Weekend visitors heading into Friday (unless ...)

As the week winds down, Tennessee’s official visit list is beginning to come into focus. The News Sentinel has 10 visitors scheduled to take in Knoxville this weekend, although more could be added at any moment.

Florida receiver commitment Nu’Keese Richardson from Pahokee, Fla. and Pensacola (Fla.) tailback Trent Richardson will not be making the trip but Jonathan Evans and Kendall Kelly will. Here is the latest, as of Thursday evening:

Prospect Pos. Size Hometown/School

Orson Charles TE 6-3, 230 Tampa, Fla./Plant

Charles is still considering Southern California, Florida State, Florida and Georgia so UT has an uphill battle. USC has long had a certain allure but Georgia has made a push. Charles will visit Los Angeles on Feb. 6 meaning this one is likely to go past National Signing Day.

Marlon Brown WR 6-5, 205 Memphis/Harding Academy

If you don’t know who Brown is by now, welcome back from the cave. He’s priority No. 1 for the Vols. Georgia is still lurking and seems to be the team for UT to beat. Florida, Ohio State and Ole Miss are also in the mix.

Jonathan Evans LB 6-0, 205 Prichard, Ala./Blount

Evans has been committed to Auburn since June, but what does that really mean anymore? Like the Vols, the Tigers have had their fair share of turnover meaning most commitments have been targeted.

Marcus Hall OL 6-5, 290 Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville

Most have pegged Hall as an eventual Ohio State commitment. His teammate, UT commitment Mike Edwards, said that’s not the case and that Hall will “shock the world”. We’ll see. Hall has taken official visits to Ohio State, Miami and Michigan.

Kendall Kelly WR 6-4, 210 Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden City

Another possible surprise for a prospect that has been all Alabama and Clemson to this point, Kelly is just the type of receiver that has excelled in Lane Kiffin’s pro-style offenses of the past. This would be an amazing coup.

Eddie Lacy RB 5-11, 210 Dutchtown, La./Geismar

Lacy took an official visit to Alabama last weekend, which sets up an interesting battle between two rivals. Both schools have commitments from top tailbacks. Alabama has proximity on its side.

Sam Montgomery DE 6-4, 230 Greenwood (S.C.) High School

LSU looks like the team to beat. The Tigers led months ago before a defensive coaching change. Now, defensive coordinator John Chavis, a South Carolina native, could help close the deal. It will take a big visit for the Vols to jump into the lead.

Brandon Moore OL 6-5, 315 Montgomery, Ala./Carver

The Vols have some major ground to make up in this one. Alabama, Auburn and Florida have already hosted Moore for official visits. Still, it’s worth a shot and the Vols’ coaches aren’t afraid to take a swing.

Patrick Patterson WR 6-3, 215 Macon, Miss./Noxubee County

A highly rated, undecided wide receiver, Patterson has visited Alabama, Ole Miss and Southern Miss this month. The Vols are determined to land as many top-notch receivers as possible.

Tana Patrick LB 6-3, 215 Stevenson, Ala./North Jackson

Of all the prospects that would anger Alabama coach Nick Saban, this would bust a blood vessel if he decided to go elsewhere. If the Vols can land Patrick, it would rank among the best late pickups in recent memory. Alabama, Auburn and Southern California are in the mix.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!