Defensive Tackle U? Kiffin can go that way in recruiting

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Buy this photo »

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin leaves the arena floor while greeting fans during halftime of the basketball game at Thompson Boling Arena on Saturday.

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess
Buy this photo »

Tennessee coach Monte Kiffin leaves the arena floor during halftime of the basketball game at Thompson Boling Arena on Saturday.

Remember when Tennessee was known as "Wide Receiver U"?

Good times.

Remember when the Vols had an incredible run of defensive tackles in the late 1990s and early part of this decade?

Championships.

Take the flash of an outside speedster if you want; I'll take the run-stopping intimidators that have to be double-teamed on every play. That's what leads to trophies and jewelry.

Lane Kiffin seems to share my opinion.

Yes, that Kiffin - the young one, not Monte. UT's new football coach may be known more for coaching Heisman Trophy winners than recruiting defensive tackles, yet he has done both.

Kiffin most recently added Oklahoma defensive tackle Pearlie Graves to the conversation. Graves will visit this weekend even though he's committed to Michigan.

Then there's Arthur Jeffrey Jr., who Kiffin offered a scholarship despite Jeffrey suffering a torn ACL in September. The message was clear: a potentially great defensive tackle is worth the risk of a scholarship.

Kiffin has also made sure to hold onto junior college defensive tackle Jonathan Hollins, who committed to UT in October under former coach Phillip Fulmer.

The Vols found themselves woefully thin at times last season at defensive tackle due to injury. And no offense to UT's main trio of Demonte' Bolden, Walter Fisher and Dan Williams, but there hasn't been a great defensive tackle at UT since Albert Haynesworth left as a junior in 2002.

Think of what a top-flight run stopper could do to some of those long drives the Vols have given up in recent memory. Think of what an occasional big play from a defensive tackle could do to the flow of a game. Does the 1998 Arkansas game ring a bell?

The Vols have never had a better sales pitch for defensive tackle prospects. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron has coached countless elite defensive tackles. And need I even mention Monte Kiffin?

Those that listen to The Sports Page radio show or read John Adams' picks panel columns know I'm no expert picker when it comes to games.

I will, however, offer this recruiting prognostication. The Vols will secure another solid defensive tackle for the 2009 class. Could it be Graves? We'll see.

Short Lived: When I was young, a businessman by the name of T.D. Hooker told me that once you know an employee isn't in it for the long term, they're not worth having around.

If they offer a two-week notice, he said, offer sincere best wishes and send them on their way - with two weeks pay if warranted.

At the time I thought that was rather harsh. Here's an employee that is giving his boss notice yet he's suddenly no longer welcome on the premise.

I was wrong.

It wasn't about being vindictive. It was about business.

A short-timer situation is almost always no good. It's simply human nature.

What's to strive for when there's another job waiting or you know you're on the chopping block?

Kiffin learned that first hand over the past six weeks with the holdovers from Fulmer's staff. While I think many of UT's "interim" assistant coaches put up the best front possible in recruiting athletes they almost assuredly wouldn't coach, their hearts couldn't have been in it.

There's an ol' recruiting saying that goes "Recruiting is like shaving. If you don't do it everyday, it shows."

Well, I can tell you that when I'm on vacation, shaving is the last thing on my mind.

Hence, Jason Michaels.

It's long been thought that Michaels would return to the NFL instead of trying to hang onto Kiffin's staff, most likely in vain.

Now, I'm sure that Michaels made the calls, took the trips and wore orange all recruiting season long. But did he recruit like he had to? Probably not - because he didn't.

For proof, talk to Texas cornerback prospect Demontre Hurst. Hurst said he didn't hear from anyone from UT in two weeks. Hurst was being recruited by Michaels.

Now, don't blame Michaels. Blame the set of circumstances that Kiffin had to deal with as he put together a staff with the long-term as the top priority.

Imagine yourself sitting at home with a long list of prospects to call, a family staring at you and your future to plan.

Are you calling prospects or potential employers?

Rankings: The Vols' 2009 recruiting class is ranked 16th in the nation by Rivals and 19th by Scout.

Many of the schools in front of UT already have most of their classes complete and won't add much in the final days.

If Kiffin and company can get some momentum going into the final weeks before National Signing Day on Feb. 4, a top 10 class isn't out of reach.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!