Smith helping UT turn to Stone

Here's a date for your recruiting calendar: Sept. 25.

Why then you ask? National Signing Day will still be months away. Is Tennessee scheduling a big official visitor weekend?

Nope.

Sept. 25 marks the meeting of the two best prospects in the state: Jacques Smith and James Stone.

You probably already know about Smith of Ooltewah (Tenn.) High School. He committed to UT on signing day 2009 and will prove to be one of the top defensive ends in the region - if not the nation.

Now, it's time to meet Stone - a rock at left tackle for Maplewood High School of Nashville. (Pun intended)

Stone stands 6-foot-5, weighs 297 pounds and has scholarship offers from 13 schools and interest from many more than that.

"It would be easier for me to name the schools that are not interested at this point," Maplewood coach Ralph Thompson quipped.

Thompson expects more schools to extend offers soon. He figures Stone will have at least 25 official invitations by the time his senior season rolls around.

"When he first got here, I thought he had some potential to play college ball," Thompson said. "I didn't know what level.

"As he continued to grow and get stronger and showed that natural ability, about midway through his sophomore year I said 'Wait a minute.' "

"I had no idea it would be to this level."

With offers from UT, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Stanford, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Ohio State, Auburn, LSU, Florida State, North Carolina and Maryland, Stone has some serious thinking to do.

"Right now, I'm just looking at everybody that's offered me and seeing the benefits of each school," said Stone, who hopes to announce his decision before football season is over.

UT has made an impression. Stone was on campus Feb. 28 to check out the Vols during their junior day.

"I really enjoyed it," Stone said. "It was a nice atmosphere. I liked it. . . . It seems like a school that's on track. They've got good coaches and they're going in a positive direction."

Stone has visited Alabama and Vanderbilt. While spending time in Tuscaloosa and Knoxville, he's gotten to know Smith and the two have become fast friends.

"He's really trying to sell me on UT right now," Stone said.

The good buddy talk will stop on Sept. 25.

The last two matchups have been somewhat uneventful. The two weren't at their best as sophomores and last year's battle was more between the coaches than the players.

"Last year it was kind of a cat-and-mouse game," Thompson said. "We would try to line James up on Smith and they swapped some things around on the defensive line.

"We're really looking forward to this year and seeing those guys go at it a whole game. I'd love to see that."

Stone and Smith agree.

Despite the budding rivalry, both players speak glowingly of each other and the battle that looms.

"The guy is really aggressive," Smith said. "He's probably one of the biggest linemen I'll be facing next year.

"He really goes hard every play. It's not easy to get past him. That's one of the reasons I think he'll be the top lineman in Tennessee and probably in the country. The guy is big.

"He's huge."

Stone and Smith not only play opposing positions; they also have opposing strengths.

Smith is known for his pass rushing. Stone is known for his pass protection.

"He's what I consider a premier high school edge rusher," Thompson said of Smith. "He's got great get-off and he's a strong kid, too.

"I'd like to see him against James because James has one of the quickest setups as a pass protector that I've seen."

Get the calendar out. Circle the date. Sept. 25.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He can be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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