MEMPHIS - Alabama and Tennessee are still after him, but Whitehaven High senior defensive back Gene Robinson said Wednesday afternoon his recent commitment to North Carolina is "solid."
Robinson, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound cornerback, committed to the Tar Heels over the weekend during an official visit.
His Whitehaven teammate, senior linebacker Derrick Webb, also committed over the weekend, pledging his services to Colorado during an official visit. Verbal commitments are not binding.
"There's some schools still trying to come in late on them, but both of them have committed, and they're pretty solid in their commitments," Whitehaven head coach Rodney Saulsberry said.
"But you know how recruiting is. People are still trying to knock on the door."
Saulsberry said Alabama made a recruiting stop at Whitehaven on Wednesday to inquire about Robinson, whom Scout.com ranks the No. 28 safety prospect nationally. Robinson also had an in-home visit set up with Tennessee on Wednesday night.
"I'm listening to them now," Robinson said of the Vols, adding that he wasn't sure if he would make any other official visits before Feb. 4, the first day of the national signing period.
Robinson was recruited to North Carolina by Tar Heels defensive coordinator Everett Withers and wide receivers coach Charlie Williams.
"I'm getting in and getting a chance to play early. It's on the rise, and I want to be a part of it," Robinson said.
"It's exciting. It's (Chapel Hill, N.C.) a college city. It's nice."
The 6-0, 225-pound Webb, ranked the No. 23 weakside linebacker prospect nationally by Scout.com, wrapped up an official visit to Colorado on Sunday by committing to the the Buffaloes.
"The staff and everybody, they were all crowded around me and shaking my hand and telling me, 'Welcome to the family,' and how Colorado just got that much better already," Webb said Wednesday.
"So I could tell they were pretty excited to get me."
Webb still has official visits set up with Kentucky this weekend and Tennessee on Jan. 30. He said he still intends to make those visits.
"That's the confusing part about it, because, of course, Colorado doesn't want me to take any more visits. They don't want anybody else to come in and get me," Webb said.
"I'm pretty solid with Colorado right now, but I would like to take my visits and pretty much enjoy the rest of the recruiting process."
Webb said he would especially like to make the Jan. 30 trip to Knoxville if Robinson elects to do the same.
"I'd most definitely want to take that visit with Gene, because I know it would be an all-around good time," Webb said.
"I'm trying to get Colorado to realize that they don't have to worry about me switching on them, because my trip to Colorado was amazing. I'm looking forward to coming to Colorado."
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 60
GoVol writes:
Come to Knoxville and you'll be home!
orangeinbama writes:
We need a bigger fence? Thats ok. We are building a bigger and better one...Just takes time...
cjraney writes:
Kids have to make the best choice for them. If it's out of state, so be it. I just hope that HS coaches explain that most players don't get in the NFL and going to a local or in-state school can really create those connections that will them later in life.
tngivem6 writes:
wo!!!.Jan 30, looks like a huge weekend for recruits.
can't wait to see what happens.
this is turning out to be better than an episode of LOST.
VolFaninTriCities writes:
Robinson said "It's a college city" referring to Chapel Hill. Hey Robinson, it's also a basketball school and the football team will always be a second thought in Chapel Hill. Knoxville is "a college city" but we eat, breathe and sleep Tennessee Football. Don't be tricked by the campus at Chapel come to Ktown and see what College football is all about.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
makdadvol writes:
A 165 lb corner/safety,thats a little on the light side. Go on to Carolina. Best of luck.
senracjr writes:
Whats with going after all the 3 stars now?
ctownvol writes:
Two weeks from signing day and you're talking politics on a recruiting article????
senracjr writes:
Did anyone notice the everything was going pretty good for the Us until the Democrats took control of the house and senate? Everyone blamed it on W. Now they have control of the house and senate+the presidency. Now it will be as bad as it would have been if we kept Fulmer and co.
Obama is not the messiah. mark my words.
HtownVol writes:
We are set at LB and DB. Im more concerned about getting J. Stokes and another big time WR ( P. Patterson, M. Brown) If we get 2 of them I will be very happy with our class this year!
utmdm writes:
Guess you are referring to W as in Will.
jobrando#216494 writes:
if they are solid elsewhere why the story?
SemperVol writes:
Good grief, feller. You're like a broken record.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Uh, how many players from Colorado and NC do you see playing in the NFL,lol? Real smart choices guys,lol.
ALL_VOL75 writes:
Jan 30th is a huge weekend for the future of our program! We must all do our part on that weekend to make these recruits feel at home. How can we help? Go to the basketball game and go crazy when they enter TBA. Paint the Rock. Post positive thoughts on here. Lets let these guys know how much we want them, but most importantly lets show them just how special Rocky Top is!
utfpmd writes:
I agree.
What are these guys thinking?
rockytopron writes:
Check out this link.
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/832309....
BigMix writes:
I was just informed that Ramone Johnson and E.J. Abrams-Ward will be dismissed from the team.
Go4Two writes:
The best thing about Tuesday was that big 747 heading to Texas...
MrBamSeydu writes:
who cares. they're 3 star prospects. by "building the fence" Kiffin meant on the major prospects in TN. we can't sign every player from TN, nor would we want to. TN high school football doesn't compare to the majority of other states' football (i.e. Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Cali)
GREEKDAWG writes:
Something interesting http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sha...
10uhsea writes:
Whats the reason?
798orange writes:
This a sports website so I wont mention how stupid and far removed from the truth your comments are.
SemperVol writes:
Thanks for the link, dawg.
This will be his last official visit this weekend. Sending Papa K followed by an official should be a good thing for Tennessee.
maholt49#632667 writes:
Coach K, hope you wish these guys the best, but please don't waste you time/money on them. Let them "enjoy the recruiting process" at another school!!
thevoice writes:
If we get the No. 28th at all positions, we'll have the 28th rate recruiting class. Let's shoot for ratings 1-10 by position. Nuff said.
iowavol writes:
Amen, brother, amen! Bout damn time too.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Looks like Ramone pizzed hot and E.J. doesn't care about grades.
Down_The_Field writes:
did you say we've got a new president? oh, okay.
on a serious note. VOLs are getting second looks and are begining to pause on their decisions. this tells me that the CLK staff is working hard. we may not sway any of the long shots or get the guys on the bubble but we're slowly building a foundation. i think this will get interesting come early late jan early feb.
TipsyCoachman writes:
Great academics?!? After receiving two degrees from UT...trust me the university does not have great academics.
orangebloodgmc writes:
"but people are still knocking on the door."
Um, people are still taking recruiting trips!
easleychuck writes:
Not meaning to be negative. BUT Trying to keep recruiting in perspective and how a player's successful recruitment doesn't guarantee anything.....I remember 2 years ago when Abrams-Ward was a huge chip in that recruiting class.
If I remember correctly he never saw the field last year.
And if it turns out that he has been dismissed from the team because he couldn't keep his academics in order.....all of the excitement at his signing to be a Vol was for naught. And, don't take me wrong, I was as excited as anyone, hanging on the weekly and sometimes daily reports on whether the would become a Vol.
When folks say stay away from 3 star kids (based on someone's opinion?), at the end of the day, as we all know, that' what makes recruiting such a maze. Do you sign a *** and he works his tail off, goes to class and brings honor to his team and coaches or do you sign a **** who never sees the field. Hopefully, this is where these new coaches recruiting savvy can see through some of the stars hoopla.
TommyJack writes:
Sorry, but you were blinded by the Imaculata on Tuesday.
TipsyCoachman writes:
I never said I did not get a good education. I only said that UT did not have great academics. In fact, for the majority of its programs UT is average at best. That is not to say they do not have a few gems, but most programs do not meet what other schools can offer.
Don't get me wrong. I love UT and would probably go there again if I had it to do over.
I got a second degree there for the same reasons I did my first: location, cost, and convenience. Besides, I was able to get to where I wanted to be by attending UT, so why go somewhere else that would have cost much more?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Went by Sports 1 today.
Saw nary a rhinestone shirt with a political motif.
HonoluluVol writes:
Take your Political rants and raves else were please. This is a UT Football forum, not FOX NEWS.
TommyJack writes:
Sports 1 dangerously close to Logans, PD. You didn't munch on a few wings and wash it down with Slim-Fast did you? :)
226 days til WKY
TommyJack writes:
Political rants and raves? That, sir, would be MSNBC.
volsmith writes:
If it's OK with you guys, I'd like to throw an amen in there too. AMEN.
utmdm writes:
sorry I am more excited about these orange and white planes landing in LA, AL, SC, OH, PA, etc.
roobomb writes:
Your logic is off. That would only be true if the 1-27 players all went to the same schools. Think of it this way: If one school got the #2 rated player at each position (they would each obviously be 5* players), would they have the #2 rated class that year? No, they would easily have the #1 class with at least 22 5* players, even if they didn't get a single #1 rated player at any position.
roobomb writes:
Sorry, didn't get to this one before I wrote that last post.
bluetick writes:
Im with you on that. 5-10 165 seems awful small to me too. I'm not sure why these guys commit prior to all of their visits anyways. What's up with that? Maybe it is about just traveling to different cities and as Webb said 'having a good time'. Just commit to Tennessee, go to the NFL and then you can travel around the world and have a good time if you want to. I think the coaches might adopt my point of view here. :) Regardless this team will be fine within a couple of years at most.
volfan1967 writes:
Another Obama worshiper. Great thats all we need.
volfan1967 writes:
Actually he is right on top of the truth...
VolGrad writes:
Talking down the academic programs at the same school you attended is just not good judgement. It doesn't matter if you're right or wrong in your assessment. It just isn't smart.
Leave the diss'n of our academics to Vandy grads.
txvolsfan writes:
You must like socialism
volfan1967 writes:
They better learn to like it. It is what they are gonna get for the next four years.
txvolsfan writes:
That's for sure it has already started. Take relief for people who don't pay taxes? Can you say WELFARE!!!
GO VOLS
SORRY, GOT SIDETRACKED
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