Jawuan James - Tennessee's newest football commitment
Swooping in via helicopter was nice. But having Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin in the stands was enough.
“That made me feel wanted,” offensive lineman Jawuan James said after committing to UT on Tuesday night. “That’s the first time a head coach had ever been to a game at our school.”
James, a 6-foot-7, 305-pounder, was one of the prospects targeted when Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron chartered a helicopter to Atlanta-area schools Oct. 16.
The offensive tackle from North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Ga., picked the Vols over Georgia, UCLA and Florida. James is widely considered one of the top offensive linemen in the nation and one of the top prospects in Georgia. The Bulldogs were UT’s primary competition.
“They have a great tradition and you can’t go wrong,” James said of Georgia. “But I felt like Tennessee is the right place for me. They’re on the rise and I like what Coach Kiffin is installing there.”
James took his official visit to UT on Oct. 9. He said he was impressed with UT and the community’s optimism towards Kiffin. James also took official visits to Georgia and UCLA.
James said he committed to UT after sitting down with his mother and discussing his options Tuesday.
“We all felt like we should (commit),” he said.
Soon after, James called UT and spoke to several coaches, who were understandably excited.
“It was a good feeling,” he said. “I just can’t wait to get there in a couple of months.”
James plans to enroll in January.
“I think it will help a lot,” he said of the early start to his college career. “I’ll get there, get a head start on school, get in the weight room and get stronger.”
He also will be able to participate in spring practice and refine his game.
“My strong point is my quickness and agility and my pass pro(tection),” he said. “I have to work on my running game and also get there early and learn the steps and get in the weight room and get stronger.”
James is the fourth offensive lineman to commit to be a part of UT’s 2010 class.
James joins Zach Fulton from Homewood, Ill., Jose Jose from Miami, Fla. and Marques Pair from Sumter, S.C. The Vols also could move a committed defensive lineman to offense if necessary.
UT is in dire need of offensive linemen. The Vols start four seniors and must replace five of their top offensive linemen after the 2009 season.
James is UT’s 22nd commitment for the 2010 class.
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Comments » 119
marinevol writes:
I feel like it is all starting to come together. Look out SEC, we're back.
rockytopspottedbirgdog writes:
Let the Dominoes start to fall. Huuuuuuuge!
polymer writes:
Whoa!!! Finally, a Big Ugly.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Yes, Lawd. C'mon, son.
Welcome aboard.
justTRUSTme writes:
another great JJ!
smokies_old_soul writes:
Oh My!!!!!!!!
huge committment for the Vols - the rest of the SEC is hearing orange footsteps - and florida is getting nervous with each recruit we beat them on.
welcome to knoxville Mr. James !!
the10sevol writes:
one down, three to go! (cullen, green, stone).
GBO
Volborn writes:
ALL ABOARD! The Lane train is almost full! Hop on the bandwagon now.....cause the road to the NC is going to be fun!!!!
dfreeman writes:
That's what I'm taking about!!
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
YES!!! Stone and Green need to be next! Come on Jeff Luc!
olsmokey32 writes:
TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!! BIG ORANGEEEE
SmokeyHound writes:
we need chaz green
Slystone writes:
What's the latest on the OL Stone?
ArealVolFan writes:
Bring Em Out Bring Em Out...huge get. With one or two more O-linemen this class with be close to perfect...and with a few more months left to go, it may end up being perfect.
VOLincarolina writes:
Proud to be a VOL!!!!! Welcome JJ!!
marinevol writes:
From Rivals.com:
Scouting Report on Jawuan James
How we scouted: Film footage, In-person visits, Game setting, Campby Barry Every - 09/30/2009
SpeedDivision I PlayerSizeBlue ChipStrengthDivision I PlayerAgilityBlue ChipFoot QuicknessBlue ChipOn the Hoof: Has excellent height with long arms and a wide powerbase. James has plenty of room to fill out and add weight and strength in the upper body. His frame will easily hold 320 pounds. James should physically remind fans of Florida State offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders.
Needs improvement: Right now, he is a bit light in the pants and lacks pop. He must add some upper body strength and fill out. James must become more physical while run blocking. Right now he relies on athleticism and finesse.
Most impressive: This potential giant has excellent lateral movement and looks like a basketball player playing defense. He also has tremendous growth potential and a long wing span which make him an ideal left offensive tackle at the next level.
Conclusion: Currently, he is very raw and is possibly two years away from any meaningful time at the next level. He does possess a lot of potential and natural ability and his long-term future is very bright. Look for him to be a two- to three-year starter with NFL potential.
whatcanbrowndoforyou writes:
jmo I think stone will end up in bamma though if this staff really want him they may likely have him. Right now though on the O line I see priority #1 and #2 being Cullen and Green. Depending on how many OL they take hopefully we see stone in orange to. Were on our way to a #1 class ladies and gents
utvolnatl writes:
This guy is a beast OL. He plays just up the road from us here in Buford. North Gwinnett is one of the favorites to win 5A this year in the state playoffs. HUGE win for the BIG ORANGE!
chrisw2967 writes:
they say if you build it,they will come.looks like the foundation is set up and now comes the recruits that wants to finish building this program back to the top.
welcome JJ
thevoice writes:
Bingo! Let the dominoes start falling!
Slystone writes:
Bryce Brown is smilin ear to ear over this commit. GBO
Slystone writes:
Thx... WCBDFY
bamavol97 writes:
Thishttp://www.timesdaily.com/article/200... is off topic and could be old news to some, but check this out!
thevoice writes:
Sorry, didn't mean to infringe. I'll start looking at the comments before I post.
bluetickcoonhound writes:
UNLEASH THE HOUNDS!!!
VOLincarolina writes:
Anyone else proud to be a VOL??? VB!!
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Possibly two years away from any meaningful time at the next level? Have these gurus seen what we've done with a freshman and two walk-ons this season? LOL! He'll be ready by next season's opener!
GO VOLS! THE LANE TRAIN IS ROLLING, BETTER GET OFF THE TRACKS!
bamavol97 writes:
http://www.timesdaily.com/article/200... Sorry about the above bad link. Saban praising the SEC refs. Unbelievable! ha
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
yabba dabba doooo!
chad_t31 writes:
Uh oh, somebody's beginning to bring in some o-linemen. Wouldn't be surprised if there is a silent commit out there.
Voluvr writes:
James Stone from Nashville's Maplewood played against my son's school early on. Their team lost, but their band won.
Stone has the fluid movement of a big safety with lineman size. Dominant when he wants to be, probably great with the right coaching. He would have to get in line at Alabama. He would play right away at Tennessee and be an in-state legend...if he wants to be.
Voluvr writes:
Luc, Cullen, Green, Stone.
lomas98 writes:
The loss of veteran offensive lineman will hurt next year, I don't care how many 4 or 5 star lineman commit. Look at Ole Miss struggling this year. They lost a lot of the o line that helped protect Snead last year and they have been overated.
MusicCityVol writes:
Is Crompton the SEC's best?
www.checkerboardchatter.blogspot.com
ArealVolFan writes:
Ummm we pretty much already are a top 5 class now...we sign one or two of those guys and we might be 1...would not surprise me if we get another 2 top linemen...I think Green and Cullen...possibly Stone...Luc, another QB...I think it will be out of the HS ranks, if it was going to be Simms we would have made the offer by now...might be another WR or two out there...and possibly a RB. That would equal number one, but right now we are top 5.
thaclaw writes:
omg this is awesome...i am so proud to be a vol
ArealVolFan writes:
True, but how well did you think the guys we had out there would be performing? IMO they are doing great, and this was the biggest area of concern heading into the season for me, even more than QB given the implications of what having a bad OL can mean even for a good QB. Point is,if the talent get here and we can develop it we will be fine at OL next year. Helps a TON of our commits are early enrollments including Bray and James.
ArealVolFan writes:
Yeh Flo, because we steal your guys. But this is a commit, guy is an EE so he will pretty much be set up to come in. Nice try though, how you feel about Green? Elam? Dunkley?Luc? Not so sure how confident I would be if I were you...we won't get them all, but we will get several, Flo.
Pdiddy10 writes:
yeah. cobbs already decommitted. and we stole janzen jackson and a couple others last year...dont get too cocky. hang on to these guys too.
Voluvr writes:
This guy could be one of the best ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZgz50...
Voluvr writes:
Cobbs probably did the right thing. His best shot would be a WR with Tennessee. However, he only runs a 4.78 40. Pretty slow for Tennessee and with UT's present class and new commits that may be the best ever and all NFL bound, let's just say he's better off at Texas.
crimsonviper writes:
Good one VOLS!
ArealVolFan writes:
Flo, good to know you can laugh at yourself. Nuke is going to be great, and you just hate how he spurned you and "lied to you." I would go back and find your comments on where you thought he was the next Harvin and a Gator lock...but that was 19 accounts ago when you were babygattorzz1. Keep on hating, but keep an eye in the rear view, cause the Lane train is coming and you can't stop it Flo.
ArealVolFan writes:
There is no way this class is outside of the top ten if we don't sign one more kid, that being said we will be signing several and possibly having to tell a couple of commits to look else where in order to make room for some better kids and some kids that will academically qualify.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Every time you speak another Gator gets arrested.
God must hate you. Or the Gators. Or both.
t2farmer#294426 writes:
Welcome to the VOL nation Juwaun, we are all happy that you selected the Vols and wish you the best of luck during your years with us. It is guys like you that will help take us back to the top. You already know this I am sure, but you have selected to play for the best coaching staff in the nation. I might also add that you will be playing in front of the greatest fans also.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
the word on Jawuan James is that he lacks intensity.... I think Kiffin can fix that much. Great to steal this one from Bama, as he was committed to them until we switched him. Let's go get Stone now.
ArealVolFan writes:
Well, Flo. I don't know about him dribbling, but I know you will be drooling over our recruiting class...but its going to be a look and no touch relationship...you know like the kind of relationship you have with those street girls...look, but no touch. Right, Flo?
Go4Two writes:
This is how you win championships
volpreacher writes:
Has anyone seen the poll on Espn that asks if you believe in the conspiracy theory in the SEC with the officials. Seems CLK and others are causing quite a stir. No wonder Slive wanted him quiet. It's spoiling their plans. I still see Fla and Ala getting beat once before the SEC game.
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