man. I really hate Bama, but always thought a lot of Coach Stallings. I heard him on the radio the other night talking about the passing of his son. He's an incredible person too. I just like to see good people do well.
jobrando#216494 writes:
If thats true then I think we are all concerned...I think we were all informed in the beginning that Orgeron has a shady past. Heck, you would expect a recruiter to do his homework into the family background before sitting down with them.
OdessaVol writes:
Right on!
798orange writes:
If you are going to through around such a strong accusation, then you need to take it a step further and get specific with your sources. Second-hand info, innuendo, rumor, or exxageration are not quite good enough when you are questioning someones character. You might have more credibility with some facts. Religion has its place, this site is not it.
spivol writes:
I found christ, he was behind the sofa the whole time... Sry, just could not resist.
I'm glad to hear you have such respect for the Forehead. I see how his faith impacted his players last year when rap sheets were piling up. Yes sir, fine bunch of upstanding young men down there. Bar fights, drunk driving, assaults. Sounds just like everyone that goes to church with me. Yeah right.
Whatever the reason for his decision I would rather see him in the Big 10 than running routes against us every year.
Maybe Coach O needs some Lifeboy...
Docrok writes:
I agree with that but I will take it a step further and say I read in his book that Orgeron is a Christian and is church going. Plus he is professional and the considered by all as the top recruiter so I am certain he is better trained than to drop the "F Bomb" in a recruits home! I think this is bad information
jobrando#216494 writes:
I think this site is a rumor mill. It's up to the person reading the post to go out and verify if he thinks it's true. That particular post I care not to investigate as it sounds like it came from the State of Alabama. It has a 50/50 chance of being true.
huntined#565710 writes:
WOW if this is true...they need to send this guy packing..Why in the world would he need to use that kind of talking when he is just recruiting..Bad enough on the field but not in someone's home..If he came to my house to recruit and did that I would just ask him to hit the road..if this is true,,GOD bless his Grandmother..
GoVols_16 writes:
To 798orange:
I said "I do not know if his grandmother being offended by Orgeron is true" (but there seems to be a connection with what Kiffin said about Brown's grandmother not allowing him to come to Tennessee). Brown did say himself on FOX 790AM that Orgeron was responsible.
mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=7&f=1372&t=3891103
By the way, until the government takes away our rights to freedom of speech, I have freedom to say anything about Jesus Christ that I desire. The TRUTH is (not Second-hand info, innuendo, rumor, or exaggeration) Ed Orgeron does need Jesus, and so does everyone who does not know him.
Docrok writes:
Well if you are concerned with the truth then you should read "Meat Market" which details that Orgeron is a church going christian! So maybe now he passes your standards for coaching
tripper writes:
JJ a Vol!
orangebloodgmc writes:
"JJ is a Vol!"
That's what I'm hearing; what do we need for confirmation?
minh865#393249 writes:
Stop the religious phooey. It's annoying heck. Not everyone needs Jesus. I'm sure Orgeron knows better than to curse in front of Brown's grandmother.
VOLsince68 writes:
Oku likes Coach Gran. All we can do is hope that he sticks with that. He may be stuck on himself, but he is a talented RB. We could use him for sure. GO VOLS!!
TxFatBoy writes:
The Truth has FACTS to back it up, not a rumor that has not been verified. As far as your religious beliefs, you are welcome to them but because you believe that YOU have found Christ don't push your beliefs off on others here who come to talk about football.
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