Thompson chases Gadsden prospects

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.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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