Defensive end Adams likes UT's atmosphere, commits

Tennessee’s football team likely picked up some immediate help via two junior college commitments on Sunday.

First, the Vols picked up Ken Adams from Copiah-Lincoln Community in Wesson, Miss., when the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder pledged to be a Vol early Sunday.

UT followed that up with a commitment from Kenbrell Thompkins, a 6-3, 190-pound receiver from El Camino Community College in Torrance, Calif. Thompkins is considered one of the top junior college receiver prospects in the nation. He has scholarship offers from Florida, Alabama, LSU and Arizona among others.

Adams made his decision during his official visit to Knoxville this weekend.

“I like everything about Tennessee,” he said. “Good atmosphere, I enjoyed myself at the game.”

Adams picked the Vols over Auburn and said he is trying to get his academics in order so he can enroll in January.

Adams is having a strong season as a defensive end with 40 tackles, 10 sacks, two passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. The Vols, however, are recruiting him as a tight end, the position he played in 2008.

Adams said UT might also use him as a third-down, pass-rush specialist. He said he has no preference between the two positions.

“I’ve been playing tight end since high school,” he said. “It’s a good position. You get a lot of balls thrown. You’re involved in the offense a lot.”

UT could use immediate tight end help. UT’s top two tight ends, Luke Stocker and Jeff Cottam, are both upperclassmen. Stocker is a junior. Cottam is a senior.

“They don’t have that much depth,” Adams said.

UT receivers coach Frank Wilson was the primary recruiter in charge of luring Adams.

“He’s a real good guy,” Adams said. “He told me everything I needed to hear.”

Adams said he was first recruited by Wilson to UT in the spring. Wilson said then that he planned on offering Adams a scholarship and backed up that claim this weekend.

UT linebackers coach Lance Thompson also offered some familiarity. Thompson recruited Adams to Alabama out of Enterprise (Ala.) High School in 2008. Adams originally committed to Auburn.

Tennessee has 21 commitments for the 2010 class. The Vols are expected to sign 28 to 30 prospects.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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