Tennessee’s may not be done with its 2010 signing class.
The Vols are carrying on discussions with Dallas Hendrickson, a 6-foot-1, 295-pound center that will visit UT’s campus on Thursday.
Hendrickson said he received the invite after his coach at Iowa Western Community College, Scott Strohmeier, sent tape of his play to UT’s coaches.
“The next day I heard from them,” Hendrickson said Wednesday. “They were pretty excited and wanted me to come down for a visit. I was very surprised.”
Strohmeier was aware that the Vols needed help at center and was willing to help Hendrickson, who still has a season of eligibility remaining at Iowa Western.
“Dallas is a great center,” Strohmeier told InsideTennessee.com. “He is a really smart kid and has the head for the game. He is a great center.”
"… It will be bittersweet for us (if he leaves), but I told him to do the best thing for him. It will be a little different running out in front of 108,000 Tennessee fans than it is here in Iowa.”
UT’s centers struggled throughout spring practice. Converted senior defensive tackle Victor Thomas began camp as the first-team center before yielding the position to back-up Cody Pope.
Hendrickson would be available to play this season as a member of the 2010 class. Hendrickson has one redshirt season and three years of eligibility remaining.
Hendrickson said UT has not offered him a scholarship, but said the coaches planned on making a decision about whether to extend an offer by this weekend.
"It would be hard to pass up. That’s for sure,” he said.
Hendrickson had no scholarship offers last season and no Division I offers after his senior season at St. Ansgar (Iowa) High School, which is why he decided to attend junior college.
Hendrickson said he had no academic shortcomings coming out of high school, which is often the case with junior college signees, but felt he was good enough to play Division I so he signed with Iowa Western and hoped for another chance at a higher level.
Hendrickson said his quickness off the line of scrimmage and discipline off the field are his strengths. His toughness has also been noted as a plus.
“I haven’t missed a game in probably four years of high school, then last year (in junior college),” he said. “Haven’t had to battle any injury. The small ones, I can get through it.”
Hendrickson was a four-sport standout in high school, playing football, baseball, wrestling and throwing the shot put and discus in track.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 180
bnakk#240693 writes:
Sounds a little like Scott Wells.....
NoSirRee writes:
Sounds a little desperate to me, but if he's like Scott Wells at all I'm for it. I guess it can't hurt to bring him in and see what happens.
vol94 writes:
I agree.. seems like we have really lowered our standards. I understand we have an immediate need and this is a "quick fix" but geez... cannot believe our program has sunk so low.
I agree we are in the "desparate" stage
in certain positions. Not Dooley's fault and hope he can turn this around.
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
If he was a four sport standout in high school, he obviously is an athletic type kid. Would certainly be quite a find if he could come in and give them some time in the rotation at center.
HtownVol writes:
If he is capable of playing better or as good as what we have, OFFER HIM!!!!
We have some great talent coming in this class on the line, but they need a year of experience.
2011 we should have a pretty descent O-Line, along with the all-star WRs (expecting) and 3-4 solid RBs and I hope Tyler wins the job, this offense can grow together this year and be on track in the future.
I believe Tyler can be a great QB, and we are solid at every position other than O-Line. Unfortunately that could end up costing us a lot of games this year. Once they get experience and CDD can continue to sign great recruits we should not have to go through this again for a long time.
I will not predict a W-L record for 2010, but after this year I expect UT to go to a bowl game (getting better each year) every year. And there is no reason for this staff to not go to a bowl. If we miss out after 2010 I will be the first to call for a new coach.
It may be harsh, but I really see no excuse with the talent on this roster.
Sorry, got off topic..
GO VOLS
elbtenn#502977 writes:
Come on--show him the dotted line!
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
I am interested in knowing if he was a championship level wrestler in Iowa as a high schooler. If yes, that is exactly what is needed to play center at a Div 1 school. If no, it may be a flyer.
lvhemphill#250428 writes:
What's to lose, we need line help and a lot of it, forget what it looks like, obviously the kid must be pretty good, why else would his juco coach send the video, got to be an improvement over two guys that never played the position before, show him the dotted line and get his young but enrolled in the second session of summer school. We will take all the help we can get. Got to figure coming from the Mid-West he is a big strong corn feed country boy, he will probably be a bit mean, nasty, and strong as an ox.
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
This guy could be a complete failure or a great player. Let the coaches decide on his ability and potential.
So far, I see nothing desperate about the UT program.
bugman (Inactive) writes:
um no thx
mtowntim writes:
Some kids are wise enough to recognize a golden opportunity then work their tail off for it.
GO VOLS!!!
CoverOrange writes:
I don't believe in altruism. The JC coach benefits in reputation if he can get his players to the next level. Not saying this kid isn't deserving, but don't believe that just him being deserving is the only reason the coach sent the tape.
tloutn writes:
The kid was 41-3 as a senior wrestler in high school finishing 3rd in the state meet. He lost in the semis to the eventual state champ who was 44-0.
Sounds like an athlete, now lets just see if he's a football player.
easleychuck writes:
Some kids are rated 5 stars and for various reasons-- grades, discipline issues, the recruiting services are wrong (I know go figure, who could believe it) etc. and the kid youngster doesn't even contribute.
This kid could very well be the unrecruited prospect that folks did not pick up on. Center is a weakness for the Vols. The coaches are taking a measured approach. They saw something on his film. Other than possibly being a tad short, he has size and smarts (a great trait in a center). He appears to be very athletic based on the article. I feel that the coaches we have in place can look him over and I trust them to make the right decision. One of the Sullins twins did a decent job at center most of the time last season and this kid appears to be very similar to him.
Here is one vote for the kid measuring up and UT finding a diamond in the rough. Good luck to all concerned.
tnsportsman writes:
The kind of find that makes SportsCenter! CDD, get this guy signed and on the field!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Turbo,
Both you and Naval make good points. My point is just that we should not talk bad about a player because he is a JUCO kid. He may be a bust, but he might be great. UT is paying the coaching staff big $$ to make these decisions. If they valued my opinion, they would either ask me or pay me, since they do neither, I will put faith in our staff.
GO VOLS
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
He may or may not work out, but I see no harm whatever in our staff evaluating this young man.
txvolsfan writes:
YAWN
charles57#1378642 writes:
Very well stated.
I'm becoming sick of 'monday morning QB's' or should I say 'monday morning coaches?'
RoadTrip writes:
First team all state for 1A in high school. Wrestled in high school as well. Went to a small school, which is probably why he flew under the radar. Looks like he developed well in the weight room and his academics are really good.
UKandUF writes:
What are the Vols coaches waiting for, offer him a scholarship!!!
TennesseeGorilla writes:
Sounds like a good story to me if the kid can play bring him in...who's to say he didn't just get overlooked? He might be a player...
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Thanks for the video. I can see why Coaches Dooley and Hiestand want a closer look.
FWBVol writes:
We will only have 70-75 players on scholarship this year so we have a few to give. I'd rather fill a scholarship with a kid we take a chance on than to have a scholly sit vacant. We know a vacant scholly means one less body to compete for a starting job or playing time.
Give the guy a shot and if he doesn't make it we've lost no more than we did with the supposed No. 1 recruit in the nation that the last head coach signed.
The fact is the offensive line is perhaps our weakest unit this year. A kid that has played a year of junior college ball has already acclimated himself to life after high school and could come in and compete immediately.
TommyJack writes:
Coaches coach, scouts scout, trolls troll. Kid may be a keeper. I don't know. Nor do any of you doubting mopes.
mtowntim writes:
easley nailed it. This is Dallas' chance for the big show, he will bring it 110%. Sign him up then coach him up. GO VOLS!!!
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Exactly!!
CincyOhVol writes:
I'm very skeptical of Dooley's ability to evaluate talent. Seems like he keeps going for guys that might have been something for La. Tech. but not necessarily UT.
However, Dooley and staff just evaluated the OL for several weeks in Spring workouts. If they think this guy in an upgrade from what they saw what does it hurt to get him here and let him compete for the job.
cjones72 writes:
he looks like the best part of iowas offense
mtowntim writes:
concur. G.B.O.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
He'll only be in Knoxville for 2 years, stop panicking fans. The fact he had no D1 offers will get the trolls rolling on here, but this late in the game for 2010 any help is needed. This season will be a stepping-up to greater heights. Just don't expect even a mid-level bowl. Hopefully this team can GET to a bowl and maybe upset a team on the way there......
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Cincy...
Unless you are or have been a coach/recruiter on the college level, then I have to be skeptical of your ability to evaluate coaches. Just as you should be of my ability to do the same.
We have a lot of catching up to do in the recruiting arena, but until given reason to doubt, have faith in our staff. We need to have this team cleaned up and put a team on the field that all VOL fans can be proud of..a team that we can also be proud of when off the field,
Until proven otherwise, the coaches and players should have our support 100%.
RoadTrip writes:
Thanks for the video RR, I agree with you. I wish some of our Vol fans really understood what gems CDD has hired to coach up our guys. Time will prove it out, however, more positive talk by the Volnation would help our recruiting.
chrisw2967 writes:
suit him up and lets see what he can do , we can use all the help on the line we can get and if he is any good he will play if not he will get his degree.
CoverOrange writes:
Can't disagree with you one bit. No doubting mope here, nope, nope.
We've signed 25 so far in 2010, right? Isn't the limit excepting 3 more than can be charged to other years? Will this kid count against 2010 or 2009 since that was when he graduated HS? Any NCAA rulebook readers out there?
vol_in_bigten_land writes:
+ 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111
flatrock writes:
Thanks for the video, RichRollinz2. Good stuff.
Can tell he has wrestling background. Good feet,
good balance, great motor. Unless he's got a
Wal-Mart visit video about to be released, I
say sign him!
CarbonCopy (Inactive) writes:
Coach DD can pick talent, the rest of you just pick........ at everything else. Wonder what the RRRRIVALS and SSSSSCOUT had to say about the Sullins twins.......exactly
tree_em_smokey writes:
I say bring him in. What does it hurt, if he is good enough to start then he will start and if not he we ride the bench. GBO!!!!!
easleychuck writes:
So you are skeptical of Coach's ability to evaluate talent (your words).
But, you are okay with him evaluating the OL. You seem confused.
crimsonviper writes:
Props for the link RR2...He does look pretty good.
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
How many "diamonds in the rough" has Dooley found now? 10? 15? It's hard to keep track because every time UT recruits an unknown or obscure player, there are about twenty of you that jump on here and claim that Dooley has just found the next warren sapp or manning or whoever.
I wish Dooley would recruit me, then I'd have the Dooley cheerleaders saying, "sure he's a 5'10," 195 pound white guy that can't jump five inches...but Dooley recruited him, so he must be a diamond in the rough." Oh and there's always the one guy with a UT football encyclopedia that's able to find that single, historic player with the same height and weight as the new kid and say, "yeah he's small, but so was Barry such and such he was an All American in 1964."
I just hope that Dooley recruits some ridiculous player (like a 5'8" QB from Alaska) so that I can watch ya'll try to defend his choice.
And lets just be clear. I'm not insulting Dooley. Dooley isn't getting onto these message boards and posting undeserved accolades about himself.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Funny you asked: The Border Battle (annual matches between the best of MN and IA) of 2009 featured Dallas Hendrickson of St. Ansgar (IA), who had a 41-3 high school wrestling record, pinning Jamie Thomas of Fillmore (MN) Central in 0:49. I'd guess that as a center he would play low to the ground with leverage! (Anybody else know how to do research? SAVol
txsvol#372416 writes:
I must have glanced over your post when I made my comment. You, too, know how to do research. Congrats! SAVol
Huttdawg100 writes:
The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvAbGb...
516milesfromUT writes:
I disagree.Not desperate, just need more depth/bodies We do not have an expierenced true center on our sideline. Sounds like he would be the best we got & a good pick up. I wonder how those sullins brothers ever were???
FWBVol writes:
As I stated before, I don't see any harm in signing the kid. I did notice in watching the video link posted by RichRollinz2 that all of his snaps were shotgun. My one question is, does the kid have any experience snapping with the QB under center?
I like the way he moves and stays on his block until the play ends. He seemed to win most of his battles at the line and that's a positive.
People are complaining about a JUCO guy when our starting center last year was a former walkon that weighed 270 pounds. Nothing against Sullins because he was All Vol.
VolinCalif writes:
Clem
Why do you have to come on this board and be reasonable? You are messing things up a little. But having batted the bull with the two folks you talked to, well they are pretty honest also. Tubro pushes a little but is normally valid. Naval is football wise and tries to be honest about the subject. As for you I think you're right on the money. We have a great coach and staff we'll sure get there but they could need time. Anyway glad to hear the respect for our coaches.
The Old one
txsvol#372416 writes:
OK, the guy is a terrific wrestler, and Iowa arguably has the best high school wrestling program in the country. He also batted .456 as a first baseman, good enough for 3rd team Class 2A All-State (Iowa is not known as a baseball powerhouse). Don't think we'll see much high school film of his football playing, but I'm guessing he'll be offered by CDD, and he will accept. If he's not good enough to play SEC football, he can put the shot in track, add power-hitting to the baseball team, or win the SEC heavyweight wrestling championship! He's quick and explosive--my bet is that he can play SEC center, too. SAVol
VolinCalif writes:
Well let me see. Jim Thorpe was never recruited by any school. He never played a game of football before collage. Could be desperation time but could be a great find. But I am not the brain you are so I wouldn't know about pick-ups off the street.
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