Will there be another Riggs in UT's future?

Tennessee has a strong tie to Cody Riggs.

The 5-foot-10, 165-pound cornerback from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is the younger brother of Gerald Riggs Jr., the tailback who played at UT from 2002-05 and is trying to make the roster of the Detroit Lions with an invite to mini-camp.

Gerald Riggs Jr. lives in Chattanooga and has evaluated highlight tape of his little brother, who he calls a natural with quick feet and an aggressive nature.

"He's damn good," Riggs said of his brother. "He's one of the best players on that team down there. And he's considered one of the best DB prospects in the country.

"He's legit and that's not just because he's my brother. He can bait just about anybody into making throws."

Cody Riggs said he plans to whittle down his long list of college choices to five or eight schools later this month.

"I'm almost positive Tennessee will be in my top five or eight," said Cody Riggs, who plans to visit UT for its summer camp in June.

Cody Riggs said he already knows he likes Neyland Stadium and is especially fond of UT's first-year defensive coordinator, Monte Kiffin. Riggs is being recruited by running backs coach Eddie Gran.

Distance from home won't be a factor in his decision, Cody Riggs said, since his mother is a flight attendant. His father, Gerald Riggs Sr. still lives in Chattanooga.

Leaving the Florida schools also seems to be a strong possibility for Cody Riggs, who is considering Florida State more than Florida or Miami.

Cody Riggs said Florida isn't a strong candidate for his services since the Gators haven't shown as much interest as other schools.

"A lot of the teams I plan on having in my top five aren't in the state of Florida," Cody Riggs said.

UT's connection to Cody Riggs could also help the Vols as they try to land three of his teammates at St. Thomas Aquinas.

UT is also recruiting cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, center Brandon Linder and kicker Michael Palardy, but a package deal doesn't seem likely.

"We all have our own interests," said Cody Riggs, who registered eight interceptions, 25 pass deflections and 25 tackles last season. "If we do choose the same school, that would be great but we're all doing our own things."

Gerald Riggs Jr. will offer assistance whenever he can.

Admittedly his knowledge is somewhat limited after UT's coaching change.

"If he wants to ask me for my advice, I'm there for him," Gerald Riggs Jr. said. "That's his decision. As a big brother, I'm going to support him in whatever decision he makes."

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