Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin didn’t attempt to hide his exuberance in the moments following the Vols’ 45-19 rout over Georgia on Saturday.
The recruiting implications were just too important for rebuilding UT into a championship contender.
Yet two days later, the Vols coaches are back to business, working to reap the benefits of a victory over what Kiffin called UT’s most important rival — mostly because of recruiting.
“It’s great for the kids. It’s great for the fans,” UT linebackers coach Lance Thompson said Monday on The News Sentinel’s radio show, The Sports Page. “A victory like that against a team like the University of Georgia is good for everybody.
“As a coach you kind of take it in stride. You don’t get real high with the highs. You don’t get real low with the lows, especially when you’re building a program.”
It will mostly be up to Thompson to capitalize on the Vols’ latest win. This week, he and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron will canvas the Peach State, targeting over a dozen of the top prospects — many of whom reside in Atlanta and the surrounding area.
The Vols have three commitments from Georgia: receiver Markeith Ambles, defensive end J.C. Copeland and linebacker Michael Taylor.
At least 10 more are in UT’s crosshairs: Florida running back commitment Mack Brown, Clemson athlete commitment Victor Beasley, offensive lineman Ed Christian, Miami linebacker commitment Tyrone Cornileus, Auburn receiver commitment Antonio Goodwin, offensive lineman Jawuan James, West Virginia receiver commitment Quantavious Leslie, Georgia defensive back commitment Alec Ogletree, Georgia defensive tackle commitment Garrison Smith, and defensive tackle Mike Thornton.
With at least seven prospects committed elsewhere, it’s obvious the Vols aren’t afraid to ruffle some feathers in Georgia.
There may never be a better time to change some prospects’ minds. Thompson can’t speak about specific prospects, as per NCAA rules, but knows the affect the Vols’ big win has on high school prospects.
“I think it opens kids’ eyes,” he said. “Georgia is one those traditional powers that if you beat a team of that caliber that way, guys are going to say ‘Hey, they’ve got it going in the right direction.’
“For the 18-year-old kid and the impression it leaves on him, sure, it’s awesome.”
UT offensive lineman Chris Scott, who is from Riverdale, Ga., said he expects Saturday’s win to have a significant impact.
“I think it’s pretty big,” Scott said. “Georgia is a big pipeline. They have a lot of great, young players that come out of there.
“I think (the win) is going to help out a lot. This staff Coach (Lane) Kiffin has put together, I think they’re going to do well, very well.”
Thompson is the perfect candidate to lead the Vols’ charge in Georgia. The Riverdale, Ga., native has coached the area throughout his career, most notably at Georgia Tech and Alabama.
Recruiting the area is critical to UT’s success, according to Thompson.
“We’re going to put an emphasis in Atlanta,” he said. “And I can promise you with Coach O, (Orgeron), and myself in Atlanta that we’re going to get players out of Georgia. And Georgia players will want to come play at the University of Tennessee because of the past.”
That UT/Georgia past is pretty impressive. UT’s 1998 national championship team was built around such Georgia prospects as offensive lineman Cosey Coleman, tailback Jamal Lewis and safeties Deon Grant and Fred White.
The history goes back even further. One of UT’s all-time most popular players, Willie Gault, is from Griffin, Ga.
“They’ve got a great tradition,” Thompson said. There are plenty of players in the state of Georgia. Georgia can get their 20 or 25 a year. There will be plenty of them sitting around.”
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 49
ATLVOL23 writes:
UGA is in complete disarray at the moment. The uncertainty with their assistants should work in the Vols favor. Reel 'em in!!!
FWBVol writes:
UT's recruiting success in Georgia goes back even before Willie Gault.
Dewey "Swamp Rat" Warren, starting QB in the mid 1960s, was from Savannah. Chip Kell, a two-time Jacobs Award winner as the best blocker in the SEC in 1969 and 1970, and a College Hall of Fame guard, was from Decatur, Ga. The late Andy Spiva (1973-76), the all-time leading tackler in Vol history, was from Chamblee. Those are just three that I thought of off the top of my head. I'm sure there are other Vols from Georgia that played even earlier.
jsmithnga#207674 writes:
Forget the fence around Memphis; concentrate on GA and get a better class of kids anyway.
blitzshoot writes:
We'll leave the light on....just look for the orange one.
arkyvol writes:
i thought andy spiva was the son of dr. spiva, the long time prof. in the college of business administration. was i wrong?
vol_chaz writes:
Unleash the recruiting gurus....
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
we need to work Garrison Smith and Alec Ogletree like crazy, especially Coach O.... Georgia is probably looking at losing Willy Martinez after this season, and with a new DC likely comes a new staff of assistants... so Garrison Smith can step into the unknown at Georgia, or he can come to Tennessee where he'll have Monte Kiffin and Ed Orgeron, two of the best in the business. The same goes for Ogletree
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Git 'er done!
thaclaw writes:
i love this... keep doin what u do kiff boy...still waiting on another qb commit
micbrooks#212023 writes:
Amen brother, Amen...However we can and should still "cherry-pick" from those who have their head on straight, and there are a few of them each year.
mcever writes:
Bad thing is, this also applies to Alabama, Auburn, Florida and SC.
Mobbdeep4life writes:
I think Crompton's improved play is a definite positive from this game. Recruits see how Tennessee's offense can perform when everyone is on the same page. The bye week came at the best time in my opinion. The team has momentum and now the coaches have some time during the season to go out and recruit. Saturday was a win against a rival not only on the gridiron but in recruiting as well. If we can pick up a few more linemen and a running back we should be good to go. Adding another QB wouldn't hurt either simply because we need the depth for next year.
Hopefully during these next two weeks UT can pick up a few more verbal commitments.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
We need 1 more QB and a host of O-lineman. I dont care where they come from as long as we can get some. Does make it nice to go into Georgia and Florida and steal some kids right under Richt and Cryer's nose.......
Voluvr writes:
You're thinking of Prof. Tony "TANSTAAFL" Spiva. Possible no relation.
pupvol writes:
Bobby Scott Ithink is from Ringold Ga,
Voluvr writes:
Let's not forget about the prospect from Georgia that turned us down last year...Rodney Garner. He's probably kicking himself right now. He and Marlon Brown should get together and kick each other.
UT will be a springboard for Asst's. to head coaching jobs after two or three titles in 5 years.
richvol writes:
Spiva was my economics professor at UT and he was a good teacher but really small in stature. He was not related to Andy Spiva from Georgia who was one of the best linebackers to ever play at UT.
chbradshaw writes:
I remember TANSAAFL from Dr. Spiva. TANSTAAFL stood for "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." Those were the good old days before Obama and all the free lunches one could want as long as you voted the right way and chose to live off the taxpayers instead of working.
man_and_dog writes:
Bobby Scott - Rossville, GA
DC_Vol writes:
Great post! I agree, Orgeron will be able to change a few GA commits minds on the defensive side of the ball because, Martinez obviously has to go and will without a doubt be fired at the end of the season. Richt should receive another year based on his past though. Martinez will be the scapegoat and should be the scapegoat. His defense has become worse every year he has been at Georgia.
I wonder what Marlon Brown is thinking about his decision after being taken to the woodshed by UT this past weekend. I wonder if he realizes as a man you need to make your own decisions in life and not let Grandma make a feel good decision based on her emotions.
bear65 writes:
Tennessee is a great Football program through out the nation, yes you had some down years but we all do and sometimes you gotta be like Auburn or Bama and win with less. Tennessee should not have to steal recruits as if your needy and lack of talent which to me is far from the truth if anything it's a lack heart and will.
man_and_dog writes:
Bobby Scott - Rossville, GA
Bill Mayo - Dalton, GA
Rick Townsend - Dalton, GA
Paul Caruthers - Lafayette, GA
Jerod Mayo - Dalton, GA
...and the list goes on and on...
ctownvol writes:
Jerod Mayo was from Virginia.
ctownvol writes:
Lemarkus Thompson is from Lithonia Georgia.
coxo921 (Inactive) writes:
What the heck is
"First in your hearts....#1 in your program"
Supposed to mean, You TideDoucheBags have nothing better to do than to write stupid phrases that mean nothing to anyone else.
Quit living in your own world and start reading, Your Number 2....right now, and No you Don't have 12 or 16 National Titles. Going 6-4 and paying a bogus service to claim you as Nat'l Champs doesn't count Especially when there were 2 other teams that didn't lose a game that same year.
Should have expected as much since you obviously have the broken genetic trait (being an Bama Fan) that doesn't allow you to count properly whether it's numbers with wins/losses or age with cousins.... all the same with you TDB's (maybe letters will work for your comprehension instead TideDouchBags = TBD)
Good luck on the 24th you'll need it after getting banged up by S.Carolina. Just don't mix up the NUMBER of losses at the end of the year with the number of teethifes in your head!
VOLamongbamafans writes:
3 reasons you are a dumbazz. #1. This is a Tennessee Vols football web page, not for your dumbazz political opinions. #2. WTF are you doing on here at 4:44 a.m. #3. (Most Importantly) You are a dumbazz, dumbazz!
OrangeCrush writes:
I know we have billboards in FLA, does anyone know if there are some in GA?
OrangeCrush writes:
You forgot one word, the word "THE" between ROLL TIDE. To help you, this is how it should read,
ROLL THE TIDE!
notoriousBIGorange writes:
That's now PA-ROLE TIDE, thanks to Satan.
chrisw2967 writes:
there is a billboard downtown Atl. off 285 I think.
PaulTheVol writes:
Someone want to tell me exactly what has Saban won at Bama except for a Western Division title? By my way of reckoning Saban has won as many SEC titles as Kiffin - only Kiffin is more cost effective.
No one lives in the past and puts the cart ahead of the horse like Bammers.
WhoDatNinja writes:
Even though I was a political science major, Tony Spiva was probably my favorite professor at UT. He should have won the Nobel Prize for his "There Ain't No Such Thing as a Free Lunch" economic theory. Adam Smith has nothing on Prof. Spiva.
ctownvol writes:
Yes. UT has some and so do Auburn.
trooper4prezz writes:
You guys are forgetting about one prominent prospect from GA.
ERIC BERRY Fairburn, GA. The best Vol to ever put on a uniform is from Georgia!
VOLHolla writes:
Cant wait for the 24th..... to watch the the Big Orange head into tuscaloosa and "Berry" the red elephants.
No dilusions,it will be tough, but this team has not given up and shows no signs of doing so.
VolunteerLifer writes:
So, after we upset bama, we will send our recruiters to that state, too. beat their football team, then invade their state. what a concept. I like it.
UTsloV writes:
Delta you can't tell these people anything. All you have to do is look at the play that Eric Berry and Tim Tebow went head-to-head on. It was clear to me that Tebow won that battle, he went down because two other sloV jumped on his back and EB went flying backwards. But they say EB won because he landed on his feet. See you in Atlanta.
mytrifecta writes:
If the choice is a program on the way down with a coaching staff on the way out versus a program on the way up with arguably the best coaching staff in college football...who do you think a blue-chip prospect with NFL aspirations is going to choose? I like our chances.
jerseydevilvol writes:
That was a great hit by both Tebow and Berry. Yea Berry did go back, but he also stopped Tebow in his tracks. What do you expect Tebow has got about 40 pounds on Berry. Not many players can stop Tebow like Berry did and not many players can knock Berry back like Tebow did. Two great players and i will always remember that hit, that was classic
midtnfan writes:
You are a dumb Azz.
DC_Vol writes:
Actually Tim Tebow was visibly shaken on the play. He even admitted post game it was one of the hardest hits he has ever received in all his years of football. I will take the word of Tim Tebow of you.
Also later on Tim Tebow was so upset he started screaming at his receivers for their poor play. This happened right after the Eric Berry hit. Tebow was probably pissed his WR weren't performing their main function of blocking for him. Everyone knows if you want to play WR at Florida be prepared to spend the majority of your time blocking for the QB. Why do you think all the great WR are now signing with UT, Meline, Cobbs, Ambles, Richardson and of course Teague.
DooleyNoted writes:
Jim Rome highlights the UT v GA game on Jim Rome is Burning today 10-13-09. Specifically he touches on UT smoking GA and the recruiting implications of the victory. Catch it if you can. Kiffin is crazy like a fox. Go Vols!
UTsloV writes:
Have you ever been to Shreveport? My guess is no. That place is not decent. The best thing about that invite. is you get to practice for a few more weeks. DON'T DRINK THE WATER, or the tea, or the fountain drinks. It all tastes like the crawfish were cooked in it.
UTVolsFan7 writes:
ATTENTION ALL TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER FANS:Text Vote to 345345 on your wireless phone. When you receive a ballot back reply with only the letter "C" to cast your vote for Jonathan Crompton.
truckinvol writes:
Remember how we lost some commits last year because of the coaching uncertainty? Our assts. now have a contract, I'm happy with all of our coaches. The possibility of coaching changes at UGA should help us. You want to buy stock while it is still rising, get on board while we're still gaining speed. I don't care what bowl we would go to, I just want to get to one. We'll worry about next year, next year. There was a Jimmy (can't remember his last name) from Dalton, Ga. that went on to play safety for the Atlanta Falcons in their first years. GO VOLS.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Okay guys. Time to come back down to earth. There is a difference in being realistic and being overly optimistic. Do you really think we will beat the #1 team in America (it is NOT Fla.) with our team that isn't even getting a single vote in the polls? Realistically, it will be a low scoring defensive struggle with Bama on top 17-14. I just don't see us beating them, but still possible to go 7-5. We will lose one of the games between SC, Miss, Ky. Go VOLS!!
TnScooby writes:
But no concussion!!!!! Or puking for days.....don't wish ill will on any player but don't even TRY to compare Berry to Teblow...different positions...Berry will go First Round, Tammy might not make the first DAY!!
bseaman7117 writes:
I think you are being a little overconfident on the statement of 2 or 3 titles in 5 years. These are the type of comments that other fan sites feed off of. Just a return to the SEC championship game is more than likely 3 to 4 years away.
bseaman7117 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
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