UTVols News and Opinions

Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol.29

Coach Scooter — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:39:13 -0600

Welcome to Coach Scooter’s final column of the 2006 football season. Sorry for the delay in getting this out, but the flu, becoming an expectant father and weeping over the loss of football season, made me put this off until I was emotionally stable to finish it. If you see tears on your computer screen, those would be mine….

And now, let’s take a look at the 2007 Vol signees:

Anthony Anderson
Athlete, 6-0, 175
Knoxville (Austin-East)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 41 overall athlete ... No. 9 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 13 overall prospect in Tennessee
(ESPN): No. 36 overall safety
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named to the Knoxville News Sentinel All-PrepXtra team as a wide receiver and defensive back.
Stats: As a senior, had 48 catches for 1,010 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense he recorded 67 tackles, two fumble recoveries and six interceptions.
Misc: Three-year starter on offense and defense ... Freshman and sophomore teams each finished 13-1 and advanced to third round of playoffs ... Point guard for basketball team ... Nominated for Wendy’s Heisman Award ... Son of Sam Anderson, who currently is serving as Senior Director of Community and Neighborhood Services for the City of Knoxville ... Coach at Austin-East HS: Kwayu Graham.
Full name: Samuel Anthony Anderson ... Born: Feb. 2, 1989.

Dashaun Barnes
Defensive Back, 6-2, 195
Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 29 overall safety prospect ... No. 53 overall prospect in Florida
Scout.com: No. 30 overall safety prospect ... No. 46 overall prospect in Florida
(ESPN): No. 15 overall safety
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named 2006 All-State second-team as a defensive back by the FHSAA ... Earned All-Region honors as a junior in 2005 and senior in 2006.
Stats: As a senior, recorded 71 tackles with seven tackles-for-loss, three and a half sacks, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and one pass break-up ... On offense as a senior, caught six passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns ... In the regional championship game against Pace, caught the game winning touchdown pass ... As a junior in 2005, finished with 43 tackles, one tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one interception that was returned for touchdown.
Misc: Three-year starter and four-year letterman in football ... Contributed to four straight district championships during his career at Lincoln ... Three-year letterman in track and qualified for the state championships in the high-jump (6-3.5) as a junior in 2005 ... Coach at Lincoln HS: Kyle Rice.
Full name: Dashaun Antonio Barnes ... Nickname: Franklin ... Born: Dec. 28, 1987.

Eric Berry
Athlete, 5-11, 195
Fairburn, Ga. (Creekside)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 1 overall cornerback ... No. 3 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 1 overall prospect in Georgia
Scout.com: No. 1 overall cornerback prospect ... No. 1 overall prospect in Georgia
ESPN: No. 1 overall cornerback ... No. 7 overall prospect in the nation
PrepStar: Top 100 ... No. 1 overall cornerback

Honors: Named to the PARADE All-America High School Football Team as a defensive back as a senior ... Named Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia .. Honored as Player of the Year in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal Constitution ... Named to Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Super South 100 team ... Member of 2006 G&W All-America Team as a defensive back and rated as the No. 3 overall player in the Southeast by G&W ... Named as a starter in the Army All-American Game.
Stats: Rushed for more than 1,500 yards and threw for more than 1,000 yards as a senior in 2006 ... Added three interceptions and more than 40 tackles on defense as a senior ... As a junior in 2005, totaled 67 tackles and five interceptions on defense ... Also as a junior, rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns while passing for 1,100 plus yards and nine touchdowns ... Finished 37-5 as the starting quarterback.
Misc: Two-time region champions and advanced to state 4A quarterfinals in 2006 ... Four-year starter at quarterback and safety ... Father, James Berry, was a three-year starter, four-year letterman and 1981 team captain for the Vols ... Owns Creekside records in long-jump (22-8) and 200-meter dash (21.76) ... 200-meter state champion as a sophomore and member of the 4x400 state champion relay as a junior ... Aspiring dentist is currently serving an internship at a dental office in Georgia ... National Honor Society member with a 3.75 GPA ... Coach at Creekside HS: Kevin Whitley.
Full name: James Eric Berry ... Born: Dec. 29, 1988.

William Brimfield
Defensive Line, 6-6, 300
Neeses, S.C. (Hunter-Kinard-Tyler)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 35 overall defensive tackle prospect
Scout.com: No. 57 overall defensive tackle prospect ... No. 13 overall prospect in South Carolina
ESPN: N/A
PrepStar: N/A

Honors: Named first-team All-State and All-Region as a senior in 2006 and junior in 2005 ... Named South Carolina preseason Elite 11 by the Orangeburg Times and Democrat.
Stats: Recorded 83 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two pass-breakups as a senior in 2006.
Misc: Led team to winning record and playoffs as a senior ... Three-year Team captain for the Trojans ... Tallied 12 tackles and three sacks against Wagner-Salley HS as a senior ... Starter at center for the Trojans basketball team ... Coach at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler HS: Jermaine Derricott ... Full name: William Deon Brimfield ... Born: March 8, 1989.

Todd Campbell
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 180
Franklin (Franklin)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 66 overall wide receiver ... No. 10 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 70 overall wide receiver ... No. 10 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 17 overall wide receiver ... No. 92 overall player in the nation
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Named third-team All-Midstate by The Tennessean as a senior in 2006 ... Named class 5A All-State as a junior in 2005.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, finished the year with 27 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns ... Also added five rushes for 52 yards and a touchdown as a senior ... As a junior in 2005, caught 35 passes for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns for a 23.3-yard average per catch.
Misc: Coach at Franklin HS: Craig Clayton.
Full name: Todd Shequille Campbell ... Born: May 1, 1989.

B.J. Coleman
Quarterback, 6-4, 180
Chattanooga (McCallie)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 10 overall pro-style quarterback ... No. 17 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 16 overall quarterback ... No. 9 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 90 overall quarterback
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named TSWA first-team All-State for Division II AAA as a senior in 2006 and the American General Mr. Football Award Winner for Division II AAA as a senior and junior ... Offensive MVP of the 2006 Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps Team ... named to the Tennessean’s Dream Team ... Led the West All-Stars to a 35-25 victory in the East Meets West All-American football game in Orlando, Fla., completing 6-of-7 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown ... Member of 2005 Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps ... Named All-District and All-Region in 2006.
Stats: Completed 166-of-257 attempts for 2,927 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior in 2006 ... Also as a senior, carried 51 times for 241 yards and seven touchdowns ... Threw for 2,203 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior in 2005 ... As a sophomore in 2004, passed for 1,993 yards and 15 touchdowns ... Holds school records for passing yards in a season and career and passing touchdowns in a season and career.
Misc: Led McCallie to Division II-AAA State Title Game in 2006 ... Three-year starter at quarterback ... Three-year starter on the baseball team at pitcher and in the outfield ... Coach at The McCallie School: Ralph Potter.
Full name: Bryon Elwyn Coleman Jr. ... Born: Sept. 16, 1988.

Kevin Cooper
Fullback, 6-1, 240
Chattanooga (Baylor)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 3 overall fullback prospect in the nation
Scout.com: No. 25 overall fullback prospect
ESPN: No. 7 overall fullback
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named TSWA first-team All-State for Division II as a senior in 2006 and as a junior in 2005 ... Offensive member of 2006 Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps ... Finalist for Division II-AAA Mr. Football award.
Stats: Rushed for 1,891 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2006 ... Also as a senior, added 29 receptions for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
Misc: Three-year starter at running back and linebacker ... Also a starter at forward on the basketball team ... Coach at The Baylor School: Phillip Massey.
Full name: Kevin Anson Cooper ... Born: Jan. 11, 1989.

Lennon Creer
Tailback, 6-1, 202
Tatum, Texas (Tatum)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 6 overall running back prospect ... No. 57 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 8 overall prospect in Texas
Scout.com: No. 10 overall running back prospect ... No. 9 overall prospect in Texas
ESPN: No. 8 overall running back ... No. 50 overall player in the nation
PrepStar: Top 100 ... No. 4 overall running back

Honors: Named 2A TSWA/Collin Street Bakery Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-State as a running back in 2006 and 2005 ... Named second-team Reebok Super Team as a running back in 2006 ... District MVP in 2006 and 2005 ... All-East Texas MVP as a senior and junior.
Stats: Totaled 2,835 yards rushing for 36 touchdowns as a senior in 2006 ... As a junior in 2005, tallied 2,106 yards rushing for 16 touchdowns ... As a sophomore in 2004, ran for 1,263 yards and eight touchdowns.
Misc: Helped lead Tatum to back-to-back state titles in 2005 and 2006 ... Three-time district champ in the 4x100 and 4x400 and state championship qualifier in both relays ... Cousin Andre Davis played running back at TCU from 1993-1995 and was drafted by the Oilers in the 1996 NFL Draft ... Coach at Tatum HS: Andy Evans.
Full name: Lennon Napolean Creer III ... Born: Oct. 13, 1988.

Chris Donald
Linebacker, 6-2, 220
Huntingdon (Huntingdon)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 1 overall inside linebacker ... No. 18 overall player in the nation ... No. 1 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 2 overall strongside linebacker prospect ... No. 47 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 1 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 3 overall outside linebacker ... No. 98 overall player in the nation
PrepStar: Top 100 ... No. 2 overall linebacker

Honors: Named to the Parade All-America High School Football Team as a senior linebacker ... Placed on the All-USA team by USA Today ... Honored as Class 2A American General Mr. Football winner as a senior in 2006, after being a finalist for the award in 2005 ... Selected to play in the Army All-American Game ... Three-time All-Region and All-State honoree ... Rated as the no. 6 overall player in the Southeast by G&W Recruiting ... Memphis Touchdown Club High School Player of the Year in 2006 ... Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club Player of the Year Finalist.
Stats: In his four-year career, tallied 280 tackles, 66 tackles-for-loss, 27 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries on defense ... In his four-year career at running back, rushed for a school record 4,690 yards and 56 touchdowns.
Misc: Contributed as a freshman on the 2003 Huntingdon state championship team, state runner-up team in 2004 and state semifinal team in 2005 ... Honored as team captain for Huntingdon as a senior and was a four-year starter for the Mustangs at linebacker and running back ... Three-year letterman on the Huntingdon basketball team ... Coach at Huntingdon HS: Mike Mansfield.
Full name: Chris Neal Donald ... Born: Nov. 27, 1988.

Art Evans
Athlete, 6-1, 185
Lakeland, Fla. (Victory Christian)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 42 overall athlete ... No. 64 overall prospect in Florida
Scout.com: No. 68 overall cornerback prospect ... No. 85 overall prospect in Florida
ESPN: No. 82 overall wide receiver
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named first-team All-State in class 1-B as a wide receiver by the FHSAA as a senior in 2006.
Stats: Caught 62 passes for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 21.9-yard per catch average as a junior in 2005 ... Also added 11 interceptions with two returned for touchdown on defense and eight punt returns for touchdowns on special teams as a junior ...
Misc: Led team to the state championship game as a senior ... Victory Christian lost 14-10 to FAMU ... Coach at Victory Christian HS: Dedrick Dodge.
Full name: Art Evans ... Born: June 19, 1988.

C.J. Fleming
Defensive Back, 5-10, 165
Highland Springs, Va. (Highland Springs)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 19 overall prospect in Virginia
Scout.com: No. 84 overall cornerback prospect ... No. 24 overall in Virginia
ESPN: No. 14 overall cornerback
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Two-time second-team All-State by the Associated Press and VHSCA as a junior in 2005 and senior in 2006 ... Named All-Metro in 2006 and 2005 by the Richmond Times-Dispatch ... Two-time All-Capital District and All-Central Region as a junior and senior.
Stats: Totaled 26 tackles, 13 pass breakups and six interceptions, returning one for touchdown 87 yards against Varina HS ... Also blocked three kicks as a senior ... As a junior, tallied 39 tackles, seven interceptions, 12 PBUs, three forced fumbles and three blocked kicks.
Misc: Three-year starter and three-year letterman in football ... Three-year letterman in track ... Coach at Highland Springs HS: Scott Burton.
Full name: Carroll Jerome Fleming ... Born: April 12, 1988.

Savion Frazier
Linebacker, 6-1, 225
Woodbridge, Va. (Gar-Field)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 17 overall prospect in Virginia ... No. 37 overall outside linebacker
Scout.com: No. 34 overall running back ... No. 7 overall prospect in Virginia
ESPN: No. 65 overall outside linebacker
PrepStar: All-Region (Atlantic)

Honors: Named first-team All-Met by the Washington Post as a linebacker in 2006 ... District Player of the Year and All-District ... Named All-Area and All-Region.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, rushed for 1,420 yards and 16 touchdowns on 201 carries ... On defense as a senior, added 50 tackles with five tackles-for-loss, five sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Misc: Three-year starter at running back and safety ... Finished 7-3 in 2006 with playoff berth for first time in three years ... Plays forward on the Gar-Field Basketball Team ... Coach at Gar-Field HS: Joe Mangano
Full name: Savion Dominique Frazier ... Born: March 18, 1989, in Huntsville, Ala.

Cory Hall
Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 255
Chattanooga (Brainerd)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: N/A
Scout.com: N/A
ESPN: N/A
PrepStar: N/A

Honors: TFCA and TWSA first-team All-State as a senior in 2006 ... Division I, Class 4A Lineman of the Year Finalist ... 2006 All-Region and region Lineman of the Year.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, recorded 155 tackles with 24 tackles-for-loss and 22 sacks ... Also had three forced fumbles in 2006 ... As a junior in 2005, tallied 135 tackles with 19 tackles-for-loss and 16 sacks ... Holds the school record for tackles in a game with 17 against White County in 2006.
Misc: Four-year starter on defense with majority of snaps coming at defensive end ... Named Best of Preps in the shot put and discus ... Regional finalist in the shot put and discus in 2006 ... Coach at Brainerd HS: Marvin Jones.
Full name: Cory Dewayne Hall ... Born: April 6, 1988.

Josh Hawkins
Tailback, 6-1, 195
Loudon (Loudon)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 16 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 18 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 24 overall running back
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named TSWA first-team All-State for class 2A ... American General Mr. Football Finalist in 2006 ... Three-time All-District, All-Region and All-County.
Stats: As a senior, rushed for 1,282 yards and 15 touchdowns ... Rushed for 1,492 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior in 2005 ... Also added 355 receiving yards and a touchdown reception as a junior.
Misc: Set school record for rushing yards in a game with 301 against Lenoir City in 2006 ... Four-year starter at running back and started senior year in the defensive back ... Member of varsity basketball and baseball teams ... Coach at Loudon HS: Jeff Harig.
Full name: Josh Dean Hawkins ... Born: Jan. 3, 1989.

Gerald Jones
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 185
Oklahoma City, Okla. (Millwood)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No.87 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 5 overall athlete ... No. 3 overall prospect in Oklahoma
Scout.com: No. 11 wide receiver in the nation ... No. 75 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 2 overall prospect in Oklahoma
ESPN: No. 9 overall cornerback ... No. 88 overall player in the nation
PrepStar: Top 100 ... No. 5 overall athlete

Honors: 2006 Gatorade Player of the Year in Oklahoma ... Ranked the No. 22 overall player in the nation by Tom Lemming ... Rated as the No. 13 overall player in the Big 12 Region by G&W Recruiting.
Stats: Rushed for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns while also completing 87-of-152 passes for 1,561 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior ... Also recorded 39 tackles, two sacks and an interception in his senior season ... Rushed for more than 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns and passed for more than 850 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior in 2005 ... Tallied four interceptions as a junior on defense.
Misc: Helped lead the Falcons to a 12-1 record in 2006 ... Member of the Millwood High Concert Choir and his own church choir ... Starter on the Millwood 3A state basketball championship team as a junior in 2005 ... Coach at Millwood HS: Keith Bell.
Full name: Gerald R. Jones ... Born: Aug. 10, 1989.

Donald Langley
Defensive Line, 6-2, 295
Germantown, Md. (Seneca Valley)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 17 overall defensive tackle ... No. 5 overall prospect in Maryland ... Member of Rivals250
Scout.com: No. 53 overall defensive tackle ... No. 3 overall prospect in Maryland
ESPN: No. 85 overall defensive tackle
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Consensus All-State as a defensive lineman as a senior in 2006.
Stats: Finished his senior season with 63 tackles and one interception ... Totaled 48 tackles, 32 unassisted, six tackles-for-loss and four sacks as a junior ... On offense as a junior, landed 55 pancake blocks, tops in Maryland high school football.
Misc: Born in Monrovia, Liberia ... Coach at Seneca Valley HS: Fred Kim.
Full name: Donald Langley ... Born: Feb. 16, 1988.]

Tyler Maples
Athlete, 6-2, 190
Maryville (Maryville)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 79 overall wide receiver ... No. 15 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 16 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 141 overall wide receiver
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Twice named first-team TSWA All-State for Class 4A ... Placed on The Tennessean’s 2006 Dream Team ... Won Class 4A American General Mr. Football Award in 2006 ... Also won Class 4A state championship Most Valuable Player award ... Named PrepXtra’s Offensive Player of the Year by the Knoxville News Sentinel ... Three-year All-County and All-Region honoree.
Stats: Caught 56 passes for over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior in 2006 ... Also as a senior, returned seven kickoffs for 206 yards and one touchdown ... As a junior in 2005, totaled 29 receptions for 624 yards and 15 touchdowns ... Also as a junior, returned two kickoffs and four punts for touchdowns along with tallying four interceptions on defense ... Career numbers included 100 receptions for more than 2,000 yards and 36 touchdowns ... School records include yards in a season and career, touchdowns in a season (19) and career (36) and single-season receptions (56).
Misc: Helped Maryville HS to three consecutive 4A state titles from 2004-06 ... Senior captain for the Rebels in 2006 along with being a three-year starter ... Guard on Maryville Basketball Team and as a junior in 2005-06 was All-District and District Tournament MVP ... Coach at Maryville HS: George Quarles.
Full name: Tyler Wilson Maples ... Born: July 22, 1988.

Ben Martin
Defensive Line, 6-5, 230
Cincinnati, Ohio (La Salle)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 2 overall strongside defensive end ... No. 20 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 1 overall prospect in Ohio
Scout.com: No. 3 overall defensive end ... No. 32 overall prospect in the nation ... No. 1 overall prospect in Ohio
ESPN: No. 7 overall defensive end ... No. 67 overall player in the nation
PrepStar: Top 100 ... No. 8 overall defensive linemen

Honors: Named to the Parade All-America High School Football Team as a senior linebacker ... Ranked No. 45 overall player in the nation by Tom Lemming ... Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio ... All-League Player of the Year as a senior ... First-team All-State as a senior and second-team All-State as a junior in 2005 ... Two-time All-Region, All-League and All-City ... Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year as a junior.
Stats: Totaled 112 tackles with 14 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks as a senior while starting at linebacker ... Against Elder in 2006, earned 20 tackles and two sacks ... As a junior, tallied 71 tackles with 15 tackles-for-loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and 15 quarterback hurries while playing mostly defensive end.
Misc: Three-year starter on defense ... Two-year starter on the basketball team ... Coach at La Salle HS: Tom Grippa.
Full name: Benjamin Joseph Martin ... Born: March 22, 1988.

Nevin McKenzie
Defensive Back, 6-2, 210
San Antonio, Texas (Trinity Valley Community College/John Jay)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 5 overall junior college defensive back ... No. 12 overall junior college prospect
Scout.com: N/A
ESPN: N/A
PrepStar: N/A

Honors: Named All-Conference as a sophomore in 2006.
Stats: Led Trinity Valley with over 90 tackles and added five sacks as a sophomore in 2006 ... As a freshman in 2005, tallied over 199 tackles ... As a high school senior in 2003, ran for nearly 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns.Misc: Two-year starter at safety for Trinity Valley ... Best game came against Navarro JC, totaled 11 tackles and two sacks ... Three-year starter at defensive back and two-year starter at running back for John Jay HS ... As a senior in 2004, qualified for the regional finals in the 100, 4x100, 4x200, triple-jump and long-jump ... John Jay school record holder in the triple-jump (49.5 feet) ... Coach at Trinity Valley CC: Brad Smiley ... Coach at John Jay HS: Larry Pullin.
Full name: Nevin Deshaun McKenzie ... Born: March 21, 1986.

Rolando Melancon
Defensive Line, 6-2, 260
Lutcher, La. (Lutcher)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 21 overall defensive tackle ... No. 4 overall prospect in Louisiana
Scout.com: No. 23 overall defensive tackle ... No. 12 overall prospect in Louisiana
ESPN: No. 10 overall defensive tackle ... No. 105 overall player in the nation
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Named first-team All-State and District MVP as a senior in 2006 ... 3A State Championship game MVP while totaling eight tackles, three sacks, an interception and forced a fumble.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, tallied 97 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss, five sacks and six fumble recoveries ... As a junior in 2005, totaled 75 tackles with 16 tackles-for-loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Misc: Five-year starter from eighth grade to senior year ... Starter at power forward on the basketball team, averaging 25 ppg., during his senior season ... Helped lead Luther High School to Class 3A state title in 2006 ... Coach at Lutcher HS: Tim Detillier.
Full name: Rolando Numan Melancon ... Born: Sept. 26, 1987.

Darnius Moore
Athlete, 6-0, 185
Tatum, Texas (Tatum)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 34 overall athlete ... No. 40 overall prospect in Texas
Scout.com: No. 52 overall wide receiver prospect ... No. 44 overall prospect in Texas
ESPN: N/A
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Named 2A TSWA/Collin Street Bakery first-team All-State as a kick returner as a senior in 2006 and junior in 2005 ... Named second-team Reebok Super Team as a defensive back ... Honored as All-District as a senior and junior.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, caught 32 passes for 501 yards and rushed 27 times for over 200 yards ... As a junior in 2005, totaled 27 receptions for 423 yards and eight touchdowns ... Also as a junior, tallied 287 yards on the ground with two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Misc: Texas state high school champion in the 110M-hurdles in 13.73 as a junior in 2006 ... Also set school record in the 110M hurdles ... Starting point guard on the Tatum basketball team while averaging 20.1 points per game ... Coach at Tatum HS: Andy Evans.
Full name: Darnius Earl Moore ... Born: Dec. 9, 1988.

Kenny O’Neal
Wide Receiver, 6-0, 195
Oakland, Calif. (City College of San Francisco/Skyline)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 3 overall junior college prospect ... No. 1 overall junior college wide receiver
Scout.com: N/A
ESPN: N/A
PrepStar: All-Region (West Coast)

Honors: Named All-California first-team offense in Region I by the California Community College Football Coaches Association.
Stats: As a sophomore in 2006, led CCSF with 60 receptions for 1,200 yards ... Also caught 11 touchdown passes ... Averaged 78.56 yards per game receiving and 14.73 yards per catch ... As a freshman at Florida State he appeared in 11 games, starting two ... Had the longest play from scrimmage by an FSU player on the season with his 75-yard catch and run against Syracuse ... Finished the season with five catches for 110 yards ... As a high school senior in 2003, caught 36 passes for 850 yards and 20 touchdowns ... Also as a high school senior, rushed for two touchdowns and returned two kickoffs for scores.
Misc: Recorded 12 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the California Community Colleges Commission on Athletics football championship game ... Team lost 49-35 to El Camino College of Torrance ... The son of former NFL tight end Kenny O'Neal, Sr. who played for the New Orleans Saints ... Coach at City College of San Francisco: George Rush ... Coach at Skyline HS: John Beam.
Full name: Kenny Adrain O’Neal ... Born: May 2, 1986.

Ahmad Paige
Wide Receiver, 6-3, 175
Sterlington, La. (Sterlington)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 16 overall wide receiver prospect ... No. 5 overall prospect in Louisiana
Scout.com: No. 9 overall wide receiver prospect
ESPN: No. 33 overall wide receiver
PrepStar: Top 100

Honors: Two-time first-team All-State honoree ... Three-time All-District and All-Northeast Louisiana.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, caught 41 passes for 863 yards and 12 touchdowns ... As a junior in 2005, brought in 45 receptions for 1,208 yards and 17 touchdowns ... Also as a junior, returned an interception for touchdown ... Returned a kickoff for touchdown as a senior and two as a junior.
Misc: Four-year letterman, three-year starter and senior captain in football ... Four-year letterman in basketball and three-year starter ... Currently averaging 10 points per game in basketball ...Three-year letterman in track ... Region and district champ in the triple jump and high jump as a freshman and sophomore ... Best marks include 22-11 in the long jump, 42-9 in the triple jump and 6-5 in the high jump ... Also participates in the 100-meters, 200-meters, 4x100 and 4x200 relays ... Coach at Sterlington HS: Dell Ashley.
Full name: Ahmad Kendal Paige ... Born: April 22, 1989.

Cody Pope
Offensive Line, 6-5, 270
San Diego, Calif. (Cathedral Catholic)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 47 overall offensive tackle ... No. 89 overall prospect in California (2005)
Scout.com: No. 44 overall offensive lineman (2005)
ESPN: No. 61 overall offensive guard
PrepStar: All-Region (West Coast) (2005)

Honors: Named first-team All-City and All-League by the San Diego Union Tribune as a senior in 2005.
Stats: As a senior, totaled more than 70 pancake blocks from his offensive line position along with 78 tackles and nine sacks on defense ... Totaled 40 tackles and seven sacks as a junior in 2004.
Misc: Originally signed with Vols in 2006 ... Coach at Cathedral Catholic HS: Sean Doyle.
Full name: Ethan F.W. Cody Pope ... Born: Nov. 29, 1987.

Dennis Rogan
Athlete, 5-10, 182
Knoxville (Fulton)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 10 overall all-purpose back ... No. 11 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 76 overall running back prospect ... No. 15 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 46 overall cornerback
PrepStar: All-American

Honors: Named first-team TSWA All-State for Class 3A as a senior in 2006 ... 2006 Tennessee Football Coaches Association first-team All-State honoree ... Placed on the Tennessean’s 2006 Dream Team ... Named PrepXtra’s Offensive Player of the Year by the News Sentinel ... Won the BlueCross Bowl’s Offensive MVP award while rushing for 208 yards against David Lipscomb HS.
Stats: As a senior in 2006, ran for 2,876 yards and 44 touchdowns ... As a junior, rushed for 2,261 yards and 39 touchdowns ... Also as a junior, caught 12 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns while adding 31 tackles on defense ... As a sophomore in 2004, rushed for 382 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 carries ... Scored a total of 572 points in his four-year career at Fulton ... Back-to-back 200-yard rushing games to end his high school career, gaining 255 (406 all-purpose yards) vs. Pearl-Cohn HS in state semifinals and 208 in state title win over David Lipscomb HS.
Misc: While at Fulton, contributed to three Class 3A state championships (2003, 2004, 2006) and earned two Mr. Football finalist awards ... Owns Fulton’s all-time rushing record with 5,261 yards and 81 touchdowns and state’s season points record with 296 as a senior ... Also ranks sixth in the state in points recorded in a season with 220 in 2005 ... Ranks second all-time in Tennessee with 19 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 2005-06 ... Three-year starter ... Scored on a 75-yard touchdown run against Gibbs HS in his first varsity game as a freshman in 2003 ... Sophomore starter for basketball team and participates in 100M and relays for track and field ... Coach at Fulton HS: Buck Coatney.
Full name: Dennis Wade Rogan ... Born: Dec. 27, 1988.

Darris Sawtelle
Offensive Line, 6-6, 295
Birmingham, Mich. (Brother Rice)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 14 overall offensive tackle prospect ... No. 7 overall prospect in Michigan
Scout.com: No. 14 overall offensive lineman prospect
ESPN: No. 26 overall offensive tackle
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Played in the Offensive-Defensive All-American Bowl in Florida ... As a senior, earned All-Catholic, All-County and All-Metro honors ... Also named to the Detroit News Dream Team.
Stats: As a senior, he had 121 knockdown blocks and finished with a blocking percentage of 94 percent.
Misc: Grandfather Darris McCord (1952-54) was a captain and All-America tackle at Tennessee and played 13 years as a member of the Detroit Lions ... Coach at Brother Rice HS: Albert Fracassa.
Full name: Darris John Sawtelle ... Born: Feb. 3, 1989.

Rae Sykes
Defensive End, 6-4, 240
Alcoa (Alcoa)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 14 overall weakside defensive end prospect ... No. 9 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 29 overall defensive end prospect
ESPN: No. 21 overall defensive end
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Three-year first-team All-State honoree as a senior in 2006, junior in 2005 and sophomore in 2004 ... Preseason All-America prior to senior season ... Named All-Region and All-Country four consecutive years and three-time All-District as a senior, junior and sophomore.
Stats: As a senior, tallied over 70 tackles with 10 sacks ... As a junior, totaled 70 tackles and eight sacks ... As a sophomore in 2004, totaled 132 tackles and 10 sacks ... Tallied 15 tackles and four sacks in the state championship game as a sophomore.
Misc: Contributed to three-straight state championship teams from 2004-2006 ... Four-year starter in football ... Honored as team captain as a senior ... Two-year letterman in basketball and one-year starter for the Tornadoes ... Coach at Alcoa HS: Gary Rankin.
Full name: Rhyon Ja’Rae Sykes ... Born: April, 20, 1989.

Daryl Vereen
Tailback, 6-1, 205
Charlotte, N.C. (North Mecklenburg)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 35 overall running back prospect ... No. 25 overall prospect in North Carolina.
Scout.com: No. 55 overall running back prospect
ESPN: No. 21 overall running back
PrepStar: All-Region (Atlantic)

Honors: CBSsportsline.com All-Region first-team honoree ... Named second-team All-Charlotte by the Charlotte Observer ... Three-time All-Conference selection ... All-Area Offensive Player of the Year as a senior ... Honored with the Gridiron Great Award in 2005 and 2006 by WSOC Channel 9 in Charlotte ... All-County selection as a senior and junior.
Stats: Set a new Mecklenburg County season rushing record with 2,603 yards rushing and totaled 31 touchdowns as a senior in 2006 ... Despite missing four games to injury as a junior, rushed for 1,201 yards and 16 touchdowns with a 6.4 yard-per-carry average.
Misc: Four-year letterman and three-year starter in football ... Also named team captain as a junior and senior ... Starter on North Mecklenburg’s 2005 state basketball championship team and 2006 state runner-up squad ... Four-year letterman and two-year starter on the basketball team ... Currently averaging over 16 points per game in basketball at the small forward position ... Named All-County in track as a junior and regional finalist in the 100-meter dash as a sophomore ... Top-times in track include 10.4 in the 100-meters and 21.30 in the 200-meters ... Named to the Honor Roll in 2005 and 2006 ... Coach at North Mecklenburg HS: Glenn Padgett.
Full name: Daryl Andre Vereen Jr. ... Born: Jan. 22, 1989.

Brent Vinson
Athlete, 6-2, 190
Hampton, Va. (Hargrave Military Academy/Phoebus HS)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 2 overall prep school prospectScout.com: No. 5 overall wide receiver prospect
ESPN: No. 77 overall cornerback (2005)
PrepStar: All-America ... No. 15 overall athlete (2005)

Honors: Honored on the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Super South 100 list ... Named coaches' first-team All-State as a receiver, cornerback and kick returner as a senior in 2005 ... Also as a senior was named All-District as a receiver, a defensive back and return specialist ... Earned All-District honors in basketball and football as a junior in 2004.
Stats: Against the West Virginia University JV squad, tallied more than 350 yards receiving and two touchdowns ... As a senior in 2005, accounted for more than 1,200 receiving yards, 400 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns while returning two interceptions and four punts for touchdowns ... Returned two punts each against Bethel HS and Warwick HS ... Caught 29 passes for 475 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.
Misc: Helped lead Hargrave Military Academy to a 7-3 finish in 2006 ... Rated as the top prep player at Hargrave by multiple recruiting services ... Originally signed with Vols in 2006 ... Led team as a senior to the Peninsula District Championship while finishing the season 11-1 ... Also a standout on the basketball court for Phoebus ... High school teammate of Tennessee basketball freshman Duke Crews ... Only began playing football as a junior in high school ... Cousin of former Virginia Tech All-America and current Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jimmy Williams ... Coach at Hargrave Military Academy: Robert Prunty ... Coach at Phoebus HS: William Dee.
Full name: Brent Leeland Vinson ... Born: Dec. 17, 1986.

Chris Walker
Linebacker, 6-3, 220
Memphis (Christian Brothers)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 17 overall outside linebacker prospect ... No. 6 overall prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: No. 14 overall middle linebacker prospect ... No. 3 overall prospect in Tennessee
ESPN: No. 14 overall outside linebacker
PrepStar: All-America

Honors: Named first-team TSWA All-State for Division II as a senior in 2006 and junior in 2005 ... Named to the Best of Preps Private School Team by the Memphis Commercial Appeal ... Finalist for the Division II American General Mr. Football award ... Member of All-Conference and All-Region teams as both a junior and senior.
Stats: As a senior, tallied 85 tackles including eight for loss and three sacks ... As a junior in 2005, totaled 83 tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, two interceptions and nine forced fumbles ... Tallied 53 tackles with two for loss and one fumble recovery as a sophomore in 2004.
Misc: Father played linebacker for North Alabama and entered training camp with Dallas Cowboys before injuries stalled his playing career ... Also a standout on the basketball court for Christian Brothers and was named one of the top 20 players in Memphis by the Commercial Appeal ... Currently averaging 18 points per game and leading Memphis in rebounding ... Four-year starter in basketball and three-year starter in football ... Coach at Christian Brothers HS: Kevin Locastro.
Full name: Christopher Tyrell Walker ... Born: Jan. 10, 1989.

Rufus Williams
Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 225
Mims, Fla. (Astronaut)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 23 overall OLB prospect ... No. 41 overall prospect in FloridaScout.com: No. 43 overall defensive end prospect ... No. 53 overall prospect in Florida
ESPN: No. 56 overall defensive end
PrepStar: All-Region (Southeast)

Honors: Named first-team All-State for Class 3A as a defensive lineman by the FHSAA as a senior in 2006. Three-time All-County honoree ... Named All-Region as a senior and junior in 2005.
Stats: As a senior, totaled more than 110 tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss, 14 sacks, two forced fumbles and two forced fumbles ... Against Melbourne High School as a senior, totaled 12 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and two sacks ... Tallied 87 total tackles with 35 tackles-for-loss, 14 sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior in 2005.
Misc: Helped lead Astronaut to the district championship in 2006 ... Participated in the Brevard County North-South All-Star Game as a starter at defensive end, and tallied six tackles, two sacks and two tackles-for-loss ... Three-year starter and four-year letterman in football ... Three-year letterman in track ... 2006 Region Champion in the shot put (52 feet) as a junior ... Qualified for the state championships in the shot put as a junior ... Coach at Astronaut HS: Randy Hallock.
Full name: Rufus Isaiah Williams ... Born: March 17, 1989.

DeAngelo Willingham
Defensive Back, 6-0, 200
Calhoun, S.C. (College of the Desert [Calif.]/Calhoun)

Prospect Rankings
Rivals: No. 38 overall JUCO prospect in the nation
Scout.com: N/A
ESPN: N/A
PrepStar: All-America (2004)

Honors: Honored as All-Conference as a sophomore in 2006 and freshman in 2005 ... Named All-State as a senior at Calhoun in 2004 ... Three-time All-Region and All-District honoree.
Stats: As a sophomore in 2006, totaled five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble ... Also in 2006, returned blocked field goal 90 yards for a touchdown against San Bernardino Community College ... As a freshman, tallied three interceptions.
Misc: Two-year starter at cornerback for College of the Desert ... Three-year starter at wide receiver, defensive back, kick returner and punt returner at Calhoun ... Three-year starter at guard on the basketball team and led Calhoun to three straight regional championships ... Regional finalist in the 4x100 relay as a senior and also competed in the 100-meter dash ... Coach at College of the Desert: Dean Dowry ... Coach at Calhoun HS: Tommie Brown.
Full name: DeAngelo Lamond Willingham ... Born: Jan. 15, 1987.

Volunteer Signee Notebook

Eric Berry, Chris Donald and Ben Martin bring the Volunteer total to 68 Parade All-America signees. Chris Donald makes the 35th All-USA signee in Tennessee history as named by USA Today. USA Today began naming its All-America team in 1982, while Parade’s team debuted in 1963.

Tennessee has five signees who played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and an additional signee, Rolando Melancon, who was invited to play in the game.

The Vols signed three Gatorade Players of the Year from their respective states -- Georgia’s Eric Berry, Ohio’s Ben Martin and Oklahoma’s Gerald Jones -- more than any other school.

UT CONNECTIONS: Eric Berry’s father, James Berry (1978-81), was a three-year starter, four-year letterman and 1981 team captain for the Vols. Darris Sawtelle’s grandfather, Darris McCord (1952-54) was a captain and All-America tackle at Tennessee and played 13 years as a member of the Detroit Lions.

Kenny O’Neal is the son of former NFL tight end Kenny O'Neal Sr., who played for the New Orleans Saints.

The 2007 signing class includes prospects from 13 different states, the most since 2002 when the Vols had representatives from 14 states. In Phillip Fulmer’s 13 recruiting classes, UT has had signees from at least 10 states nine different times. The most states represented were 15 in 2000.

Coach Phillip Fulmer’s Comments on Tennessee’s 2007 Signing Class

“We are excited about our 2007 class of new Volunteers. Our recruiting efforts paid off for us as we did well in-state, as we filled most of our needs by position, held firm with our commitments and closed well at the end.

“Gerald Harrison and Scott Altizer, from the recruiting organization stand point, did a great job and Matt Luke as the recruiting coordinator did a great job as well. The energy and enthusiasm of our new staff, to team recruit and get prospects on campus was outstanding. There were many long days and nights and lots of miles traveled, but once we got them to campus our players and program sold itself.

“We have five from this class already on campus and I look forward to summer school when the rest of them join our team and start meshing into our program.”

And finally:

Let’s all raise our shot glasses full of brown to our boy Peyton who has finally won the big one as his Colts defeated the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, 29-17. Here is one point to ponder: Remember Peyton’s first big game in 1995? The Vols played Florida in Gainesville and lost big, 62-37, after leading 30-14 in the first half. Towards the end of the game, it started pouring to add insult to injury, so the walk back to the locker room for the sophomore QB was indeed a long one. Fast forward twelve years to another day in Florida, accompanied by another rain storm in another big game. I guess after Peyton won this one in Florida in the rain, his career has comer full circle, and his demons have been exercised. Way to go, Peyton, the Big Orange Nation is proud of you and we all hope you enjoy your moment!

Well, Vol fans, that is it for this season. Look for me to return from exile around the mid point of August. By then, we should have a better idea of what our brave boys in orange will look like, as well as the fact I will have a little Vol to help her Daddy write these columns. Don’t worry, Vol fans, I already found a store here in Atlanta that sells the Vol cheerleading uniforms, so that is on the must buy list. I bought her a mobile to go in her crib, which has little Smokey’s hanging from it, so I have to figure out a way to break it to her Mother about that purchase. She already vetoed naming her Peyton…

Thanks for your support during this wonderful time I got to spend with you. Feel free to send me emails so we can keep in touch. Until then, as I have always asked, please rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!!

Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol. 28

Coach Scooter — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 06:40:43 -0600

Well, not the way we would have liked the magical 2006 season to have gone as the Vols dropped a tough one to their old bowl game nemesis, Penn State, 20-10, in the Outback Bowl. Let's face it, out offensive and defensive lines were young, injured and not as good as the Lions, and that is what wins or loses games. Next year, the Vols should have healthy lines, and be deep too, so things in Knoxville are looking up, especially with another great recruiting class coming in.

More on the bowls later, as breaking news came to Coach Scooter last night.

Tennessee Says Top Defender Is No Longer Enrolled

Demetrice Morley, one of more than two dozen high school athletes who exploited loopholes in National Collegiate Athletic Association rules to qualify for a football scholarship, is no longer enrolled at the University of Tennessee.

Morley's improbable jump in grade point average put him at the center of a scandal at University High School, a correspondence school in Miami that was found to be a diploma mill.

Morley, a sophomore starting safety, played in Tennessee's 20-10 loss to Penn State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, but the university said in a news release Friday that he was no longer enrolled and was dismissed for not meeting the university's academic requirements.

"We have university standards that have to be met, or there will be consequences," Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer said in a statement. "Our athletes have a tremendous support system at the University of Tennessee. The bottom line is he was not accountable for his own actions when he had every chance to succeed."

Attempts to reach Fulmer yesterday were unsuccessful.

Morley was considered the top player in talent-rich South Florida when he signed with the Volunteers in 2005. This season, he had 51 tackles and 2 interceptions.

(Thanks, NY Times)

Well, on a more positive note, congrats to Robert Meachem, consensus All-America wide receiver. We will miss you, Bobby!

Coach Scooter's Bowl game recaps

Best game - Hands down the Boise State-Oklahoma game was one of the most thrilling college football games I have ever seen. This contest had more twists and turns than Cake dancing with Babs in Everyone's All-American, which, by the way, is an all timer for college football movies. This should be mentioned as an all timer for college football games too.

Play the lottery, Urban - To Urban Meyer, who everyone is now touting as the world's greatest coach of the world's greatest college football team. The papers here in Atlanta wrote about how Florida will never lose another game in any sport and the rest of the SEC will drop out of the confrence because the Gators will be too good forever. Gee, it was one game against a Big Ten team that was flat. And everyone forgets the only reason why the Gators got in the game was USC's improbable loss to UCLA (And after watching the Trojans in the Rose Bowl, I don't know how they lost that game), and the efforts of Urban Cryer, who wined and complained until everyone got tired of hearing him complain so they voted his team into the title game. Here's a little secret, Urb, you won't win em' all, so enjoy this ride while it lasts, because it never does, especially in the SEC. By the way, I still can't figure out how the media came up with the Gators being champions in football and basketball in the same calendar year. The basketball Gators won the title in April of 2006, while the football Gators won the title in January of 2007. You figure it out.

Biggest dissapointment - Michigan, hands down. All the scribes who said the Wolverines didn't deserve to play for the national title were right. After seeing them mail it in against USC, they didn't deserve to play for the state title either.

Nice surprise - Taylor Bennett of Georgia Tech. When Reggie Ball was suspended, Sweetie was worried the Jackets wouldn't have a chance against West Virginia. I told her Bennett was much better than Ball and he would give them more of a chance to win rather than the walking nimrod who couldn't win a game down the stretch. Well, Coach Scooter was right, and even though Tech lost a close one, Sweetie was so happy with my prediction, as well as Bennett's play, she took me to Krispy Kreme after the game was over.

Team you don't want to play - USC. Speaking of a team that might not ever lose again, the Trojans are loaded again in 2007, so look out. They looked like my PS3 NCAA 2006 football game with me being the Trojans and the computer being Michigan set on the junior varisty level.

Best coach - Boise State's Chris Peterson's brilliant and creative game plan was a thing of beauty to watch.

How did they ever lose two? - LSU was the team nobody wanted to play towards the end of the 2006 season. It is a wonder the Vols lost on a last second TD pass after watching the Tigers mow down Arkansas and Notre Dame to finish in the top 5. They will be rough on everyone next year.

Best Bowl Game Commercial - I loved the Taco Bell ads with Carmen Electra. However, the chick I was digging was the one on the chair eating the burrito. She was much hotter than Carmen Electra, especially knowing she was once married to Dennis Rodman. The Dude made the right call by not taking Carmen bowling, and instead eat Taco Bell with the hottie inside. Good work my friend...

Recruiting

The Vols were still third on the Scout.com webpage, behind Florida and Texas. On Rivals.com, the Vols were second behind Texas.

The Vols got a commitment from William Brimfield on January 14th. Brimfield, who de-committed from North Carolina, is a three star defensive tackle from Neeses, SC.

All right, Vol fans, that's it for this week. Join me next week for an updated look recruiting. Until then, Go Vols!!

Coach Scooter's Recruiting Update Vol.2

Coach Scooter — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:19:43 -0600

Here is this week's quick recruiting update and off season Vol surgery news! I apologize for not having the bowl recap ready, so hopefully I can get that in by the weekend. As of Wednesday, this is what we are looking at in Big Orange Country:

Recruiting Update

Scout.com has the Vols ranked third behind Florida and Texas.

UT got a soft verbal from running back Daryl Vereen of Huntersville, NC. Vereen is a three star player who is ranked 54th nationally at running back. He chose the Vols over North Carolina, but the word is he still could choose the Heels on signing day, so stay tuned. (Thanks - Scout.com)

Rivals.com has the Vols second, behind Texas and ahead of Florida and LSU.

The site also unveiled it's 2007 pre-season top 25 and the Vols were the last SEC school to be ranked as they came in at 17th.

Seven Vols Undergo Surgery

Five of the seven Tennessee football student-athletes who underwent surgical procedures throughout the day and early evening on Monday at UT Medical Center should return for at least partial participation in spring practice, according to head athletic trainer Jason McVeigh.

Only defensive end Robert Ayers (left shoulder) and defensive tackle Walter Fisher will miss spring drills, which begin Feb. 22. Both rising juniors, who were operated on by Drs. Greg Mathien and Russell Betcher, team orthopedists from the Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic, are expected to be fully fit in time for fall practice.

Four Vols underwent arthroscopic surgeries on Monday and one, wide receiver Josh Briscoe, underwent a hernia repair.

Rising junior linebacker Jerod Mayo (left knee) joined tailback Montario Hardesty (right knee), center Josh McNeil (left knee) and defensive end Xavier Mitchell (left shoulder) on Monday's list. Hardesty and McNeil just completed their first playing season of competition, Briscoe will be a junior and Mitchell is entering his senior campaign in 2007.

McVeigh said that with the exceptions of Ayers and Fisher, the other players are on target to participate at least on a limited basis in spring practice.

Offensive tackle Eric Young underwent his arthroscopic shoulder surgery last Friday afternoon.

(Thanks, John Painter, UT SID office)

All right Vol fans, I look forward to getting back to you this weekend! Until then, Go Vols!!

Coach Scooter's Recruiting Update

Coach Scooter — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 11:54:25 -0600

The Vols got two HUGE commitments at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday as Super Southern 100 linebacker Chris Donald and Cincinnati defensive end Ben Martin looked into the NBC cameras and announced they would be coming to Tennessee. They donned orange UT caps to complete the show.

Donald, the #1 rated linebacker in the country, chose UT over Notre Dame. Martin, the #8 rated defensive end in the country, chose the Vols over Ohio State, Notre Dame and Florida. Both are five star players. Donald (L) and Martin (R). (Thanks, Rivals.com)

"I've been recruiting them hard all week," joked Atlanta Journal-Constitution player of the year, Eric Berry, who committed to the Vols last month. "But even I didn't know until the end."

The Vols also got soft verbal commitments from Chris Walker, a middle linebacker from Memphis, Rufus Williams, a defensive end from Titusville, FL, and Donald Langley, a defensive tackle, from Germantown, MD. Walker is a four star player, while Williams and Langley are three star players.

Tennessee comes in third in both Scout.com and Rivals.com behind Florida and Texas as of Sunday morning. So far the Vols have landed seven of the top 100, and four of those are five star players.

More about the Vols recruits, as well as a bowl recap on Wednesday! Go Vols!!

Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol. 27

Coach Scooter — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 23:03:00 -0600

Welcome to Coach Scooter’s Outback Bowl edition of the College Football Diary! Well, Monday will be here before you know it, and that means we have once last game to play, and fortunately for us Vol fans, our season will end in Tampa, instead of Lexington this year!

In this week’s edition of the CFD, I will take a look at the bowl preparations for the Vols-Nittany Lions, as well as the latest in recruiting. So let’s get to it!

Coach Fulmer pleased with Vols attitude, work ethic as Penne State matchup looms

Tennessee head football coach Phillip Fulmer voiced optimism Friday afternoon about the attitude and work ethic displayed by the Volunteers since arriving in the Sunshine State to prepare for Monday’s Outback Bowl against Penn State. The Vols continued their quest for improvement with a spirited 75-minute workout at the University of South Florida while temperatures topped 80 degrees.

“Going all the way back to the beginning of the season, this team has shown a physical toughness and a mental toughness,” Fulmer said. “We’ve had our ups and downs with injuries, our ups and downs with a couple of disappointingly close losses. But the great thing about them is they haven’t lost their will to get better.

“That’s just a really positive thing for the coach to go to the practice field with everyday.”

Fulmer stated that guarantees the Vols nothing leading into Monday’s postseason date with the Nittany Lions (8-4).

“It does, however, give us a lot better opportunity to play well than if we had not had those good practices. I’m eager to see the polish put on it today and tomorrow.”

The Vols (9-3) are staging what normally would be two Thursday practices in a typical game week.

“There were a lot of problems built into today’s scripts on both sides to kind of see where we are,” Fulmer said. “Saturday will be a day to clean that up. We’re counting on some young guys in some places to come through, but that’s kind of been the case all year. We definitely need our older guys to play well.”

Among Friday’s visitors at practice was Buck Fitzgerald (defensive back, 1998-2001), who might best be remembered for defensing Florida’s failed two-point conversion attempt in the Vols’ 34-32 win in 2001. Fitzgerald now works in the medical industry in Gainesville, Fla.

Also on hand was former Wichita State linebacker John Blazek (1975-76), who lettered for the Shockers during Fulmer’s five-year tenure in the late 1970s as a WSU assistant coach.

What’s Ahead?

Tennessee’s post-practice activities for Friday included a team visit to GameWorks in Ybor City. The Vols practice at 10 a.m. Saturday before heading to Clearwater, Fla., for Bowl Beach Day at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort. Players and staff also have the opportunity to take in a hockey game Saturday, as the Tampa Bay Lightning hosts the Montreal Canadians at 7:30 p.m.

Defensive line a concern for Coach Fulmer

The Vols worked out in shorts and shoulder pads for more than two hours under clear skies and temperatures hovering in the 70s as they conducted their third day of local Outback Bowl preparations at the University of South Florida.

“We have gone hard at it and that’s with purpose and for a reason, and that’s because we have to get better,” UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “Coach (Joe) Paterno was making a point to shower all these great things about our team and we know very well that we have not been ourselves on defense this year at all. Particularly, the challenge has been up front.”

Tennessee entered the season replacing six of the seven starters on the defensive line and at linebacker, then saw preseason All-America Justin Harrell lost for the year after just three games with a biceps injury. Add to that the loss of key secondary stopper Inquoris Johnson and it’s no wonder UT relied strongly on the offense to compile a 9-3 record in 2006.

Big Orange Tailgate Tour Highlights Alumni Events at Outback Bowl

The UT National Alumni Association has a full slate of events for Tennessee alumni, friends and fans at this year’s Outback Bowl.

Sunday, athletics director Mike Hamilton is hosting a dessert and coffee reception at the Renaissance International Plaza Hotel beginning at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. And later that night, a New Year’s Eve Party sponsored by the Tampa Bay Alumni Chapter takes place at Boston’s, the chapter’s TV party location on Anderson Road. The party goes from 8 p.m. to 2 p.m. and is $50 per person.

Those events lead into Monday’s Big Orange Tailgate Tour event at Raymond James Stadium, site of Tennessee’s Outback Bowl game against Penn State. The location is between gates B and C on the stadium’s east side.

A full breakfast buffet kicks off at 8 a.m., with the UT band, cheerleaders and Smokey on site until 10:30. Door prizes include two airline tickets to a 2007 away game and former College Football Hall of Fame member and Volunteer All-America Frank Emanuel will be in attendance.

Cost is $25 per person and reservations can be made by calling Kris Phillips at (865) 599-5898.

Vols Recruiting

Scout.com is reporting the Vols have added three players to their recruiting class. UT got a Christmas present as defensive tackle Rolando Melancon has committed to the Vols on Christmas day. Melancon, from Lutcher High School in Lutcher, Louisiana, is a four star player, ranked 24th overall in the country. The Vols also got soft verbal commitments from defensive end Rufus Williams, from Titusville, Florida and defensive tackle Donald Langley, from Germanton, Maryland. Both three star players.

Also in the news was Luther Davis from West Monroe, Louisiana. Davis is a five star defensive end, who is trying to decide between UT, Auburn and FSU for two of his final visits. Do the math; someone is going to be left out. Davis has a strong relationship with Trooper Taylor, who has been recruiting Davis all along so that is a plus for the Vols. “Coach Troop is an excellent guy away from coaching or football. He is an excellent person.”

Something else that might help the Vols was Davis’ friend, Ahmad Paige, who plays at nearby Sterling High. Paige, a four star wide receiver, de-committed to Florida State, and if he completely eliminates the ‘Noles, Davis will too. It could be a package deal that Coach Fulmer would enjoy receiving on his doorstep come the first week of February.

I did a little investigating when I was in Knoxville this week and found Harrison Smith, is not such a bad guy after all. I have a nephew who plays on the Catholic High football team and he tells me he is a nice guy, very quiet and reserved. Also, an unidentified, but reliable, source told me it was Smith’s father who was the driving force behind him choosing Notre Dame over the Vols. I heard a lot of negative talk about Smith after the decision, but I wouldn’t criticize him because he made a great choice and I wish him all the good fortune in the world because he deserves it.

Chris Donald of Huntingdon, Tennessee still has the Vols and Notre Dame neck and neck for his services next fall. Carlos Dunlap of North Charleston, South Carolina, has the Vols in a dead heat with Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Note Dame and South Carolina. Running back Noel Devine of North Fort Meyers has the Vols in the middle of a huge recruiting battle that includes Florida, LSU and Southern California. The five star player is also looking at Michigan and Nebraska. Lennon Creer of Tatum, Texas, a four star running back, has the Vols in the mix along with Florida, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas.

Unfortunately for the Big Orange, Marvin Austin and Terrance Toliver, two five star players, have dropped the Vols on their list. Austin has Florida State and Southern California high on his list, while Toliver has Florida and LSU at the top of his list.

Scout.com Team Rankings

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Illinois
4. USC
5. Tennessee
6. Notre Dame
7. Nebraska
8. South Carolina
9. Georgia
10. Auburn

Rivals.com Team Rankings

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Southern Cal
5. LSU
6. Notre Dame
7. Georgia
8. Nebraska
9. South Carolina
10. Illinois

Well, that is it for this week! I will be back after the BCS Championship game to give you an SEC bowl re-cap, as well as update you on the latest in recruiting. Until then, rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. I look forward to hearing from all of you out there as we all watch the Vols play Penn State in the Outback Bowl to get your thoughts and opinions! Until then, Go Vols!!

Coach Scooter's College Football Diary Vol.26

Coach Scooter — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 00:05:13 -0600

Welcome to the Christmas Edition of Coach Scooter’s College Football Diary! It is great to be back, what have I missed? Well, we have a few things to get to on the CFD today so let’s get rolling before I get caught up in another of the stimulating backyard conversations I have with our next door neighbor, the pillar of the community, Rik Chiddix. By the way, when I asked Rik what he wanted Santa to bring him, he chuckled and said, “All I want is a 12 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer and for the Old Lady to dress up in her tight little Waffle House waitress uniform for a little "scattered smothered and covered" after the kids have been put to bed.

Gee, thanks, Rik, for sharing that with me...

Vols Outback Bowl Preparations

Wednesday was Getaway Day for Tennessee as the Vols concluded the Knoxville portion of their Outback Bowl practices and departed campus for the holiday break. The team is off until reconvening Christmas night in Tampa, Fla., site of its Jan. 1 meeting with Penn State.

“Our focus has been good,” head coach Phillip Fulmer said. “I think we’ve had good preparation here in Knoxville. I hope they have a safe trip home and a good time with their families, but I hope their mindset doesn’t change while they’re home and we are ready to go to work on the day after Christmas in Tampa.”

Fulmer said the bowl site schedule would mirror that of a normal game week, with only a slight exception.

“We’ll have one day extra so we will end up having two Tuesdays in the framework of our approach,” he said. “We’ll treat it with meeting times and practice times just like a game week. All this here in Knoxville has been a bonus.”

That extra preparation will be necessary against what expects to be a fierce Penn State squad, one that finished 5-3 in the Big Ten Conference and fielded one of the nation’s top defenses.

“I think they are outstanding,” Fulmer said. “They are No. 5 in the country in scoring defense and that’s not an accident; you don’t do that by accident. They’ve only given up 26 points in the last four ballgames against good opponents. They’re good, and their linebackers are as good as anybody we’ve played in the conference.

“As I told our football team -- not to take anything away from Kentucky and Vanderbilt – we’re getting back into the real deal when we play these guys.”

Former Tennessee star Bill Bates was a featured guest at this morning’s practice. Bates started four years (1979-82) at safety for the Vols before playing 15 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys.

“It was great to have Bill Bates come by practice today,” Fulmer said. “He’s one of our heroes who played great here and played great in professional football. He brought his whole family by and spoke to the team about work ethic, character and what it takes to be a good player.”

Tennessee’s Outback Bowl practice schedule in Tampa begins Tuesday at the University of South Florida. The Vols will practice at 1:30 p.m. each of the first three days, at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 and at 10 a.m. on Dec. 30 before holding an afternoon walk-through on New Year’s Eve.

Because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 31, UT will walk-through at Raymond James Stadium on an earlier date during the week.

Kickoff on Jan. 1 is 11 a.m. Eastern time.

VOLS TOAST 15 FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Sunday was another banner day for Tennessee football on the academic front. Six Vols graduated and nine more were honored for ongoing excellence in academic pursuits during Sunday’s team banquet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Volunteer Achiever Awards went to Michael Frogg, David Yancey and Eric Young for excellent class attendance, consistent use of available resources and a mastery of difficult majors. Frogg is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, Yancey in nuclear engineering and Young in psychology.

Six others were named to the Thornton Center 40-Plus Club for their successful completion of at least 40 credit hours over the past academic year. Honorees were Jeff Cottam, Kris Fant, Antonio Gaines, Montario Hardesty, Austin Rogers and Kirk Swearingen.

In addition to these success stories, six Vols went through graduation ceremonies Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena. Cory Anderson, Stanley Asumnu, Drew Tardy, Todd Vinson, Ryan West and James Wilhoit (masters) all received degrees from UT President Dr. John D. Petersen.
In 2005, Tennessee placed 30 student-athletes on the SEC Academic Honor Roll to lead all conference schools. It was the highest number in program history for the third consecutive season, topping the 22 who were selected in 2004 and the 20 who made the last in 2003.

JOHNSON UNDERGOES SURGERY IN MINNESOTA

Tennessee junior defensive back Inquoris Johnson underwent surgery Thursday at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

UT head athletics trainer Jason McVeigh reported that Johnson was doing well after the lengthy procedure and is recovering. McVeigh said Johnson’s doctors expect the Atlanta native to be released from the hospital by early next week.

Johnson sustained what McVeigh called a traumatic injury while making a tackle late in the Vols’ Sept. 9 win over Air Force. Initial surgery was performed the next day at UT Medical Center. Since then, Johnson has been receiving daily physical therapy by the UT Sports Medicine staff.

Johnson, who had an interception, two additional pass breakups and 10 tackles in his two games played, served as an honorary team captain for Tennessee’s 16-13 win over Alabama on Oct. 21.
(Thanks - John Painter, UT SID Office)

Vols Recruiting

As many of you know, the Vols got a commitment from five star player, Eric Berry, of Fairburn, Georgia, last week. Berry’s father, James, played during the Johnny Major’s era at running back. Good to see we have another Berry coming to Knoxville! Although Berry is the #1 rated CB and overall #14 rated player in the nation, it looks as if the Vols might give him a chance to show what he can do on the offensive side of the ball.

Berry’s commitment makes three five star players coming to Knoxville as Wide Receiver, Kenny O’Neil, and Athlete Bret Vinson have committed to the Vols. Unfortunately, UT lost Harrison Smith of Knoxville Catholic, as he committed to Notre Dame on Friday.

Among the prospects to keep an eye on are several five star players who are still looking at the Vols. They are:

WR Terrance Toliver of Hempstead, TX
DT Marvin Austin of Washington, DC
SLB Chris Donald of Huntingdon, TN
CB Ronald Johnson of Muskegon, MI
WR Ahmad Paige of Sterlington, LA
WR Demetrius Byrd of Poplarville, MS

Going into this weekend, the Vols were eighth in national recruiting, according to Scout.com. Here is a look at the top ten:

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. USC
4. Notre Dame
5. Georgia
6. Nebraska
7. Illinois
8. Tennessee
9. Michigan
10. Georgia Tech

On Rivals.com, the Vols climbed as high as second last week, but were third as of this morning. Here is a look at the top ten:

1. Texas
2. Florida
3. Tennessee
4. Southern Cal
5. LSU
6. Notre Dame
7. Georgia
8. Nebraska
9. South Carolina
10. Michigan

Last week, I received a great email from a huge Vol fan named Tony, and wanted to show what he had to write. Tony mentioned several things, which I put in parentheses:

(Recruiting) - Getting Marvin Austin would be great-- somehow I think we won't; but what about Chris Donald-- the five-star LB. from Huntington TN? We gotta get him! Notre Dame or UT Hope it's us!

(Outback Bowl) - The Outback? Let’s hope Joe's apparent quick recovery doesn't fire them up too much. The Big Orange should win -- edge at QB, receiver, and DB---at least. But I do remember the 92 Fiasco Bowl @ 94 Citrus.

(David Cutcliffe) - Have you heard anything about Cutcliffe? Ivan Maisel --a Bama alum wants them to offer Cut. Hope not, David did a heck of a job with Ainge and the overall team -- brought some discipline.

(Eric Berry) - I don't think James Berry (Eric Berry’s father) played against BC he was a true freshman. Glad we got him- it paid off double!

GO VOLS!

Thanks for the email Tony! Here are my responses to your observations:

I think we have a great chance to get Chris Donald. I spoke with a friend of mine who writes for Rivals.com and he told me Chris is leaning towards the Vols and his interest is high. You never know until signing day, but it is looking good now. We already lost Harrison Smith to the Irish, so the gates out of Tennessee need to close now. Also, I have heard good things about Demetrius Byrd, a WR out of Poplarville, Mississippi who has the Vols high on his list of schools he would like to come to. Stay tuned!

I think the Vols have the better team going into the Outback Bowl and should win. However, never underestimate a Joe Paterno team. They are not in a bowl game because of their name only, this is a good football team and the Vols better be ready and bring the A game. Interestingly enough, UT has beaten Penn State twice in the regular season (31-11 in 1971 and 28-21 in 1972), but the Nittany Lions have beaten the Volunteers in past season play, (42-17 in the 1992 Fiesta Bowl and 31-13 in the 1994 Citrus Bowl). A Big Orange win means a 10 win season, plus we can look forward to a great recruiting class and momentum into the 2007 season.

I spoke with a source at UT and he said David Cutcliffe is staying in Knoxville so not to worry about him leaving. That is good news because the offense can thank him for the rebuilding job and the glory we all experienced last year.

I got a call from my college football contact at the Atlanta Journal and he told me Eric Berry is the AJC Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback/safety, rushed for 1,544 yards and passed for 1,008 during his senior season. During his four-year career, Berry compiled a 37-5 record as starting quarterback. He amassed 3,532 passing yards and 4,491 rushing yards rushing and on defense, he intercepted 16 passes.

(Picture courtesy of Brant Sanderlin - AJC)

Coach Scooter’s Christmas List

Because football season is almost over, I got to thinking if Santa Claus read my column, what would I ask him to bring me for Christmas? Here is my list; let me know what you think:

1. I would enjoy another October afternoon of sitting in Neyland Stadium when Alabama or Georgia comes to town and just taking a minute to look around the place and soak in what the experience of the day means; from the leaves turning color to seeing the Vol Navy floating down the Tennessee River.

2. I must request just a day to once again watch Peyton Manning set his feet and throw a long pass to Joey Kent; watch Charlie Garner or Jay Graham break off a long run; Al Wilson or Leonard Little breaking through blockers to disrupt the opponents offense; and finally, Santa, could you please bring me another day of watching Jeff Hall or James Wilhoit make a game winning kick?

3. Less end zone antics; more little girls in UT cheerleader outfits walking with their parents towards the stadium. Less BCS; more shots of Smokey on the sidelines. Less rap music; more of the post game of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band playing the Tennessee Waltz.

4. Seeing other Vols in orange when you are in an opponent’s stadium high fiveing and hugging, knowing we are all in this together. And for that matter, when the Vols win on enemy soil, having them run over to the Tennessee section so they can hug the fans, and in return, the fans tell them how proud they are of them.

5. Santa, if you have connections, could you please get a message to General Neyland and tell him on behalf of all Vol fans everywhere, we all want to say thank you for what he built over 80 years ago. Due to his hard work and dedication, everyone who is a member of the Big Orange Nation has something they can put their heart and soul into for 365 days every year.

Well, Vol fans. That is my column for the week! I look forward to getting back to the computer next week for more recruiting news, as well as the latest in the Outback Bowl preparations. Until then, rub those orange and white rosary beads, repeat your game maxims, and never take Coach Fulmer’s name in vain. Go Vols!!