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| By Ryan Wooden (Contributor) on December 25, 2010 |
There isn't a reason to believe Tennessee has much of a shot with any of these guys, but stranger things have happened. Ray Drew 4* GA DE:
This top-30 prospect nationally from Georgia has stated that Tennessee is in his top five, but there isn't much reason to believe that Tennessee has much of a shot here. He has been tough to get a read on and he says he loves UT defensive line coach Chuck Smith, but I would be surprised if he wound up in orange.
Lateek Townsend 4* SC LB:
Current UT commitment Pat Martin has been very actively recruiting Townsend on Tennessee's behalf but it doesn't look like Townsend is all that interested. It appears unlikely that he will leave the state of South Carolina and this one is shaping up to be a SC/Clemson battle, with SC holding the edge.
Timmy Jernigan 4* FL DT:
The Vols are doing everything they can to get Jernigan on campus next month, but that appears to be a chore in and of itself. His top three includes FSU, 'Bama and LSU and he hasn't made much mention of UT.
Giorgio Newberry 4* FL DE:
At one point, the Vols were very optimistic here. Newberry was wavering from his FSU commitment and visited in October and liked the Vols a lot. Over the last couple of months, however, Newberry seems to be less likely to change his mind. He has said he will make a final decision on signing day, so you can't completely count the Vols out.
James Wilder, Jr. 5* FL ATH:
Wilder is the son of former NFL RB James Wilder (1984 Pro Bowler) and is an absolute physical specimen. Unfortunately for the Vols, he is about as long of a shot as there is. There has been a whisper that he may be shopping around, but nothing tangible in that regard. I will be shocked if he doesn't sign with FSU.
Jermauria Rasco 4* LA DE:
Rasco is not taking visits until after bowl season, but the Vols are trying hard to earn a visit. The vols have a lot of ground to make up though and lot of people seem to think that Rasco is a lock to LSU. That won't keep Chuck Smith and the Vols from keeping at it though.
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Lamar Dawson is arguably the most important prospect remaining on UT's board for this recruiting class. The Vols lack depth everywhere defensively, so the chance to land a dynamic play-maker on that side of the ball is something the Vols really can't afford to pass up.
Dawson has terrific size for a linebacker and for that reason he may even be asked to put his hand in the dirt as a rush end at the next level, but his ability to make plays from sideline to sideline will likely keep him at LB.
It has been extremely difficult to get a feel for Dawson and I have seen a lot of differing opinions on where Dawson appears to be leaning. Tennessee is a name that seems to be pretty consistently mentioned as in the mix and many feel that Tennessee is likely in the top two or three.
The Vols are scheduled to get the last official visit from Dawson on January 28th, and you can expect the Vols to put the full court press on Dawson during his time on campus.
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Speed kills in college football and Florida running back Mike Bellamy has plenty of it. He will definitely have to add size in college to be an every down back, but any team lucky enough to sign him will undoubtedly find ways to get the ball in his hands.
Bellamy probably belongs on the longshot list, because he is a Clemson commit and most people seem to think that he will honor that commitment. However, Tennessee QB coach Darin Hinshaw has not given up here and Bellamy does like the Vols.
The question is: does he like the Vols enough to make the switch? The Vols will likely take at least one more RB in this class and Bellamy is a must take if the Vols can swing him.
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Antonio Richardson, 4* TN OT
Richardson is the top prospect in the state of Tennessee and is one of the top 100 prospects in the nation. He has unbelievable size and strength, and on the hoof he looks like the prototypical offensive tackle.
There are questions about his footwork and athleticism, which lead some to believe that he may wind up dropping inside to guard. He is, however, an absolute bulldozer in the run game and I have no doubt that it would take much time in a college strength and conditioning program for Tiny to master the intricacies of OT.
Throughout his recruitment, Richardson has been believed to be in a 'Bama/UT battle but recently this thing looks as wide open as ever. UT and 'Bama will both likely be finalists but UCLA, USC, Miami, and LSU are all making up ground here.
My heart of hearts still says Tennessee will prevail here, but this is far from the lock it may have been considered four months ago.
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