The door of opportunity swung wide open for Raiques Crump, and he didn't hesitate.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker from Minor High School in Adamsville, Ala. replaced a departed commitment when he agreed to accept the scholarship offer he had long coveted, a source close to his recruitment said Tuesday.
Crump was a backup prospect for linebacker Ralph Williams from Southridge High School in Miami. Williams had been committed to UT but is now expected to sign with Ole Miss.
Crump wasn't as highly recruited as Williams, but is considered an upstanding member of his community.
An Eagle Scout, Crump earned the final Boy Scout honor by designing and building a bridge for his church.
Crump held scholarship offers from Middle Tennessee State and South Alabama, as well as other smaller schools.
UT has 25 commitments. National Signing Day is Wednesday.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 81
DownTheField writes:
yawn
stayingorange writes:
He wants to be here so maybe that enthusiasm will transfer to the field.
BigOrangeHustler writes:
Not bad, gotta love his charcter.
Quick Question: To sign up for Signing Day text alerts, what box do you check?
rockytopvol writes:
Hope williams is the only LB we lose...
FEARinSEC writes:
Seems like there were a lot of people who didn't think much of Nick Reveiz a few years ago, either....
Welcome to Big Orange Country, young man!!!
GO VOLS!!!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
It is nice to see somebody get a scholarship that will probably use his full ride for something other than a springboard to the NFL...but this does not bode well the night before signing day.
As to Mr. Crump...welcome aboard. You are part of the UT family now and we are happy to have you. The opportunity to play and star at the next level is laid out before you. It's all up to you now. Nobody will cheer your successes louder than the entire VOL Nation. Good Luck!!
stayingorange writes:
Story said Ralph Williams
bigorange_inbham writes:
Boy I'm trying to be up beat since I live in birmingham and this guy is from here but a 2 star recruit sheesh! I'm still holding out for Ambles and Rogers two 5 stars tomorrow and hopefully hold unto Copeland.
jarvol writes:
I hope the mattresses and lighter fluid are ready for the ESPNU cameras tomorrow instead of the *gasp* looks on faces.
FEARinSEC writes:
I didn't check any, didn't see a place that said anything about recruiting....
Of course, I'll be the one who doesn't ever get a recruiting text....
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
go to bottom of page and look for link for text alert....just below ad for i-phone app. fill it out and you are set.
wvvolfan#270034 writes:
Crump is replacing Ralph Williams. I think Stanley is still up in the air as well, but nothing definite yet.
10CVOL writes:
Nick Reveiz was not highly recruited the last time I checked.......He turned out OK at linebacker.
nocleats writes:
Crump has a motor you fans are going to love!!
hillsborovol writes:
Welcome aboard Mr. Crump. This is the type of player that often overachieves and becomes a Vol fan favorite. GBO.
shorrocks#644844 writes:
This is pretty awesome. I am pulling for this kid and I hope to see him field dress a goose during a game.
DownTheField writes:
let me get this straight webelosarebest, my lack of excitement over this recruit implies that crump does more for his community than i do? what a joke.
TennesseeGorilla writes:
Hope he can play...there is still alot unknown about his ability.
berry4life writes:
WE NEED TO SUPPORT WHO WE GOT AND WELCOME THEM TO VOLS NATION .....NO MATTER HOW MANY STARS THEY HAVE!!!!! REMEMEBER AND REAL FOOTBALL FANS WILL ADMIT U DONT HAVE TO BE 5 STAR TO BE COME A 5 STAR. ITS YOUR HEART AND WHAT U WANNA BUT INTO IT THAT MAKES U A STAR. PEOPLE FOR EXAMLE IF I REMEBER RIGHT IS FROM CIYT OF JACKSON,TN IN WEST TENNESSEE. HE MAY HAVE BEEN A BIG NAME IN WEST TENNESEE AND TENNESSSEE AREA. BUT HE CAME TO BE ONE THE BEST LBS TO PLAY THE GAME. HE HAD HEART AND WANTED IT. SO BE HAPPY AND PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE SINCE THE S.O.B!!!!! WE CALL KIFFEN!!!!!!LEFT IN A BAD WAY! SO BE IT REMEMBER WE R THE TENNESSEE VOLS!!!!!!!!! GO BIG ORANGE
bigmj writes:
stars often don't matter, as they can't measure heart...give the kid a chance.
CRFVols writes:
Wow....we beat out MTSU and S Bama.
Well.....I hope Dooley's judge of talent is on with this one.
utnut#215669 writes:
I went to rivals profile and only found stats for 2008, was he injured in 2009? Maybe thats why he is only two stars. 08 stats seem decent playing in B'ham
berry4life writes:
TRUE.......... BUT HES WANTS TO BE HERE IS THE BIGGEST THING TO ALL RECRUITS TO ME!!!!!!!!
DenverVol writes:
I see this guy coming in with something to prove and chip on his shoulder. Be aware of anyone with a chip on their shoulder. With his character and his desire, Crump has all the potential in the world to become a great one. I also see him unleashing some fury on special teams this coming season. Welcome aboard Raiques! Be all Vol! GO VOLS!
TommyJack writes:
We must have the chittiest fans anywhere.
bnakk#240693 writes:
When I think of guys with all the physical tools in the world I think of Lawrence Taylor...when I think of guys with a giant motor I think of Jack Lambert. I think I would just a soon have one as the other.
tnsportsman writes:
Welcome Mr. Crump to Big Orange Country! As an Eagle Scout also, I know you have what it takes to be and do your best! You will excel.
Out work them all, we need players like you!
GO VOLS!
NeylandWest writes:
A-fkg-men, brother!
suttree writes:
I'll mark down this kid as one to watch. Not that recruiting chat boards care . . but if there was ever a kid to be coached up from whatever stars to SEC Man its an Eagle Scout. I look for this kid to display Peytonesque dedication and work ethic . . I'll take that any day over Nukeese's stars.
Eagle Scout '90
berry4life writes:
HEY THE GU WANTED TO PLAY HERE AND SO DOES THAT MEAN CAUSE NO TEAM IN TOP 10 RECRUITED HIM MAKES HIM A BAD PLAYER THINK NOT. I GUESS THATS REASON FULMER AND COMPNAY PASSED ON PATRICK WILLIS WHOS WAS A FIRT ROUND PICK IN NFEL DRAFT AND IF I REMEMBER RIGHT HE WAS RATED 2 STARS BY ALL THESE RANKINGS. SO DONT BE A FOOL AND BELEIVE THAT STARS MAKES HIM A PLAYER. I LOVE ALL VOLS FANS WHETHER THEY AGREE WIHT WHATS GOIN ON OR NOT. BUT DAM!!!! GIVE THESE KIDS A CHANCE!!!!!!!!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Chuck You!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
RAIQUES CRUMP , WECOME TO TENNESSEE .
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
IDIOT , YOU BEEN ASLEEP ALL YOUR LIFE .
VolFanNC writes:
Welcome aboard. Looks like we lose Williams. Dooley must have gotten a call to offer Crump. that being said, I am glad he is building depth.
We likely have Stone, Rogers, Glass signing tomorrow and we are keeping Copeland and Loften...so pretty good all the way around.
CRFVols writes:
lol....did I mention stars? No. I was going off the fact that no other big programs offered him.
I'm not discounting him though. If he wants to be there....live I've said...I'll take many Sullins brothers or the like over "5 star" guys any day.
bigorange_inbham writes:
Not sure why so many of you are getting so defensive yes MR. ALL IN CAPS AND CAN'T SPELL berry4life, if I'm not mistaken Eric Berry was a 5 star recruit. I wish the best for Crump and love to see a player from Alabama go to Knoxville but lets be honest pulling in 4 and 5 stars is the quickest way to get back on top!
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
MAN ,YOU GOT THAT RIGHT . AL WAS THE MAN .
jeremy writes:
Adam Viatieri, Jeff Saturday, Willie Parker, Wes Welker, Antonio Gates, Priest Holmes, Kurt Warner...etc. What do they all have in common? Undrafted free agents! Heart beats talent when talent doesn't have heart!!!!!!
tnaseevol writes:
chill out, this IS NOT an English class! We tend to blog the way we speak!!geeesshh, just folks interested in our VOLS talking on the 'net
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Shhhhh...don't bother the posters with "facts" and "reality." Don't point out that they fell all over themselves when Brown picked UT. Don't point out that Peyton was a Gatorade Player-of-the-Year. Oh and don't point out that many of these same posters just about pis*ed themselves when they saw that Da'Rick Rogers is set to sign with UT tomorrow. Why not point all these things out? Because then Vols fans can go right back to thinking that EVERY one or two star recruit is just waiting to bust out in college and that the specter of Johnny Majors and General Neyland are all that they need to become mega-stars.
jeremy writes:
or hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard....either way, Welcome to Big Orange Country!!!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
True...but there is a limit and that guy crossed it. I would have loved to have understood what he said..but I really couldn't. If I was in a room with the guy and he talked the way he blogged...I would have to ask him to slow down and speak clearly.
VolinCalif writes:
You could be right. I have a question for you TJ. Is there going to be a live Blog starting at 6am? I am not even sure if ESPN will start at that time. So what are your plans?
Brentwoodvol writes:
Amen bro. We have some real geniuses on here. Some fans just blow me away. A few weeks ago we would have danced in the streets about this guy. Now we only want 4 or 5 star guys. This guy has wanted to be here since day one. Welcome aboard and make us proud. GBO
Willis writes:
They are the same chitty fans that you joined along with in kicking dirt in Fulmers face.
bigorange_inbham writes:
Thanks for the great common sense VolAlum2003, I live in AL so I have seen how Saban got 2 top recuiting classes in a row and won a National Chamionship. So recuiting 4 and 5 stars is key to winning NC. Yes I agree that some 2 stars can turn out to be great players but lets look at the last couple of BCS NC winners Alabama, Florida, LSU, Texas, USC what do they all have in common TONS of 4 and 5 star recruits and top recruiting classes. That is the first step to getting the Vols back to top!!
volzcrushm writes:
I HOPE CRUMP TRUNS OUT TO BE FIRST TEAM SEC! GBO!!!
NorthwestVol writes:
Welcome Mr. Crump. You sound like a man of character who want's to be a Vol. Get some gravy on that bread and keep the drive that made you an Eagle Scout. You'll do just fine.
joemactuba writes:
he may be academically ineligible
lincolncovol writes:
welcome to the big orange nation young man show everyone CDD found a diamond in the rough & not just a replacment 4yrs from now we'll see that the beauty & the ugliness of recruting
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