Mike Edwards isn’t ready to rank the schools he’s considering, but Tennessee has made the biggest impression on the defensive back from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Edwards took his final official visit to UT this weekend.
Edwards, who has already visited Cincinnati and Minnesota, said UT “grabbed the most attention” among the three schools.
“I will say that I like the southern mentality,” Edwards said. “The people are just nicer.
“They have a whole demeanor about showing love to everyone in the city. That’s what I like about Knoxville.”
That was apparent when Edwards and UT’s group of visitors attended the Vols’ basketball game against Memphis at Thompson Boling Arena on Saturday.
Edwards said he was surprised when UT fans called out his name.
“I was like, ‘Wow, I’m from Cleveland. How do they know me down here?’ ” Edwards said. “People there keep up with football.
“When we walked in all eyes were on us when the game was going on. That shows you the love they have for the football team.”
Edwards said he saw Monte Kiffin’s love for football while talking to UT’s new defensive coordinator this weekend.
It was the first meeting between Edwards and Kiffin.
“He’s a great person and a historic person,” Edwards said. “He’s a person I would respect whether I was coming to school there or not. The schemes he has, they look like they’re going to work.”
Edwards also knows about the work coach Lane Kiffin is putting in to help UT have success.
Kiffin’s determination has stood out to Edwards since they met last month.
“With a winning mindset you can’t beat that,” Edwards said. “You have a man like that and a person like me. I’ll do whatever I’ve got to do to be successful.”
That includes on the field and in the classroom.
Edwards said UT emphasized the importance of athletes taking care of their academics.
“It made me feel really good,” Edwards said. “Once I go to school I’ve got to take advantage of everything they offer and get my degree. Playing sports is my first option but I’ve got to get my degree, too.”
Now Edwards just has to make his college decision. He said he could wait until close to National Signing Day on Feb. 4 but hopes to choose a school sometime this week.
“I’m enjoying the process and loving meeting everybody,” Edwards said. “I’ll find out what school I’m going to go to and get it done.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 52
jasoncounts writes:
we got him
foolishfool writes:
Hope he comes we need every1 we can get.
snafu14u#241639 writes:
first......thanks I needed that...........finally for the first time in my life I'm first, as tears of joy stream down my face.what a great university.bonzaivol
TommyJack writes:
Sign up, son.
tennesseeike writes:
Make a historic choice tell the world "It's great to be A TENNESSEE VOL".
mattlock writes:
Monte is historic? How about experienced, that just sounds better :)
MemphisVol1485 writes:
Come be a Vol and feel what it's like to have 100,000 people screaming your name instead of 23,000...
foolishfool writes:
I dont see how anyone would NOT want to play for the NFL legend.
AtomicVol writes:
Here we Go!!!
smokyredbone writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
RedBone. Look at you!!
GreenDevilVol writes:
and bring Marcus Hall with you !!!!
lovinwk writes:
Gatorzzz, you stay on this site like you haven't got anything better to do. Who stays on a rival site this much? That's un-American. I'll bet you don't even like apple pie, do you? What about it; do you like apples Gaterzz?
yeavols#228407 writes:
Well once again...The interloper has hit this story to get a response from everyone. I thought we could have somewhat of a decent discussion. But, that too has failed. PLEASE STOP RESONDING TO INTERLOPERS!
yeavols#228407 writes:
descent...responding..correction..
AtomicVol writes:
gatorzz, you're a clown and Urbane is no genius, he should have hired Greg Gregory
lovinwk writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
foolishfool writes:
My wishlish:
McCarron, Hall, and that 5 star TE Olson(?)
Thats it.
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
gaterzz is a female. she goes by zzgater on a rival (gater) site.
AtomicVol writes:
gatorzz greg gregory is the former USF OC who just interviewed for a spot on the staff, maybe you should follow your team a little more, dumb @ss!
MattDillon writes:
gotta love it, whew.
Urbiewerecomingtogetyou writes:
LOL
AtomicVol writes:
Well that might be your "understanding" but you didn't even know who he was, why not follow your team instead of ours, besides UF may still hire Gregory, but you didn't know that either, stupid!!
asleep#212036 writes:
I agree, familiarity is everything. Look at Clawson/Fulmer vs. Cutcliffe/Fulmer. Cut and Fulmer were best friends who knew each other's tendencies and philosophies; and what a team they were. Although successful in his own right, Clawson never got going - he and Fulmer were polar opposites in their coaching strategies, goals, and styles. Hiring him and hoping they could gel during the season was a mistake that cost Fulmer his job. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Clawson were not very successful at Bowling Green. Meyer should hire a guy he knows, as all HC's should. It takes all the social adjustments out and let's the guys do what they were hired to do - coach football.
Also, Monte is there for a reason, and it's not just to coach the defense. This staff is set up like an NFL team and every one of them has a Monte Kiffin - an older guy who has been around for years that all the younger coaches can look to for help. It just so happens that in our case the younger coach who needs a mentor is both the HC and his son. Make no mistake, Lane is the HC. However, Hamilton was not silly enough to give a 34 year old the keys to the kingdom without putting a regent in the castle to help him along or maybe, rein him in if you will (no pun intended). It will certainly be interesting to see the dynamic play out.
AtomicVol writes:
We don't need him, but Urbane did love him. He interviewed for 5+ hours, spread option brothers, like I said he may still end up there, by the way he was not fired.
southernson writes:
WE ARE TENNESSEE
AtomicVol writes:
Again, you really must follow your state, he still has a job at USF, Leavitt was pissed he interviewed at UF and demoted him, you spend too much time on our site, scared?? bitcj!
tater872 writes:
Seems like every time you here Urban's name in the news lately it's always in the same sentence with Notre Dame. Sounds like he may be begining to build a staff that shares his love of the Irish. That will make it a lot easier for him to move the entire staff with him to South Bend in a couple of years.
Great Plan Urban!
Wow...... he really is smart!
AtomicVol writes:
Wait and see, surf away but again you have no clue, typical!!!Tard and terd!!
Hickmc writes:
Ouch there goes that Notre Dame thing again. Could it be a family reunion in the making?
drwfocus#660070 writes:
You people just don't get it. 22 out of 38 posts either from the interlopers or in response to the interlopers. Makes this board look like a bunch of dumb butts. Face it -- like on the field they WIN - not you.
orangeinbama writes:
Dude. I'm not so sure that he (Gatorzzz) isnt working. No better way to keep the hits (website) coming than an "interloper".... Just sayin its possible.....
AtomicVol writes:
I don't like him as much as as Urbane did, just find it funny that a douche bag know it all like you has no clue what's going with his own team.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Mike, you are smarter than the average recruit as you evidently see thru BS and "cool stuff" from other coaches and only want NFL ready training at UT.
VAvolfanRON writes:
ok, i have to chime in...jeesh
ok, you only state facts?
you don't hire coaches that have been fired? really?
"Bedford caused a stir while in Oklahoma State when he referred to fair-weather fans as roaches. Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy later fired Bedford. "
sounds you are 0 for 2
AtomicVol writes:
GET OUT!!! And do your homework!!
Vol_in_Mich writes:
This is getting old.
utmdm writes:
Since you proclaim him so great even without the FL talent pool, if he leaves I guess he will he also own the Gators.
asleep#212036 writes:
It is my understanding that is in fact, correct. Monte's hiring was on the table as a necessary element of the potential contract when the negotiating process between Hamilton and Lane got serious. It makes perfect sense except for concerns about family dynamics. Some people can work with their dads (and vice-versa) and some can't. I couldn't. If Lane and Monte play nice and work as a team, we should see some good results. If they get into a father-son pi$$ing contest, then trouble will ensue, and quickly. They are both grown men who went into this well aware of the potential pitfalls so I am assuming they are tight and can work it out. Like I said, it could be interesting.
GREATVOLSAFIRE writes:
The plane is headed to Mobil, Hmmm
invisiblekid writes:
He/She is too busy doing intern work for the KNS to keep up with his/her supposed school. Probably became a fan after the championship game in 2006. Next we'll be hearing about how great the Arizona Cardinals are.
gohawks1 writes:
Down to Cincinnati, Minnesota, and UT? How do we NOT get this guy?
invisiblekid writes:
Anyway, how about that Mike Edwards? His highlight video looks great, kid takes some long strides and has great acceleration and catches everything that comes his way. I think he'd make a fine addition to the Vol family.
yeavols#228407 writes:
AHHHH glad I never responded to the futile interloper..totally clueless..just a pimple on the azz of a baboon..worthless
yeavols#228407 writes:
Mobile and to Peachtree Dekalb airport..about a few miles from me..I could go see..I took off to the airport last month and got pictures of UT plane coming in..pretty cool..
yeavols#228407 writes:
I couldn't agree more...thanks for listening..
TNfaninMS writes:
Great news on Edwards, but it would not seem to me that they are recruiting. NCAA rules say you cant recruit on Sundays and they might just be taking kids back home?
TNfaninMS writes:
I think that we picked up a good on in Edwards. Maybe he can bring in Marcus Hall with him. Bring on the big uglies!
TennesseeTodd writes:
He made his decision when he got back home. He's still allowed to make decisions on Sunday's isn't he?
TNfaninMS writes:
Sure I dont see why not, but that comment sounds condescending, why the attitude?
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