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YouTube video
Tennessee's football camp is paying early dividends.
UT picked up a commitment on Thursday when Channing Fugate from Breathitt County High School in Jackson, Ky., pledged to be a Vol. The offer came shortly after he participated in camp drills.
"They liked me," Fugate said. "They offered and they wanted me to commit. It was too good to pass up."
UT recruited the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Fugate to play a hybrid fullback role in which he could catch 35 to 40 passes a season. Fugate played running back and strong safety in high school.
"I feel like it's more natural," Fugate said of playing offense.
Fugate had scholarship offers from Illinois, Indiana, Stanford, Purdue, Western Kentucky and Troy.
"I wanted to go to the biggest place I could possible go," Fugate said. "I wanted to go to the SEC."
Fugate's in-state Kentucky Wildcats didn't present him with that opportunity.
"They haven't shown much interest at all," Fugate said. "If Tennessee showed that much interest, I would have thought they (Kentucky's coaches) would have offered by now."
Asked if that would motivate him when he plays Kentucky, Fugate answered "Definitely."
UT has nine commitments for the 2010 class. More will likely be coming soon as the Vols' camp continues through Saturday.
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Comments » 246
92VOL05 writes:
Lets start reeling them in. GO VOLS
UTVolAlum writes:
There is a lengthy article on Volquest that was posted last night.
Rivals.com ranks Fugate as a 3-star athlete. As a junior at Breathitt County High School he rushed for 3,052 yards and 36 touchdowns.
He will play the "hybrid" position of HB/FB/TE at Tennessee.
ctownvol writes:
Hopefully he is one of many to commit in the next couple of days.
Coach_Joe writes:
Who?!!
What position are they planning on putting him at? Linebacker?
Coach_Joe writes:
UTV,
I guess your answer posted before I could finish typing the question.
With the RB's we got with the last class why would any want to sign with us this year. I guess it's good that he plays the other positions.
UTVolAlum writes:
He will play FB/TE position. Really involved int he offense, but would not be RB. Sorry for the confusion.
ctownvol writes:
Amen. Somebody has to do the "dirty" work.
MrBamSeydu writes:
There's no such thing as a hybrid HB/FB/TE.... you have to remember, Phil Fulmer is no longer here and neither is Chris Brown (who is the closest thing to what you just described).
This guy will get his "promised" shot at RB.... which will land him around 6th on the depth chart.... which will force him to move to the position the coaches think he will excel at being 6-2 225lb with 4.6 speed.... which is Mike LB.
the only hybrid's Lane Kiffin wants to see is the one Layla drives.
DonJuan writes:
Play for UT
http://ncaafootball.easports.com/show...
golfballs03 writes:
Outside Linebacker!
polymer writes:
Probably a good student as well. Stanford was recruiting him.
UTVolAlum writes:
From Fugate himself...
"They want me to play their hybrid position, which is fullback and h-back," Fugate said. "It a position where you are really involved with the offense and not just only blocking."
ctownvol writes:
It's good here. I just got home from work (gotta love half-day Fridays) and my truck said it was 102. I'm sure it isn't quite that hot, but it's a scorcher. How are you brother?
kabzs writes:
will fill in nicely behind Kevin Cooper
NO_DIGGITY writes:
He is similar to Hester at LSU, but with more speed.
finn writes:
Great vision, balance and speed. The kid seems to hit the hole hard and doesn't screw around with a lot of dancing. He could be a great addition and, with some more receiving work, could become a Dallas Clark type player based on his size. Welcome to UT, Channing.
ctownvol writes:
If he turns out as good as Hester we will be just fine. Hester was/is a heckuva football player.
golfballs03 writes:
I think he's too athletic to be a FB. He played RB and strong safety in high school. He could easily fit in as an OLB, and considering that OLB is a position we are lacking in his class, I think it is the target for him. I'm sure he'd prefer "H-Back Hybrid" and the staff will give him a chance there, but I think they have other plans for him.
InertGas writes:
Thanks for the link..this young man looks like a keeper.
golfballs03 writes:
From Scouts Inc:
Fugate is a big and physical running back and strong safety that could easily end up as an outside linebacker at the next level. He has great size and good speed for his competition. A true north-south runner that is straight line explosive. Not a lot of shake and bake but generates power with his strong and powerful legs. Runs through arm tackles and hits and spins to pick up extra yardage. Maintains balance and body control even after being hit in traffic. Can pull away from would-be tacklers even though doesn't possess tremendous speed. Demonstrates the vision to make the one big cut or bounce the football to the perimeter. Uses the straight arm technique at times to keep tacklers off his body. A tough defensive back that hits the same way he runs; aggressively and with intensity. Runs through offensive blockers to make a play on the ball carrier. A physical tackler that punishes the ball carrier and finishes the play; must be careful to wrap up at all times. Sometimes gets so aggressive that he wants to take the runners head off with the forearm. Very alert and reactive defensive player. Fugate has the skills, size and athletic ability to play either side of the ball at the next level. He is a competitive and confident football player.
agentorange writes:
He's a fullback genius. Running back is a different position.
kiffownsfla writes:
Coach read the article lol ! GO VOLS! HE COULD PLAY THIER TO I WOULD SAY.
Volunatic writes:
Glad you're going to be a VOL, Channing!
BigOrangeVol writes:
H-back looks like a good sport for him! Slap #89 on him and call him Mr. Clutch Jr. He may be quicker than Wycheck though. We'll see how he does with the Home Run Throwback.
ctownvol writes:
Thanks. Hope the kiddo gets to feeling better.
99gator writes:
generally speaking......
there is no such thing as a 5 star fullback.
the reason is most people that play fullback never touch the ball.
so, to get a good athlete who is willing (and happy) to be a fullback is a hard thing to sell.
most fullbacks are underappreciated and absolutely necessary in a pro style offense with a power running game out of the I formation.
6'2 230 is great size for an 18 yr old. if he likes hitting people and is happy in his role as a blocker, than this commitment should be frowned upon.
golfballs03 writes:
He's not a fullback, genius
99gator writes:
oops....
correction at 3:09
it should read.....
"should NOT be frowned upon"
BigOrangeVol writes:
spot not sport
We ought to be looking at his Interior linemen too. The Guards and Center didn't allow anyone in the backfield.
kiffownsfla writes:
This kid will be a LOAD for other d's to take down 4and1 thats our man 230 now and another year be for he can even play 240 or 250 lbs at UT lol this will be fun to watch!GO VOLS!
kiffownsfla writes:
Another mike alstoc hopefully! 2011 the vols will be a sob to stop in the run game for sure lol. GO VOLS!
kyvol98 writes:
I agree and thanks for the clarification
kiffownsfla writes:
Cfl gators about to report 2violations how many days its been 0 days since fla commited an infraction lmao!
invisiblekid writes:
In another news, Ron Zook expects to get the Shane Matthews treatment from Urbie:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...
invisiblekid writes:
It's called punctuation, this should help.
http://www.lrcom.com/tips/punctuation...
crimsonviper writes:
no doubt hester is.maybe this kid will be too.hope things are going your way down south dude.
invisiblekid writes:
Fugate was named ESPN RISE player of the week along with guys like Russell Shepard(LSU 5*) and Tyler Gaffney(4* Stanford).
"Channing Fugate (Breathitt County, Jackson, Ky.) The junior running back entered last weekend's game against Lexington Christian ranked third in the state with an average of 181 rushing yards per game. Against LCA, he more than doubled his average by rushing 32 times for 403 yards and six touchdowns in a 40-26 victory. His TD runs of 8 and 67 yards on the Bobcats' first two possessions of the second half broke open a 21-19 game and improved the team's record to 6-2."
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/...
sims1087 writes:
Volquest.com reported Tennessee freshman running back Toney Williams — has torn his ACL and will likely miss the season
invisiblekid writes:
I started to say....
crimsonviper writes:
Bad deal.Hate to hear that.
TideGolf348yds writes:
Amazing how ut fans can spin an avg 3-star recruit into a Lorenzo Neal. (head shaking)
I wish the kid luck. UT is a 3-star studded team that will need some of them 3-stars to step up or the dam will burst before 2 seasons.
velovol writes:
yes i guess they are similar in ethnic background
he is 4inches taller and 10 pds lighter so they practically identical twins
NobodyCares (Inactive) writes:
Good link ikid. Here is one excerpt:
"Are all of Florida's arrests over the last four years serious crimes? Not at all. There is the usual array of alcohol-related collegiate antics. But there are also nine felonies. That's unfathomable, especially for a coach who came to Florida and bragged that UF would recruit "only the top 1 percent of the top 1 percent." Who knew Meyer was talking about the top 1 percent of America's Most Wanted."
invisiblekid writes:
Wow, that's impressive.
And just think, if you didn't have that kid's name in front of you, you would have never managed a comeback.
invisiblekid writes:
Actually, the truest statement in the whole article was this:
"The fact is nobody should be held responsible for Meyer's players getting arrested except for Meyer himself."
chargervol writes:
Remember Lindale White, Lane likes a big running back along with the quick speedy guy( Bush/White). That being said, it does sound like he could be a hybrid. Lead blocking capabilities and good hands and enough speed to come out of the backfield. He would give a defensive coordinator some extra work. The offense would have a lot of options with an athlete like that. Linebacker isn't that far fetched either. GO VOLS!!!
chad_t31 writes:
U see? That's why no one likes you and that your comments are pointless and meaningless. He'll be part of the '10 recruiting class. We open the '09 season against WKY. Therefore, it's hard to be a part of any winning team when the kid will still be in high school on opening day.
invisiblekid writes:
Doesn't the Alabama brain trust have better things to do than troll around and worry about UT recruiting?
You know, things like hoping that some of your recruits DON'T get into school so they can slide in under the 85 man roster?
http://www.oanow.com/oan/sports/colle...
invisiblekid writes:
Don't bother gatorzzz with details, you'll confuse him. He has a hard enough time keeping up with all his screen names.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
No the best clip is
" That's unfathomable, especially for a coach who came to Florida and bragged that UF would recruit "only the top 1 percent of the top 1 percent." Who knew Meyer was talking about the top 1 percent of America's Most Wanted.
And now we know why Tim Tebow is so skillful when he goes to prisons and preaches to inmates during the offseason. He gets plenty of practice — in UF's own huddle."
THAT'S 26 - AND COUNTING - FOR THE BIGGEST COACHING DISGRACE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL !!
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