Antonio Richardson Announcement: What It Means for Tennessee Football

Antonio Richardson

By

Edwin Weathersby

Pearhl-Cohn (TN) high school offensive tackle Antonio Richardson is headed to Rocky Top.


That's right folks, the big tackle will be a Vol. He joins linebacker Curt Maggitt as the two most recent Volunteer pledges and Derek Dooley is a happy man.

6'6" and 310 pounds, Richardson is a force in the run game. He's quick at the snap, fires out and moves defenders off their mark. Explosive and strong at the point of attack, Richardson creates holes and alleys in the trenches with ease.

He's also athletic enough to be used on pulls and on the second level. Richardson also has the balance and agility to make blocks in space, which is very hard to do for big offensive linemen.

Look for Richardson to end up at right tackle or perhaps even left tackle. He also has the ability to play guard as well.

Auburn got Richardson's final visit last weekend, but that was not enough to pry the big man from staying home.

Georgia was also a finalist, and playing in Athens was a big draw. While Richardson was not in the Georgia recruiting in-state Dream Team, he was still a huge priority for Mark Richt, as addressing the offensive line for the Dawgs was an area of need.

Miami was also considered and with the Canes stealing Jalen Grimble from USC, many were poised to see another surprise from Al Golden and his staff.

Yet, Richardson is headed to Tennessee to stay home and play for the Vols, where Coach Dooley surely will properly show him how to shower.

Curt Maggitt Commits To Tennessee: 4-Star LB Leaves Florida Behind For The Vols

Curt Maggitt

By

Michael Ellis

Four-star linebacker, Curt Maggitt has given his verbal commitment to Head Coach Derek Dooley and the University of Tennessee Volunteers.


The commitment came late Tuesday evening and aside from being a major pick up for the Volunteers, fans from the Gainesville area are considering the loss of Maggitt to be quiet significant.

Florida had been considered the leader for the services of Maggitt for several months but Derek Dooley and his recruiting staff have worked tirelessly and their efforts are showing up in a big way for the Volunteers.

Tennessee an Underrated team for 2011 campaign

Tennessee football has seen quite a large amount of turmoil with three coaches in three seasons.

But Derek Dooley seems here to stay, especially after four straight wins with Tyler Bray at QB to make the Vols bowl eligible.

Dooley's club has a pretty favorable schedule in 2011, with their only tough road games being at Florida and Alabama.

In addition to Bray's return and a corps of talented young receivers ready to mature, the defense returns their entire secondary, with a pair of all-SEC safeties intact.

A matter of stability could do wonders for slowly returning Tennessee to prosperity, especially in a weakened SEC East.


Who are the Others ?

National Signing Day 2011: Tennessee Adds 4-Star DB Geraldo Orta

Head coach Derek Dooley and the Volunteers added their 22nd member to the recruiting class of 2011 late Saturday afternoon when four-star defensive back Geraldo Orta verbally committed to Tennessee.
Orta took his official visit to Tennessee on Jan. 14 and took just over a week to make his commitment to the Vols.
The highly-touted Orta had numerous offers, including South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Mississippi State, South Florida, Central Florida and Clemson.
The 6'0", 185-pound safety from Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. had narrowed his final two choices to Clemson and Tennessee.  In the end, Orta preferred the Vol's shade of Big Orange over that of the Tigers.

Tennessee Volunteers Football: 4-Star JUCO DB Izauea Lanier Commits to the Vols

By

Ryan Wooden

Late Monday night, Derek Dooley and the Tennessee coaching staff got some fantastic news in the form of a commitment from 4 star, JUCO defensive back Izauea Lanier.

A sophomore from East Mississippi Community College, Lanier was originally an Auburn commitment coming out of high school in Gordo, Alabama. Lanier failed to qualify and went the junior college route with hopes of returning to play for the Tigers, but earlier this year the Auburn coaching staff cut ties with Lanier and informed him he would have to play his college ball elsewhere.

Lane Kiffin deemed "Bust" twice in career

According to Bleacher Report, Lane Kiffin is listed twice on the list of the All-time Coaching Busts. Only an egotistical Punk could acheive this goal ! Smokies Post and Big Orange Nation Congratulates this loser on his new awards!

Lane Kiffin: Tennessee Volunteers

Lane Kiffin has been quite a controversial coaching figure since being fired from the Oakland Raiders in 2008.

Kiffin, at 33-years of age, was hired to be the successor to Phillip Fulmer at the University of Tennessee. His first year was mediocre, however, and the Volunteers 7-6 in 2009 was not enough to keep Kiffin around as he bolted for USC when Pete Carroll went to the NFL.

The Volunteers were sent into a tailspin for a coaching candidate, leaving the students and fans in a riot on campus.


Lane Kiffin: Oakland Raiders

Lane Kiffin was supposed to be the big hit youngster for Al Davis and the

Oakland Raiders; so much for that.


A 5-15 record in one and a quarter seasons was not what the Raiders organization had in mind.

Following a much-publicized rumor of being fired, or forced to resign, behind accusations of lying and dishonor, an arbitrator ruled against Kiffin claiming Davis was just in his firing.

Tennessee Volunteers Football: Who Should Be The Defensive MVP?

By Ryan Wooden (Contributor) on January 12, 2011



Nick Reveiz



This season has been a trying one, in the middle of a slew of trying seasons, for the Tennessee Volunteers football program.

A lot has been made of the Vols current situation, having gone through three coaching staffs in the past three years, but as they say on Broadway, "The show must go on."

One of the constant questions bantered about during Derek Dooley's very first spring and fall camps as Tennessee's head man was how would the Vols defense stand up to a severe lack of overall depth?

Dooley started addressing this problem by going out and poaching a rising young star in the coaching profession, former Boise State d-coordinator Justin Wilcox. Wilcox brought a multiple look defensive scheme with him to Knoxville, with hopes of masking some of the Vols deficiencies.

Tennessee Vols Football: Tyler Bray's Future So Bright, You Gotta Wear Shades

By Michael Ellis (Tennessee Featured Columnist) on January 8, 2011









Tennessee freshman quarterback Tyler Bray drops back to pass.

Rarely does one have the opportunity to witness the beginnings of a star being born, especially in the middle of a sunny Saturday afternoon in Columbia, SC, but that's precisely what Tennessee football fans did on October 30, 2010.

In the third quarter Head Coach Derek Dooley had grown weary of the offense, led by junior quarterback Matt Simms. Simms had battled his way through the brutal stretch of the Tennessee schedule, suffering 24 sacks through eight games, while throwing eight touchdowns and five interceptions. The offense was inconsistent, to say the least, and the inability to finish drives and get points on the board had relegated the unit to dead last in the SEC in orange-zone scoring.

With the Vols trailing the South Carolina Gamecocks, 17-10, Coach Dooley made the most important gridiron decision of his young Tennessee coaching career.

Marcus Jackson Commits to UT !



By Ryan Wooden (Contributor) on January 5, 2011



 

 

Marcus Jackson

Ask any coach across the country what the single most important factor towards being a successful head coach, and they will likely tell you that it is recruiting. It's not the only part, because after you recruit the talent you have to develop the players and of course game-plan towards the opponents' talents, but it all starts with recruiting.

Derek Dooley and the Vols would likely agree with that statement as they are now in year two of what looks to be a multi-year rebuilding period for the once proud Tennessee program.

Tonight Dooley and the Vols got one step closer to their goal of upgrading the level of talent for the University of Tennessee football program when they received a commitment from Under Armour All-American Marcus Jackson. Jackson committed live, on national television, while participating in the contest about an hour ago.

Tennessee Football Recruiting: Prep Stars Ready For Under Armour and Army Games

By Michael Ellis (Tennessee Featured Columnist) on January 4, 2011

Janzen Jackson in the 2009 UnderArmour
All-American Game.

Doug Benc/Getty Images

While Big Orange fans continue to stew over the finish of the Music City Bowl, Derek Dooley and his Tennessee staff have turned the page and are now focused on the task at hand—recruiting.


Tennessee looks for a strong finish in the final month to close on SEC East rivals Georgia, Florida and South Carolina in the off-field battle for the nation's top prep gridiron athletes.

Currently, Tennessee ranks 22nd nationally in recruiting and eighth in the SEC, according to Rivals.com. More importantly, the Vols are locked in a dead heat with defending SEC East champ South Carolina while looking up at perennial Eastern Division rivals Georgia and Florida.

Nationally, the East stacks up with Georgia at No. 17, Florida close behind at 18, South Carolina at No. 20, with Tennessee closing in at No. 22. Kentucky is No. 42 and Vanderbilt is not ranked in the top 50.

Tennessee currently has 19 commitments and will be looking to add to their class in Head Coach Derek Dooley's first full year of recruiting for the Vols.

Music City Bowl-The Complete Epic Saga Of Tennessee's Nightmare In Nashville

By Michael Ellis (Tennessee Featured Columnist) on January 2, 2011

WARNING: The following may be hazardous to the well-being of Big Orange fans and is not intended to cure any illnesses brought about by the Nightmare in Nashville. Readers with severe heart conditions should consult with their physicians before continuing as content may result in heart palpitations and other irregularities. Other side effects may include, but are not limited to, amnesia, insomnia and other sleep disorders, anxiety, blurred vision, depression, dizziness, nausea, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, and in at least one confirmed case, blatant denial.

Win Some, Lose Some: Vols Keeping DC Justin Wilcox

By Joel Barker (Tennessee Featured Columnist) on December 31, 2010

Justin Wilcox

According to multiple news reports, Tennessee defensive coordinator, Justin Wilcox will not be going to Texas as rumors suggested just two weeks ago.

According to Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Wilcox told people in the Tennessee program he was not going to Texas.

Wilcox has been considered a rising star in the assistant coach ranks since his days as the coordinator of Boise State's stingy defense.

Wilcox did a good job with limited resources in his first season in Knoxville. Once Tennessee is back at anything that resembles full strength, the young defensive coordinator should show everyone why Texas reportedly wanted him.

Five Reasons The Refs Did Not Cost Tennessee a Win in The Music City Bowl

By Joel Barker (Tennessee Featured Columnist) on December 31, 2010

 

Someone has to write it, right?

Tennessee's latest loss was absolutely brutal. That statement rings horribly true in the big orange nation right now.

But, as incensed as you might have been about the Vols getting hosed out of a win again, the game would not have even been in doubt had just a few things been done differently.

Unfortunately, it is the job of sportswriters to point those painful moments out to you.

Thus, five reasons the Vols lost this game.

Time For UT Vols and UNC Heels To Dance: Let The Music Play In Nashville

Tyler Bray and Tauren Poole lead the Vols into the
Music City Bowl.

By Michael Ellis (Tennessee Featured Columnist) on December 29, 2010

With the kickoff for the Franklin American Mortgage Company Music City Bowl in Nashville just a day away, the Tennessee Volunteers (6-6, 3-5 SEC) and the North Carolina Tar Heels (7-5, 4-4 ACC) are making final preparations for the game that nearly never happened.


Scheduled to play a home-and-away series in 2011 and 2012, Tennessee abruptly canceled the series a few months ago, much to the displeasure of Vol and Tar Heel fans alike.

Music City Bowl: Everything You Need To Know About Tennessee vs. North Carolina

Head coach Derek Dooley and Tennessee can conclude an impressive
second half of the 2010 season with a
win over North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

By Ryan Faller (Analyst) on December 27, 2010

The Music City Bowl is only a few days away, scheduled to kick off Dec. 30 at 6:40 PM ET in Nashville.

The matchup features two big-name programs that endured seasons not exactly worthy of big-time headlines. And yet, though strife, both have battled valiantly enough to earn a place in college football’s postseason.

And because of that, I am forced to provide you with some info on Thursday’s game between North Carolina and Tennessee:

Tennessee Vols to be feted by Music City Bowl

By Mike Organ • THE TENNESSEAN • December 25, 2010

The Predators and the General Jackson Showboat will be added to the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl mix this year after Tennessee and North Carolina arrive Sunday.

With Opry Mills closed because of flood damage, bowl officials changed some of the activities in which the teams participate leading up to the game Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at LP Field.

The official welcome party for both teams will take place Monday aboard the General Jackson Showboat. On Tuesday players from both teams will attend the Predators game against the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.

Can Tennessee Become the Beast of the SEC East?

Streeter Lecka/Getty images

By Joel Barker (Tennessee Featured Columnist)



 Well, it's December. And Urban Meyer has resigned.

This time around, however, all indications are that Meyer will not be changing his mind in a week. That means Florida athletic director has a lot of work to do quickly.

There were reports early this season that some of Florida's highly touted freshman class were regretting their decision to stick with Florida after Urban Meyer's first resignation last December.

Tennessee Volunteers Football: 2011 Recruiting Big Board

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.

2011 National Signing Day: Can Tennesee's Dooley Land Blue Chips?

Could Jeremiah Briscoe be Tennessee's
New Next Big Thing ?

By John White (Correspondent) on December 18, 2010

On your mark, get set-, GO! As national signing day approaches every major university that takes the field on Saturday have already been sharpening their talons perched atop their Athletic Director's roost, that includes Tennessee. On any given day in just about any living-room of any heavily recruited future All-American a recruiter will swoop in and boastfully exclaim ...

Tennessee Volunteers' Reasons To Be Thankful and a Few Things To Change

By John White (Correspondent) on December 16, 2010

As the year rolls to a fortunate end, I thought now would be a good time to reflect on the things we are thankful for and reflect on the things we would like to change.

Things could have been worse for the Vols, but a bowling we shall go.