With former Alabama coach Lance Thompson leading the charge, Tennessee is in contention for two prospects from Gadsden City (Ala.) High School: rising senior cornerback Dale Trimble and rising junior safety Daryl Collins.
Thompson, now the linebackers coach at UT, has already impressed the duo, especially Trimble.
“Tennessee is the first school to offer me and they’re the first school I camped in,” the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder said. “I really like Tennessee.”
The feeling was mutual as Trimble was named one of the defensive back MVP’s in Tuesday’s skill-position camp at UT.
“I thought I did pretty well but I can do better,” Trimble said. “Just got to keep working.”
Trimble has 11 offers, including invites from Auburn, Clemson, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and UT.
“I really don’t have a top five,” Trimble said, “but Tennessee is one of them.”
Collins is a work in progress for any recruiter. His early impressions of UT are good.
“It was cool man,” the 6-foot, 190-pounder said of UT’s camp. “I really enjoyed it. I really liked the facilities.”
Collins doesn’t have any scholarship offers yet but that will likely change. Collins said he has heard from plenty of schools.
“Tennessee, if I had to pick, they are on my mind,” Collins said.
Trimble’s decision will almost certainly have an impact on Collins.
“Dale’s my boy,” Collins said. “We go to the same school. I grew up with him. I’ve known him since I was about five or six (years old).”
Vic Beasley had a nice showing Tuesday after meeting UT’s coaching staff for the first time.
The 6-4, 215-pounder from Adairsville (Ga.) High was named one of the linebacker MVP’s following his performance.
Beasley said he hopes his showing will convince UT’s coaching staff to offer him a scholarship.
“I believe they liked me a lot and I believe I should get an offer soon,” said Beasley, who has offers from Auburn, Vanderbilt, Clemson, Duke, Louisville, Stanford and East Carolina.
Beasley said he believes he would fit into UT’s defense because of his size and athletic ability.
“I just wanted to impress the coaches with my outside linebacker skills,” Beasley said, “how I run and how I use my speed to help my athletic ability.”
Beasley said he plans to wait until after his senior season to commit to a school.
He said he would certainly make a return trip to UT if he receives an offer.
“I like (Neyland) Stadium and I like this place,” he said. “The coaches are great here and I just love being in this atmosphere.”
First Helps: Rising junior A.J. Johnson from Gainesville (Ga.) High said UT leads for his services in part because the Vols were the first to offer the 6-2, 215-pound linebacker a scholarship.
Johnson has since garnered official invites from Clemson, Auburn, Alabama and Georgia.
Johnson said he’s unsure when he’ll announce a decision but said he enjoyed UT’s camp on Tuesday.
“It was great,” the 2011 prospect said, “a lot of competition.”
Josh Ward contributed to this report.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 62
DC_Vol writes:
I really feel like the new UT coaches are placing an emphasis on recruiting more than in years past.
richvol writes:
Thompson will get us into areas we have never had a chance in before.
JustaStudent writes:
I like to see that our coaches are offering good talent a scholarship first. It means they are ahead of the curve on evaluating talent. Future is looking bright
Vol_in_Texas writes:
It's good to see the coaches making in-roads in to areas like Fl and AL. GO VOLS!!! Is it fall yet?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I'm chompin at the bit to see a little football!! Heck, I'm chompin' for signing day!!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I agree about being aggressive in recruiting, it's funny though ya know? Everyone always says pretty much the same thing about liking everything... then signing day. The same guys we are so impressed with now will be the guys we despise on Saturdays. Life is funny that way.
volfan2002 writes:
We have lots of recruits wanting scholarship offers instead of us begging them to come here. Were certainly on the way back and it could come quickly with this coaching staff.
utkedu writes:
The coaches seem to be emphasizing recruiting, but I have been impressed recently with GVX and their effort to cover recruiting. In prior years, I don't remember this level of coverage. Thanks for the effort GVX.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I truly love to hear all this positive stuff, but why in the hell are we not getting the same players excited whom Ga, and Fl and Al are recruiting?!
The first thing I do when I see one of these things is look at who's recruiting them. I know CLK and staff know talent, but it seems to me that two and two is always four.
FriendOfTheProgram writes:
I agree, great job GVX. Usually you would have to go to one of the pay sites for this type of info. Thanks for all of the updates.
LiveFaith writes:
Let's see. Were we not #1 in recruiting like 2 or 3 years ago. How good is this gonna get?
givehim6 writes:
Give UT a good 10 win season or better, plus a good bowl win and the recruits will be lining up.
UltraVolDavid writes:
I think I'm beginning to see the strategy of this staff and I continue to be impressed. A monster defense will keep you in any game. Build the defense first, the offense will come in time. A winning season is all I expect for '09 (low expectations, minimal disappointment) but hold onto your straw hats, folks...we are witnessing the building of a new dynasty for the forseeable future. Only the best of the best recruits are going to be a part of this NFL factory.
Volfan4everandaday writes:
this is off topic but the ala commit had this to say about UT----Sims walked away with one of the MVP Awards as a top receiver at the Tennessee Camp, so he obviously did well at the new position.
Tennessee showed him a lot of attention and he walked away with an award, so what does he think about the Vols? He entered the camp as an Alabama commitment, so where does he stand in recruiting now?
“Alabama is still number one, but Tennessee is number two behind them now. Georgia is number three.”
“I am still committed to Alabama, but I am really going to look at Tennessee now. I really like them and they are on my mind a lot. I really like their stadium and the way the coaches mix in with the players real good there. I know I can be myself with them and they make everything fun. They are cool coaches and that is important. I will definitely be back to visit them again.”
Volfan4everandaday writes:
blake sims
Waldorf writes:
This staff is going to have to take the 92 Bama apprach for 09. Let the defense win games and just don't let the offense kill you.
I still think 9 wins is a possibility this fall if all falls right. Outside of Florida and Bama, I just don't see that much of a talent gap in the rest of our schedule. Unlike 08, I think the coaches are going to give Crompton stuff is he able to do. It will all hinge on what the O-line does....
10volunteers98 writes:
This kid ain`t goin` to Bama.He`ll be a Vol.If this coaching staff can just get ANY player to come for a visit,we have an excellent chance to sign them.
Write it down.
GO,VOLS!!!
thevoice writes:
Me too. Seems emphasis is being placed in southern states like GA, AL, and FL. Gotta like it when you not only get good recruits, but you eliminate your foes from getting them too! Double super!
Volunatic writes:
Look up a list of that 2007 class. Other than Eric Berry, who has turned out to be really good? (Shoot, look at how many of the guys in that recruiting class are GONE!)
DC_Vol writes:
Hey Rich,
Fantastic post!!! Now that is what I am talking about! This article really sums up the emphasis on recruiting and the thorough football knowledge of our coaching staff. Saturdays in the fall are about to become fun and meaningful again. I can hardly wait for the football season to start!!! Go VOLS!!!!
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
987,
Why is it that you think that all kids are ready jump on the Bama train? These kids expresed an interest in UT and you want to contradict their statements.
I am not saying that they will sign with UT, but how can you be so sure they won't?
DennisVols writes:
GA became a dry zone after Garner defected to UGA. Now this new staff is raiding GA once again. Lots of talent down here to be had and another way to stick it to the dawgs.
UTvols12342000 writes:
I want in the Elite Vol club.
Never Feed a TROLL!
GerryOP writes:
Sounds like Kiffin & Co are really have a great week in K'town! Over 160 kids in on Monday and 200+ on Tuesday. It appears that Coach Kiffin's efforts to get the "Tennessee Story" on the front page is working! Don't these kids/families pay their own way to these camps? Any question that these guys know what they are doing?
94 -- Fear The Kiffin...
sampears writes:
Where are all the Gator trolls of late? Is the news too good for there lil tummies? Did they have to go change there panites? Kiffin is kickin azz and taking names! Go Vols!
hotrodvol writes:
Rich, keep looking man we need more of these links. Great reading, thanks.
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
So, if your way of thinking is correct, then any kid in Ala will sign with the tide if ofered.
And I did not misunderstand, you are saying that UT has no shot at any in state kid that Bama wants.
Sounds to me like you are just like ole ZZZZ5 or 6 or whatever # he is now, only exception is that your BS is about football. But you are about as closed minded as him and most certainly drink crimson kool-aid.
Just man up and admit that the UT program is chaning the way things are done in the SEC. I am one who does not like the excessive mouthing off that CLK has done, but he is changing the way kids from ALA on the rest of the nation look at UT. UAB and the rest of the SEC better take notes and work as hard as this staff does.
10volunteers98 writes:
Fulmer was a good recruiter,but he and the old coaching staff didn`t know how to get the most out of the recruits they signed.The Vols struggled against teams who had much less talent.And I also wonder if Fulmer really knew how to evaluate talent?I`ve seen a lot of players who were supposed to be good who didn`t make a mark at UT while Fulmer was here.Especially in his later years.This new staff has really impressed me.And I believe they will know how to coach the players they sign to reach their full potential.GO,VOLS!!!
PennVol writes:
“I really don’t have a top five,” Trimble said, “but Tennessee is one of them.”
Yogi Berra would be proud...
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Makes sense--mostly--thanks. But, I'd like to see us getting Georgia's and Alabama's prospects, and not so many times Arizona State, or Mississippi State, or, well you know what I mean.
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
So now you have started with the name calling, very mature on your part. And yes, CLK will change the way things are done in the SEC. He may not have ever won a game, but as of yet he has not lost any. Saban's mistake is that he sleeps recruiting while CLK and CEO are awake and still at it.
I admit that past history is on your side with in state kids, but that is all it is, past history. Ut's future is now, and they have gotten the hardest working staff in the SEC, if not the country. Need proof, look at their first recruiting class.
Bama better take notice of the changes that are happening or they will soon be like the VOLS were under Fulmer.
As far as Bryce Brown, I was always leary of him and Oku, because of the advisor.
Got to run...Check y'all later tonight
give_him_6 writes:
Good post dude. Very good video coverage from Rivals. Thanks!
99gator writes:
getting an alabama player to leave alabama is as difficult as getting rosie o'donnell on the cover of playboy.
i don't think any state has as much loyalty to the in state school as alabama kids do for alabama.
much easier to steal kids in florida from florida, florida state or miami.
stealing an in state kid from alabama can be done, but it is extremely difficult.
jimr07 writes:
what you say may be true, but fulmer placed the second highest number of players in the NFL.
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Sorry, not sensitive, just wondering why you have to resort to childish stuff like that.
No flip flopping..CLK has changed and will continue to change the SEC..
Never claimed that Saban was not a hard worker...but I don't think CNS or his staff will out work CLK and his staff.
And again, Bama better not let up or Saban and the Tide will be like the VOLS under Fulmer.
Like it or not, the VOLS have a new approach and attitude and every opponent better be ready.
Time to go...
987, I will catch up with you later tonight...Have a good day.
the10sevol writes:
when the tykes in alabama dream about auburn, do they wake up crying until mommy reads them a bear bryant bedtime story and tucks them back in? lol
nice posts, 987...
the10sevol writes:
roflmao
the10sevol writes:
i was thinking the same thing, but growing up in chatt, i only saw the north alabama culture, and it was ALL tide...
NO_DIGGITY writes:
Fulmer's recruiting abilities on paper did not slip a lot this decade, but his ability to evaluate talent did. In the nineties and early this decade UT would have 5 or 6 players every year NFL bound. His classes over the last 4 to 6 years produced 3 NFL type players, Jerrod Mayo, Robert Ayers, and Eric Berry. He was still recruting 4 and 5 star guys on paper ( Berry, Crompton, Ben Martin and Chris Donald) but so far only Berry has had success.
TurnUpTheVOLtage writes:
Demarcus Milliner announces his commitment tomorrow at 1 pm. He's the rivals.com #8 player in the nation for 2010 listed as 6'1" 180 lbs and a CB/WR. Alabama is said to be his favorite. For those that don't know, Lance Thompson has been recruiting this kid. It's a long shot, but bring him to Knoxville Lance!
TurnUpTheVOLtage writes:
I haven't heard anything on Stripling....
Volunatic writes:
You're right for the most part-- getting Alabama HS players to choose Tennessee can be difficult, but your Rosie O'Donnell analogy-- that's just uncalled for. Even the thought of her on the cover probably will make me lose my appetite for a few weeks.
gohawks1 writes:
Gotta love these recruits saying so many positive things about Tennessee and the new coaching staff. Things are looking up.
TurnUpTheVOLtage writes:
yeah I know, AL kid but some long shots have turned out for UT....you can always hope right...It's summer I gotta find something to look forward to football wise.
dvhill100 writes:
Thanks. Great read. We can see improvement at every aspect and this should translate in wins in the not too distant future.
crimsonviper writes:
good post marc ash,i have enjoyed reading your posts and opinions for a while now,thanks and keep it up.
dvhill100 writes:
Great stuff. Thanks.
TurnUpTheVOLtage writes:
Agreed. Do you know if AL is recruiting him as a DB? Because I'm guessing TN would be recruiting him as a WR due to the number of DB's just signed in '09...
crimsonviper writes:
that was a good read RR2,thanks
dvhill100 writes:
Query: If he doesn't come to Alabama, where would you rather see him go, Auburn or Tennessee? Just curious.
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