Anthony Johnson
Defensive tackle Anthony Johnson from O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans committed to Tennessee on Friday as work has already started for the 2011 signing class.
The 6-foot-4, 296-pound Johnson made the commitment largely due to the recruitment of defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.
“As you look at his coaching career, he’s coached some of the best,” Johnson said of Orgeron. “He’s like a father to me. He just pulled me in and he treats me like I’m one of his own.”
Johnson was already familiar with Orgeron because of his ties to Louisiana and his work as the New Orleans Saints defensive line coach in 2008.
Johnson had to listen when Orgeron called.
“When I heard Coach Orgeron was recruiting me, I was like, ‘Wow, man,’ ” Johnson said. “He’s one of the best defensive line coaches in the nation.
“His repertoire is just incredible. It was a great feeling to hear that I was being recruited by Coach Orgeron.”
Johnson also asked Orgeron what it will be like to move from Louisiana to Tennessee.
“He told me it’s a great experience,” Johnson said. “I can experience new things.”
Johnson will see a familiar face when he gets to UT.
Wide receivers coach Frank Wilson was the coach at O. Perry Walker from 2002-04.
Johnson said Wilson’s presence helped influence his commitment.
“I’ve been knowing Coach Frank my whole life,” Johnson said. “He’s just a great person.
“Coming from where I’m coming from and seeing somebody that’s where I’m from do big things, it shows I can be the best person I can be.”
UT hopes Johnson can do big things along its defensive line.
Johnson said the opportunity to help the Vols early in his career was another factor in his commitment.
“They told me I could be a true freshman and hopefully come in there early and help them on their defensive line,” he said. “That’s incredible just to go in and help Coach (Lane) Kiffin and help the team and help Tennessee as a whole.”
Johnson said he’s also heard from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, UCLA and Texas Tech.
He said he plans to stay committed to UT but will listen to coaches from other schools if they call.
Johnson said he plans to visit UT, Alabama, LSU and UCLA this summer.
Johnson is UT’s second commitment for the 2011 class.
Eric MacLain, a 6-4, 268-pound tight end from Jack Britt in Fayetteville, N.C., was the first player to commit to the Vols for 2011.
UT has three commitments for the 2010 class: defensive end Jacques Smith from Ooltewah High School and defensive tackle Risean Broussard from LaGrange High in Lake Charles, La., and defensive tackle Patrick Harris of Chabot College in Hayward, Calif.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 303
Perfektion_87 writes:
This is great news...GO VOLS!!!
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Go Vols! Support CLK and team! It's great to be a Tennessee Vol!
byobbio writes:
Maybe he can forgo his Jr and sr. seasons!
AustinTX_Vol writes:
Holy cow. An article not about Hood or Coleman!! Way to finally open your eyes to other stories KNS.
Jamey1210 writes:
what? 2011!
golfballs03 writes:
Defense... shocker. Hopefully they will be able to score points, because we aren't looking as good on the other side of the ball.
Speaking of, the latest on Jake Heaps??? Supposedly "insiders" say he will stay out west and sign with BYU or Washington. And Jesse Scroggins is our best bet - because even though he is from Cali, he has a lot of family in Memphis and Nashville. I would love to see the kid come to UT and be the next Tee Martin.
golfballs03 writes:
The Sporting News release their 2010 prep rankings and Heaps is their #1 QB, just like Scout. I think Rivals is messed up. Anyway, Scroggins doesn't make the list.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Now tell me recruiting isn't this coaching staffs #1 priority!
marc_ash#231781 writes:
Yep, all true.
Heaps will sign with BYU and I think UT is the frontrunner for Scroggins.
NeylandWest writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DC_Vol writes:
I have been watching this new staff recruit since the Kiffin era began and I have to say I am extremely impressed. There seems to be an increased energy and focus placed on the recruiting process that I have not seen in priro years. Especially on the defensive side of the ball and most especially the Defensive Line. I remember in years past constantly writing on these boards where are the Defensive Tackles. Now we seem to have picked up a plethora in a short period of time. I for one am extremely excited about the future or UT football. We will be recruiting great classes year in and year out to compete with the Floridas and Bama's. The future looks extremely bright for Vol Fans.
Go Vols!!!!
golfballs03 writes:
This Johnson guy is a mean lookin dude
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&...
bigorange61 writes:
Good recruit if things pan out. It's a long time until the papers are signed. We all know alot can happen before then.
gwbask writes:
Great news, get them early. keep them motivated and let them help recruit other tops athletes!
tums writes:
This is great news. We are thin at that position now, but at this rate we will have a team consisting of nothing but D-lineman.
UTvols12342000 writes:
First and foremost, I am a UT man. For clarity, I was a huge Fulmer supporter. However, I do not remember getting big recruits so far in advance in Fulmers era. Did Fulmer have big recruits signed for the future like Lane is doing? or did the papers not carry this information? or am I just an idiot and missed all that info(ok, maybe I shouldnt give that option)?
I love how our entire staff is melding into an unstoppable recruiting force.
I feel something special coming.....
sooner than later.....
RTYAB..HSHTM..GORT..(woo)..RRT..RTT
lilesrt writes:
Great Job Staff! Now the only key is going to be to keep him committed for the next 2 years. I have to say, I am excited that we are picking up some defensive line commitments because that is a definite "need" area for us. Unfortunately, another "need" area for us is the entire offense, with the exception of the running back position. I know it is early in the recruiting year, but I wonder why it has been so hard to recruit top flight offensive players? I want a quarterback or at least a big time receiver to commit to us in the near future. Heck, an offensive lineman would be great as well. Do not get me wrong, I will take DE's and DL's all day long but we really need to start securing some big time prospects on the offensive side of the ball as well to start balancing this whole thing out.
UTvols12342000 writes:
Right on SLIM! good to see you posting
DC, you are so curious and interested in what we are doing.....one question. do you think that the experts are wrong when they say that Orgeron is one of the top recruiters and talent evaluators?
bigorange61 writes:
Funny....Rivals has a headline "Tennessee lands one of 2011's best". Guess you weren't looking hard enough.
UTvols12342000 writes:
always like to include links when I make claims like "one of the top recruiters and talent evaluators"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/secconf/0-...
http://www.rivals.com/content.asp?CID...
UTvols12342000 writes:
thanks bigorange61.........your comeback was concise and right on target. I didnt even need to respond the KNS intern.
UTvols12342000 writes:
should read "to the KNS intern"
sorry grammar police
AustinTX_Vol writes:
I always thought you were illiterate. You just proved me correct without a doubt now.
JMP_Vols writes:
Lucky for us, Tennessee doesn't need your approval.
You're actually right on something, it is Friday. Good for you.
AustinTX_Vol writes:
Well said Slimjim. There was no way to suddenly turn this current group of players into a national title contender, but Lane is laying the groundwork to be a contender in the years to come. He knows he can't immediately win a national championship, but he is building a foundation for the future.
RichRollinz2 writes:
Wonder how Coach Chavez will feel when his own school (Tennessee) comes to his current state (La) and out recruites him? I'm just saying....
Voluvr writes:
Insiders? lol. Bet can't reveal your sources. It is only an educated guess that he might stay out west. That's it. Heaps is a mid termer and will start in January. He will have to commit this summer. Fact is, Tennessee is the biggest fish on the plate. So, don't give up hope golfballs!
Scroggins has a baseball throw. I'll take Hendrix before him.
FIDDLEWORM writes:
HOW SWEET IT IS!
JackDaniels writes:
We may fill our 2011 class before we fill 2010. GO VOLS!!!
utclassof1992 writes:
This committment is worth......squat until February of 2011. Doubt the kid even knows what he wants for supper, much less where he wants to play football for 4 years. Dont buy Orgeron's BS. He is a slimebag and they cannot get him out of here fast enough for me.
utclassof1992 writes:
You will be begging for Chavis in 2-3 years.
UTVolAlum writes:
"UT has two commitments for the 2010 class: defensive end Jacques Smith from Ooltewah High School and defensive tackle Risean Broussard from LaGrange High in Lake Charles, La., and defensive tackle Patrick Harris of Chabot College in Hayward, Calif."
You listed three (3) commitments for the 2010 class. Is it two or is it three?
I am not sure how Patrick Harris can be a commitment since in his last interview he said he has not yet received an offer?
jimr07 writes:
we sure won't be begging for more of you.
Voluvr writes:
Don't count on it fulmerite. John was an average recruiter, a good game prep coach, and a lousy on field coach. He could never adjust on the fly as recently eveidenced by the recent UCLA game. He was also paced by the last group. He might be better with a new crew but he needed to go.
Volunatic writes:
I thought it was surprising that Rivals didn't have any QBs in their top 50 players in the 2010 class.
Voluvr writes:
If I didn't know better I'd think golfballs03 is eaten up with ORANGE ENVY.
Biggie writes:
This is rediculus. These kids will change their minds 3 times before 2011.
This is a joke.
TommyJack writes:
TJ will not be begging for John third and long Chavis.
Voluvr writes:
Some do as Meyer found out...some don't. If you're a Tennessee fan, would you rather he commit to LSU early? See, see, now you're thinking! All good news is good news.
Also, this creates great PR in the region.
UTvols12342000 writes:
early bird always gets more worms.
SignalMtnVol writes:
lol TJ, they didn't call it 3rd and Chavis for mothing, huh?
3rd and 1 or 2, we might stop 'em.
3rd and 12 + Mustang Package = 1st down.
bigorange61 writes:
I think "joke" is a little strong, but I agree with the other part. However, I think when these kids start looking elsewhere, they always remember who was early expressing interest or making an offer. I think Randall Cobb went to Kentucky for that reason. Just my opinion.
teampenny#658108 writes:
How old is this young man? He looks at least 23. Not wild about kids committing this far out. But commitments by these young men or offers by university really mean nothing. This just gives us something to read. Hope all who sign or commit are good students we do not need any more APR problems. Go Vols
TommyJack writes:
exactly
Bloodrunzorange writes:
I agree, 92 is negative. CMK is our man. Mario is coaching at LSU-gives you more of a reason to..... Go Vols!
DukeDeLuca writes:
Let's kick it off. I'm expecting no less than 9-2 out of the box with Kiffin. As so many of you said a few months ago under Fulmer, there's no reason to expect less.
I've got plenty of tar and feathers in the shed if it doesn't happen.
kabzs writes:
“They told me I could be a true freshman and hopefully come in there early and help them on their defensive line,” he said. “That’s incredible just to go in and help Coach (Lane) Kiffin and help the team and help Tennessee as a whole.”
That's what will bring 'em in.
Go Vols
JMP_Vols writes:
Have you ever seen the SNL skit Debbie Downer?
golfballs03 writes:
What?
TommyJack writes:
Butch would make a mortician seem sunny.
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