UT expands quarterback hunt for 2010

Tennessee’s list of prospective quarterbacks for 2010 is growing, as evident by two recent scholarship offers.

The Vols issued an official invitation to Jesse Scroggins on Monday, just days after UT offered a scholarship to Andrew Hendrix last week.

The offers were extended as UT’s coaches evaluate more prospects as part of their spring evaluation period.

Scroggins is from Lakewood (Calif.) High School and is considering several Pac-10 schools as well as LSU. Hendrix is from Moeller High School in Cincinnati and is considering several Big 10 schools.

Many recruiting analysts have said this year’s quarterback class lacks elite pro-style prospects. UT has acted accordingly, offering only those that they have thoroughly researched.

Before the latest pair of offers, UT had only offered two pro-style quarterbacks: Blake Bell from Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita, Kan., and Jake Heaps from Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash.

Bell has since committed to Oklahoma and it will likely prove difficult to convince Heaps to come as far east as Knoxville.

UT will evaluate Cameron Newton from Blinn Community College in Brenham, Texas, and Matt Simms from El Camino Community College in Torrance, Calif., this fall.

Both are junior college prospects who could see their status vastly affected if UT receives a commitment from a high school prospect this summer. However, either could quickly become a much-needed part of UT’s recruiting plans if the Vols don’t land what they need soon.

Newton left Florida after he was found in possession of a stolen laptop.

Simms transferred from Louisville in search of more playing time. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Chris Simms and the son of former NFL quarterback Phil Simms.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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