Marlon Walls' high school football coaches never expected him to stay linebacker size. But even they were surprised when he came home to Olive Branch, Miss., this summer.
The 220-pound linebacker has grown into a 280-pound defensive linemen. And that should be just fine with Tennessee.
Now that he has filled out, the 6-foot-2 Wall is in position to fill a need. If he's as good as his high school coaches think, that won't be a problem.
UT needs depth on its defensive front. The former linebacker, whose high school coach once clocked at a 4.55-second 40, is suitably sized candidate after spending a year at Hargrave Military Academy.
Eligibility is still the biggest issue for Walls, who first signed with UT out of high school. According to a UT spokesman, Walls is one of several Vols who has yet to make it through the NCAA Clearinghouse, which can trip up the biggest and fastest of student-athletes - and take its time doing so.
If Walls clears that hurdle, he has a huge chance to contribute as a true freshman.
"He's big and strong and can still move," Olive Branch coach Scott Samsel said. "He's going to be a great player."
High school coaches aren't shy about touting their players. But Samsel's frame of reference gives him more credibility when it comes to projecting high school players as collegians.
"I've had nine players sign with SEC schools in the last four or five years," he said.
There are more prospects on the way.
Three of Olive Branch's offensive linemen are attracting attention from college recruiters, including UT's. It's easy to see why. Damien Robinson is 6-8, 320 pounds; Eric Lawson is 6-6, 315; and Shun Coleman is the lightweight at 6-6, 285. Last season's offensive line also included Aubrey Phillips, who committed to UT before signing with Florida State.
"Those are the kind of guys Marlon got to work against," Samsel said. "It helped him to practice against that caliber of players."
It obviously helped their development to go against Walls, whom his coaches laud for his attitude as well as his ability.
"He's got that high motor that everybody likes to talk about," said Olive Branch defensive coordinator Pete Cordelli. "And he doesn't stay blocked. The biggest thing about Marlon - he's a finisher."
Ed Orgeron, UT's assistant coach, apparently picked up on those attributes when he was the coach at Ole Miss. But Walls' commitment to the Rebels didn't survive the coaching change. He signed with the Vols after Orgeron was fired, then enrolled at Hargrave when he failed to qualify academically at UT.
The way Walls is described by his high school coaches, it sounds as though he could be a better fit for UT's new staff than the old one. The up-tempo practice regimen, which coach Lane Kiffin and his staff introduced in the spring, should serve Walls well.
"You love coaching a guy like that," Cordelli said. "He plays hard every play."
Cordelli also is curious as to what defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will do with Walls. He was a graduate assistant coach at Arkansas when Monte was the defensive coordinator under Lou Holtz and remembers how adept Kiffin was at utilizing a player's particular skills.
"Knowing Monte, he will find a way to use him," Cordelli said. "He's really good at that. Monte also does a great job of getting kids to play hard and believe in a plan."
Walls' new coaches might be tempted to move a 280-pounder inside, but his high school coaches still envision him on the outside.
"If they play him at tackle, he'll probably be the quickest defensive tackle in the league," Samsel said. "Just in my conversations with him, every time I talk with him, he says he hasn't lost a step, even though he's gained the weight.
"It's hard to find a guy like that coming off the edge as a pass rusher. It's easier to find a linebacker."
Walls outgrew linebacker more than a year ago. Now, if he can get through the clearinghouse, there's a bigger role - on a bigger stage - waiting for him.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 50
lomas98 writes:
Don't want to be too negative, but it seems everyone as this point of the game who has clearinghouse issues will not be able to contribute. As we have seen in the past this is not a quick issue to resolve.
stayingorange writes:
So does this mean if Walls clears you take back all the negativity about the D from yesterday?
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Can't understand why you write stories about "maybes"... Quit settin' us up and write on stuff if you know he's cleared for sure. Practice starts Tues. Quit Playin'
pdb73216#339474 writes:
Does anyone know who the other players are that haven't made it through the clearinghouse?
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Mike Edwards (Ohio) and Green the 6'3" receiver from Florida
rockytopatl writes:
Good God, man. You guys poke Adams over and over for being too negative and then he writes a positive story about a possible Orange-clad beast and you jab him for that. It's a good story. So shut up and dream about Walls slamming Tebow into the turf.
khelton657 writes:
Good article..it's good to read about our candidates, players and their potential..it also allows to see into the details of what caliber of talent we have recruited..for some of you, I guess being forever negative provides some sort of excitement ..it's a shame.
cloudodust writes:
Let's get him squared away and suited up.
hotrodvol writes:
Walls at 6'2" 280lbs will play at DT and be a great player for the VOLS. Let us hope he clears this year, UT could use him in the DT rotation. You know coach O loves his motor.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
When your sure he's on campus jerk wad then call me.. you idiot. All I'm saying is: Adams or ANY writer should WAIT on a story like this. Don't pump us up about a player that hasn't even been cleared to play. Get a clue. I've got nothing against Adams. I'm not negative, I'm just sick of hype that hasn't happened. Put up or shut up. Maybe you should do the same. I'm all VOL. His story has this HUGE gray area effect. Tell us the kid got cleared, then use this story to make us feel better.
hotrodvol writes:
Walls and Edwards are both thought to be in good shape, Green is not. Everyone else will be fine. That's not bad really, a top ten class and only one guy that may not make it and two that are waiting on the clearing house. I would bet CLK would take that every year.
GerryOP writes:
35 -- Fear The Kiffin...
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I for one don't see what you're talking about. At this point, all anyone can say is that he is a great prospect if he gets qualified. We can say that he was a great player at a different size in a different position in HS, and presumably at Hargreave, but right now all we know for sure is that some coaches think he COULD be a great player. How many highly-touted prospects don't live up to the hype in college? How many have we had at UT? I agree that the story could have been more meaningful if it had been put off until we knew he would be qualified, but right now he is still just a prospect.
oldsmokey67 writes:
could be another billy ratliff.
gohawks1 writes:
Dang, what are they feeding those boys down there in Olive Branch?
rockytopatl writes:
Show some class, not your oversized orifice. I didn't defame your character, but your classless response shows you don't have one to defame. If we used your fuzzy-headed logic about journalism and football, we wouldn't have any coverage of prospects, suggestions of position changes, transfers or even game advancers because they are all a "HUGE gray area." There are always stories about kids who haven't been cleared to play. You don't ignore them, you explore them.
kennypowers writes:
Wow. Maybe some people need to take a break from the comment page. You have a lot of anger at 8:30 in the morning. Did you wake up and say #*!#, someone disagreed with me, I'm going to get that m f#*er. I look forward to Walls' contributions and hope he makes it in this year. GO VOLS!
gohawks1 writes:
Must disagree, brother. I welcome the news about Walls and others. Always good to know how they are progressing.
rockytopatl writes:
Thanks, man. Appreciate that. Fully expect to get flamed by gatorz or whatever else he/she is these days, but by a fellow Vol?
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Ha Ha.. no not really....I guess just a bad week at work and just a little over anxious for the season to begin... I will take a break dude, I'm just fired up. My bad.
rockytopatl writes:
Is that an apology? It's hard to tell since it wasn't directed at me.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Look dude... my bad... but you tellin' me to shut up on a simple opinion was also classless.
No stress on my end.. Like I said I'm All VOL so give me the same respect of letting me express myself without getting blasted by a fellow VOL.
My apologies
rockytopatl writes:
Fair enough. I would point out that "shut up" is hardly in the same ballpark as "jerk wad" and "you idiot."
Apology accepted.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Yea,
I was in the wrong frame of mind on this one. I've been following Walls and I'm excited about the potential addition.... OK OK OK everyone ,,,,I WAS WRONG... Just tooooo anxious about the season and I want to see our boys go to work...
GO VOLS
jsm67vol writes:
It seems the ncaa clearinghouse places many deadlines on players to accomplish goals in order to meet all the criteria to get on the field at their school of choice. Are the timelines for the clearinghouse to do their job as strict. Maybe its just the excitement of wanting to get these guys on the field, but it seems the clearinghouse is in no rush to render a decision on these players.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Yea, I agree pretty harsh.. again my bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz6-BR...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KwN7W...
gohawks1 writes:
I'm with you on that - Sept. 5th can't get here fast enough for me either. I've watched all of my DVDs and read all of my preseason magazines. Let's tee it up.
TommyJack writes:
Must be Freshman day on here.
tennezz writes:
We need to stop trashing Adams and KNS on every story they write. It is a free service and I enjoy reading every thing I can this time of the year! <GET THEM READY KIF>
Go4Two writes:
I'm not sure that is true Fulmer played the best prepared players. You don't win 152 games without playing your best players
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
I thought I apologized...
Must I do it again... I'm sorry dudes and dudettes.... Just ready to see #14 and company do some great things...
Sorry
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
I've learned a lot this week. Don't take out Career frustration on fellow bloggers....
Man.... bad week.. This is also(for me) a good indication how sometimes we look for sports to take care of our frustrations when the economy is down. ALL MY VOLS...(and Adams and Crew) I apologize and thank you for the service you provide. PumpUptheVOLume will never get caught up in the moment again.
magentatoes10 writes:
So he's a writer that's not supposed to write about the developing story lines of the players that have committed to Tennessee. Even though there are 2 big changes: his size and position change and the fact he may be held out this year. Ok. Got it.
dkdkdk writes:
Jhon Adams stories is just like his hairline gone and forgotten.
dkdkdk writes:
i measured 56cm from top of jhon adams forehead to his eyebraw whooooaa!
dkdkdk writes:
when JHON ADAMS is out in public i bet he got 2 where a ut football helment to protect glare of sun from reflecting of his forehead
rockytopatl writes:
You guys leave Pump alone! He's atoned and he's good to go.
magentatoes10 writes:
Just use a smiley face for god's sake if you can't spell better than that.
gohawks1 writes:
Heh heh heh. He has to be a poser. Nobody could be that stupid and still know how to turn on a computer. He's faking.
gohawks1 writes:
Not referring to Pump or Rockytop with this post. I assume magenta was talking to the spelling champ a little higher up.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Wow, through my stupidity... I gained a friend. This is a good example how CLK shot off something quick... Got some publicity and now his staff and team (and fans I might add) HAS HIS BACK.... GO VOLS GO VOLS GO VOLS..
Only difference, Kiffin had an angle... I didn't.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
By the way RockTopatl, I live in Lilburn, Ga (Parkview High School District) and we have some pretty good up and coming talent. Do you get out to watch much ball or do you just keep up on the Friday night News?
gohawks1 writes:
Exactly.
TennesseeTodd writes:
Without the lopers we turn on ourselves? Don't think so. Pump you alright.
rockytopatl writes:
We're practically neighbors, Pump. I live on the Shiloh side of Lilburn. I watched some HS ball when my kids were in school, but my youngest just graduated. Sadly, Shiloh was pretty much the doormat of the region.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Parkview still as good as they were back in the early 2000's? I left that area in 2003. Old Five Forks Trickum.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
My daughter is a rising Freshman.. made Varsity Cheer Squad... The rising 8th, 9th, and 10th could be a special nucleus of kids... We're hoping for 2 state championships (we'll take "one") Here's a couple of clips of ANTHONY COVINGTON #25... a rising freshman who coincidentally moved into our district from SHILOH.. I've already sent the link to UT recruiting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfSbMv...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF5m-R...
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
Thanks Bro... Check out the YouTube links I sent RockyTopatl... First one is 2007 second is 2008 I'm hoping he will be a future VOL is Kiff and Company get on him early. Long time to go but that's what Coach O uses as a strategy. GO VOLS
rockytopatl writes:
Wow, he's a force of nature! Just a freshman? Another big loss for Shiloh. I should note for the record though that in better days, Shiloh produced a pretty great player, one David Pollock, a kid who's motor never stopped. If he had not suffered that fractured neck, he would have have a great career in the NFL. He's doing sports talk radio now.
PumpUptheVOLume writes:
790 the Zone, although I'm a 680 man...
I grew up in Clarksville, TN... I must say the talent here is unbelieveable... I hope UT hits the Gwinnett County area hard... This area(ATL in general) produces so much SEC talent...David was a good one.
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