Smith, Lemonier still like UT, but Florida State moving in

Florida State could still prove to a tough competitor for Tennessee as it tries to land two highly touted state of Florida defensive linemen.

Calvin Smith said UT, Illinois and now Florida State are the top three schools he’s considering.

That’s a bit of a change for the 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end from Hialeah (Fla.) High School. Smith told a recruiting Web site earlier this month that UT and Illinois had pulled in the lead for his services.

Smith, who visited UT this past weekend, said playing time is the most important factor in his decision.

“At all three (schools), I’d say I could get early playing time from looking at their depth charts and talking to coaches,” he said.

The Vols will have to replace their top two defensive tackles next season: seniors Dan Williams and Wes Brown.

Smith said Florida State coach Bobby Bowden’s future could affect his decision because if Bowden doesn’t return next season then FSU’s entire coaching staff could be replaced. Florida State is 6-5 this season, which has led to rampant speculation about Bowden’s job security.

Smith was joined on his official visit to Knoxville by teammate Corey Lemonier, a 6-5, 225-pound defensive end.

Lemonier has taken official visits to Illinois and Florida State. He said he’ll take an official visit to Auburn this weekend and will take a fifth official visit, but hasn’t decided where he’ll go.

“I’m looking at everybody,” Lemonier said.

Lemonier said he’d like to choose the same school as Smith, but it’s not a foregone conclusion they’ll play together in college.

Smith said he might take an official visit to LSU and likely will re-visit UT, Florida State and Illinois.

Both said they enjoyed their visits to UT. Lemonier said the seniors’ address to the team before senior night was memorable.

“That was touching, listening to them,” he said.

Recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron, who coaches UT’s defensive line, also made an impression.

“He’s amazing,” Smith said. “I like him. From what I heard, he’s the best (defensive line coach). Not just one person told me that, a lot of people told me that.”

Lemonier agreed.

“Oh, man. He can coach,” he said. “He’s intense.”

Lemonier is the higher rated prospect of the two. He ranks as the fourth-best defensive end prospect by Scout and the sixth-best by Rivals.

Smith is rated as the 26th- and 39th-best defensive tackle prospect in the nation by Rivals and Scout, respectively.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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