Hooker: Look for UT to offer Brunetti

With Jake Heaps off Tennessee's recruiting board and headed to Brigham Young, the Vols will almost certainly be doling out some scholarship offers soon. Based off his performance in UT's skills camp, I think it's only a matter of time until Barry Brunetti from Memphis University School is a commitment.

I expect UT to offer and Brunetti to commit before the end of the summer.

Brunetti's height, 6-foot to 6-1, is the only concern. However, Brunetti showed enough pop in his arm and more than enough mobility to warrant a scholarship, especially for an in-state prospect.

Credit Brunetti's summer camp showings for his rising draft stock. Many, including me, didn't think he was what UT was looking for in a quarterback.

Getting Brunetti doesn't mean UT will be done recruiting quarterbacks. Jesse Scroggins from Lakewood (Calif.) is still worth watching.

Mac Attack: Justin Maclin declared LSU the leader for his services.

"LSU is my number one team right now," the linebacker from Ridgeway High in Memphis told Scout.com. "They have let me know just how much they need me, and right now I feel like it is the school I could be most comfortable at."

Still, mama will get a say. Maclin said he hopes to get his mother to Baton Rouge for a camp in July in order to make a decision.

Knowing UT recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron's dedication to covering all his bases (such as family members and coaches), I figure he'll have a conversation with Maclin's mother before any decision is made.

After all, Maclin is still looking around - sort of. He'll visit Southern California's campus later this month. However, his comments to a recruiting Web site that covers the Trojans would lead one to believe that UT has some serious ground to make up.

"Basically the schools are LSU, Alabama and USC right now," Maclin told USCFootball.com. "I'm looking for a little bit of everything from a school. I want a nice environment, a place that has a great education and at the same time a great place to play football."

Tennessee's Tops: My preseason Top 20 prospects in Tennessee list will start running July 5. Not to kill the suspense but here are some thoughts:

n After what I saw at UT's camp this week, defensive end Jacques Smith from Ooltewah is all but a lock to be No. 1. Smith is almost as dominant of a prospect in this class as receiver Marlon Brown was last year. Smith was unstoppable at UT's camp.

n Maclin looks like he'll be second although Alabama commitment Keiwone Malone from Memphis Mitchell could make a strong push for No. 2.

n There's an battle brewing between James Stone from Maplewood and O.C. Brown from Manassas for top offensive lineman honors.

Stone struggled at times against the elite defensive ends in UT's camp. Both Stone and Brown look like locks to be in my top five.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!