MEMPHIS - I had just returned home on Sunday evening from the Memphis Grizzlies' 102-82 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at FedEx Forum when I received a text message from a friend.
"Did you see what Marlon just did? Unbelievable!" the message read.
I immediately turned on the television and made my way to ESPN, where they were still showing replays of Harding Academy senior receiver Marlon Brown's 71-yard touchdown reception on the White Team's first play from scrimmage in Sunday's Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, Fla.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Brown, the state's consensus No. 1 college football prospect, had caught a short slant on the right side of the field from Southern California commitment Matt Barkley, then outraced two defenders to the end zone to give the White Team an early 7-0 advantage.
"Barkley and him had worked well together. They did the USC camp together this summer, so I knew there was a chance (Brown) was going to get the ball," said Harding Academy head coach Ryan Derrick, who also participated in the all-star event, serving as the White Team's running backs coach.
"But I had no idea it was going to be a 71-yard touchdown."
Brown, who is considering scholarship offers from Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State and Tennessee, finished with four receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
On Tuesday night, the Lions' two-sport star was back on the hardwood, scoring eight points for Harding in a 70-54 region victory over First Assembly Christian School.
"I don't know how, but he's doing it, and he's doing it well," Derrick said of Brown's hectic schedule. "I just got an e-mail from one of his teachers, just saying how incredible it was that he's one of the first ones to always turn his stuff in.
"He's doing a great job keeping up."
Brown will make official visits to LSU on Jan. 23 and Tennessee on Jan. 30. He's already made official visits to Georgia and Ohio State.
Derrick said Brown will likely make his decision public Feb. 4, the first day of the national signing period.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 134
GoVol writes:
Lets get him!
Volchaz writes:
Get on I-40 East, Marlon. Next stop.....K-Town....
SemperVol writes:
Exit 386B Alcoa Hwy, left on Cumberland Ave, Right on Volunteer Boulevard just as you pass the railroad bridge.
High five 'the rock' on your way to Gibbs Hall and call it home... wow I miss Knoxville!!!
TNfaninMS writes:
why so pessimistic?
TNfaninMS writes:
Did anyone notice that Monte and CEO are in Mobile? That is not far from Foley where, this kid is...
http://tennessee.rivals.com/viewprosp...
TNfaninMS writes:
The other plane is going to Cleveland home of these two,
http://tennessee.rivals.com/viewprosp...
and
http://tennessee.rivals.com/viewprosp...
TNfaninMS writes:
Later the plane is heading to Gadsden AL.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...
and
http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprosp...
JMP_Vols writes:
TRENT RICHARDSON IS COMING FOR A VISIT!!!!!!!
1vol writes:
What is the tail no.? I notice one is in nashville and one is in Mobile.
SemperVol writes:
Actually, scratch that... I'll come pick you up. Take you Jack's BBQ in Nashville to let you know there's other BBQ in the state other than Memphis.
Kosmo, make sure you have some balm readily available when you skin those potatoes... how long do you think your post will stay up here???
GoVol writes:
Brown will be a 2-year player, so he will want to go to a school with a QB that can get him the ball often. Doubt we have the QB this fall to do that?
Maverick1921 writes:
If he doesn't redshirt he will have to play 3 years.
orangebloodgmc writes:
Aloe vera.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
This train is derailed.
TNfaninMS writes:
N1UP
cjraney writes:
All indications are Marlon is a great kid off the field. We need as much character on the team as possible.
jimr07 writes:
so, in your opinion, getting better coaching, the ones we have will not turn out?
1vol writes:
Thanks.is those the only three?
jimr07 writes:
and, i would rather have him for two years than not at all.
HtownVol writes:
WE NEED MARLON BROWN. PLEASE COME TO UT. Marlon will get the ball plenty here. He will be our best play maker!
allvol9 writes:
Tennessee needs you Marlon.....hope you choose the Orange. Come be a part of the "New" Tennessee!
flathead_38006#255749 writes:
who are the 2 players that got dismissed today?
SemperVol writes:
OT Ramone Johnson
OT Darius Myers
Brent Vinson will probably get the boot also... frankly, I think it's overdue.
Basketball_Jones writes:
Anyone see where Phil Simms son is transfering from Louisville?
BillsBrother writes:
What's this two year stuff? Are predictions now being made that the NFL is going to change their 3-year rule so that Marlon Brown can join thier league even earlier?
Silly.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Me 2,,How could u expect any player to stay more than 2 years if he excels.
TNfaninMS writes:
As far as i know those are the only 3.
BillsBrother writes:
Here is a nice article on why rating stars are not always accurate. This guy is scheduled to visit TN.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...
SemperVol writes:
Well... the article just vanished
I believe it said the ever-ambiguous "Academic Shortcoming"... Vinson, well, he's just a punk with police citations and forgot that he's a STUDENT-athlete.
annemarie writes:
I only know of 2 - N111UT & N1UP. What do you have for the 3rd one?
TNfaninMS writes:
What happened for them to get the boot? Must have been bad to have gotten kicked out with school out.
TNfaninMS writes:
Ed O and Monte are on N502jf
mtownvol writes:
Saw where the Simms kid was leaving. You think an NFL type staff would be attractive to him?? I also wonder if the experience of his brother in Tampa might have some bearing on things.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Roger that! Glad to see that he uses his time well. He seems to be the total package.
1vol writes:
N502JF
BillsBrother writes:
Even if the guy wins the Heisman in his freshman and sophomore years I would expect him to stay for a third year!
The NFL won't take a player until three (3) years have passed since their HS graduation!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Not that I know of. It's just that some on here are slow learners. It has been correctly stated on here any number of times, particularly in discussions about Eric Berry, that a player must be three years removed from his HS graduation before he can go to the NFL.
LiveFaith writes:
Crompton was rated as high as Marlon Brown.
volwalk writes:
Volquest says that we are hosting another top recruit this weekend--Janzen Jackson 5* CB. His a LSU commit but starting to teeter says he is interested in whats going on at UT with Papa Kiff and CEO. I'd say over the next two weeks we are going to hear alot of this.....glad KNS is keeping us informed. Where's Savage when you need him?
SemperVol writes:
Good article, brother. I'll add to that.. someone posted this earlier, maybe last night....
Rivals.com will unveil its final 2009 player rankings at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, Jan. 13:
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
They were probably told they can't re-enroll after flunking in the fall semester.
SemperVol writes:
TNfaninMS....what john-goo said.
volwalk writes:
Crompton/Stephens/Coleman will be much better qbs under Kiff and Co. Wait and see.
senracjr writes:
Do U have the link to this plane?
BibleHillVol writes:
More information than needed.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
UT is too segregated for the Simm's. Just ask Chris, he'll tell you. It's better to be M. Applewhite's backup/personal water boy/beotch than to start at UT.
1vol writes:
No I don't know how.Just go to flight aware live tracking and type in the tail no.Or maybe someone else can do it.Sorry
miamiVOL writes:
and? there couldnt be too different positions in the entire game. QB play requires great study habits and a very mental approach to the game, a WR just needs to remember his basic 4-6 routes and GO GET IT
idiot.
TNfaninMS writes:
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N5...
Docrok writes:
Its a minimum of 3 years GoVol! You have 5 years to play 4 but can leave after 3, even if you redshirt... See Knowshon Moreno and Sam Bradford
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