Tennessee solidified its standing as the top team on Mike Edwards’ list during an in-home visit from coach Lane Kiffin and running backs coach Stan Drayton on Thursday.
Edwards, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, has favored the Vols since he received a scholarship offer from Kiffin last month.
Edwards said he was pleased to hear from Kiffin about UT’s academic support for athletes.
“That’s a big thing in my decision,” Edwards said, “knowing that I have a lot of support in academics because I know I’m a person that’s going to need some help in those areas. That’s a big thing for me.”
Edwards also sees a big opportunity for newcomers in UT’s program.
Edwards said he believes everyone will have an equal chance at playing time during Kiffin’s first year with the Vols.
“I’ll have a chance to come to a program where it’s new to everyone,” said Edwards, who’s also considering Michigan, Minnesota and Cincinnati. “These coaches haven’t been here so this program is going to be like a program where it’s fresh for everybody.”
Choosing UT would be a fresh change for Glenville prospects.
The program built by head coach Ted Ginn Sr. annually produces top Division I talent.
But most of those prospects have chosen Ohio State or other Big Ten schools.
Edwards said he and Kiffin talked about starting a new trend.
“I could start the chain and get more people from up this way to start coming down there to start showing people that people from Cleveland really can play football,” he said. “Because some people think that football can just be played in the South.
“If I do make this decision I’m definitely going to show the world that people from Cleveland can play football, too.”
Another one of those people is Glenville offensive lineman Marcus Hall, who is considering UT, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois and Miami.
Edwards said he and Hall lean on each other to deal with the stress of the recruiting process.
“We’re dealing with a lot of people every day,” Edwards said. “We’re just trying to make the right decisions for our lives.
“We talk about different things other than football. We’re real good friends.”
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Comments » 36
VOL_FREAK_91 writes:
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ctownvol writes:
“I could start the chain and get more people from up this way to start coming down there to start showing people that people from Cleveland really can play football,” he said.
I like the sound of that. Come on to Knoxville and bring Hall with you.
chrisw2967 writes:
I think this kid will end up at Tenn. just from what I take from what he says.
vailvol writes:
i like this guys attitude. need to get him down here to see the real BIG HOUSE, orange style. can't see how guys can choose to play in the big ten when they have an opportunity to play every week in the SEC.
volwalk writes:
We are going to be "DB-U"!
volwalk writes:
Maybe we should call it "Secondary U"
baldfan writes:
Come on coach. Keep stan on your staff!
orangecountry21 writes:
3 star.
1vol writes:
SEC!!!!!!!!!!ok.has not seen a tough "D"
givehim6 writes:
Yes Edwards be a new trend setter.
Oenoboy writes:
Stop looking at how these recruiting sites rank players oc21. Who do you trust more...someone who has been around the game before he could walk or a recruiting site that does not have one current or former coach on its staff?
Are you just looking for something negative?
MrBamSeydu writes:
This would be a great tandem to bring in. 5* O-lineman and a 3/4* D-back in a package deal.
Here's my wish list considering we just lost 2 O-linemen and have 2 more free scholarships. At 18 commits right now, I'm thinking we pull in between 8 and 11 more in this class. Feel free to add or comment:
Marlon Brown (WR), Pat Patterson (WR), Marcus Hall (OL above), Mike Edwards (DB above), Janzen Jackson (DB), Sam Montgomery (DE), Peter White (OL), Randall Carroll (WR - probably will stay with USC), Greg King (LB), Chris Freeman (6'9 OL), Willie Ferrell (LB)
Players I left off and reason:
Alshon Jeffrey (WR - looks slow and doesn't play hard, also is a soft verbal to USC as of now)
Trent Richardson (RB - recently added a visit to LSU, Florida, and Tennessee as an Alabama commit... hmm something sounds fishy there. seems like a spy-job to me.)
Morgan Moses (OL - one of the most over-rated linemen there is. highly rated just because he's so big, but apparently isn't impressing Kiffin nor the all american bowl coaches. also said he's "not really as interested" in Tennessee since Fulmer was canned)
Kendall Kelly (WR - pretty sure he's going to Bama)
Philip Lutzenkirchen (TE - pretty sure he's going to Auburn)
volunteers4life writes:
great info there... If we get all those listed, where do we end up ranking class-wise u think?
rockytopman writes:
How about Orson Charles, ATH/TE...and DT's Corey Gaines and Raynard Randolph. Really need help up front.
vol4good#206163 writes:
I know we need more O linmen, but a couple of more D tackles would really make my day. Coach O needs some bodys on that D line.
redstickvol writes:
Does this paragraph/quote concern anybody else, “That’s a big thing in my decision,” Edwards said, “knowing that I have a lot of support in academics because I know I’m a person that’s going to need some help in those areas. That’s a big thing for me.” Yeah we need athletes, but we also need them to be on the field (i.e. Brent Vinson). Just a thought.
lomas98 writes:
Drayton must not be getting any other offers for interviews elsewhere otherwise I'm sure he would listen. Kiffin needs to make a decision on him. It would be nice to let some offensive players know who their position coach will be if they come on board. I guess he had to regroup when Garner declined. Maybe Kiffin was waiting for FL to end season so he can talk to their WR coach?
HtownVol writes:
We are good in the secondary. I would like to have him though. But, I reqally want Hall. He would be the best OL we recruit this year. And he will be starting be his second year. If we get at least 2 big time WRs ( M.Brown, P.Patterson) and we MUST keep Stokes!!! along with Hall and the OL we have on our list now. I would be happy with that recruiting class. This class may not rank high but as long as we get the players I listed it would be a very solid class. And the next few years we WILL have top 10 classes every year. I have no doubt about that. I cant wait to see the 5* QB we sign next year. It will happen, at least a top 10 4*! Please come to UT Marlon Brown and Patrick Patterson! You will be greatly appreciated!
HtownVol writes:
really want... I know how many people correct bad spelling. Sorry, Im in a hurry (at work)
cobbwebb writes:
i like that word htown really + equal= requally!
HtownVol writes:
R u talking shart about H-Town? Dont really care if you do. I moved here from Morristown, Tn last because of my "easy" x-wife. I miss TN, the cost of living here is outragous! But the jobs do pay more. And you arent limited to just factory jobs.
Please come to UT M.Brown and P.Patterson!
HtownVol writes:
last year. there i go again F'n up my english. Dont want to get called out. It happens every time. People want to feel smarter by correcting others on here.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
I don't think Kiff knew Drayton before, maybe it's an audition. Kiff likes what he sees, Stan stays. If not, he's helping out & drawing a paycheck till something else comes along.
Meanwhile, go get 'em guys.
Go VOLS!!!
volchiq writes:
Actually I think it shows some maturity in being able to identify his weakness and get some help to keep his grades. Most kids his age think they know everything and those are the ones that have the problems.
CheckerboardPhilosopher writes:
RECRUITING REPORT (COMPREHENSIVE) From 3SIB
http://3rdsaturdayinblogtober.wordpre...
TommyJack writes:
Need some big ugly defensive linemen.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Shows me the kid knows he has a weakness and wants to improve on it. Not sure Vinson fully appreciates the opportunity he has here; seems this kid would appreciate it.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
CLK may just be waiting until he knows who else he is going to hire before giving Drayton a position. It's good of Drayton to still be working so hard for us--apparently--while he waits for things to shake out, but it would be a bit of a shame to let him go after he HAS worked hard for UT without a defined position. I just don't think CLK would have given Drayton as much responsibility as he has if he doesn't intend to keep Drayton on board.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I agree with Volchiq about a recruit recognizing and admitting where he has a weak area, that's a good thing I'd say.
And I agree with TommyJack and Vol4good on us most needing linemen. I believe you win or lose it in the trenches and we have been lacking there in recent years.
And Pablo, don't forget Ben Martin from Ohio.
FWBVol writes:
I don't think there's anything fishy about Richardson wanting to take other visits. For the last several months he's been listed as a soft verbal to Bama.
If Coffee comes back for his senior year, and I haven't heard he won't and I live in his hometown, that means Richardson will enter the fall at best number four on the depth chart. I think he can see that and might be looking around for what other schools have to offer.
As far as the spy job, I don't see that. There are very few secrets in the SEC. Everyone knows what UT and the other schools offer as far as facilities and stuff like that go. And I doubt if Kiffin is going to open up an entire playbook to a recruit.
miamiVOL writes:
Sam Montgomery (DE) = LSU bound
Randall Carroll (WR) = CAL or TN/UF - SC is out of the picture
asleep#212036 writes:
Dude, there is so little real difference between a 3* and a 5* it would scare you. If Kiffin (or Fulmer in his day) thinks the boy can play, I don't care how many stars he carries - I'll take him and let our new staff coach him up. So much of the rivals/scout bluster is about politics and opportunities for exposure rather than real talent or potential. I have a recent example from my son's HS that I have posted before but it's too long to do again. Bottom line: the kid's a legitimate 2* that has "politicked" his way to a 4* scholarship at Alabama. It's a joke. Go Vols!!!
XildnSC writes:
Sam Montgomery - 6'4", 240 & a
4 flippin 44 40! Is that legit?
I think I'll mosey over to Greenwood
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
While its not a landslide these recruits have UT verbals since CLK has been coach. Green, Gordon, Oku, (all 3 rated 4 stars). Jeffery, Phillips, Sykes (3 stars). True, they could all back out but thats not likely. Is DJ Hunter thinking of going somewhere other than UT? And whats this business about Gordon not passing his ACT fact or fiction?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Almost no one has "purchase orders" at this stage in the process. Let's wait until the signed scholarship papers are returned before we declare winners and losers in the recruiting wars. Then we will most likely have to wait a couple of years to see which of those "stars" have lived up to their billing.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Bad time to be citing the Houston Earlers East: the Titans lost ignominiously to the Ravens this afternoon. SAVol
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