WR Meline finds route from Florida to Vols

Ted Meline always thought there was something special about a certain color.

“That orange,” Tennessee’s newest commitment said Wednesday. “I always watched them when I was a kid, playing the Florida Gators.”

The Gators, with their own orange in hand, had the inside track for the 6-foot-2, 170-pound athlete from Miami North (Fla.) High School. But when they didn’t show enough interest, Meline was ready to move on.

“Why stay home?” Meline said shortly after committing to play for the Vols. He is the 16th member of the signing class for 2010 and third prospect who plays wide receiver, joining Markeith Ambles of Henry County High in McDonough, Ga., and Matt Milton of Mascoutah (Ill.) High.

Meline said he plans to take his official visit to UT on Oct. 30.

Despite an injury-riddled junior season in 2008, Meline reeled in over 20 scholarship offers and is considered one of the top athlete prospects in Florida.

Meline suffered a shoulder injury in the second game a year ago and twisted his ankle shortly after returning in the seventh game.

Athleticism, Meline said when asked of his strengths, is his strongest attribute.

“I bring speed,” he said, “and my talent to jump over defenders.”

Meline’s commitment to UT is a direct result of its coaches proving that it will indeed play freshmen as they have repeatedly promised publicly. The Vols played several newcomers in key roles in last Saturday’s season opener against Western Kentucky.

Running backs coach Eddie Gran was in charge of two: Bryce Brown and David Oku. That wasn’t lost on Meline, who Gran recruited.

“I think he’s a great coach,” said Melinem who watched the game on television. “Putting all those freshmen on the field, that tipped me off. (UT is) the place to be.”

An aggressive billboard marketing campaign by UT in Florida surely helped as well. When Meline was ready to commit early, he had some not-so-subtle reminders where to go.

“I just wanted to get it over quick,” Meline said. “Like I said all along, I didn’t want to go through the whole process.”

Meline said he’ll still take four of his NCAA-allotted five official visits to UT, Purdue, Georgia and Oregon. Meline said he’s unsure where — or if — he’ll take a fifth.

But as for his UT commitment, Meline said, “Right now, I’m all the way.”

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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