Rajion Neal meant it when he said Tuesday that his recruitment was “open” after his weekend visit to Tennessee.
The 5-foot-11, 214-pound running back from Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga., said Thursday night he gave his pledge to new UT coach Derek Dooley.
“He was excited,” Neal said. “He said he was happy he got the guy he wanted. I was excited, too.”
Neal, who had been committed to Mississippi State, is the only running back to commit to UT for the 2010 signing class.
He decided to commit to the Vols after his official visit to Knoxville last weekend.
“I just felt comfortable there,” he said. “I felt it was a great situation with a new coaching staff and a coach that’s coming in and recruiting me himself and wanted me there. I enjoyed myself there and I enjoyed the people and the atmosphere.”
Neal saw that atmosphere with his host, linebacker Nigel Mitchell-Thornton.
The sophomore linebacker from Stone Mountain, Ga., told Neal he would be happy if he chose UT.
“He said it’s a great place to be with all the support they had,” Neal said. “He said he liked being there and enjoys himself being around the players and the community and the people that come to support them.”
Neal will enter what appears to be a crowded backfield at UT.
The Vols will return four running backs in 2010: junior Tauren Poole, sophomores Bryce Brown and David Oku, and redshirt freshman Toney Williams.
Still, Neal said he was promised an opportunity to earn playing time by Dooley.
Neal said his versatility should give him a chance to see the field.
“With my size people underestimate the speed that I run with,” he said. “People expect me to be a straight downhill runner, getting 2-3 yards per pop. I’m a very quick back and I can make people miss in the open field and make the big play.”
Neal said his commitment to UT is firm and he doesn’t plan to visit any schools before National Signing Day on Wednesday.
UT has 22 commitments, eight of which are already enrolled. The Vols are expected to sign approximately 27 prospects.
Josh Ward is a freelance contributor.
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Comments » 169
MikeInTN writes:
Welcome aboard!!!!
out_of_town_vol_fan writes:
wow. i am impressed with CDD. he must be working all hours.
BigOrange93 writes:
Hell yeah they are rolling in now.
VolFanInTheBoro writes:
4th
vol_4_fan writes:
and they keep coming,,,good job CDD & his asst. coaches. Go Vols
BlackSilverVol writes:
This commit plus a few more will push us above USC's class. Wonder how dumba** will like them apples? LOL!!!
gaj619 writes:
This young man should be a 5*. Power, speed and a nose for the end zone. I live in Tyrone and this is a major get for the VolNation and CDD.
lomas98 writes:
Has there been any movement or rumors of current players transferring since the coaching change? We had a lot of additions last recruiting season due to Kiffin's arrival. Just wondering if some players are willing to risk sitting out 1 year because they are not comfortable with Dooley.
go_vols_go writes:
Keep up the good work, Dooley!
orangevoltrain writes:
Keep it up Coach Dooley! Keep getting the recruits in!
RockyToptoNeyland writes:
Final Five I want: Demar Dorsey, Markeith Ambles, Chaz Green, Damien Robinson, and Delvin Jones
VOLsince68 writes:
Welcome to the hill Raijon. You will look great in Orange running out of the Power "T" next fall.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!
Ayres_Hall writes:
Welcome Rajion!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Go CDD!!!! This guy is a "hoss"! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!
Things are just gettting better and better for our football team since the arrival of CDD!!!! Can't wait until " IT's FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE"!!!!!
VOLS......TCB......KOKO......GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rockytopatl writes:
Search for this guy on Youtube. He is definitely the real deal. One long TD run after another. Speed, quickness and power.
VOLsince68 writes:
I'll take James Stone over a couple of these, but would like to see them ALL on the hill.
GO VOLS!!!!
dvols writes:
not hardly... the players that have gone through 2 coaching changes have been forced into a leadership role... i believe there will be bond there that glues this team together!
VOLsince68 writes:
Oh, and replace Ambles with Mr. Rogers.....
GO VOLS!!!!!
rockytopatl writes:
Scratch off Ambles; add Da'Rick Rogers. Georgia would go into mourning and we'll sing Rocky Top for awhile.
asleep#212036 writes:
It's probably too early to tell. I think DD and his coaches have spent so much time on the road that they have had precious little time with the current players. After NSD he'll sit down with the current players and discuss with each of them what's expected and where they will fit in his long-term plans. I doubt many will leave. There is only one class of Kiffinites, the rest belonged to Fulmer. If the '08 recruits survived last year's shakeup, I'm pretty confidant they will be OK now and Kiffin's '09 class has enough talent not to worry about it. DD sure is doing a great job holding and expanding this class. If he can coach, we're good to go in a couple of years. Go Vols!!!
Hair_of_Samson writes:
Good get...... now i hope Stone is the next one that comes in..... it is down to us and Bama!!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Agreed, we need Stone and Glass to sign and probably play immediately..All skill players and no protection for them is not going to work..
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Good post, but don't know about Ambles. He has been "all about ME" and he has a Severe case of Kiffinitis. "Kiffinitis"......one that has been infected by a horrilble, uncurable disease which causes one to believe in all liars and fairy tales too. GBO!!!!!
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Nice!!! CDD doing his thing!! Making our last snot coach look like a joke!! Keep rolling!! Where are the trolls? GBO!!
Hair_of_Samson writes:
Yeah, having big ugly headhunters are always a good thing to have...... especially when they split open holes!
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
That would just be the gravy!
GOVOLS!!!
touchdownrajionneal writes:
Told ya guys
Hair_of_Samson writes:
COME ON JAMES STONE!!!!
77VolFS writes:
Don't forget James Stone - gotta hold off Bama
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!
GO VOLS!!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
WOOOHOOO!!!!
This just gets better and better. I am really impressed with Dooley's recruiting abilities.
GBO!!!
volunteerfan27204#295834 writes:
man I love How Dooley has kept his nose to the grind. No smartass soundbytes, just good ole fashion hard work and doing it the right way. This man is a keeper and I am proud to Say that I am a TENNESSEE FAN! YEAH. kepp em coming Dooley, I am behind you all the way.Heck YEAH Go BIG ORANGE
lomas98 writes:
Now that is an intelligent post. Did that question upset you or something. Just wondering about our current players while all of the recruiting season is ending. There were several players who left when Kiffin came on board, the same could happen now.
JCJ1986 writes:
Here's who we have a serious shot at: WR Da'Rick Rogers, OL James Stone, OL Shon Coleman, DT Calvin Smith, OL Damien Robinson, OL Chaz Green, DB Demar Dorsey (long shot), WR Markeith Ambles (long shot)
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I already forgot his name. Oh well!!! LOL!!
BornVolDieVol writes:
I am confident!! I am confident in the Tennessee Vols and I am confident in Coach Dooley! We are Tennessee! Welcome to the family Neal! I think this may end up being THE MOST memorable recruiting class yet!!!!
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I say we end up with 3 maybe 4 of those IMO.
brown-bag-vol-fan writes:
Just more gravy!
GO VOLS!!!
VOLINTN64 writes:
We will be in the SEC Championship game before Lamey is even able to go to a Bowl game.CDD is the man to create MEN GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pm01 writes:
I'm really impressed with Coach Dooley.
Looks like Kiffin's departure might have been the best thing Lane could have done for the Vols (though I don't blame Kiffin for taking his dream job). More and more stories are coming out of prospects considering UT now that Kiffin and Co. (minus Monte) are gone. I think in the long run Dooley is the best thing for UT. If recruits believe as much and start coming to UT, it's just a matter of time before it comes to fruition.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I want a million bucks and marrisa miller....life is full of disappointments.
PlaidinOrangeandWhite writes:
Link on Neal:
http://tennessee.scout.com/2/941919.html
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
as much as we would like for K to crash in recruiting, it ain't gonna happen. USC will be in the top three before it's over. K doesn't like to announce his commitments for a couple reasons - if a top commit announces, it could keep another top player of the same position from committing. Also, by not announcing, it keeps other teams from using that against them by other teams.
As much as we hate to admit it, K is a tremendous recruiter and will not be beaten in that game.
soccervol writes:
Big shout out to Coach Chaney, Coach Thompson and of course Coach DD!! I think these coaches that are leftover from the stank before, have really enjoyed being with this school and I think they will have a special place with us vol fans. I really hope they stay around for a long time.
Looking forward to the new era!!
Bluesvol writes:
Rivals has moved Tennessee up to #7 in team rankings....one spot ahead of USC....
soccervol writes:
And welcome Neal along with the rest of the recruits...This place will be rocking in no time!! GO VOLS!
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Lomas... No news no worries. GBO!!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
If we could add Rogers, it would certainly put a little salve on the Marlon Brown wound. Wonder if he wishes now that he had signed with UT
Cldvols1 writes:
Welcome Mr Neal! Things are lookin up on Rocky Top. Go Big Orange!!!
Hair_of_Samson writes:
HAHAHA! USC at 8 and Vols 7!
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