What makes a prospect from three time zones away commit to play for a school without ever visiting its campus?
Answer: Lane Kiffin.
Tennessee's head coach made the Vols an attractive option for Kenbrell Thompkins from El Camino Community College in Torrance, Calif. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver committed to UT on Sunday.
"I just liked the fact that it's an up-and-coming program," Thompkins said. "Lane Kiffin, he's a very cocky coach. He's doing anything he can to get his program noticed."
Thompkins committed to UT despite having never been to Knoxville. The depth chart was a strong factor.
"I most definitely like the fact that they're in the need for a No. 1 receiver," he said.
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.
He said he'll try to take his official visit to UT in December. However, Thompkins has seen the Vols up close. He took his official visit to Alabama when the Crimson Tide played host to UT on Oct. 24. The Vols nearly upset then-No. 1 Alabama, losing 12-10.
"They also did good against Florida," Thompkins said of the Vols. "That most definitely let me know that Tennessee is definitely on the edge to turning the program around. They just need some playmakers. Hopefully I can be one of those playmakers that can help turn it around."
Thompkins has caught 47 passes for 710 yards and five touchdowns this season. He said he might take official visits to other schools but maintained he is committed to UT.
"For some reason, I couldn't hold back," Thompkins said.
Thompkins described himself as an electrifying, physical receiver who makes smart decisions and is a good leader. That would be a good fit for the Vols, who are missing a big receiver and will be in even more need next season. UT's biggest receiver, 6-foot-3 Quintin Hancock, is a senior.
"Tennessee just happened to be my best opportunity," Thompkins said.
Close To Committing? Dequan Menzie is reportedly close to announcing his decision and has the Vols in the lead.
"That may be my last visit," Menzie told InsideTennessee.com of his official visit to UT last weekend. "I may not take any more visits after that one. . . . Everything about Tennessee was perfect. It was such a great experience. I will be honest.
"I didn't think I would get out of (Knoxville) without committing, but I had promised my mom I would stop and think about it before making a final decision."
Menzie said he probably will announce his decision Thursday.
Not So Lame: Receiver Chris Dunkley from Pahokee (Fla.) High School was admittedly surprised by his visit to UT last weekend.
"It was good. I enjoyed myself a lot. At first, you know, I thought Tennessee could be kind of lame, I want to say, just being honest," the 5-10, 170-pounder told Volquest.com. "But I enjoyed myself a lot. I could see myself playing here. I can see why a lot of kids come here."
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 29
SmokeyWazHere writes:
First.;)
1974Vol writes:
Just hope he remembers to wear his safety glasses against the Gators:)
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Has anybody heard anything about the possibility that Nukeese Richardson may be leaving? I was watching an SEC Football Show (can't remember the name of it) on CSS yesterday afternoon, and they said Nukeese wasn't at practice and may be looking to transfer. Can't find any info anywhere else. How 'bout it. Anybody heard anything?
GO VOLS!!!
Let's win out!
JUGHEAD
Volunatic writes:
Glad you decided to be a Vol, Kenbrell! Looking forward to seeing you play for Tennessee-- you sound like a perfect receiver for Kiffin's system!
DC_Vol writes:
Yet another WR skill position player who chose the Vols over Florida. I love it, we are winning the recruiting battle for skill position players.
Recruits don't want to play in the gimmick spread anymore where they are expected to block for the QB so the QB can get all the glory. Recruits want to play for NFL coaches who play the same offense that NFL teams play.
This year more than ever, recruits are becoming more savy about picking their schools. Recruits are beginning to understand if they want to play in the NFL the best way is to play for NFL coaches who play an NFL style offense.
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
Yes CLK is supposed to comment further on the situation after practice tuesday. It doesn't look good
Txvol57 writes:
Another recruit about to commit.....
http://tennessee.scout.com/2/915400.html
bluetick writes:
This dude is the REAL DEAL. He is everything he says he is and it is a huge pick up if he signs on the dotted line.
bluetick writes:
Two whole threads on Nukeese on Volnation.com Hubbs most recently said that Nuke should be OK. Stayed tuned for Tuesday. :)
Atuss writes:
The key to any successful offense is recruiting players who buy in to the notion that you have to block as well as make plays. Regardless of whether its pro-style or spread you need these types of players. Either offense can be championship caliber.
jcoop9909 writes:
If Nu'keese goes. then good luck signin chris dunkley,(or any other phaokee FL players) in the near future..stay Nuke!!
TrueVol70 writes:
This is priceless! Official visit to Alabama and he chooses UT. Alabama tries to stack the deck by showing him how tough Alabama is by beating lowly Tennessee. Kenbrell sees how things really are, how well the coaching staff has done, how well the players have responded to the coaching staff and sees where he can be a part of something big. Welcome to Knoxville, son. Glad to have you with us.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
when oh when, will the other young man from california, jessee scroggins, come to his senses and be a vol??
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Thompkins is a for real, blue chip WR, with size, speed, hands, moves...a perfect compliment to the other great WR commits. With all of their unique talents, this may well be the best class of receivers in Tennessee history. And it looks like 4*JC CB Dequan Menzie will commit this week after talking it over with his family. I am very impressed with both of these players.
Voluvr writes:
That's for sure; Scroggins would be getting his first start in 4 yrs. at USC.
In 4 yrs. at Tennessee, he will have won at least one National Title, been Heisman Candidate, and be a first round NFL draft pick.
Feeling the comfort of playing close to home will disappear faster than a Somalian Chicken after he's beginning his second season holding the clipboard at USC while they keep baiting him with,"...it will your time soon Jessie..."
Jessie runs the risk of wasting his prime college years cheering for Barkley.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I'm not sure that I get the obscession with Scroggins, with Tyler Bray coming to Tennessee. Maybe we should get another QB in the class. But after seeing the staff transform Crompton's play, I got a notion that Stephens and Lamaison will get coached into winning form for next year.
MidTennVol writes:
I thought first-graders were finally banned from this site??
SavTnVol writes:
Why does everyone keep harping on this guy?..We have a good QB commit in Bray, so why do we keep wanting this guy when he had a choice to come here but choose to ride the bench at SC? Lets not loose Bray and maybe pick up a big ole tall JUCO QB to help out...and preferably not Simms...Lets keep selling UT to Bray..Don't make him feel forgotten.....
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just keep hitting, Vols. They'll keep coming.
Dust some Tigger azz this at night.
TotalPackage1 writes:
You are correct. 1st Graders are banned. KNS is however allowing PRE-SCHOOLERS (K-3 thru K-5) the opportunity of participating in an effort to better understand numbers and letters.
mtnsvol44 writes:
First grade are you?
bill#1374014 writes:
Vols have already had some decommits, wouldn't expect they'll keep this guy either. Anybody ever heard of him?
jet writes:
So, let me get this straight. He has not been to TN, but visited Alabama the weekend we played them and then committed to TN? Priceless!!!!
Orangeblood13 writes:
I thought Tennessee could be kind of lame
WTH? Lame? Few schools compare to the rich tradition we have here. Lame?
kids these days
wayoutwill writes:
It's no longer a question about whether there is a problem with "Nukie";I know he was not at practice after the Carolina game and the rumour all over the hill was that he was gone home!I put that out on here and was blistered by comments that I was making things up,especially after "Kiff" came out and said that there was no situation with him.I hope he stays, but I would like to tell all you punks that blistered my arse with all those negative comments calling me a liar or worse that I knew there was trouble and that there was a situation about him staying or leaving no matter what 'Kiff" said or no matter how it finally turns out.There are a lot of D.A.'s on these sites that think they know everything about the Vols better than anyone else and they come up with their cute lil saying about how they never lie and things of that manner,but if they would stop being know it alls and jealous D.A.'s when somebody else (other than them) makes a comment or breaks a story that he heard and I didn't say it was true,just that the rumour was that he wasn't at practice and was headed home,but let's stop the negative comments about anyone that hears a story about the team,even if it doesn't put the Vols in the best light or a player in the best light,hey,the Vol coaches and the Vol players are not perfect and sometimes when they goof up,let's not stone the messenger that hears about it!But anyway,to all those that said bull-butter to me when I posted that rumour I'd just like to say-"TOLD YOU SO!"
OwensboroVol writes:
Just a small word to Chris Dunkley-Son it's been a little over 47 years since I first walked on the UT campus. I remember getting my Student tickets for my first Tennessee Game as a student. The Stadium only held a little over 50,000 and a kid named Faircloth was running a dying formation called the single wing. Tennessee was in a down period and there were not many expectations of national success at that time. Then a little later Tennessee hired a brash young cocky coach named Doug Dickey and everything changed. I remember the Knoxville Police Department shutting down Cumberland Avenue in 1967 after No. 1 Southern Cal lost and No. 2 Tennessee had won and everyone was sure the Big Orange would be voted No. 1. What a moment! The chills still run up and down my arm when I think of it. I was there and magic was in the air. You too Son can have that type of moment, just come here and help us to it!
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
don't break this first idiot's bubble---he really thought he was on to something real clever
Dalton writes:
When you build a top program stories like this are part of it....no one player is bigger than the program and it can never be perceived so....but Kiffin is a recruiter and sometimes you need that to keep talent as well as procure it.
p66ayers#1376155 writes:
come one come all to ride the Lane Train with the rest of us. That God i'm a Vol!!
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