Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin is not afraid to venture back into Pahokee (Fla.) High School.
Following a public squabble concerning UT signee Nu’Keese Richardson, the Vols are recruiting another Pahokee product, junior receiver prospect De’Joshua Johnson.
Despite all the hubbub between Pahokee and UT, there seems to be no ill will between Johnson and UT.
“I’m open to Tennessee,” the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder told the Palm Beach Post. “I heard about the comments that he made and I’m going to talk to him about it, but Tennessee’s a good school.”
Pahokee head coach Blaze Thompson criticized Kiffin for some comments the first-year UT coach made about Pahokee following Richardson’s signing. Kiffin recruited Richardson without Thompson’s involvement.
Kiffin implied that Thompson or school administrators may have tried to undermine Richardson’s intentions to sign with UT had they been aware of the Vols’ late push for the highly rated receiver.
Kiffin called Thompson and apologized soon thereafter. Thompson said he accepted the apology but thought Kiffin owed the entire Pahokee community a similar apology. It is unclear if such amends were made.
Thompson could not be immediately reached for comment by the News Sentinel. Ironically, it was his advice that could open the door for UT’s recruitment of Johnson.
Using Richardson as an example, Thompson is encouraging his players to postpone their commitments until they are absolutely certain about their decision.
Johnson was scheduled to announce his decision in May but has decided not to do so until September. That will give other schools a better chance of wooing him. UT will be able to host Johnson for a summer camp, visit him in May and host him for an official visit this fall, all before he announces his decision. Such measures may be absolutely necessary to overcome nearby Florida schools.
Johnson is considering several programs, according to the Palm Beach Post. He has said it is his lifelong dream to play for Florida State. Michigan has three former Pahokee stars on its roster. Miami, Alabama, Southern California, North Carolina State, Rutgers and Auburn are also thought to be in the running.
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Comments » 113
tennesseebee writes:
Let me be the first... to congratulate Kiff on his big set. Good luck.
tennesseebee writes:
Jan Simak is our new school president, John Peterson resigned anyone know why?
Down_The_Field writes:
KNS: Using Richardson as an example, Thompson is encouraging his players to postpone their commitments until they are absolutely certain about their decision.
is it just me or should the relationship between hs coach and player be.......coach develops and promotes his players throughout the recruiting process and STAYS out of the kid's head so the player can make the decision himself. this is sounding like a variation of the stepford wives.
golfballs03 writes:
It sounds like Pahokee's head coach is too sensitive. I'm tired of hearing about Pahokee
GreerVol22 writes:
more likely, the coach has a set of season tickets in Gainesville he trying to keep?
Volumni writes:
The head coach should take his Massengil and go home. It's nice to see a high school coach get brought down to size. This guy was pushing hard for Fla, and is making excuses. Nice to see that the kids are making their own decisions, whether their arrogant head coach approves or not!
khelton657 writes:
...carries 'em in a wheelbarrow
olozbal#646632 writes:
Kiffin - this guy has cajones larger than watermelons. I love it.
Fear the Kiffin (s)
THEKIDWISCONSIN writes:
Amen Brah-dah...Amen
tennesseebee writes:
Whitepine, is this tongue-in-cheek? Cuz I heard she had a big scene at some uppity party awhile back. If you're serious we need to find this wench a scholarship.
OldSmokey writes:
Go get em CK!!!
ZacharyUTK writes:
C'mon, Johnson! BE A VOL!
dvhill100 writes:
The man is absolutely fearless; and it appears he is instilling that attitude in his football team. Go get 'em. No prisoners!
GreerVol22 writes:
where you been man? good to see your posting finger is back.
I'll make up the signs for the coliseum..."Nude alligator wrestling featuring former UT Presiden't wife"....only the alligator is nude.
MudDogMark writes:
Am I the only one getting sick and tired of everyone demanding apologies? Everything form politics to sports. An apology has been watered down so dang much that it means nothing. Coach Kiffin gave Blaze Butt an apology and not he wants Kiffin to apologize to the community. Gee! Grow Up Blaze.
shoalcreekvol writes:
"take his Massengil"
Dude, seriously, I don't wanna know. Don't wanna know...
GreerVol22 writes:
i wonder if he meant Metamucil?
utvols1969 writes:
Where's Andy Holt when we really need him? Guess I'm getting old and remembering how things used to be.
I'll always remember walking from Humanities up to the Hill in pouring rain for a Calculus class, in which I was totally lost, when Andy Holt drove up and asked me if I wanted a ride since he was going that way anyway.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Kiffin has guts!
smashmouth98 writes:
I love it, establish a pipeline to that school as well!!! Orange Swarm, Reel Them In!!!
BigT_Chief writes:
To quote Coach Kiffin: "We're always recruiting."
CoverOrange writes:
He was questioning their honesty which is an insult. May have had good reason but that was not made known to us.
Pahokee reportedly puts out as much talent each year as the entire state of Tennessee. I want to hear more about Pahokee.
BigT_Chief writes:
Let "The Nuke" tell his high school buddies how good it is to be wearing the Big T.
smokyredbone writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
MidTennVol writes:
Kiffin, you can learn something here...
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/acc/0-3-72...
Remember Kelly Washington and what he (and others like him) did to the concept of "TEAM" at Tennessee.
volsfan1076 writes:
Witch Doctor is awesome!
TxFatBoy writes:
Makes you wonder how aggressive a player would be if he allows his High School coach to steer him to one school over another? I can see his parents, grand-parents or other FAMILY steering him but not his high school coach. If he can't think for himself then heaven help whatever team gets him.
chrisw2967 writes:
isnt this the same situation that kiffin is dealing with Brown and Oku ? they have this Butller running the show for them.Im like you this should be all up to the kid and his family not some coach or wanna be agent.
illinoisvolfan writes:
I like this Johnson kid already. Did anyone notice the conspicuous absence of an particular SEC school in his list of suitors? Perhaps Pahokee can change its preferred color of orange from that Gator shade to the far better
Tennessee version.
invisiblekid writes:
How could you tell which one is which?
invisiblekid writes:
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/n...
invisiblekid writes:
The Vols have been in contact with and made offers on a number of recruits this past week yet the kid from Pahokee is the one that gets top headlines around here. Interesting.
DisorientedVol writes:
Speaking of recruiting (only way I could tie my question with this article), has anyone heard any news on Kwame Geathers? He is to announce on friday.
VolFanNC writes:
Only downside is the kid says his lifelong dream is to play for FSU. Only chance we have is if FSU has a dismal season and Nuke can talk him into our school
GoVol writes:
Fulmer would have stayed in 'time-out' and would still be standing in the corner. Glad we finally have a coach that at least tries and isn't scared to fail!
txvolsfan writes:
That's why I call him
Stones Kiffin
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, there IS no football right now, so this is all we have to talk about! I think we will see some more stories soon about winter workouts--at least as crucial for future performance as recruiting--and it won't be long until spring practice begins!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Me too! Good ol' Andy; those were the days, all right. The string of carpetbagger presidents we have had lately depresses me.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Ouch! Tough words from the guy's OWN HS coach! I have had reservations about BB from the beginning over his "agent", and now stuff like this.
jimr07 writes:
I, too, was in school when Andy was President and your story about him sounds very typical of the man.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Fla schools probably think they can move in at any time to sway him and they don't have to hurry.
jimr07 writes:
kelly Washington was cut today by the Patriots after catching one pass for three yards.
belayvol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TxFatBoy writes:
That should be enough for ANY college coach! If his HS coach says that about him then why would anyone WANT the guy? Of course, there's always SOMEONE who will make the offer thinking his talent will out-weigh the negative. Coach Kiffin....STAY AWAY! Do NOT accept this trouble maker!
belayvol writes:
My apologies site staff, i should have said the gator is the one with the stretched Urban.
TxFatBoy writes:
Ouch!!! I guess maybe the CENSORS will like that better? Amazing that newspapers are usually the FIRST to scream "Free Speech" and "Feedom of the Press", yet here THEY ARE censoring our posts!
belayvol writes:
Probably not. The point i was trying to make is what everyone knows. urby's favorite play is to give it to the tight end up the middle. I'm just sayin...
friendut writes:
Holy Cow. You may be my age. UT '69
TxFatBoy writes:
LOL....I know! I love it!
invisiblekid writes:
I was wondering if I had offended you or ticked you off belayvol. Sensitivites running on high around here today.
Think I understand now.
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