Tennessee's Robert Ayers, who had a solid week of practice, was named top defensive player at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday.
Even better news for the defensive end is that he likely elevated his status from a second-day pick to a possible second-round selection in the NFL draft.
Ayers, who started at right defensive end for the South, had 3 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His combined sack with Georgia's Corvey Irvin of North quarterback Rhett Bomar of Sam Houston State in the end zone and resulting fumble recovery by Ole Miss' Peria Jerry in the fourth quarter gave the South a 35-18 lead and the final score.
Ayers also sacked Nathan Brown of Central Arkansas in the third quarter.
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Comments » 22
highVOLtage writes:
Here's hoping that Ayers goes in the "FIRST" round.
VOLorado writes:
Way to go Robert!
Volnbama writes:
Way 2 represent Ayers...Up late highVoltage?
BubbaVol writes:
Well, it looks as if not all of CPF recuits are as bad as the CLK junkys would want everyone to believe.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
FANTASTIC!
highVOLtage writes:
Quite late
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Ayers is defensive MVP and these jokers don't have a mention of it.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/91...
volmattna writes:
He didnt even start playing until his junior year! Great move former staff! Hahaha this guy could be a beast he is just getting his feet wet.
RockyTopVolFan writes:
YOU, BubbaVol posted on January 25, 2009 at 1:26 a.m.
"Well, it looks as if not all of CPF recuits are as bad as the CLK junkys would want everyone to believe."
Well Bub, I am not a junkie for either CPF or CLK, yet!
CPF & Co. had many unremarkable UT players who went pro and then displayed remarkable talents unseen here on Saturdays.
Kiff & Company are not the reason Fullmer was fired nor are these Coaches responsible for any presumed or perceived maltreatment of Fullmer by anyone!
PLEASE lets WELCOME our new coaches to the full enjyment of our support, our confidence, and the time necessary to train our young men to be winners while still wearing the Orange & White.
Coaches WELCOME ABOARD!!!!
GO VOLS!
PepperGrinder (Inactive) writes:
I missed it. :(
senracjr writes:
Everyone gets lucky sometime,
invisiblekid writes:
Hard as it may be to believe, some people here are UT fans first and foremost over any coach or player.
That being said, I greatly appreciate the time and effort Ayers put in with the Vols. He had a great performance last night and I can't wait to see him playing on Sundays as a rich man.
tnbigg writes:
Congratulations Robert! A true bright spot on our defensive line in 2008. May the draft reward you well and may your future allow you to become yet another standout defensive lineman from the University of Tennessee! It would have been great to see how Ayers would have done under Monte Kiffin...but I'm sure our defensive line will never be short any players again! Go Vols! The one and only home of the NFL farm team! NFL coaches to produce NFL talent who attain and sustain maximum performance...gayters...better make sure you vulgur nasty helmets are strapped on tight...there's going to be a new sherrif in town...and the urban legend is vacating to South Bend within three years...paybacks are a mo fo...after all your Georgia like smack talk...dining on crow is all that awaits you...lots and lots of crow...magpie sandwiches...magpie stew...magpie scat...mange...
McLifetimeVolfan writes:
In Response to BubbaVol
Well looks as if not all CPF recruits are not as bad as CLK Junkys would want everyone to believe.
Hey I hope Ayers makes a ton of money in the NFL.I am a Vol fan not a junkie for anyone.
With that being said this program was in dire need of some competent leadership.I supported CPF 100 percent he elevated this program and won an NC.
When John Majors was hired there was no SEC caliber talent on the team due to very poor recruiting by the previous staff,the talent built up over several years.But Majors would not even talk about a National Championship
ever.CF was hired players responded and won a lot of football games.
Since winning the NC 1998 this program has been in decline
on the field and off.Teams are supposed to improve as a season goes on,TN does not the coaching staff did not put players in best position to win good coaching does that.
We needed this change I have not followed recruiting in yrs
whoever got signed took a place on the bench for 2-3 yrs. I think with the rite leadership Vols win next year.Games that are not won at the very least compete by being aggressive playing to win.
cltvol writes:
I think a lot of defensive players stood out this year. Ayers was very good all year from what I could tell. There may have been a few letdowns or breakdowns. Williams, Bolden, were as good inside as anybody. Martin came around. 2ndary improved, LB's improved. We had a poor offense, poor special teams, and a very good defense. Result was a below 500 team for the 2nd time in 4 years. That got the coach fired and it should have.
HtownVol writes:
Robert was the bright spot for our D-line this year. He reminded me of what UT used to be. A solid d-line with great LBs. Well this year our LBs were not"great" but they were good. I know that coach O will have our D-line playing very good next year. We have an excellent class of LBs coming in this year, and our DBs are the best in the SEC. I really hopw we sign Stokes, Green and at least 1 big time WR ( P. Patterson, M. Brown) If we can sign those WRs then we will have a much better Offense next year. I hope that these kids like M. Brown see that UT really needs them, and they can have a major role in turning UT into a Great Team once again.
asleep#212036 writes:
More to the point is that for decades, including Majors' tenure, middle of the pack players have elevated to star status once they leave UT. In my opinion, that is the biggest problem facing UT the past 30 years - not the lack of talented recruits but the absence of proper coaching. CLK should be ecstatic that the main problem he will face is coaching (rather than talent) because that is much easier to fix in the short term. Go Vols!!!
Ironcity writes:
Ayers really improved over the years. Early in his career he was worthless. To me, he is an example of the good job the old staff did. I am glad we have a new staff but I do get tired of everyone blaming the coaches for everything that has ever gone wrong at UT or with the players that go to UT.
montanavolfan writes:
The question remains, why did CPF not develope the talent he brought in. All week long the pundits wanted to know why Ayres waited until his senior year to develope. I wonder if he said, "lack of good coaching, gosh, but heck we tried hard".
tennesseebee writes:
The Titans can use him. Freak is aging. Put R.A. opposite VanDenbosch and watch the fur fly!
shoalcreekvol writes:
Stop it.
Fryinpansvols writes:
Couldn't have happened to a better guy! This guy is a down to earth level headed guy! Great job Mr. Ayers
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