WR Ambles keeping track of UT's QB search

Like so many Tennessee fans, Markeith Ambles is keeping a close eye on UT’s quarterback recruiting.

“I’ve got to go somewhere where there’s a good quarterback,” the 6-foot-2, 185-pound receiver from Henry County in McDonough, Ga., said during UT’s skill-position camp on Tuesday. “That will be a big thing.”

Other than that major hurdle, UT seems in good shape with Ambles. He doesn’t seem worried about the situation.

“They’re recruiting some good guys,” Ambles said. “I’m pretty sure they’ll get one of them.”

Through an invite to the festivities at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Ambles is good friends with one of UT’s top quarterback targets: Jake Heaps from Skyline High in Sammamish, Wash.

“I talk to him once a week,” Ambles said.

Ambles is also good friends with dual-threat quarterback Barry Brunetti from Memphis University School, who was also at Tuesday’s camp.

“He’s a good quarterback,” Ambles said.

Brunetti has scholarship offers from Duke, Memphis, Mississippi State, Purdue, Penn State and West Virginia.

UT is still considering Brunetti. The Vols’ staff spent extensive time working with him.

“They know their stuff,” Brunetti said of UT’s staff. “They’re very experienced and they can get you to the next level. This offense is all NFL so they’re going to get you to the next level.”

As for Ambles, he has over 30 scholarship offers and still hears plenty from the in-state Georgia Bulldogs.

“I still talk to them all the time,” said Ambles, who added that UT, Florida and Alabama are some of the teams that are also recruiting him the hardest.

Despite a new coaching staff, UT’s future isn’t in question as far as Ambles is concerned.

“I think the program is going to be fighting for the national championship,” he said.

Ambles said he’ll likely take an official visit to UT this fall – a sign that the Vols will likely be in his top five when he decides to pare down his schools.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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