Tennessee lost out on a Pahokee High School prospect on Monday but the news from the Florida school isn't all bad.
Except for receiver De'Joshua Johnson, who committed to Florida State, UT appears to be in good position with the other Pahokee prospects.
UT hosted 11 players from Pahokee at its summer camp last weekend. The Vols have offered scholarships to four of the players, not including Johnson: defensive linemen Richard Ash and Antonio Ford, cornerback Merrill Noel and linebacker Zach Allen.
UT's best impression seemed to be made on Ash.
The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder said he arrived at UT with little interest in the Vols. Ash said that changed after he worked with defensive line coach Ed Orgeron.
"I liked Coach O," Ash said. "He was just saying they need some big d-tackles that can come in and be All-Americans at UT.
"That felt good because I know Coach Orgeron was in the NFL. It's good to know that you have a coach that has NFL history teaching you techniques."
Ash said UT will receive serious consideration along with Florida, Southern Cal, LSU, West Virginia and UCLA.
"It put them up there," Ash said of the Vols.
Noel said he thinks more highly of UT after visiting the school's campus.
"It really boosted them up a lot where they stand in my rankings," he said. "I'm looking at them hard."
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Noel said he's also considering Georgia, Florida State, West Virginia and Miami.
UT's recruitment of Noel could be aided by former Pahokee receiver Nu'Keese Richardson, who is Noel's first cousin. Richardson is enrolled at UT after signing to be a Vol in February in a highly contested recruiting battle with Florida.
Noel said he'll consider Richardson's presence at UT when making his college decision.
"That would influence me a lot to come to Tennessee," Noel said. "We always talk. He lets me know what's going on and what to expect at Tennessee."
UT was able to show off its coaching abilities to several hundred prospects during the camp. Allen said he was impressed with what he saw from UT's staff.
"They teach you the basics but at the same time they teach you their scheme," he said. "They do a wonderful job."
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Allen said he's open among his 17 scholarship offers but has mentioned UT, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Miami, Pittsburgh and West Virginia as teams standing out.
Pahokee has stood out in the recruiting world recently because of UT coach Lane Kiffin, who made less-than-flattering comments about the town shortly after National Signing Day on Feb. 4.
UT assistant coach Eddie Gran was asked to leave Pahokee during the spring evaluation period. UT's coaches are now welcome after Kiffin apologized for at least a second time.
Noel said he and his teammates have moved on from the incident.
"He probably didn't mean anything bad about what he said," Noel said. "I still think he's a great guy and I look up to him a lot."
The Pahokee players said they still hope to announce their college decisions on Sept. 25. They've picked that date to honor former teammate Norman Griffith, who was shot and killed last September.
UT has offered a scholarship to one other Pahokee player, receiver Chris Dunkley, who didn't attend the camp.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 49
Bigger_Al writes:
Bring 'em to god's country.
TD_4_UT writes:
It's good to know we are in play with a lot of these kids. Now if we could close on just a few more would follow. GO VOLS!!!
12packvolfan writes:
SOUNDS LIKE WE COULD BE IN PLAY FOR SOME OF THESE PLAYERS
GaytorsSuckAndBamaBlows writes:
Go get'em Lane!
atomicvet62 writes:
Hey smokeydog,
Have you notice that the troll zrotag gatorz or zz or what ever the dummy called himself is not posting tonight?
Maybe someone called govolsxtra and had him banned! Ha Ha
Isn't it great to go to this Vols site and be rid of that stupid
name!
There is some changes coming to govlsxtra,where they can ban the trolls for good that come on here only to BS and talk smack to our fans .They will try to change thier username,but govolsxtra will be on top of them and weed them out for good.
Watch for changes coming in July,you can count on it.
So long-------TROLLS!
wagee12 writes:
Don't count the Vols out on Johnson either. Nuke Richardson was committed to Florida solid for a very, very long time. Also, the Criminoles still have an NCAA investigation hanging over their heads.
teampenny#658108 writes:
No school in Florida produces that many D 1 players-a lot of this was for show. Need some offensive line help. Hope we get a few commits on the offensive side. Go Vols
appalachianvol writes:
I'm from Elizabethton. I've been living in Florida for over 40 yrs now and suffer quite a bit from the Gator indignation. I can assure you that Fla has one heck of a feeder system in High School football. Just look at the D1 colleges in Fl itself and they have plenty left over.
Fl population is a heck of a lot more then ours here in Tennessee.
We have no choice but to recruit outside our state. South Fl has a huge population. High School football is a ticket out for these kids.
Go Big Orange!
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
This staff continues to impress with the quality of recruits considering us. We are in an entirely different class then in the past. After a few years of this type recruiting and we will be turning out NFL prospects like USC. Can't wait until those famous words....It's football time in Tennessee.
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
Look we(UT=Texas) need you(UT-North) to hurt fla as much as you can for recruits. Its gonna be tough to fight them and USC for the next 5 years. You have my support
appalachianvol writes:
I spend my summers here. Don't go back until late Oct. (melbourne) I also watched Jason many games. He played both ways. Have a UT jacket with his signature. I'm an ETSU alum.
Can't wait to see what Kif puts together I think maybe two years and we're back. What do you think?
govols082859#1369959 writes:
DCgators
I'm open for debate:
What makes you feel Ash will not be a Vol.
Again, I welcome honest open debate without any slamming one way or the other.
What do you know?
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
I moved to this area 10 years ago. I see us as brothers. Both UT. Both wear orange and white. Both win championships .... well one of us do. But thanks for the help years ago
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
My dream is for UT( and I dnt mean UT-North) and you to play. You duck us each time and play those high school teams. Matter of fact you can send that National Champ stuff to us
caliGATOR writes:
Why is every tenn fan so excited once tebow leaves????? I guess kiffens comments about pahokee didn't mean nothing???? I would be shocked if Ash signed with Tenn, but u never know... I didn't know that noel was cousins with richardson..
the10sevol writes:
as you had ours in 1836, brother.
old_number1 writes:
I would say that UT was smart to allow 11 players. Great PR move for the Staff to show the high school That UT is serious about their players.
Also, some of the players came to the camp as friends of the 3 or 4 top players. The other 7 or 8 will not be offered.
teampenny#658108 writes:
Who pays for players lodging and travel?
99gator writes:
marc_ash
if this was troll bait, i took it.
they are not sold on brantley because of their recruitment of scroggins. what?
first off, from what i can gather florida is out of the scroggins sweepstakes. they don't think they can get him, so they have begun turning their attention elsewhere.
secondly, they have a qb that was just signed in the 2009 class and another committed for the 2010 class. does that mean they are not sold on brantley as well?
you recruit as many quality players at a position as possible, right? isn't that how it's done?
i am not going to discourage people's dreams at this point regarding meyer and notre dame. have fun with it.
99gator writes:
i will give you all a topic for the day to kick around.....instead of "your momma" insults back and forth with some of the trolls.....
rank the top 10 football players currently at tennessee, regardless of position.
#1 is obviously going to be eric berry.
but, rank the top 10 players for the 2009 vols (in order).
TommyJack writes:
One city's loss is another city's gain. The Dunkin in Swayback, WY reports record profits.
kiffownsfla writes:
Ugh LONGHORN if you all would have played fla last year you would have got CRUSHED! You wasn't ready to take on fla last year and we will have to wait and see this year but I doubt it. GO VOLS
kiffownsfla writes:
Haven't seen alot of them play yet 99 so it wud be hard for me to do.GO VOLS
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
How soon we forget. I thought UT(Texas) was in the top 5 all year. Just because you get bent over at your place by them does not make us equals.UT North was happy just to score 6 points.
GREATVOLSAFIRE writes:
gatorz switched teams to Texas
kiffownsfla writes:
Yes fla has handed us our azzez lately but mac brown and colt aren't fla caliber teams you dont have anyone in your conference that can compete with fla. and so was bama , oklahoma , ga, and lsu in the top 5 and you see how that turned out. dude im not arguing with you the sec OWNS COLLEGE FOOTBALL! WHY THE H3LL ARE YOU HERE!
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
Does it ever get too crowded under that SEC umbrella? So many times UT-North fans yell SEC but what do you bring? I was talking to a gator so when grown folks are talking hush your mouth.
RockyTop1 writes:
Let's set this one straight "we" are the REAL UT! If it wasn't for the VOLUNTEERS that died at the Alamo to help propel you guys to freedom, you would still be under the rule of Mexico.
I have lived there for many years so I know what goes on in and around the state.
You could surrender "OUR" interlocking UT as well since you just kicked the nest!
Keep the burnt orange at home where it belongs!
GO VOLS!! Going to be fine in 2009!!
kiffownsfla writes:
Dont they have pronghorn sites down thier in that burrito infested sh#t hole. you came here screamin your texans was the real ut on a vol site but you dont understand that do you ? you simple minded BAS#TA#D! Have agreat day bye troll!
kiffownsfla writes:
WOOHOO rope them doggies lmfao! why we gotta prong horn here BIG LMAO AND YEA ITS FUNNY WHEN THEM TEAMS PLAY EACH OTHER ITS ALWAYS LIKE 55 TO 52 THEY DONT KNOW WHAT DEFENSE IS NEVER WILL THATS WHY THEY DONT WIN THE NATIONAL TITLES OH YEAH AND VINCE YOUNG LOL HE'S A MAJOR BUST IN NASHVILLE LOL! GO VOLS!
kman29 writes:
thats normal with a lot of florida highschools. Like when Florida signed 7 from Lakeland highschool. You don't even want to see the numbers on Miami Northwestern Highschool.
kiffownsfla writes:
Lol yea he did he will be a fisk fan next lol! be glad when they get the ignore button up and running im so ready for kickoff 74 days guys woohoo!
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
Wow using that UT-North vocab to the fullest today. I just state facts. I hate OU(oklahoma to you) but I would never use them or Kansas to defend UT(Texas). Thank you for your help almost 2 hundred years ago but like your football team .... thats the past. By the way I thought Wyoming was the Cowboys. They roped some doggies real bad at homecoming
kman29 writes:
lol! Their push to get Scroggins says they arent too sold on Brantley? That has to be one of the most ridiculous comments. The "push" to get another QB such as Scroggins is part of the ON GOING recruiting effort successful programs do every year. After this season when Tebow leaves that will leave 2 QBs on the roster (Brantley and in coming freshman Joran Reed) They do have a commitment from Trey Burton for 2010 and if that sticks, adding on Scroggins would give UF 4 QBs, which is pretty normal for most top schools because you protect yourself from transfers. I can assure you, brantley will be the starting QB in 2010 and 2011 if he doesnt leave early. But you believe whatever conspiracy theory you would like.
kman29 writes:
Yeah and many people thought has highly rated as Brantley was that he would not sit for 2 years, which will now be 3 years and take over as a redshirt junior next year. If Scroggins wants to play and play early then he better not come to UF. If he wants to compete against some of the best players in the country, win some championships and buy his time while he develops his game then take over after Brantley leaves, then come to UF.
Dont worry though, you will get to see Brantley play this year not just in mop up duty.
kman29 writes:
After Brantley?
Could be in coming freshman 4 star dual threat QB Jordan Reed.
Could be 2010's in coming freshman 4 star dual threat QB Trey Burton
Or someone else brought in within the next 3 years.
kman29 writes:
sorry Bevo, but while gators and vols will go at each other, when an outsider such as you comes in you really have no chance. Take your little cow back to Texas and enjoy playing in a conference where Kansas and Texas Tech are challenges and nobody can play defense. Why do you think players like Stafford and Snead left the state of Texas to come to the SEC? They wanted to play against real competition. In the mean time if Texas gets a shot at an SEC team you will find out what the last 3 teams have in the BCS title when facing an SEC team.
Its nothing personal, your just from an inferior conference.
sameolvolalum writes:
Here's the deal, Tex. I'm a UT alum who lived in Austin from 1989 through 2002 running a record label there as A&R Director and chief producer. Clearly, then, I was a major part of the 5th Street scene and SXSW, etc. Austin is definitely one of the coolest and most awesome cities on the planet (I lived in Hyde Park). Several friends of mine there are UTex grads. The "who's the real UT" controversy doesn't really exist there, as those on Guadalupe Blvd. believe they're at the center of the universe. I went to a couple of dozen UTex football games there with my bros. It was fun BUT----there is absolutely, positvely no comparison between Texas and Tennessee when it comes to football programs and the fanbase. Games there are more like a polite picnic. We big orange fans have the real deal in Knoxville. I miss Austin, particularly since I live in SC, but football games are pansy parties compared to those at the original UT. Don't step in Bevo's piles.
sameolvolalum writes:
Whoa partner! I meant 6th street. 'Hit the wrong key. Remember "Nightmare on 5th Street" behind Maggie Maes? Or are you too young?
kiffownsfla writes:
Theres a scroggins update on volquest if any one is a member im not. would like to know what he says. thanks GO VOLS!
kiffownsfla writes:
Thanks for defending the sec kman the best football conference BAR NONE! GO UOLS! I would love to see fla put a beat down on texas! GO VOLS!
OrangeMagic writes:
good post sameolvolalum. I am a displaced vol living in Dallas. I have lots of friends who are Longhorn fans and I'll tell Texas_Slim_Bevo the same thing I tell them. Texas has the wrong color orange, it looks like someone pissed on it :) Maybe A&M fans. A&M fans are the rabid fans in this state.
Texas_Slim_Bevo writes:
My job here is done. I love reading UT-North fans kissing Fla butts. A gator friend of mine told me that Vol fans really love UF. Wow! Way to "love" the SEC. Go...to H3ll..Vols
kiffownsfla writes:
Go vols!
kiffownsfla writes:
When any sec is playing a lil 12, pac 10 or whatever conf im pulling for the SEC PERIOD. Play and stay in your cupcake conference boy. SEC is a mans league ! GO VOLS AND SEC FANS THANKS FOR BACKING ME GUYS! GO VOLS!
sameolvolalum writes:
Dallas has a lot of cool places and plenty to do. It's good an old fellow Vol fan understands the Texas crowd. It sounds like that Texas_Slim_Bevo fella' is just a peed on orange wannabe. Most Tex. U fans are pretty cool. The academics there are excellent. In the big 12, A&M, OU and K State have pretty rowdy bunches, but TU fans remind me of UCLA fans----pretty bland. This goes for all of their athletic programs. Quality programs and facilities with no soul. At least they're not as numb as the Carolina gamechicken folks here outside of Columbia. This is the worst informed bunch of fans I've come across, yet. If it weren't for the horse farm operation I've got and my wife's connections, I'd be back in Knoxville. Stay cool in Dallas.
Rockytop38 writes:
It would be nice to get a pipeline from that school to Tennessee.
kiffownsfla writes:
Saw it yesterday not a big fan of it are you rich?
RockyTop10nessee writes:
Ok...It's to a point where it is pissing me off. Tennessee fans need to stop bein so naive. I have been reading articles from here for quite some time and i mus ay there are multiple mutiple stupid comments. Let's al grow up including the gator fans. Florida will dominate tennessee this year! no question. All the nicknames yall have for the urban is quite immature. It's just annoying gettin onhere and reading all of this comments. Like trolls?? WTF!! who made that up? how old are you? How bout we just talk fotball instead of the trolls and nicknames for urban, and how tennessee will some how bea florida this year.
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