Tennessee picked up its fourth football commitment when Tom Smith gave the Vols his verbal pledge Tuesday.
Smith is a 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back from Apopka (Fla.) High School.
Smith was visiting UT with teammates Spencer Waseem and Keon Brooks, according to The Orlando Sentinel .
"It feels good. I like everything about it, especially the coaching staff, they're amazing," Smith told the newspaper in a story on its website Tuesday. "Just being around here and around the players and I like the community ... just being around here is like being around family."
Smith also considered Pittsburgh, Virginia and Northwestern.
"Tennessee was just that much better. I had no idea I was going to commit," Smith told the newspaper.
Smith finished his junior season with 1,651 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 95
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Picking up steam.
2010 9 - 3 Keep on truckin' CDD! Go VOLS!
JBVols1698 writes:
Wow. 9-3.... Not going to happen. We will be lucky to have a winning record. Take off the orange shades and get realistic. No reason to be disappointed in a 7-6 season with the QB/Oline/LB issues we have.
JBVols1698 writes:
Isn't this the 4th commitment for this years class. One of those Jucos is in this years class and not going to be added before this season I think.
And the way the headline reads its like "yeah I'll come to Tennessee, I guess if I have to" lol
gnm53108 writes:
I'm with ya renegade.
Well as long as we beat bama...and florida...and vandy...and keep the streak going over ky...damn do we have to lose 3?
gwaidley#279246 writes:
This is the 4th commitment, not 3rd.
I can see a possible, albeit highly optimistic, scenario where the Vols go 8-4 this season.
UT-Martin W
Oregon W (home at night)
Florida L
UAB W
LSU L
Georgia L (only because it's in Athens, they're tired of getting beat, and a new D coord)
Alabama L
USC W (only because UT will be itching to get a W here after 3 straight losses)
Memphis W
Ole Miss W (at home and looking for revenge and time to develop a little depth)
Kentucky W (make it 26!)
Vandy W
TommyJack writes:
ZZ? That you in disguise?
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Yep, you're right. Forgot to finish the schedule.
3 losses are to Oregon, slidetide and LSU.
Run the SEC east and smackdown Arkansas in Atlanta.
Outplay an over-ranked ACC opponent in the Sugar Bowl.
2010 + postseason 11 - 3 Keep on truckin' CDD! Go VOLS!
gnm53108 writes:
Apopka huh...as long as it's not pahokie.
Welcome aboard Tom.
JBVols1698 writes:
No I'm being serious. They should have said "Tom Smith Commits to Tennessee" not "Tom Smith say's he'll come to Tennessee" it almost sounds like he was like "ok coach I'll give you guys a chance to sway me I will come to Tennessee for a visit"
From that headline it doesn't sound like he's making an enthusiastic commitment. Just thought it was humorous. You guys are so anal.
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
Completely reasonable!
I see no way that we win less than 5 - UT-M, UAB, Memphis, Kentucky, and Vandy.
After that, IMO the order in increasing likelihood of winning each game is:
Ole Miss - New QB and RB
Georgia - New QB
South Carolina - No QB (Grin)
Oregon - New QB (and we have the DC that shut them down last year)
LSU - No coach, new QB
Florida - New QB, first road SEC game.
Alabama - 9 new starters on defense.
How far we go into that list is totally dependent upon OL and QB play. Our defense, barring injuries, should be good enough to allow us to win all of them.
GerryOP writes:
Not bad for a coach that many on here believe isn't good at recruiting.
81 -- Fear The Dooley Dude...
Chris4Vols22 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Decent prospect;Espn rates him as #66 at RB position..APopka has an excellent program and he has a 3.5 GPA; Gators weren't interested because he doesn't have Rainey or Demps kind of speed
PrideOfTheSouthlandBand writes:
Back to the topic at hand, everyone says he's a 3 star back. After watching the youtube video on him, his cut is a little slow, but he cannot be tackled without taking out his legs. I know he doesn't show all the flash and spin moves some backs show, but is there anything wrong with hitting a hole with a full head of steam? He seems to have amazing balance. He broke a lot of tackles, yes against high school competition and we play in the SEC but his frame according to espn can hold another 10-15lbs of muscle. That would seem to turn a high school back into a college workhorse. Oh and he has an offer from Pitt. Has anyone cared to look at the magazines about who has some of the best backs in the country? Pitt is on the list, so I'd say they would be pretty good at judging talent at tailback.
volguy#211935 writes:
I know Tom Smith personally as a UT man here behind enemy lines. He's a big, bruising running back and he runs incredibly hard. He rushed for nearly 2,500 yards and 34 TDs combined as a sophomore and junior. His team was 22-5 over those seasons playing in Florida's biggest classification. Despite his toughness as a runner, he's got soft hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield. I really think Tom Smith will fit in well with UT's offense. I am very excited about his commitment.
Chris4Vols22 writes:
We haven't lost to USC for the past 3 years...In fact, we've won the past 4 games.
BigBadVol writes:
Why do we have so many morons post on this site?
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
Not only is his reading comprehension lacking...he is also WRONG in the point he was trying to make.
We have not beaten South Carolina 3 years in a row...we lost to them in 2008. I know we would all like to forget that season, but man it was only 2 years ago that they waxed us pretty good in Columbia.
PureOrange writes:
Could never suck as bad as some of the posters here.
Glad to have this kid. I trust our coaches. Go Vols!
jmr68ut writes:
Verbal commitment and $5.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
Volunatic writes:
Welcome to Tennessee, Tom!
GO VOLS!!!
Bogus writes:
Thanks for the link.
Love the potential, but the kid could definately benefit from a redshirt year. Watching those clips with all of the wildcat formations, dude is gonna need a year just to learn how to pass block. Like the fact he hardly went down. 6A Florida ball is no joke. Let's hope he sticks with his commitment. Could be pretty good down the road backing up Williams, Neal, and Oku. If anything he could contribute early on special teams.
Volunatic writes:
You seem a little edgy. Maybe you should switch to decaf.
Volunatic writes:
Thanks for the insight. He sounds really good, and his highlight video looks promising.
Volunatic writes:
Apologies to my earlier comment to BillBattle. I had not seen this comment previously-- BillBattle judged correctly.
OrangeCrush writes:
100% agree!
Sounds like a good kid with a big upside.
Get 'em DD
Mobbdeep4life writes:
Not related to this story but it is about recruiting. The big O-lineman, Watts Dantzler, will announce his choice on Sunday and UT is high on his list. That would be a great pickup. It seems that once you get one highly coveted player to commit then other commits start rolling in. Hopefully the recruiting momentum will pick up during this summer.
gnm53108 writes:
Yep.
But we damn sure dont hold a monolopy.
cumberlandVOL writes:
why is everyone not excited about this guy?! a smart kid with speed and power- what's not to like? I think vol fans are so committed to staying stuck in their little pity party that we are incapable (or at least unwilling) to be happy when we get a good prospect to commit. it's been fashionable as vol fans to be negative and nit-picky about every little thing that hasn't gone our way since we won our NC. it makes me sick and ashamed to be associated with these so-called fans. i think we have forgotten that the team we cheer for is comprised of 18-22 year old young men who invest their lives in playing for the orange and white. why we can't be proud of the young men we have on the team and the committment they have made to our beloved state and university, regardless of game outcome, is beyond me. we should be excited about tennessee football regardless of what recent outcomes have delivered to us. why are we so gloomy anyways? the inevitable underdog role for UT makes every victory that much sweeter; and we know UT will surprise a few more people each year until we are back on top. The vols are going to produce an upset or two this year. Just watch.
murrayvol writes:
And more than a few are banal.
516milesfromUT writes:
We are well set at the RB position.
by the time he is done with HS more teams will want this kid!
Welcome to the BIG ORANGE NATION>
rocky_topper writes:
We're on a roll now! I'm sure the other SEC schools and other conferences are taking notes.
CincyOhVol writes:
Scout gives him 3 Stars and ranks him as the 59th RB.
ViperOrange writes:
I just read over on Volnation that the Randolph kid committed also.
DaddyVol writes:
Man!!! He is a bruising back. Love his ability to make a cutback. Looks strong and quick.
Welcome to TERNNESSEE young man!
DaddyVol writes:
Thats not what I am hearing. He thinks Richt is a short termer, and wants to be in a program with a real future.
DaddyVol writes:
Smith looks like Eddie George...but he can actually turn a corner!
gnm53108 writes:
Dont think we'll lose 3 either?
smokies_old_soul writes:
JB >>>>> as a life-long vols fan, i will always defend my rightful place as an ego-maniac with an inferiority complex.
so yes, the headline is awful - sorta reflects the fan base's feelings right now about our beloved football vols - lukewarm and hoping for the best.
i got more excited about kiffin finally getting a little deserved karma his way than i have been about summer workouts.
all told though, Tom Smith sounds like a very good player and we are happy to have him.
things will right themselves - ya know, ten years ago we were still on top of the world coming off three straight BCS Bowls, two SEC titles and a national championship. we will cycle back around to the top - people just don't understand it's about the programs that are at the top more than they are in the middle over time - and Tennessee is still a Top 10 football program nationally - over time.
utfpmd writes:
I appreciate his willingness to verbally commit so early, and I am excited he will be a Vol.
These guys who are will to step up early in the recruiting season and commit to being a Vol are always special.
oldsarge writes:
For those who don't recognize the offense, Apopka is running the Unbalanced Line Single Wing.
tdforvols writes:
This just in....
Three-star defensive back Brian Randolph of Kell (Marietta, Ga.) has chosen Tennessee over Georgia Tech.
Florida, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech and Stanford have also offered.
99gator writes:
no "we stole him from urban" comments.
wow, there's progress on these boards.
i don't know anything about this kid. best of luck to him.
Realist writes:
In the third play, #7 from the opposing team almost catches him from behind in a dead sprint. If Thomas runs a 4.5, I sure might take a small look at the other #7 also!
Bogus writes:
No need to say we stole him from Urban. UF never offered, he's not Urban's style of running back. Randolph is a different story, as UF did offer him. Not like it's gonna hurt UF or anything, if you guys need an extra DB just throw the do-everything Ronald Powell back there.
SEC1 writes:
WoW another 3 star ,thanks dooley for making sure the gators will reel off an additonal 5 straight victories!!!!
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Buzzed posting is drunk posting.
Mobbdeep4life writes:
Dream Team? LOL!
I guess we will all find out on Sunday then.
VolGrad writes:
FYI DDL,
CPF had a FULL season the last year he was here and went 5-7 (2008). He went 10-4 the year before when Coach Cutcliffe was still on the staff as OC. And what does Mike Hamilton have to do with this guy's prediction?
Lowered expectations? You quote stats out of context and call 8-4 lowered expectations? Then, you ask him why he would call 8-4 something to cheer about. (???) Finally, you question how he could predict an 8-4 season considering the coaching changes and our roster deficiencies. Man, you are all over the place here.
He was predicting 8-4; most would call that overly optimistic. He wasn't "cheering" anything. He was just making his prediction..., a rather optimistic one. And you jump him for having lowered expectations AND for being overly optimistic. Wow! I think someone switched your testosterone pills with estrogen, dude.
So, what are you really trying to say in this post?
Go Vols!!!
gillblog writes:
If nothing else, I'm encouraged by the language he used in describing the coaching staff and the 'feeling' of being at UT. That has to be a good sign about this program. Can't remember a lot of LK's recruits talking about the feeling of UT or about the staff being anything other than a stepping stone to the pros.
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