Zak Tait is quickly growing into one of the most intriguing college football prospects in Tennessee.
A devastating knee injury caused him to miss last season. Yet there's more.
Once thought of solely as an offensive lineman prospect, the Catholic High School standout also is getting collegiate looks as a defensive tackle or nose guard.
Consequently, Tait spent his time at UT's Junior Day, a camp to showcase Tenenssee's wares to some of the region's best prospects, on Saturday with the Vols' defensive coaches, including defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
"I really like Coach Orgeron and it was absolutely unbelievable (working with him in the camp)," the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder said. "It was a great chance to hear coach Monte Kiffin talk for a while and listen to his perspectives on football.
"Being able to play under them would be an amazing experience."
Like many schools, UT is waiting to offer Tait a scholarship until coaches see him perform on his surgically repaired knee during spring practice, which begins in May.
"Hopefully if I perform to what they expect," Tait said, "I'll get an offer."
Tait was released by doctors late last fall. He said the knee is 100 percent and has been playing rugby to improve his conditioning.
"But it's not going to compare to football," Tait said. "Football is my sport. I just can't wait (to play again). I'm very excited to hopefully get my team back to a state championship."
Tait was familiar with the Vols under former coach Phillip Fulmer. Learning more about UT's lauded coaching staff was his main goal this weekend.
"After today, I really felt like they are great people, too, and people that - as a player - it would be good to be around and spend four or five years with," Tait said. "The coaches are very well organized. It was really intense. I really enjoyed my time there and seeing what the new coaches have to offer."
UT seems to be in good shape with Tait if they decided to offer. Tait was impressed with his visit and has a budding friendship with UT defensive end commitment Jacques Smith to make the collegiate transition that much easier.
Tait has expressed an interest in playing in the NFL one day. With a staff teeming with NFL experience, UT preaches the NFL gospel at any opportunity.
"If you want to play in the NFL," Tait said, "UT is the place to be to get ready for it."
Tait, however, isn't too concerned about the NFL right now. After being without football for well over a year, Tait is ready to do anything, spring practice included.
"I just want to play football," Tait said.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 36
volfan53 writes:
He will be a Vol next year. He is going to be okay.
byobbio writes:
Second. Dang
smashmouth98 writes:
sounds like we had a good weekend.
Orange Swarm, REEL THEM IN!!
ThaiVolFan writes:
Our future is bright...every kid that visits loves their experience and raves about the coaches, our level of players will only get better.
ThaiVolFan writes:
Everyone knows this staff is an excellent recruiting staff, but everyone is waiting on their coaching ability. Honestly, I think they are all great coaches as well, not just recruiters. Anyhow, coaching great players to play great is always easier than coaching average players into playing great. Greater talent WILL translate into more W's, you can count on it.
givehim6 writes:
Ilike this kids way of thinking, make him a offer.
TK writes:
I have known Zak and his family since he was in West Hills elementary school. Any school would be lucky to have him.
Voluvr writes:
I smell a "shut em down" defense on the horizon.
utmdm writes:
Tennessee makes big impression on Northiew DL Denzel McCoy
By Jeff Hood | Sunday, March 1, 2009, 09:02 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tennessee
UGA
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and his father, Volunteers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, made it clear over the weekend to Northview defensive tackle Denzel McCoy that he is one of their major targets in the class of 2010.
McCoy, whose 30 current scholarship offers include one from the Vols, was among more than 100 athletes who attended Tennessee’s Junior Day on Saturday.
“The visit was great,” McCoy said. “I got to spend time with coach Monte and Lane Kiffin. We talked for a while and about me coming to school there.
“I left there very impressed. The Tennessee coaching staff is awesome.”
Lane Kiffin, one of the SEC’s most vocal coaches, didn’t say anything McCoy interpreted as being controversial.
“Oh, nothing like that,” McCoy said. “He met with me and my parents. I liked the attitude he has as far as ‘I want to win next year.’”
McCoy said a weight lifting competition may prevent him from attending Junior Day at Auburn on Saturday March 7.
utmdm writes:
RB Storm Johnson offered by LSU after visiting Tennessee
By Michael Carvell | Sunday, March 1, 2009, 10:54 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday was a big day for Loganville tailback Storm Johnson, one of the state’s top 2010 prospects. After returning from Junior Day at Tennessee, Johnson was offered by his childhood favorites, LSU.
“That is really exciting about LSU,” Johnson said. “LSU was my team growing up. They compete for national championships. It means a lot when a top program like that wants you.”
Earlier in the day, Johnson made an unofficial visit to Tennessee, which has also offered. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Johnson said he got to spend a few minutes with Vols coach Lane Kiffin. “He liked my size, and said that they were really pursuing me.”
What were Johnson’s impressions of Kiffin? “He seems very confident and spontaneous. You can tell he’s having a lot of fun at his job.”
Johnson said he was glad he made the trip to Tennessee. “It’s a very good program that has a lot of eyes on it next year. They have a new coach and everything. A lot of people will be watching them very closely next year to see what they do.”
Johnson has 10 early offers and does not claim any favorites.
utmdm writes:
By Chad Simmons
South Recruiting Analyst
Date: Mar 1, 2009
Tennessee jumped on Garrison Smith as soon as they saw his film like many other programs. His film got out in late January and he is now closing in on 20 scholarship offers. The defensive lineman visited UT over the weekend and he liked what he saw.
utmdm writes:
Monte's take on the controversy and he is a real go getter.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...
dvhill100 writes:
Great article. Thanks for the link.
hotrodvol writes:
I hope he is healed all the way, UT needs him and he wants to be a VOL.
GerryOP writes:
Good read ... Thanks!
187 -- Fear The Kiffin...
GreenDevilVol writes:
There were several that left impressed with UT. Glad to see that from a standpoint from a few classes ago. UT needs to land a few that were there, Tait,McAdoo,Stone,Johnson,Brown,Jenkins,McCoy(another one wouldn't hurt),and Smith.
What a coach could do with talent such as this.Look out SEC; UT is just reloading !!!
12packvolfan writes:
does anyone know where we stand with the qbs
VOLINCALI writes:
We have had that many times in recent years. It is the offense that has been offensive minus Cut.
elizabethtonvol72 writes:
Reloading baby! Just reloading! Go get em CLK.
Ironcity writes:
I have heard that he Heaps has no intention of going on his two year trip. I may be wrong about that but that's what I heard.
12packvolfan writes:
THANKS FOR THE INFO
TotalPackage1 writes:
GREAT POST! Thanks for the tremendous insight! We are ALL very dissappointed that you couldn't be first.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
TENNESSEE : The Country's First and Only NFL Farm Club.
Fear The Kiffin
JohnsonCity_George writes:
We have not had a "shut 'em down" defense on third and long, ever.
baldfan writes:
why must you torture us with the first and second phooey?
tennezz writes:
You sound like manurity to me!
Colliervol writes:
Or we could have been satisfied with just working like heck and going 5 and 7 again. Thanks but I'll take my chances with a little bit of crazy right now. What is absolutely clear is that we couldn't live with the status quo any longer. Only one thing that Kiffin et al have to do now and that is to WIN. Anything else is irrelevant. If it doesn't work out, so be it. We'll do it till we get it right.
rockytop#413695 writes:
Find a place you can support a team and stay away from here. Who is "Kayla"? Where exactly is "Butch" back from anyway?
UT37916 writes:
You need to stay away from the Meth and Shine. It is destroying your brain.
JBruce writes:
Notre Dame
DennisVols writes:
A good story about this Jr Camp
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sec/0-5-13...
Vols' coaches going shirtless to woo players
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No, No, NO!!! There is absolutely NO RULE that a Mormon HAS to go on a "religious journey"--actually a mission trip to win converts--at age 19 or any OTHER age! Heaps has said PUBLICLY several times that he has NO plans to take a mission during his football career. The Mapu case notwithstanding, how soon we forget that Erik Ainge is ALSO a Mormon. Did he take a mission during his career? Didn't think so!
Sorry if I seem a little hyper in my reply, but several others besides me have said this very thing more than once on here with regard to Heaps. It just seems that someone gets some notion in their heads and, no matter what evidence they see to the contrary, the truth just never sinks in. That is just one drawback of the internet style of communication--no story is EVER dead. Once a story is out there, it can be refuted over and over and someone will ALWAYS revive it, kind of like an echo effect.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
you're talking about 17 and 18 year olds. They love this stuff, they still read "The Hulk" and Spiderman. Nothing wrong with that. They have plenty of time to "grow up" - let them enjoy their youth.
UT37916 writes:
Witch very wrong.
MarbleVol48 writes:
Butch is an ah....
OwensboroVol writes:
I worry about these kids being able to endure the physical nature of College Ball after a severe knee injury. I tore my knee up in High School (So many years ago we won't mention that) and it has never been the same. I know surgical procedures have improved drastically, but I know this kid's knee will never be 100%. With the minimum amount of scholarships to give, I wonder if anyone will be willing to take a chance. I wish this Kid all the luck, but in this day and age His knee may be too much of a gamble for any division I team.
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