One of Tennessee's biggest remaining targets - in terms of physical size - made a big decision after his visit to Knoxville this past weekend.
After 10 months as a Miami (Fla.) commitment, offensive lineman Marcus Jackson (Vero Beach, Fla.) said Sunday he had reopened his recruitment, and UT is certainly on his radar after his second visit in the past month.
"Everybody's on the same ground," Jackson said. "There's nobody ahead of anybody right now. They're all in the same category."
Jackson is the second player to de-commit from the Hurricanes since Randy Shannon's firing last week. Miami now has just five players who are currently committed for the class of 2011.
Head coach Derek Dooley and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw visited Jackson (6-foot-4, 315 pounds) at his home last week. Jackson, instead of using one of his remaining official visits elsewhere, opted to travel to UT with his mother as an unofficial visitor.
Jackson, a three-star who is considered the nation's 13th-best guard by Rivals.com, also has visited Michigan State and plans to visit Georgia Tech next weekend.
Jackson said his opinion of UT didn't change after his most recent visit.
"It was just good being around," said Jackson, who added that he's become close with current Vols linemen Ja'Wuan James and Zach Fulton.
Jackson plans to enroll early at wherever he chooses to sign. He said he will likely make a decision some time in the next couple of weeks.
"I just don't know as of now," he said.
Lanier to Visit Next Week: Four-star cornerback Izauea Lanier (East Mississippi Community College) was without a ride to the airport Friday and was unable to make his originally scheduled visit to UT.
"It was really frustrating," said Lanier, who recently de-committed from Auburn. "I really wanted to come up this weekend."
Lanier, ranked the nation's No. 16 junior-college prospect by Rivals, said he originally planned to visit Florida next weekend but will instead attempt another trip to Knoxville. He also will visit Ole Miss this week.
In order to enroll for spring semester, which is something Lanier (6-1, 190) plans to do, he must sign by Dec. 15.
Asked if his decision is solely between Ole Miss and UT, Lanier said "that's what it's looking like right now."
"I'm looking at the rosters and seeing how I can fit in," he said.
Andrew Gribble covers Tennessee football and recruiting. He may be reached at 865-342-6327. Follow him at http://twitter.com/Andrew_Gribble and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/gribble/
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Comments » 49
BufordTJustice writes:
Come to Knoxville and help us turn the corner!
rdrgtr writes:
Y'all come on in, we got plenty of room.
stompintheswamp2 writes:
We need em both!! No ride to the airport? ok...
revjulian writes:
No ride to the airport? Guess AU has ditched their stretch Hummer limo huh? Wish we could all go back to the ole days when we could send the private jet to their hometown, whisk them from their high school to the airport in the Bat Copter and jet them on up to school the right way.... LOL.
jumboliyah writes:
Sounds like the person who was supposed to take him to the airport wants him to go to Ole Miss...don't be fooled young man...look at history...TN and ALA are the top dogs in the SEC over time....always have been always will be...get on baord and help us get back to the top.
CroKev writes:
Was that a pun?
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
The best 'sell' for O-linemen to UT should be the chance to get ready for a pro career by playing against the best D-linemen in the nation.
Hillbilly_Orange writes:
Call me if you need a ride. GBO!!
jandjhome#228397 writes:
We need this man. Come on you won't be sorry.
GreerVol22 writes:
Lanier could sign with UT but never leave Mississippi and still cover recievers better than our current corners. Sarcasm intended.
vol98champ writes:
If he is looking for a need, he found on at UT. We need a cornerback who can cover and be physical. 6-1, 190 sounds like he might fit the bill. Wonder it he can catch a punt.
DebtisDumb writes:
We need to land Gionni Paul, I've been hearing rumors that he's going to commit to TN. He looks like a really instinctive mean LB
jobrando#216494 writes:
We must finish this class with 4-stars. This staff has to show it can recruit. Three stars cant do that. We have to move to a 10-15 ranking.
RoadTrip writes:
You snooze you lose, gents. There are only a half dozen slots remaining in one of the greatest turnarounds in SEC history. Better get on the train quickly.
SavTnVol writes:
Why? what does the ranking or the amount of stars matter just as long as they prove themselves on the field. We're rebuilding remember? we'll be OK, just give CDD time to get his coachable type of players. Remember The Bear used to say, "don't just recruit good players, recruit good parents too." Character pays in the long run...a few "good character" 5 stars don't hurt either tho. I like the way this recruiting is going.
hazard writes:
How credible are these rumors ?
DebtisDumb writes:
I don't want to get anyone excited just on some of the other Vol sites they are saying him and Marcus Jackson are private commitments
DebtisDumb writes:
Also, four star JUCO corner Lanier is down to UT and Ole Miss. Looks like we have the edge as of now. I'd be happy with two out of those three, and IMO that's probably what we'll end up with, but I'd bet on Marcus Jackson
KCHS63 writes:
The NCAA will be closely monitoring the responses to your post.
:)
orangecountyvols writes:
Take a short break from the keyboard and take another drink of your Merlot..........T R O L L
tennrich1 writes:
Easy to shoot down...look back at Arkansas...not a Hogs fan but makes the point....since 2008 they had one class in top twenty...most out of top thirty...and they're going to a BCS bowl...now granted Mallet is probably more to do with that than anything and this definitely was the year to achieve because too me all NCAA football was down...but it proves a point....stars really dont measure a team...maybe a player...but not the team. Just saying!
1volk-nowi-tall writes:
Overall the star system is not a dependable measuring tool for college talent. Of course there are a few can't miss kids out there but the main ingredient is the desire that each kid has to be the best he can be. Dale Jones and Chris White are perfect examples. Those who come to college, work the strength program and practice with intensity are the ones who will succeed. We will get there but need patience. Really a great job this year to get to 6 and 6.
DebtisDumb writes:
I agree, just look at Gionni Paul's highlight film. While the film quality sucks, this guy arrives in a bad mood. I would rather have him than Lanier
BigVolFaninSC writes:
"THIS IS THE NCAA INVESTIGATOR! ANYONE WHO GIVES THIS KID A RIDE WILL CAUSE THE BOOK TO BE THROWN AT TENNESSEE IN BOTH FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL!...AND WE MIGHT EVEN THROW IN A REPORT OF INVESTIGATION FOR WOMEN'S BB, TOO!" I wouldn't chance it!
jobrando#216494 writes:
I agree players can be coached up but seems like the hard way to go about coaching. Four and five star players should relate to more natural talent with less problems coaching. We all know this may or may not be the case especially with five star players with ego issues that can never mature enough to play. I still rather be one of the teams in the top ten in recruiting. It's just a healthy image of the program.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Jackson, Lanier, and this Gionni Paul kid all sound good and would love to have ALL THREE..But I would be happy with Jackson and one of the other two..Plus, Gabe Wright would be a nice Christmas present..I trust CDD on the recruiting because they have done a good job of filling needs.
volzcrushm writes:
....somebody forgot to tell that to Boise state.
CoverOrange writes:
I've flown out of the Golden Triangle Airport. Out in the middle of nowhere. If you thought Mghee Tyson was small, GTA is itty-bitty. No cabs, no buses go by there. Nothing nearby, no car dealerships, shopping malls or restaurants. Columbus is a nice town but most of Mississippi is a desert.
jobrando#216494 writes:
SEC is where we play .... does 2-3 stars work with VANDY?
Pompey writes:
....looks like the "star system" is about to self destruct.....!
Agamemnon writes:
Didn't have a ride to the airport. The rules have gotten to the level of stupidity when you can't get a kid a taxi to the airport for fear of the NCAA.
volinlouisiana writes:
This is true, but if he can't afford a taxi, then who's paying for the plane?
Like your screen name, even though I must say Hercules is a more interesting character.
sizeDD writes:
Rivals team rankings:
2007 Oregon not ranked
2008 Oregon #18
2009 Oregon #9
2010 Oregon ?? (error on site)
2011 Oregon currently #22 one spot behind TN
While I'm not against 4 & 5 stars I'm just saying.....
volinlouisiana writes:
There are only 16-5 star players this year, according to Rivals, and none of them are from our state. We currently have 5 four star commits, including a top 60 player in the nation from Michigan. That's over 25% of our class so far that is 4 star. Not too bad for a coach that's only been recruiting these guys for a year (other coaches started sending them stuff much earlier), on a 6-6 team, bowling in Nashville.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Some fans want to compare the Oregon's and Boise's recruiting with SEC recruiting and all I can do is respond with the Vandy's and Kentucky's comparable recruiting effort. Has Vandy or Kentucky ever had a season like the out west schools do? So far I'm pleased with this staff's effort but a finished recruited class ranking below 20 will put doubt in this fan's mind . Still plenty of time until signing day I feel sure they will get it done.
volinlouisiana writes:
I aplogize for kind of beating a dead horse here, but if you look at the guys we're going after-M. Jackson, B. Moore, G. Paul, they're all 3 stars, but being sought after by the likes of Fla, LSU, and Miami. I think these are 3 stars that we want.
1974Vol writes:
Some of these guys will get an extra star as HS playoffs wind up. Also its much harder for linemen to get 4 & 5 stars as its harder to see how they will translate to D-1 ball. Most are a year or more away from being physically mature enough to contribute. We you are really looking for is difference makers and they come in all sizes and stars.
PUL4VOLS writes:
We need you Jackson and we will definitely find a place for you Lanier. Come on and be Vols, got good things coming right up.
Bret writes:
Southern Miss gave him a ride to the airport in a Toyota.
Alabama gave him a ride to the airport in a stretch Hummer.
Auburn bought the kid an airport.
woodlandsvol writes:
If we sign Marcus Jackson, does he and Malik get their full names on their jerseys next year? I would at least sell it that way during recruiting! GBO!!
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Gionni Paul would instantly upgrade our linebacking corp if he committed. He's got the speed that we lack at that position right now. Not to mention that Marcus Jackson would walk into the 2 deep at guard next year. This spring, actually, considering he's an EE.
jcherrie#219531 (Inactive) writes:
Craig Patrick: You're missing the best players.
Herb Brooks: I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm lookin' for the right ones.
VOLinTX writes:
The Vols could use both young men. Too bad Mr. Lanier couldn't get a ride to the airport. Did someone take the helicopter keys to the West Coast?
ccole99 writes:
Any chance on Bridgewater looking at UT also?
jobrando#216494 writes:
I sure hope Richardson stays in Tennessee
BigOrangeArmy writes:
Need both of these guys, got to get everybody that is considering florida! Glad to hear he will visit UT instead of gainsville next time. and somebody get his butt to the airport.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Please dont let zach sharp out of the state either. A must have to replace the weak leg kicker we have now.
volinlouisiana writes:
The latest is he's being pressured by Urban Meyer and his own coach to take his visit to Fla instead of Tn, but he says Tn is the leader even without a visit.
We'll see, but if he takes his visit to Fl instead of us, then I don't like our chances.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
We will bag this o-lineman. Lanier missed his trip to the airport but word is he canceled his scheduled trip to UF so he can come here. He WILL wear orange. Gionni Paul will wear Orange. Paul is the guy we need out of these 3 IMO. He reminds me of Rico McCoy quite a bit. We will get Jackson, Lanier, and Paul, SOON.
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