Hooker: If UT needs help, here's 10 ready to go

As we count down the top high school football prospects in the state, I decided it's time for another list.

This one - much like the other - is subjective and open to interpretation. With Tennessee securing one of the best incoming freshman classes in the nation, here are the top 10 freshmen most likely to contribute in 2009:

1. Bryce Brown: There's a reason Brown was considered one of the very best prospects in the nation. He's big, fast, physical and mature beyond his years - evident by his willingness to move to Knoxville a month before he enrolled at UT. He's serious about being great.

Expect the running back from Wichita, Kan., to play early and have a major impact this season. First-year UT coach Lane Kiffin has said he will let his players play to their strengths and won't let them get bogged down with complicated pass protection schemes. That's refreshing.

2. Montori Hughes: There's no question that Hughes will play this season after being the breakout player of spring practice.

There are two reasons I don't have Hughes No. 1 on this list. First, playing defensive tackle as a freshman in the SEC is extremely tough. Second, Bryce Brown.

3. Nu'Keese Richardson: I expect Richardson to have a major impact this fall at receiver. He has the explosiveness that the Vols are lacking on offense.

Also, it would benefit the Vols' recruiting in Florida if he was a major part of UT's gameplan. As Kiffin has said publicly, that's how you build a pipeline into fertile recruiting territory.

4. Janzen Jackson: Placing any defensive back this high on this list could result in some criticism of my analysis. Yes, I know that the Vols' secondary is the best unit on their team but I think a lot of Jackson and …

5. Darren Myles Jr.: Myles will need to improve his upper-body strength but has the length and speed to play soon - even in UT's crowded secondary. Either Jackson, Myles or both will play significant snaps this fall.

6. Marsalis Teague: There's a reason Florida coach Urban Meyer lamented this loss. Teague has the athleticism to play somewhere soon, be it at receiver or at defensive back.

7. David Oku: He should bring some speed to UT's backfield. With speedy tailback Lennon Creer, who left last spring, out of the picture, Oku should get some opportunities on the edge and in the passing game.

8. Marlon Walls: UT's previous staff expected Walls to grow into a defensive lineman when they signed him in 2009. After a stint at Hargrave Military Academy and a seat at UT's training table, that will happen soon - if it hasn't already.

Walls' quickness will be a plus at end - if he doesn't grow into a defensive tackle.

9. Arthur Jeffrey: If Jeffrey is healthy, he'll compete for playing time at defensive tackle. He would have been a higher-ranked prospect had it not been for a knee injury suffered last October.

10. JerQuari Schofield: Don't be fooled by the offensive lineman's pedestrian recruiting ranking. UT's coaches love him and the previous staff deserves credit for evaluating and securing him.

Back to the Future: While there are a handful of solid prospects in the state for the 2010 signing class, it's clearly not as deep as previous years.

The elite prospects, however, are quite good. One in particular may be the best high school prospect I've seen in almost a decade of covering recruiting.

He'll be No. 1 on the News Sentinel's top prospect list. His identity will be revealed on Tuesday.

Hint: UT fans will be happy.

Scroggins Says?: I'm not usually one to place too much emphasis on one prospect, but Jesse Scroggins' pending decision will be huge for UT, whatever the 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback from Lakewood (Calif.) High decides.

If Scroggins picks UT, I could see another wave of momentum for the Vols' recruiting just before the season - and official visits - begins. If not, it could signal the beginning of the first slump in UT recruiting since Kiffin was hired in December.

Chase Rettig from San Clemente (Calif.) High is a fine player but he's not as electric or as highly sought as Scroggins.

And if both turn down the Vols? Ouch.

Dave Hooker may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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