Linebacker Robert Nelson from Stone Mountain (Ga.) High School plans to commit to Tennessee this weekend.
The 6-foot, 205-pound Nelson is arriving at UT for an official visit today (Friday).
Nelson said he was told by UT linebackers coach Lance Thompson that a scholarship offer would be waiting for him in Knoxville.
Nelson, who will be joined by his mother on the trip, said he plans to accept UT’s offer.
Nelson said he visited UT unofficially several times during his junior year and came away impressed.
“I saw the stadium and I saw the indoor facilities and their weight room,” Nelson said. “Those were all very nice. They were all top of the line. I liked it a lot.”
Nelson said he would also like to play for Thompson. He said their relationship began when Thompson was the linebackers coach at Alabama.
“He knows what I can do,” Nelson said. “I wouldn’t have to go in and form a relationship with a new coach who hasn’t really seen me a whole lot.”
Nelson said he also had an offer waiting at Auburn if he were to visit the Tigers this weekend.
Nelson said Auburn entered the picture too late.
“I had already setup my visit for Tennessee,” he said. “Coach Thompson had already come in and spoken to my mom. My mom had never been to Tennessee and wanted a chance to see it.”
Nelson would be the second linebacker from Stone Mountain to join UT’s 2009 signing class.
Nigel Mitchell-Thornton enrolled at UT earlier this month after graduating from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain last month.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 160
MidTennVol writes:
He's a three-star ranked 35th on Rivals.
Oenoboy writes:
Excellent! Keep them rolling in Lane!
MidTennVol writes:
ranked 35th best LB, that is
marinevol writes:
Looks like a solid linebacker with several offers.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/...
Volunatic writes:
Welcome to Tennessee, Robert!
SemperVol writes:
176 tackles, 25 for loss and 18 sacks... sounds like the kid's got a knack for finding the ball carrier. Little small, but I trust these guys.
SemperVol writes:
176 tackles, 25 for loss and 18 sacks as a junior... sounds like the kid's got a knack for finding the ball carrier. Little small, but I trust these guys.
knoxlawvol writes:
Well, looks like we've given up on the elite prospects that have generated the positive headlines with little realistic chance of securing commitments, and we are ready to take it to the bank with average three star recruits. Love the new staff and think they will be extremely successful, but with that said gotta hope 2010 will be a huge recruiting year.
MrBamSeydu writes:
So Damien Thigpen isn't good enough, but a 1* on Scout and 3* on Rivals is?
I'm going to trust the staff on this one, but it seems like to me we've got enough LBs already, unless a 4* or 5* player wanted to commit.
Maybe this is more about connections, as he is from Stone Mountain which is a big recruiting area.
SignalMtnVol writes:
why was he not on the KNS "official visitor list" ? I guess the same reason that AJ McCarron, Trent Richardson, and Greg Reid WERE on it?
hotrodvol writes:
Good news. Come on in, get with our new strength coach, bulk up and be a monster on special teams next year and have fun, GO VOLS!!!
rockytopjeff writes:
I live in Atlanta and this kid can play. Great speed and a nose for the ball. He is alot like Kevin Burnett. We are lucky to get this kid. Things are going to really good in K-town for a long time. GO VOLS!!!
VolGraduate writes:
nice surprise...welcome to UT
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
good news
Docrok writes:
Converted to Safety maybe???
halloffamebowler writes:
trust the recruiters.
wally writes:
Rivals rates him a 5.7 . not too shabby. I believe he'll turn out to be a solid contributor.
5.7-5.5 All-Region Selection; considered among the region's top prospects and among the top 750 or so prospects in the country; high-to-mid-major prospect; deemed to have pro potential and ability to make an impact on college team
VolPatrick writes:
I really try not to buy into the whole *stars* thing, but looking back at the recruiting classes since 2002 on Rivals, there really aren't many high impact players who were less than 4*.
Now, in a Tampa 2, isn't the priority on running to the ball? 4.6~ish isn't to bad a speed for a LB, but there is no way he goes to safety. Is this a correct assumption? Also, it will be very interesting to see how much refinement will be accomplished. I'd say that he will quickly add muscle, but do they try to speed him up a bit as well?
What makes me curious about this is that he didn't even get offered by Georgia. Would Bulldog fans get all worked up about a 3* from Johnson City that UT didn't offer? Was height the issue for them?
Docrok writes:
"• Manassas (Va.) Stonewall Jackson athlete Damien Thigpen is looking around now that Tennessee has a commitment from New Jersey athlete Nyshier Oliver. Thigpen could visit Auburn or UCLA this weekend and might not be a Vol in the end. Auburn may also get an official visit from the nation's No. 1 all-purpose back, David Oku, this weekend."
I read this on Rivals while researching something else! So it stands to reason that maybe it was more Thigpens decision based on Olivers commitment
SignalMtnVol writes:
I agree. LaMarcus Thompson and Savion Frazier were to of our better ST players in an otherwise dismal year for our special teams.
SignalMtnVol writes:
sorry for the typo, that should be "Two"
Docrok writes:
Actually 6' and 200 lbs is about average for a safety! 4.59 is close to safety speed! 6' is kinda closer to the short side for LB. However not unusual! But he is kinda light to be taking on OL guys down after down
tripper writes:
Not really a suprise. From the AJC:
“He likes Tennessee. He’s been up there a couple of times, and the coaches tell him he is pretty much the best linebacker they’ve seen.” (Stone Mountain coach Charles Reeves)
"Nelson, a four-year starter, finished with 383 tackles and 24 sacks. He has a 3.4 grade-point average. Rivals.com ranks him as the 35th best inside linebacker in the country."
Auburn was trying very hard to secure a visit and he turned them down.
Docrok writes:
I am sorry, 6'0 is pretty close to average. 6' to 6'3
jobrando#216494 writes:
With good coaching he's a good one to put in the basket..
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recrui...
tripper writes:
Here's the AJC link:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sha...
jcherrie#219531 writes:
There are plenty of impact players less than 4 stars:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/39...
The article does ignore the number of players that signed - a 5 star is actually more likely to be SEC all star because there are fewer of them - but also don't ignore the fact 3-3 star players may be a better recruiting haul than 1-5 star player that might fail out of school.
phi0129 writes:
Rich,
Thornton is actually from one of the more prestigious schools (Stephenson) in Stone Mountain. From everything I'm hearing, the reason for Nelson's ranking might have more to do with how terrible his high schools program is. They got drilled by just about everyone this year. Watching his videos makes me think we might be getting a real steal here...only time will tell.
tripper writes:
Have you looked at our visitor board for this weekend? We have a legitimate shot at landing at least two or three of them.
99gator writes:
a little news for you......
that kid, nu'keese richardson. the one, some of y'all trashed yesterday.
he's making a visit to tenn this weekend after all
utkedu writes:
MrBamSeydu, I agree with your comments about trusting the staff on this on. We have to remember that the rankings on these recruiting sights are not the end all be all for team success. For example, UT had a top 5 recruiting class in 2005 and 2007. If these rankings were a completely accurate reflection of team success, we would have been a top 10 team in 2008. Don't get me wrong, I would rather have a top 10 recruiting class than not, but with Thompson and CMK, I trust they are making the right call.
VolPatrick writes:
Okay, you make a really good point. Let me clarify my original statement. Looking back at TENNESSEE's classes since 2002, there aren't many high impact players who were rated less that 4*s. This might just be an indictment of the prior coaching staff(cue the haters). Nice article, by the way. Gonna have to read through it now.
VolPatrick writes:
Nice get on this article Jobrando!
Everyone, check out where this ESPN/Scouts Inc. ratings has MR. Nelson ranked. They have him a 79, of course. But if you click the "T" and check out their list of the current class, this 79 puts Nelson near the top of the class and on the same level or higher than several of the Rivals 4* recruits. They are very high on this young man. Funny how different people gauge different prospects.
shoalcreekvol writes:
From an another article: When asked for a self evaluation, Robert said, "One of my biggest strengths is that I have the strength to get off of blocks. My coach has really worked with me a lot on hitting the crease hard. Once I get in the crease, I don't waste a lot of motion getting to the tackle. I just go get it."
Yeah man! Just put on the orange, look for the Peckerhead in crimson and JUST GO GET HIM.
I'm excited about this one's mentality. We need some bloodthirsty tackle-hungry defenders who want to get to the frickin' ball.
FYI when his team started 0-4 he volunteered to play on the OL for his team, so he's on the field for every play and they started winning games. Man, we've been missing guys who WANT TO BE ON THE FIELD in whatever way it takes to WIN.
cjraney writes:
Monte needs a smart, agile MLB to work pass coverage for the TENN 2 defense to work properly. Those guys don't grow on trees and you may have to develop a few to find the right one or two.
Any LBs that end up too slow or can't play the pass can easily shift to DE. Bring em on.
shoalcreekvol writes:
I haven't seen quotes from anybody saying DT was told he wasn't good enough, just that (for some reason) he's not going to fit into the plan. That's different than not being good enough.
Maybe it was attitude, maybe he has off the field trouble, maybe Monte took a look at the film and didn't think he fit the mold for the position, who knows? Only the coaches know.
Basketball_Jones writes:
My thoughts exactly. This kid takes a read shirt year and learns from EB and becomes a BA safety.
tripper writes:
They're in Region 6AAAA with Tucker, Marist and SW Dekalb. Hell of a region, Tucker won state.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Also Peyton and Branndon Stewart
yeavols#228407 writes:
Impossible..Urban wouldn't allow it. Besides, no Florida commit would take interest in Tennessee..naaa..can't be
vol1994 writes:
I cannot comment but your thinking is right on.
A lot of kids will be told they have a scholarship waiting but will NOT fit into the system due to various reasons such as unforseen character issues and/or academics.
stinky_pinky writes:
So you guy's actually think rivals and scout * systems are accurate??? puhhlease
I trust our coaches scouting ability. Greg Hardy was a 3* recruit for rivals when "O" recruited him at Ole Miss and that guy was a FREAK playing at 50% this yr. No telling what that D and D-line will be like in '09
JBruce writes:
He isn't in the plan because he is barely 5'8 and barely 170lbs. Coaches can't teach size. The best opportunity that a guy like that would have is as a kick returner. From what I have heard, the coaches don't think he has what it takes to return kicks. Bottom line, he doesn't fit into their plans.
tripper writes:
Your a little behind 99, Richardson's already on campus.
CHS52VOL writes:
Amen and AMEN!
tripper writes:
He's an inch taller !
utkjoe29 writes:
Richardson is also from Pahokee HS.. You want to talk about a pipeline. That would be one of the first places you would want to establish if possible!!..
WarriorVol writes:
Nelson sounds like a good pick. Smart with the ability to "wreak Havoc" at the next level. We need some Havoc wreakers.
JBruce writes:
I don't think he has been offered.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I understand that Monte likes fast LBs; hope this guy is one of those, especially at that size.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.