Tennessee fans looking for a top-flight recruiting surprise need look no further than Tana Patrick.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker from North Jackson High School in Stevenson, Ala., was selected as a U.S. Army All-American and is one of the top 100 prospects in the country, according to Rivals and Scout. He will take an official visit to UT.
Patrick confirmed that he will take the visit to UT on Jan. 30, just days before National Signing Day on Feb. 4.
"They have a good program every year and they have new coaches this year," Patrick said. "I don't know much about the new coaches now."
That will change thanks to a major adjustment in Patrick's itinerary. Instead of visiting Miami as previously planned, Patrick is heading to Knoxville. Moreover, Patrick doesn't seem afraid to leave the state of Alabama even though he's long had scholarship offers from the Crimson Tide and Auburn.
"I hear it a lot," Patrick said of the pressures to stay in-state. "But it's not a big deal."
Southern California might prove to be as big of a challenge for UT as any school. Patrick will visit USC on Jan. 23.
"It would be a great opportunity to play for a good coach and a great program," Patrick said.
Patrick said he's being recruited by UT assistant Lance Thompson, who left Alabama last week. Thompson wasn't Patrick's primary recruiter at Alabama, but Patrick said he knew Thompson from his recruitment to Tuscaloosa.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 51
WinOrLoseWeStillBooze writes:
Righteous...guy's a player.
Ironcity writes:
This sounds promising
bluetick writes:
Just as I was saying.... suprise visitors. Oh yea! Reel them in Coaches! Give them just a taste and they can't refuse. Oh how I love this time of the year. :)
hotrodvol writes:
If we get this guy we will have a great group of LBs signing with the VOLS.
gobigorange writes:
This would be great. I am from Stevenson AL and know for sure this kid is the real deal.
yeavols#228407 writes:
HA! My dream has come true..A kid from Alabama coming to Tennessee for a visit. Adams or Hooker must have read my post a few minutes ago on the other article. I was hoping the other recruits were also considering Al. I wonder if BAMA978 will be paying us a visit soon.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Tana Patrick on Rivals:
http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprosp...
volwalk writes:
Kiff and CO. lets close the deal in 09---hopefully a top 10 class and carry the momentum for 2010 (Top 3)!
MidTennVol writes:
Rivals and Scout both give him ****
gohawks1 writes:
Do not invoke the interlopers.
VolJoe writes:
agreed. They need no encouragement
Hudro writes:
getting them to come visit is half the battle. To drop Miami and come see us is quite a coup for the new staff. I think when the kids come in and see who else is there we may have a snowball effect.
volwalk writes:
I think its fortunate that as these guys are visiting our bball team is hosting big nationally televised games>>Memphis 24th and Florida 31st. VOL FANS lets give these future vols another warm welcome when they come over to TBA.
GO VOLS!
volroadwarrior writes:
If we get only 20 to 30 percent of who visits these last 2 weeks it will be a masterful job of recruiting. Ever heard of speed dating? This is speed recruiting.
MemphisVol1485 writes:
If we land him, we will have some studs at LB. Askew, King, Mitchell-Thorton, Shackleford.....that will give Monte alot to play with along side Rico.
bloodrunsorange writes:
Jelani Jenkins, who hasn’t committed, would be great too!
GREATVOLSAFIRE writes:
UT Band just went by Obama playing Rocky TOP
senracjr writes:
Tana patrick is the real deal!
I saw him play the last 3 years and this guys a
monster!
rockytopspottedbirgdog writes:
This kid is a stud. During his junior year three people were carted off the field after he hit them.
1vol writes:
Check out Jarrett Brown DE.
InBruceWeTrust writes:
I couldn't agree more, I've been looking at this kid the last couple of days.
Big, strong, fast, good hands. He looks like a stud. Athletic enough to be considered a reciever on Rivals.
Let's cross our fingers that we show Orson and the rest of the 30th visitors something they can't pass up.
blitzshoot writes:
May not get them all, but at least a lot of top prospects are now considering UT. Speaks volumes for the new staff.
InBruceWeTrust writes:
It absolutely does.
I can't wait for next year's class; I have a feeling we'll be snagging 5 stars left and right.
1vol writes:
We just offered Owamagbe Odighizuwa class 2010 6'3/235DE.On www.volnation.com
NoogaVol55 writes:
Waffle House for a steak...that was a zinger...I feel it coming on ...wait for it...wait for it...ZINGGGGGGG!!!
Nicely done whitepinevol!!! I laughed my azz off!
BigDaddyVol writes:
Ktown is not far from home for this kid. Get him Kiff
Voluvr writes:
Yep he's a player and now he has the opportunity to be coached by the Monte Kiffen considered the greatest defensive mind in football. You don't get that kind of coaching just anywhere. UT is going to put a lot of players into the NFL very soon.
rockytopspottedbirgdog writes:
Has anybody heard about the Fulmer to Indy rumers? A local caller on a talk radia show mentioned it today.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Nothing more than me rolling the dice for you..forget the bones..
yeavols#228407 writes:
Interloper ALERT! Incoming..DO NOT CLICK ON LINK!! CODE ORANGE TERRORIST ALERT
invisiblekid writes:
Getting a guy on campus is always the big first step. I doubt they get him due to the competition the Vols are facing, especially getting to him this late in the game. Anything is possible though as most all the recruits seem to be raving about the new staff.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Terrorist alert reduced to Yellow..you may click on the link..it is not considered threatening. Proceed with caution. Tennessee Volunteer Homeland Security will keep you posted of any Interloper threats.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Well if he is smarter than most athletes he will choose the Vols and be NFL prepared when he leaves.
madvillevol writes:
I do not believe we have a shot with
11 5* Dre Kirkpatrick
49 4* morgan Moses
155 4* Barkevious Mingo
207 4* Corey Gaines
141 4* Frankie Telfort
222 4* Isaac Holmes
However we are gettieg visits from....
50 4* Pat Patterson
52 4* Marcus Hall
53 4* marlon Brown
62 4* Orson Charles
110 4* Sam Montgomery
116 4* Eddie Lacy
213 4* Quinton Washington
67 4* Tana Patrick
Just Getting these guys on campus gives a legit shot at landing them.
Vol43 writes:
Ya gotta look at it this way too. They've been cooped up with you. LOL!
yeavols#228407 writes:
And guess who showed up..=)
utmdm writes:
Well if ole 987 comes in prepare for the same-
1-He is a lock for bama will never leave the state or
2-He is not very good and has drop in bamas want list.
yeavols#228407 writes:
LOL UTMDM...you read everyone's mind. Exactly! So predictable
txsvol#372416 writes:
This guy lives only 150 miles from Knoxville, and he's closer to us than Tuscaloosa or Auburn. He's somebody who has been on my radar for the last two years, from the Chattanooga paper. We have Bama's best recruiter now working with us, so, if he'd rather spend his last weekend of recruiting with us rather than going to Miami, we've got a good shot! Go Vols! SAVol
txsvol#372416 writes:
Have Monte show some of Derrick Brooks' videos from his defense when recruiting Tana! SAVol
gnm53108 writes:
Man,kns needs you on their payroll.
I think we'll get either Patrick or Marlon.Dont see both nor are both needed.I still would like to see a couple more big uglies for OL and DL.Looks like coach Kiffins are still hard at work.
Thanks fer the info.
givehim6 writes:
Sign your name on the orange line.
utchris writes:
Good find, but that ACT score has got to improve.
baldfan writes:
Why does Gatorzz come to a Tn Vol site? Get a life dude?
ballewville6 writes:
IF WE CAN GET ATLEAST 7 PLAYERS FROM THE LIST VY10- TITANS PLUS KING WITH THE CLASS WE HAVE NOW WE WILL HAVE A TOP 5 OR 6 CLASS
UTVolAlum writes:
Tana Patrick's coach says he is not visiting, because he will be sticking with the visit to Miami on the 30th.
CHS52VOL writes:
A big OORAH! for Jackson County! Largest County in the State, and has produced outstanding football talent, both Scottsboro and Stevenson. My wife's hometown, and a place I visit frequently. Used to work at Jackson County Hospital. Do you happen to know J.D. "Pete" Foster or Billy Gordon Sanders?
A week or so ago when it was reported the UT plane had been in Mobile, Gadsden and Scottsboro, I mentioned the Scottsboro stopover was probably to visit this kid. Would be great to land this big fish. GO VOLS!
CHS52VOL writes:
I know. My implanted cardiac defibrillator almost blew a fuse! Man, I love that song, especially when played by the UT band.
orngbluded writes:
Even if we dont get some of these guys its a great sign that we have alot of top players wanting to come here for a visit,i believe we have alot to look forward too next year,i mean these coaches has done a good job even though they got a late start,i still hope we can land some of the top recruits this year but if not we will get alot of them next year.
TNfaninMS writes:
you know, i saw on rivals that another 4* RB is visiting us and we are high on his list. That would give us roughly 5 RB verbals/committs/signees and that would make COMPETITION at UT once more. Nothing makes a team better than competition. I can smell the NC's right now, not too far away.
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