There are far too many moving parts to completely ascertain the extent of the damage done to Tennessee's 2010 football recruiting class by former coach Lane Kiffin's departure.
This much is known: the Vols have lost seven prospects who were once committed to Kiffin and recruiting coord-inator Ed Orgeron.
Receiver Markeith Ambles is just the latest - and most high profile - prospect to declare he is no longer committed to UT. Ambles is now considering Kiffin's new home in Southern California, along with North Carolina, Alabama, LSU and possibly others.
Yet the de-commitments are just part of the bleeding that newly hired UT coach Derek Dooley is trying to stop. There also are a handful of prospects whom the Vols seem to be in good - and possibly great - shape with before the coaching change.
Offensive lineman Chaz Green tops the list. Most thought Green was leaning towards UT for weeks, despite his mostly silent approach to recruiting.
Green, who is from Tampa (Fla.) Catholic High School, long felt drawn to former UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin because of Kiffin's ties to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, Green reportedly will visit USC next weekend.
The Vols also had secured a visit from the nation's top receiver: Kyle Prater. The USC commitment was reconsidering his options after Pete Carroll left the Trojans for the Seattle Seahawks. Now Prater seems solidly committed to USC.
And in an odd twist of fate, Prater, who is from Proviso West High in Hillside, Ill., is recruiting Ambles to USC, just like Ambles was recruiting Prater to UT. The two became close at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio earlier this month.
And guess who else is trying to convince Ambles to head west?
"Now that Coach (Lane) Kiffin is at USC, he's telling me I need to come out there with him," Ambles told USCFootball.com
One of Kiffin's specialties is stealing commitments from Florida; he did it twice in 2009. Kiffin seemed close to doing so again last month in Knoxville. Now, he's taken that skill west.
Florida defensive back commitment Demar Dorsey won't take the official visit to Knoxville he planned on earlier. Instead, he's headed to USC on Friday.
Kiffin was close to pulling a commitment from another SEC rival before bolting. Athlete Blake Sims from Gainesville (Ga.) High had de-committed from Alabama and said he would visit UT. That trip is off and Sims is a Tide commitment once again.
Kiffin's Vols also seemed close to landing immediate help on the offensive line with John Cullen. The offensive tackle from Fullerton (Calif.) Community College was leaning towards UT, but is now considering Arizona State, Kansas State and Oklahoma.
As for Dooley's recruiting, I was asked Friday on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page, if UT's new coach was recruiting a lower level of prospect than Kiffin did a year ago when he had to assemble a class quickly.
With the exception of receiver Justin Hunter, the answer is "yes" for several reasons:
n No. 1: Dooley's approach isn't that unusual. His "diamond in the rough" attack on lesser schools is a solid one for a coach taking over a program barely more than two weeks before National Signing Day. Most coaches would follow the same template.
n No. 2: Although I haven't spent any time with Dooley, I sense he views players much like coaches. Remember when he said UT doesn't need a coaching staff full of stars? I think Dooley is as concerned about a player's work ethic and character as he is about his 40-yard dash time.
n No. 3: Dooley has to be very judicious with his time. While Kiffin's recruitment of top 2009 prospects like Janzen Jackson, Bryce Brown and David Oku paid dividends, Dooley has even less time to work the recruiting trail than Kiffin did. Kiffin had eight weeks. Dooley has about 2 1/2.
How much time can Dooley spend on hitting a home run when he needs some doubles and triples to build UT's program.
Classic Quote: Here's a quote I just had to share from Ambles on USCFootball.com.
"Coach Kiffin is all about running the program the right way," Ambles was quoted as saying. "No violations or any of that stuff."
Um, OK.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 109
cpahiker#231287 writes:
we just need to move on, the university went to a "hired gun" mentailty and that is what we got, its time to build a program and focus on the longer term. We just need to survive the short term.
volman27 writes:
ambels seems like a bright youg man lol
volman27 writes:
ambles sorry
CincyOhVol writes:
Sad but true. Dooley will only be able to get those guys who would have otherwise went to La. Tech or Tulane. We're done.
ktm589 writes:
Kiffin...."I want go after any of the Vol recruits". LIE LIE LIE
CincyOhVol writes:
Long term 2 and 3 star recruits equals a long term 3 star program.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
"There are far too many moving parts to completely ascertain the extent of the damage..."
Hold the phone. I gotta work a little bit harder to lowlevate myself to this hearing level. What kinda brain insurance I got for this kinda damage?
tnsportsman writes:
We as donors, alum, supporters and Big Orange Fans don't give a DAMN about hearing any other stories concerning LIAR SURFER DUDE AND HIS SLUM STAFF!
UT is starting back with TENNESSEE BASICS, traditions and loyalty. It's back to blood, sweat, guts and being P'ed Off with an attitude as a football team! Maybe it will take 2 years for Coach Dooley to get a Top 10 class. In the mean time lets coach our players up and bring the pain every game. Play within the rules but HURT the other team every chance we get!
I hope and pray UT gets USC in a bowl game real soon, might be a 'so-so bowl' but great! We will have to do it within the next 2 years because that SOB will be long gone after a few years! And if we do get USC in a bowl game, I hope Big Orange Fans take-over the joint like we did in 1985 against Miami in the Sugar Bowl. That night was special and defines BIG ORANGE FOOTBALL! BRING THE PAIN, we are not scared at all!
GO VOLS!
newtonrail writes:
Oh, and how do you know that after 8 days? I would hate for your boss to judge you on your first 8 days, although that may have been your best work. Be civil or I'll sic Barbara Dooley on you.
FWBVol writes:
Of course this column comes out the same day a 4-star DB commits to UT. Yes, this class will take a few hits, but I like the way Dooley is doing things.
If you look at the size and 40 times of a lot of the 5-star guys and a lot of the 3-star guys there isn't any difference at all. Go to any list of the top 100 prospects from 10 years ago and see how many actually made it.
Yes, it is nice to have the 5-star guys, but I'll settle for a 3-star that runs a 4.5 40 just as easily as I can take a 5-star with the same speed.
bobbytodd writes:
If things happen like what has been reported USC will be banned from tv for 2 years and bowls for 3 years so Ambles will be a senior for his first bowl game.
wycoller writes:
So does Hooker.....
huntined#565710 writes:
Hard to say it but it will take some time to get over the blow we took.. We lost one of the best recruiting class that we had coming in. We lost coaches that the present players played for this past year and We may have lost some of our own respect as a TENN Vol by maybe thinking what our coaches were doing may not have been right but it just gave us some hope that we would get back to where we were as a team. And even that may take us a little time to get over. As far as the team winning I didn't have us winning over 6 with the team and coaches we had next year.
I just look at BAMA and see where they were and how fast they jumped to the top I guess if we have the right man it may not take us as long as some may think.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Yeah! Uh, whip, crack...back yee demons! Get yee back into thy Cali netherworld! Whip, crack...whip, crack...get thee back to embrace thy forked tongued, splayed hipped mothers of the inferno. Get thee behind me sore memories! Aeey, let all good folk look to the morrow and the new day with great strength. Challenged we'll be.
volfan8#549730 writes:
LOL! These guys Lame is trying to steal from UT! LOL! He may not have the scholarships to offer once the NCAA gets done with USC AND his own violations! It will be @ least 3 yrs before USC can get a bowl game, possibly longer! This is too funny!
SEC1 writes:
You will need more than a 4-star guy to compete with Urban Meyers outstanding #1 recruiting class, 5-stars every where looks like meyer will own the vols for 6 more years.
darbhoo writes:
How many different articles can be written about the same topic? All of them seem to be lifting up Kiffin's style by focusing on how he is continuing to pull recruits.
ENOUGH. His scumbag tactics and crew have gotten enough ink on Vols websites. You are not slamming him, you are justifying his phooey because he has mesmerized high school athletes with hopes of NFL success and $$$.
loyalvol_alltheway writes:
while I am as worried about the fallout as anyone, it's important to have some perspective.
boise state does not have a single recruit who is higher than a 3 star (if i remember correctly). yet they have gone undefeated 3 out of the last 4 years. and yes, they have played some REAL teams.
football, more than any other sport, is impacted by things like team chemistry and playing "together".
this is why teams like boise state can be successful.
and its also why whatever team terrell owens plays for is not (talk about a 5 star guy who tears teams apart!)
there's obviously a limit to what you can do with limited talent. but it just ain't as simple as adding together your stars and then counting the wins.
anythinGOrange writes:
Ambles, Kiffin is NOT your friend. He will NOT be there for you when you need it. Believe me.
CDD, keep up the good work. Reel in the prospects you feel are the best fit for the program, develop your players, and prove to everyone that Knoxville IS the place to be! You have my utmost respect and support. GO VOLS!!!
CRFVols writes:
CAN WE PLEASE STOP WITH THE KIFFIN RELATED ARTICLES?
volsfan74 writes:
Fellow Vol Fans and KNS reporters I am gonna tell you something I told a good friend a few years ago when his wife just left him for another man. Let's go out get drunk have a good time and move on and forget the biatch! And thats exactly what we need to do with Kiffy and the clown gang. Let's move on it's a new chapter in Tennessee Football we will be fine. KNS please I ask that you please quit posting Liar Lane info for us to read.
murrayvol writes:
Mr. Ambles, you might be a great athlete but you've got a lot to learn about people. Good luck!
Maverickman writes:
I fount it to be quit helpful to go to the LA Times, Sports and let them know how I feel about Lame and the boys,
SummittsCourt writes:
kns, ok why are you beating a dead horse's rear end (weasel boy). will you please move on.
RJ_Vol writes:
Mr. Ambles, fear the Kiffin.
mm29680#645909 writes:
Kiffin is the lowest of any amphibious life forms that crawled up from the ocean to grow legs. He has the integity of a cobra and the ethics of a pedophile. I am a huge Vol fan and will support my team and Coach Dooley because I believe that his honesty is far and away above the left coast gang of liars. GO VOLS and GO AL DAVIS. (I cannot believe I said that.)
VOLsince68 writes:
Guys, the stars don't mean sh@t anyway. It's what's in their chest that matters.
GO VOLS!!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
No, you moron, WE ARE NOT DONE!!!!! CDD has been out there working his butt off since he landed in Knoxville! It is not HIS fault that the liar and his scumbag staff screwed TN. It is not HIS fault that some of our recruits decommitted. He is doing the best he can in what little time he has and the situation that he was left. Blame it anybody, but GIVE CDD A BREAK! He has retained a few commitments and is really trying to get more. BTW, he is also trying to get a staff put together as he is doing all he is doing! Some of you people kill me!!! CDD hasn't even had a practice yet and yet you are already crucifying him! Please, get real. We need to support CDD and the VOL program more than ever! If we do our job and he does his, then in time....all will be well on ROCKY TOP!!!....who knows, probably better than it has ever been when its all said and done in several years!
VOLS....TCB.....KOKO.......GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cdldoc#211897 writes:
This is so much better than Fulmer. Wow! Glad he was chased off.
ThugTillIDie writes:
The fallout won't be known for awhile? Are you kidding me? I think the fallout was known when the coaches of TCU, Utah, Air Force, and Duke decided that they were better off staying put and the only guy who wanted the job went 4-8 at La. Tech in one of the weakest, if not the weakest, conferences in the nation.
Kevinyaheard writes:
I'm tired of this phooey!!!! Jedidiah, you get the pitchfork, and Samuel, you get the torch. It's time to nip this F'n douche in the bag!!!
516milesfromUT writes:
For heavens sake,
Ut story please.
Coach Dooley is our coach.
Kiffin's a scumbag.
Kiffin's a freakin liar.
If I were a recruit, i'd stay away from
Freakin USC.
Fallout is coming.
I will suck for them, no bowls,
No television time, no rankings.
G
B
O
!
BamaVol writes:
Kiffin and his staff should be ban from recruiting Tennessee and the south
AllVols writes:
Classic Quote: Here's a quote I just had to share from Ambles on USCFootball.com.
"Coach Kiffin is all about running the program the right way," Ambles was quoted as saying. "No violations or any of that stuff."
Um, OK.
What an idiot. I don't want Markeit Ambles anymore. That is just pathetic. He is about running the program with all the talent he can get his hands on, legally or illegally. Ambles is a great talent, but I don't think anyone should have to put up with that sort of attitude. That kid has been blinded by Kiffin's BS.
AllVols writes:
Sorry, but this is a stupid comment. Let's take a look at the UT's recruiting class, shall we? The two and only two recruits that have committed since Dooley's arrival - Justin Hunter and Eddrick Loften. Both are four-stars, and both are promising, highly-rated athletes. Is that good enough for some of you?
Kiffin didn't get his hands on these guys. Kiffin went after everyone that was already committed somewhere else. Notorious for stealing recruits. Prater, Sims, Dorsey, Nu'Keese Richardson, Janzen Jackson, etc. I could go on and on. Janzen Jackson really impressed me with how he responded to the arrest last season. He will do well for CDD. But come on.
The stories that are coming out from behind the scenes make Kiffin look more and more like a rat scumbag.
Now he is stealing recruits from the program he coached two weeks ago and promised to bring championships to. All an act.
duncanvol writes:
Hey guy's look at sidney rice from gaffney s.c. every one said he was to slow to play in NFL. he run's like a 4.6 40 and is becoming one of the best in the NFL! you cant measure heart by a 40 time or a star! Let's not sell these kid's short. I was a pro. heavy wt. boxer for 10 years and most of my victories came from fighter's underestimating me. including one of don king's fighter's who i knocked out in the first round in nashville. GBO!
oldsmokey67 writes:
No offense man but you talk like florida is a traditional top ten program.when in fact you guys are a bunch of johnny come latelys.You never won anything before visor boy got there.and you guys were the alabama of the eighties always on probation with charley pell and gaylon hall.I will give you guys credit. from 1990 til now you are awsome.but you act like florida is a top twenty five team of all time when they don't even rank in the top 35 teams of all time in wins,winning percentage,and bowls.tennessee could go 5-7 the next ten years and still be ahead of florida in all of those areas so just chill out and enjoy the 20 years of tradition you have.and I bet you think florida will beat tennessee this year 63-0.I will say the score will be more like 21 -16.GO VOLS.
rockytopatl writes:
OK, I want to make this very simple. Hooker's job with the KNS is to cover recruiting. He tries through his reporting to show us the big picture. The big picture of this recruiting class is that we have been torpedoed by Monte's Smirking Punk. We cannot ignore this. It is foolish to tell Hooker not to report what he is finding as he talks to our commitments. It is similarly foolish to damn the messenger because you don't like his message.
This is our burden to bear. It is now Dooley's job to defeat this cancer that controlled our program and now attacks it from the outside. We must give him our support and be patient as this will not be an easy fight nor will it be a short one.
As for now, Hooker's message is not pleasant, but it is accurate and straight forward. Hate the Punk if you will and hope we will get a chance sometime in the future to stomp his face into the mud, hopefully, quoting Larry Munson, with a hobnail boot.
duncanvol writes:
how many stars was paige or slick shelly? do you know how many high school all american's or riding the pine at div. 1 school's? I know that's not alway's the case but i think to many of us are getting caught up in how many star's a kid has. staying positive is the only thing that will help this program. i hope there's not a bunch of empty seat's at ala. game like kane suggested because it will make it to hard to find him! LOL! GO VOLS!
stayingorange writes:
Hooker, you're quoting yourself from what you were asked on your own paper's radio show? Is that because no one else will speak to you, which I guess is why you can only write columns of your own opinion and rip and reprint articles written by other news sources that you likely find from postings to your own columns as people use true sources to debunk your bad writing/reporting?
I'm amazed KNS actually pays you and allows you to put bylines on the copy and paste jobs you post.
TinCup writes:
Ambles needs to go anywhere but UT.
flatrock writes:
Here are 2 suggestions that might be too easy for the
NCAA to process:
--when a head coach or assistant coach leaves one school for another, he is barred from recruiting for say 12 months any athlete that he officially visited or hosted while employed by the first school;
--if the athlete is determined to follow the
coach to his new school, the athlete cannot
receive a grant-in-aid for 12 months (an exception would be granted if an athlete had
already officially visited or been officially
visited by the school prior to the new
coach moving).
Bottom line: it would hopefully force the
athletes into focusing on the program instead
of the salesman-coach.
Another move that might lessen the impact of
these ill-timed changes would be to move the
official signing date from early February to
mid-March.
Hunch: Derek Dooley's hiring will prove to
be not just a homerun- but a grand slam!
LiveFaith writes:
Of course, all this is just Hookers opinion. But, here's a thought ...
The Philip Fulmer coached Vols did not win a National Championship, and dominate the late 90s with "diamonds in the rough". Mainly diamonds.
No way Hammy hires DD on an interview where he gives him a diamond in the rough vision. CDD may (or may not) be taking that approach this year. But as for the future, we will be headed for obscurity if that happens to be the MO.
901Vol4Life writes:
Ambles can kick rocks. We've already got a nice group of receivers coming in. That comment about Kiffin running a clean program was laughably absurd. Apparently, water does seek its own level.
ThugTillIDie writes:
Two terrible ideas. The NCAA would be sued and it wouldn't stand up in any court of law.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
"Cancer"? By golly, you've done it! Of all the names Lane Kiffin has had thrown at him, this one fits best of all. Even better than the term Canker Sore Kiffin I was considering throwing out there on account of how he runs his lying mouth. Given his behavior in how he left and his post-UT conduct, "cancer" is so much more accurate. I hereby change his first name from Lane to Cancer (maybe Canker Sore) can be his nickname.
In no way meaning to disrespect the courageous people who battle the scrounge of cancer in all too real life, I also propose the following. Let's hope he faces some NCAA violation penalty chemotherapy and bone marrow surgery.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Oh...my...goodness!! The scumbag really does get inside these kids' heads doesn't he? Do Ambles nor his parents not read the papers or watch the sports news? UN-BE-LIEVABLE!
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Thank you, rockytop. I've been wanting to tell everybody the same thing, but you put it together very nicely. I will add that Dave Hooker would have a hard time putting together a story about our recruiting without mentioning the Punk's shenanigans, because it's all intertwined. Keep on keeping us informed as much as possible, Dave. I'm sick to my stomach of all things Kiffin, but I'll read any article that relates to recruiting players for the Vols.
Also let me add that, though the verdict may still be out on whether Coach Dooley can bring us back to where we want to be as far as a football program, I take pride in the fact that at least our coach WILL NOT embarrass us in front of the entire nation every time he opens his mouth. That's an awfully good start, and I'm solidly behind him on the coaching part also. How 'bout we all give the man a chance, huh?
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
txvolsfan writes:
Great article Hookless,
You will be hearing from my attorney.
I'm sueing you for the last 3 minutes of my life
that your ridiculous, "Glass Empty" approach to journalism!!! Now it's 4 minutes because your articles are so bad I had to respond to the NEGATIVITY you spew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NJVolFan writes:
I have no problem with Dooley's tactics given the time-frame he has to work with this year; I really think when the dust settles we will have a solid if not spectacular class. In light of "Team Kiffin's" abrubt departure and the messy aftermath I don't see how any recruit would want to follow them and for those that do we probably don't want them here anyway. As for Ambles I have posted a few times that, in my humble opinion, we should not chase this kid as he has headcase written all over him. Ambles quote noted at the end of this article should make ALL Vol fans say, "go west young man, go west!)
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