ORLANDO, Fla. - University of Tennessee football fans didn't have to wait long to see Marlon Brown make an impact in the Under Armour All-American Game on Sunday night.
The receiver from Harding Academy in Memphis streaked 71 yards for a touchdown after catching a pass from Southern California quarterback commitment Matt Barkley on Team White's first offensive play from scrimmage.
The route was as impressive in its simplicity as it was in its impact on the game, giving Team White a 7-0 lead.
"It was a slant route," said Brown, high on UT's prospect list. "I ran inside and scored a touchdown."
Some analysts questioned Brown's explosiveness this week, not surprising considering Brown is 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds.
Brown didn't lack any needed burst during his 71-yarder as he out-raced Team Black's defenders and scored untouched.
"I think I'm the best wide receiver in the nation," Brown said shortly after the catch, citing his size and speed to support his claim.
Brown is one of UT's top priorities of the 2009 class. The News Sentinel ranks Brown as the top prospect in the state. ESPN ranks Brown as the second-best receiver and the 17th-best prospect in the nation.
Brown is considering UT, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Ohio State. He is scheduled to host a contingent of UT coaches Monday in Memphis, likely recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
Brown was a focal point of Team White's offense, often the target of its quarterbacks. Brown also caught a 9-yard pass for a first down during a first-quarter scoring drive.
Team White won 27-16.
Prospect Plays: Receiver Alshon Jeffrey only managed 1 yard on an end-around as he was given inadequate blocking downfield. The 6-3, 215-pound receiver from Calhoun County High School in Saint Matthews, S.C., also couldn’t reel in an underthrown pass and was criticized by ESPN commentators for not playing hard enough.
Jeffrey is committed to Southern California but will take official visits to UT and South Carolina this month and has expressed concern about playing so far from home.
Tailback Jarvis Giles from Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla., dropped what could have been a long gain on a screen pass in the first half. The former UT commitment is set to enroll at South Carolina this week.
Defensive end Sam Montgomery from Greenwood (S.C.) High School registered a sack and a forced fumble on LSU quarterback commitment Russell Shepard. The fumble resulted in a 23-yard return for a touchdown. Montgomery is considering UT, South Carolina, North Carolina, Clemson, LSU and Georgia.
Former UT prospect Stephon Gilmore reeled in an interception in Team White’s end zone. Gilmore, who is committed to South Carolina, was strongly leaning towards UT before the 2008 season began.
Sunday Picks: Offensive guard John Martinez from Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City, Ga., selected Southern California over LSU and UCLA.
Two prospects from Seminole High School in Sanford, Fla. - athlete Ray Ray Armstrong and defensive end Dyrone Dye - each chose Miami over Florida. Teammate Andre DeBose, however, commited to be a Gator.
Athlete Branden Smith from Booker T. Washington High in Atlanta chose Georgia over Alabama, Florida and Florida State.
Center Mark Brazinski from Immaculate High in Basking Ridge, N.J., chose California over several schools.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 96
rabidvol1998 writes:
It was just like Joey Kent the first play of 95 Bama.
mpm80#1357758 writes:
i cant believe the kid named ray ray making such a big deal on national tv its like look at me !!!! lame !
PepperGrinder (Inactive) writes:
I guess you didnt notice all the other kids who did it. It was encouraged by espn I assume.
dc_4_ut writes:
This is a loaded statement but: if this kid DOESN'T go to UT he is making a big mistake He is the missing piece to our puzzle in the passing game. He can't convince me why he would pick either UGA or OSU over UT.
utchris writes:
I guess Hooker failed to realize that Marlon did not mention LSU as a finalist. He mentioned only four and such has been noted by Scout since yesterday.
utchris writes:
OSU is cold and in the Big 10
UGA will have unproven QB's when satfford bolts
jsm67vol writes:
I didn't hear Brown say I'm the best receiver in the nation. I thought he said re: Lanes press conference as new HC. "Coach Kiffin said in his press conference that he was going to get on a plane and go to Memphis to see the best receiver in the country and I wondered if he was talking about me. Then I thought if he's coming to memphis then I guess he must be talking about coming to see me."
JBruce writes:
and Jim Tressel smells like sausage.
3 reasons not to go to OSU:
- it's cold
- it's the Big 10
- Tressel smells like sausage
GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!!
I think I need to go to bed.
Gchild writes:
what really sucks is the overall lack of the Tennessee name brand at both of the major all star games this weekend. Not a single kid who got promo time had us listed except Marlon Brown. It was Florida, LSU, and Miami for about 80% of the announcements made. I know its easier said than done but we have to start winning some freakin games to get our school out there again and on the minds of the "elite" players. I think we have the staff in place to make the pitch in the living room, but it'll be alot easier on them if they can get something done on the field. On the bright side, with Lane and Monty, we will be better than the 08 fiasco.
Volnbama writes:
Exactly!
allvol9 writes:
We need you Marlon....stay home in Big Orange Country. You can be a part of something very special! Go Vols!
bluetick writes:
Some of these kids don't realize yet the coaching staff we have and are continuing to put in place. If they did they would know that this is the place to be. I think Brown is the only one who is smart enough to realize it. Even if it is not this year, he realizes that we WILL get a top notch QB to play Kiffins system here and he will be in the spotlight in the largest venue in the best conference. It won't be until a year or two that the other kids realize this I'm sure. Brown looks good for sure.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
where the hell is john adams hiding at? On Christmas break? Put him on this sorry story, how dare someone brag on national TV and to the media! Don't they know that the media is the king and that they play for the fans! The mighty fan, who throws thumbs up or thumbs down. Remind you of someone mpm80?
volzcrushm writes:
Hey, while clk is going after the #1 wr in the country... why not try to land the QB, Barkley?!
utchris writes:
I believe he is enrolling at USC in a matter of days
HonoluluVol writes:
WWHHAATT????? (Lil John)
volmattna writes:
Where are all of the gurus that were saying he was gona be a bust? And that he was too slow! And that Zach Rodgers was better than him! Hahahah
TK writes:
GA has verbal's on two of the top QB's in the nation. UT as of now has zip. If Stafford does leave. Then GA's QB situation will be like UT's.....????? without two top prospects. Do not get me wrong I hope Brown does come to UT. I could see why he wouldn't.
dvols writes:
oooops hes not from alcoa.........
two fingers round three fingers down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what cha favorite color
orange
utchris writes:
True, but prospects are just that: prospects. Remember JC was a highly rated prospect at one time.
TK writes:
True. Brown is also one.
MidTennVol writes:
KNS headline: "Brown: 'I'm the best wide receiver in the nation."
According to the story, what he actually said: "I think I'm the best wide receiver in the nation."
BIG difference, at least to this reader.
It's no-so-little things like this that cause the news media to command even less respect than Congress, which is hard to do.
Good eyes, jsm67vol.
BTW, Marlon, I would prefer Reuben Randle over you.
khelton657 writes:
Tks, Denmark..very significant difference. He was beginning to sound like Kelly Washington for a minute...
Couchdummy writes:
I saw the interview. KNS has misquoted what was said by the Brown kid. My gosh, please don't distort your stories with untrue statements attributed to the recruits!
99gator writes:
the tenn defense could use ray ray.
lane kiffin would take ray ray in 3.2 seconds.
MrKnoxville writes:
I agree...with the coaching staff we've assembled we are the U.S.C. in the making of the east coast...wouldn't it be something to have Tennessee players that didn't even hardly play a minute on the field get selected in the NFL draft because we were to damn deep for him to get playing time...that it is the biggest problem U.S.C. has right now LOL!
HtownVol writes:
U know rivals ranks patterson higher than Brown.. I like Brown..I mean really like Brown, but no one talks about Patterson here. We have as much of a shot with him. We really need to get 2 /3 of the big WRs... Brown, Patterson, Jeffery. And we MUST keep Stokes.
southernson writes:
NO ONE WILL OUT COACH, NO ONE WILL OUT WORK TENNESSEE
HardCoreVol writes:
THATS NOT WHAT HE SAID "KNS"! YOUR MAKING HIM SOUND VERY COCKY WHEN HE DIDN'T COME ACCROSS THAT WAY AT ALL!!!! NOW THAT LSU COMMITMENT "SHEPPARD," THAT WAS THE MOST ARROGENT KID OUT THERE LAST NIGHT!!!
SignalMtnVol writes:
That's the truth. But if a team from the SEC had USC's record year in and out, they would be playing for the NC every year.
12packvolfan writes:
we need this kid he can help
JTinCharlotte writes:
Are you trying to say we don't need to go after great receivers but maybe great shotstops? I think, (with a lot of hoping) if we don't get a QB that we will see a major improvement in QB play this season. I think there will much more intense teaching and training this season for them.
jsm67vol writes:
Wouldn't that be a major coup to pull on USC and would send resounding message to the nation-The Vols are Back, join us or endure the unpleasant task of facing us! I am holding out hope of some surprises on signing day. Remember the year Spurrier got one of his recruits to stick with his verbal to TN only to slap Phil and the vol nation in the face by signing with FL on signing day! It would be sweeeet to be on the other end of that and I think it may be a real possibility. Think about it, how many 4-5 star qbs does USC need. My God, Pete may not even mind if one gets away this year!
jsm67vol writes:
Thanks Denmark, I'm glad someone else noticed. I was beginning to think it was the background noise of the wild turkey gobling in my head that made me misunderstand what was said. To be the player he seems to be, he didn't show the (TO)attitude that is becoming more prevalent even at these HS games. By all reports, Brown is a good kid with good head on his shoulders. Can't say I would rather have Randall simply because of the recruiting fencepost it would set to get this guy to UT. Big difference in what KNS reported and what we heard though, huh?
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
WOW..So WE posters..are getting upset about kids....KIDS..17-18 yrs old, being cocky, confident, borderline arrogant about their playmaking abilities (on camera for ESPN)??? Have we forgot what its like to be 10 ft tall and bulletproof. (Not preaching here) but really......I want a prospect that is full of himself (not detrimental to the team) that knows he can play. Nothing wrong with that guys. Remember, they are just kids. Let them enjoy their time in the light before we criticize them.
kdaff51 writes:
Didn't watch it. Couldn't miss Desperate Housewives!
jsm67vol writes:
Agree strongly here Rich. I think that kid is a stud and feel we really need him.
jsm67vol writes:
Good point Htownvol! I think everyone is wanting this #1 in-state prospect to stay in-state so bad that Patterson often gets over looked. Thanks for reminding us that we have just as good a shot at getting him as Brown. I think if Brown comits to UT then Stokes likely goes. But, if Brown doesn't announce until signing day (which I think may be the case) then Stokes won't have a lot of time to change his mind. I think UT has some good receivers on the team now that for whatever reason (freshman, sophmore or any of Phils excuses) weren't on the field. If we can add Brown and Patterson that would be huge IMO
jsm67vol writes:
And you haven't been to 7 bcs games in a row. I will take that kind of run anytime. your arrogance is only overshadowed by your ignorance you belly crawling reptile!
jsm67vol writes:
No volguy I think the point of complaints here are mostly that Marlon Brown didn't give off that impression on tv but KNS is portraying him as though he did.
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
No jsm67...re read the beginning comments. All over the kids. One singles out a recruit for LSU. Cmon now...lol...
JMP_Vols writes:
Anyone else less than impressed with Alshon Jeffrey?
Don't think he comes here anyway, but it seemed to me that he was content just going through the motions last night. Never looked like he was trying that hard.
Debose looked outstanding. Good get for UF.
Trent Richardson's supposed to be all world, right? Where was he at last night?
If UT gets no one else this year, we must lock down Marlon Brown. Given the circumstances, I'd consider this recruiting class a success if Brown stays in state.
xd9x19 writes:
One catch and TD and he's the "best receiver in the nation"? Methinks the young "man" needs to shut up until he can actually prove it on the field at the college level. Sounds like we'll get our own version of a whiny T.O. if we land him.
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
That is pretty much what he said; didn't notice the cockiness from him that some of the kids showed; guess they were playing to ESPN. It never ceases to amaze me how the media can distort commments to sound the way they want them to sound.
JMP_Vols writes:
Totally agree. Compared to some of the other clowns in the UA and Army game, Brown conducted himself quite well.
To those who are coming down on him, did you watch the game? Or see him actually make the comments. He didn't have an arragant tone at all.
ESPN abolutely plays up these kids, with stupid questions like "They call you a playmaker, why?"
Questions like that beg a kid to boast on himself whether he wants to or not.
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
Yeah, it's been three whole years (2005). And, they had won two consecutive national championships in the preceeding 2 years. Surprised you hadn't heard about that. I think you just lost all credibility, bud.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Ray Ray and Dyrone to Miami instead of the Gators!
Say it ain't so.
Oh, they weren't any good.
I see.
jsm67vol writes:
Agreed volguy! I guess I sped over some of those because I just expect 18 yo guys to act like 18 yo guys. They are at the age where they think they are indestructable. I guess if they comittted to UT they would at least be a little more likeable. Lolol!
HtownVol writes:
Thank you, I just hope the coaches arent as forgetful as most of the people on this site. Think about it...M.Brown, J.Stokes, P,Patterson all commit to UT..WOW!! any QB would have to look awsome (even JC). Lets all really hope we can land these 3. Green may not be so bad either. And we can sub Jeffery for any of the 3. And I wouldnt be sad if we only get 2 of them(which is more likely, but we BETTER get at least 1 of them.
99gator writes:
i would never say that.
ray ray and dyrone are people urban would love to have.
florida hasn't given up on trying to get them either.
of course, miami has not given up on debose as well.
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