James Stone has evidently eliminated one of his strongest suitors.
The offensive lineman from Maplewood High School in Nashville told Auburnundercover.com that he will not take his official visit to Auburn this weekend as previously planned so that he can focus on the two finalists in his recruitment: Alabama and Tennessee.
Stone took an official visit to UT last weekend. He took an official visit to Alabama on Jan. 15.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder is rated the fifth-best prospect in the state by the News Sentinel. Stone is considered an important target for the Vols, who have to rebuild an offensive line that loses four seniors from last season.
The Vols have landed only one prospect from within their borders for the 2010 class: Ooltewah defensive end Jacques Smith, who enrolled at UT earlier this month.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 150
MTSUVOL writes:
Stone, you would be a GEM for the Vols!!! WE need you Mr. Stone!!
appalachianvol writes:
We are about due some good news. I sure this young man decides to stay home and make us all proud.
GBO
RoadTrip writes:
You get to the NFL equally fast at either school, James. The Vols need you more and you will be on the field faster. Come to Rocky Top!
GGO!
VolFanNC writes:
Depth chart wise, UT should figure to be the leader. Bama though should be in the SEC title game for the next 4 years unless Saban leaves, he just might have to sit for 2-3 years before getting his shot.
Hopefully he will look at the opportunity to play early at UT and the chance that UT will actually challenge UF for the SEC E starting next year or 2011.
TommyJack writes:
Stay in state, man.
Munsterlander writes:
Good news...
WV_Vol writes:
Here's to hoping playing time factors big into his decision!
nocleats writes:
Your state school NEEDS and WANTS you !! Come to The Hill and be loved for the rest of your life, not just the next 4 or 5 years.
dgcarter43 writes:
James Stone would certainly get on the field sooner at UT due to the lack of depth in the line. He will also solidify a top 10 recruiting class. UT is where you need to be Mr. Stone.
HallowedHill writes:
We could really use you right away, Mr. Stone!
GO VOLS!
gatorsfan writes:
hope he comes to ut. but here is some bad news joe barry got out of his contract to go to usc to be line backers and db coach. story at www.tampabay.com
Thad123 writes:
Thats not bad news we passed on him. IMO that was a good decision. Passed may not be the correct term but Dooley had not called him since Friday so to me that is passed if you want someone to work for you then you call.
navyvolinva writes:
Joe Barry is going to USC...Go Figure!!!
Thad123 writes:
For what has been happening in Knoxville the past month that is just news not bad news. I think you know what i am saying.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Stone! What a great name for an OL.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Fantastic..I could find much good to read about him anyway.
GreerVol22 writes:
Sounds like Monte is trying to put the band back together...problem is, his instrument is rusty.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
James,
Come be a superstar for your own state! Come play for Tennessee!! You will have no regrets! Go Vols!!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Depends on how quick he wants to play. Bama is loaded up. Maybe he wants to warm the bench for two years but I think he's got it figured out. He's a VOL ..Book IT
psvol69 writes:
I think he will stay here and go to UT. We certainly need him..
BTW Rivals has our class ranked at 11th nationally so things arent looking as bad as thought to be after Lame & Thug Co. bolted !!!!
We just may make it into the top 10 by Feb 3.
VOLinCO writes:
rusty trombone reference?
LiveFaith writes:
Vandy?
VOLsince68 writes:
James, we need you brother. You would be a wonderful addition on the hill. Make your fellow statesmen proud and stay in state. You WILL see the field sooner at UT.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!
bigorange61 writes:
Barry is quoted as saying "I think SC couldn't have hired a better head coach to replace Pete Carroll than Lane Kiffin..."
Either he's a great liar or a stupid SOB. Either way, good riddance.
VOLsince68 writes:
Most of us don't think this is bad news. I myself was NOT all that excited about Barry. He led an 0-16 Detroit Lions defense.........Wow, lets get him here now..........not
Besides, he's a USC grad. We'll get the right guy.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!
RegentVol writes:
Yeah, this really is all Stone needs to know to make his decision easy. That, plus he would only be about 2.5-3 hours from home. Sounds pretty clear cut to me, but then again, I'm a little biased. GO VOLS
crimsonviper writes:
I think he will TJ.
He was turned off by Kiffin
Dooley made a big impression on him and he has always been a Vol fan
He will be a great one IMO....GBO!
volunteer_cowboy writes:
YA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. i'm so glad. Did not want him here at UT dreaming of california and monte
psvol69 writes:
Furthermore. STARS and RANKINGS of a PLAYER or CLASS DOES NOT mean everything. Many highly touted players end up a bust... ALSO look at schools like TCU, BYU, and BOISE STATE.. Where do you see their classes ranked ???? How many of these 4 and 5 star recruits you see going there and look at how well these programs have done. Especially BOISE STATE--- they have had like 2 undefeated seasons in the past 4 years and the other 2 years only lost like 1-2 games. They have an AMAZING record and its not the roster of 4-5 star players... ITS COACHING !!! thats the key to any player regardless of ratings....
WAY TOO MUCH EMPHASIS IS BEING PLACED ON RATINGS !!!!!!
nwcs writes:
That's what I was thinking.
LiveFaith writes:
Yeah, or a great reason to stay out of Brian Williams' & Gerald Jones' cars. :-D
MidTennVol writes:
Is it just me or is anyone else enjoying the peace and quiet, the professionalism, coming from the program now?
I love the silence. My translation: it means they are busy working for the program, rather than trying to get on SportsCenter.
gwbask writes:
Come on to Rocky top. You'll probably get alot of early playing time.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Couldn't you just hear John Ward. "What a block by the rock, James Stone!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Looking more like Everett Withers will be DC. I like him. Just wait until day after signing and he's a VOL. That would be Next Thursday. Book IT
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
Big ,you have a way with words . I think he's both .
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
I think it will be Sanseri at Alabama. Either one would be great!
tractoronthepole writes:
How many times are you going to cut and past this?
volzcrushm writes:
Two or three of these beasts with a couple of killer LBs and we are set to kick some butt!!
DooleyBall2012 writes:
Book it? lol.. you have been listening to talk radio to much Danno!
orangeman1 writes:
I would agree in general that there is too much emphasis on star ratings, but thats not to say that stars mean nothing either. You are right about having coaches to coach the recruits God given talent, but the reason Boise and TCU and BYU have such good records has to do with their weak schedules more than their talent. UT needs to go after the talented starred recruits. I know UT has had alot of 3,4, and 5 stars go to the NFL, but schools like TCU and Boise dont send near as many.
We need O linemen and we need to keep Stone instate
As far as coach Barry, I didnt think he was a good hire in the first place. USC can have him.
UTBEATEMALL writes:
I think he always wanted to go to TN, but was turned off when Coach Kiffin didn't prioritize him after the spring camp, but took commitments from two other lesser known campers. I think he trust Coach Chaney who has been recruiting him all along! Go with your first instinct and come to TN!!
KINGKONG writes:
Somebody help me out, who is the offensive line coach or we still seaching for one?
huntined#565710 writes:
That would be a great catch if we can get him..
But the way they say he is coming next hour he is not coming.. Hard to tell but he may be the one..
keepitreal4vols writes:
why do you like him? His Gopher D was middle of Big 10 last 2 years, maybe 50th in FBS, no improvement from previous years and IMO didn't do anything worthy of praise.
I guess you like him cause everyone else seems to be saying NO? Again, just asking what he has done that will get me excited?
SATCHMOE writes:
Mr.Stone you are a Son of Tennessee the Greatest State in the union,and now she is reaching out to you to defend and support her. Be a gentleman sir and support this lady with all you have.The Big Orange Nation is behind you and will be apart of you forever. Make the only choice as a Son.Tennessee Forever...
chrisw2967 writes:
Im glad he went there instead of here, I wasnt impressed with anything I had read about him.I know we could do better than this guy.
Because we had a all american player named Berry doesnt mean this Barry was going to be all world.
I wasnt that impressed with Montes def. he was awesome against prostyle off. but sucked when it came to the spread.4 of our 6 loses were against the spread and 5 if you count bama they just put Ingram back there and let him go.
wycoller writes:
Yeah, or "Every tackler must get STONED!!!!" With apologies, Bob.
ghost_of_which_doctor (Inactive) writes:
James,
Come to Knoxville and the Witch Doctor will give you some “bones”
pax_americana writes:
Boise State plays one, maybe two legitimate games a year. If they had to play an eight game SEC schedule with their talent, they'd go no better than 4-4, more probably 3-5. Sorry dude, when you consistently play Western Institute for Hair Design, and the Utah School of Cow Branding, I don't think you are going 11-1 legitimately. If Boise were to routinetly go out of their absolutely pathetic conference and schedule 4 other legitimate high major schools, then they might have an argument. Until then, STFU.
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