No hints, but Brown gushes about UT

Bryce Brown spoke publicly on Tuesday for the first time about his official visit to Tennessee last week.

"The players and the coaches are fired up down there," Brown told potentialplayers.com. "I could tell that they are working hard to battle for the SEC title."

Brown, a standout tailback from Wichita (Kan.) East High School, is considered one of the top prospects in the nation.

Through the start-up Web site run by a family acquaintance, Brown shared his thoughts on offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jim Chaney.

"We talked about how they are going to block different run plays," Brown said. "We also talked about the impact that Coach (Lane) Kiffin had with the Oakland Raiders over the past couple of years, as well as his (Chaney's) NFL experience with the St. Louis Rams."

Brown said he also was impressed with UT's offensive linemen and their work ethic.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder spoke glowingly of Kiffin.

"You can feel the passion that he has to make UT champions again," Brown said. "He already has proven that he is one of the best offensive minds in football. Coach Kiffin made a big impression on me."

Brown said he also was impressed with Kiffin's father, UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

"Coach Monte Kiffin is high energy and hilarious. You can see why he's been so successful over the years with the Buccaneers," Brown said. "He really made me feel at home and I enjoyed him. For him to come to Tennessee and support his son in this way shows me a lot about him and Tennessee's commitment to winning."

Brown, who has been committed to Miami since last February, is planning to announce his college decision on March 16 at the Kansas Hall of Fame in Wichita. He also is considering Oregon, Southern Cal and LSU.

Miami has fallen from Brown's favor following an offensive coaching change. The Hurricanes, however, could still be in contention. Brown's brother, linebacker Arthur Brown, signed with Miami in 2008.

Brown has said Oregon leads for his services. Many close to his recruitment believe that is still the case.

Oregon's relationship with Nike, a major corporate booster, could prove to be a factor in Brown's decision.

Could all that change thanks to his favorable trip to Knoxville? Brown seemed to think so when talking to a Kansas television station about his visit to UT.

"I had a great visit," Brown told KAKE. "I had the chance to meet with Coach (Lane) Kiffin and had a lot of one-on-one time with him.

"I had a chance to basically go over the offense and see how they would use me."

Brown has declined interview requests with most media outside of Kansas, including the News Sentinel.

UT also is awaiting word on another top-rated tailback: David Oku from Carl Albert High in Midwest City, Okla.

Oku told the News Sentinel on Monday that he is not close to announcing his decision and that he may add Ole Miss to a list of schools that includes UT, Auburn and Syracuse.

UT also is in the running for two other unsigned prospects.

Defensive tackle Kwame Geathers from Carver's Bay (S.C.) High is close to announcing his decision.

"I'll probably do it Friday," Geathers told TotalUGA.com.

Most thought Geathers was leaning towards signing with UT when he visited Knoxville last week. As the visit passed with no signing, that hypothesis is under review.

Geathers is also considering Georgia and Central Florida.

Tight end Orson Charles from Plant High in Tampa, Fla., said he plans to announce his college decision following his official visit to Southern California on Feb. 20. He is considering Georgia and Florida.

Charles told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he hopes to sign his scholarship papers by March 6.

Many involved in Charles' recruitment believe he'll end up at USC and that UT is a long shot.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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