SEC recruiting rewind: Tennessee

By Chris Low

TENNESSEE

The class

Recruits: 27 (24 high school players, 3 junior college transfers). Six players are already enrolled in school.

Top prospects: Curt Maggitt was ranked by ESPN as the No. 3 outside linebacker nationally. DeAnthony Arnett was ranked as the No. 9 receiver. Antonio Richardson was ranked as the No. 8 offensive tackle, Marcus Jackson as the No. 4 offensive guard and Marlin Lane as the No. 11 running back.

Needs met: The Vols think Lane is the home-run hitter they were lacking in the running game last season. He brings speed and big-play potential. Defensive tackle help was at the top of their list, and they got three in this class. Having quarterback Justin Worley already enrolled in school is a plus, and it's pretty obvious Tennessee felt like it needed to stock up on secondary help with seven defensive backs in this class.

Analysis: After salvaging the class on short notice a year ago, Derek Dooley has put together a second straight top-20 class. Landing in-state stars Cameron Clear and Richardson was critical. The other thing that sticks out about this class was getting two junior college defensive backs in Byron Moore and Izauea Lanier who should be ready to come in and help right away next season. It was a strong close for the Vols in those final 48 hours, although they missed on four of the targets they were hoping to get on signing day.

ESPN recruiting grade: B

Byron Moore Announcement: What JUCO Recruit Means for Tennessee Football

By Ryan Wooden

Derek Dooley's first season in Knoxville was a trying one. The Vols had to scratch and claw just to muster up a 6-7 season that was capped off by a controversial loss in a second-tier bowl game to a North Carolina squad that was battered by injury and suspension.

If you were to look back through the history of the Tennessee football program, a season like the Vols had in 2010 isn't likely to stand out as anything but average.

Yet most Vol fans would be quick to point out that even making a bowl game with the deficiencies that the university had to deal with last season was actually beyond expectations.

It's hard to believe that a fanbase that can proudly claim six national championships would be happy with a six-win season, but with just 72 players on scholarship, reasonable Volunteer fans were exactly that...happy.

The clear lack of depth in 2010 made this recruiting class beyond pivotal and, in my opinion, this may wind up being the most important recruiting class the Vols have had in the last 10 years or more.

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.

Top prospect Antonio Richardson signs with Tennessee

Written by

Chip Cirillo

Last week, Antonio Richardson narrowed his choices down to five: Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, LSU and Miami. He took official visits to Tennessee, Georgia and Auburn.

This morning Richardson signed with the University of Tennessee. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle received 29 Division I offers. Rivals.com ranked him as the state’s top prospect, No. 7 at his position nationally and 74th overall nationally.

Scout.com ranks the senior second in the state behind Memphis Central tight end-lineman Cameron Clear, who committed to Tennessee on Tuesday. Richardson told Scout.com that he made his decision Monday night although he didn’t announce anything publicly until today.

Richardson played for the East in a 13-10 win over the West in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 8 in San Antonio. Former Goodpasture star Patrick Turner and ex-Harpeth standout Matthew Tant are the only other football players from Middle Tennessee to play in the game that annually draws many of the nation’s top prospects.

Four Star Cameron Clear Commits to UT!



Cameron Clear becomes 25th Commit to UT!

By John Varlas

Cameron Clear, the 6-6, 265-pound football recruit from Memphis Central, announced at a press conference today that he will sign with Tennessee. He said the decision was based on relationships and where he feels most comfortable.

Clear chose the Volunteers over Alabama, Duke and Memphis.

He is rated as the top prospect in the state by the Knoxville News Sentinel and the No. 2 prospect in the state by rivals.com. Rivals lists him as the nation's No. 18 offensive tackle prospect and a four-star recruit, although he played tight end in high school.

Clear will be able to sign his national letter of intent on Wednesday, the first day of the signing period.

Byron Moore commits to UT ! Mr. Headliner

Byron Moore becomes Tennessee's 24th
committment of the 2011 class !

Mr. Headliner has spoken!
Get ready for those national Championships!

Defensive back Byron Moore from Los Angeles Harbor City Community College has confirmed he’s Committed to the University of Tennessee. Citing that he gets along great with the coaching staff and his respect for the SEC conference. Moore also stated that he took a liking to the family environment.

Moore considered Oregon State,Miami, and UT down the stretch, however, he informed Oregon State’s coaches he was  no longer considering the Beavers after visits to Miami and Tennessee.

Byron ultimately decided his services would be more apt for Tennessee's program.

Moore spent the 2009 season redshirting at Southern California. He transferred to Harbor City after Lane Kiffin and his staff arrived at USC. Moore will have three years to play three at his next school.

While at Harbor Byron compiled some decent stats with 252 yards on 7 interceptions with 2 touchdowns and a long of 63 yards while racking up an average of 22.9 yards, and 28 yrds on fumble returns. Moore was an integral part of the defense racking up 42 total tackles with one for a loss of yardage.

Listen to internet radio with The AllStar Approach on Blog Talk Radio

Curt Maggitt delays decision one more time; will announce Feb. 10

Representatives for the Sportsman Channel's Respect Outdoors show said Monday that Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer prospect DE Curt Maggitt, who was to announce his college choice on Thursday of this week, will now be announcing a week later.


The new announcement date will be Feb. 10 and his taped decision will air at 5:30 p.m. on the cable outdoors show.

The problem for those involved will be keeping a lid on the decision until the show airs next week.

Maggitt is an outdoor hobbyist who loves to go fishing with teammate and friend Nick O'Leary, an FSU commitment, aboard the O'Leary's boat.

Maggitt is considered to be a heavy lean toward the Florida Gators. After head coach Urban Meyer stepped down, however, Maggitt had some thinking to do.

His original plan had been to announce his college choice on the Respect Outdoors show on the day after Christmas, but with the coaching situation in limbo at UF, Maggitt changed his plans to Feb. 4.


Now, until further notice, or some kind of Maggitt-Gate leak, he's on tap for Feb. 10.

His final three schools are Florida, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

Tune in for Byron Moore Decision

Stick around on SmokiesPost to listen for Byron Moore's decison. Look for link in Sidebar to listen to The All Star Approach! Byron will be deciding Monday at 11 pm EST.  

Byron Moore a Drama "Queen" or Drama "fiend" ?

Byron Moore has taken to his twitter account for the last few weeks. He has been dropping lines about UT and Miami both hyping about early playing time and also insinuating that UT is already deep at the corner position.

While not always bad for UT he has also stated that the SEC is a proven championship platform and we all know how he feels about Alabama. But has he already made his decision? According to the inside the U which is Miami 247 affiliated, Byron is listed as a committment to Miami.

The question is, is Moore prolonging the effects of this decision to live in the limelight. Or does he somehow need this spotlight to feel important and ease the effects of his first run where his signing didn't live up to the potential that was supposed to be surrounding him when he signed with USC Sr.

I understand that these recruits feel the need to be needed, but why the Dramatc fashion. Does Moore want the hype to surround him because he is uncertain of his talents on the field, which is where the true stage benefits these athletes and their God given talents. Moore obviously understands the talents that are required on the stage that is the SEC, but does he truly understand that the talents cannot be hyped by mouth but only by actions on the field? We will see in due time, when Moore makes his ultimate decision.

Moore should also understand that the lights don't shine as bright on Feb.2 as they do on Saturday nights in the SEC.

Rumor Mill

Very strong rumors are being spread that JUCO prospect Byron Moore is headed to Knoxville to wear the Orange.

Dave Hooker reports:

"WNOXDaveHooker Dave Hooker #Vols in great shape for S Byron Moore as per source close to him. Expect a positive decision for #UT on Wednesday. More info on 100.3 WNOX"

So tune in Wedenesday to find out for sure. Listen Here

Pagan could reconsider commitment

By Eric Guimaraes

Jeoffrey Pagan

DE Jeoffrey Pagan (6-4 250) of Asheville, NC has already de-committed from Florida and may now be reconsidering his commitment to Clemson, according to his coach, Danny Wilkins. "He told me he wasn't going to talk to anyone for a week and then make a decision," said Wilkins. "He is looking at Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama." Pagan took a visit to Bama over the weekend and received a visit from Georgia recently as well. "He keeps changing his mind so we'll see what happens," said Wilkins. "I really don't know what he is going to do."

Marlin Lane has Committed to UT !

Marlin Lane

Word started to leak on Monday that Daytona Beach, Florida running back Marlin Lane had committed to Tennessee. Lane fought back the reports, until his bus ride home from school when he decided to make it official. Lane had hoped to wait and announce the Vols later in the week, but after the news broke, Lane decided to make it known to everyone that he was indeed a Vol.

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.

Fulse to be busy with the Vols

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.

Byron Moore Update

 jcshurburtt JC Shurburtt

RT @JHopkins247: JUCO DB Byron Moore down to two? http://t.co/TvWxmmp via @247sportsdotcom #Vols #Canes

Lane no longer on Clemson's board

Clemson has elected to no longer recruit Top247 running back Marlin Lane and does not consider him a commitment, a source with knowledge of the situation said Thursday night.

Lane was informed of the decision Thursday afternoon.


The staff made the move after being unable to convince Lane to shore up his commitment and cease taking official visits beyond this weekend’s planned trip to Clemson. Lane has expressed interest in Auburn after visiting their last month and took a trip to Miami last weekend.

Furthermore, Lane was arrested for possession of marijuana on Dec. 23 in Volusia County (Fla.).

Lane will not be taking the official visit to Clemson this weekend.

But the staff has been in communication with Lane’s teammate at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Fla. – defensive back Cortez Davis – and Davis has reaffirmed his pledge to the Tigers’ staff as well as maintained the plan to take his official visit this weekend.

Clemson will not pursue an additional running back for this class, as current pledge Mike Bellamy would give the Tigers their fifth scholarship back – their desired number.

The plan is to save the scholarship in case the Tigers can land an additional defensive lineman or linebacker they have already been pursuing.

Clemson will have 20 official visitors in for its major recruiting weekend of the month. Included in that mix are five uncommitted Top247 prospects: linebackers Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward; defensive linemen Jeoffrey Pagan and Phillip Dukes; and end/tight end Jerell Adams.

Keeping things in perspective!

Jadeveon Clowney

According to SmokiesPost Poll most readers would love to see Jadeveon Clowney in Orange next Season. But we here at the Post want to look back at why many think he is so great! When looking at Clowney's numbers which equate to 9 tackles a game and 1.6 sacks per game ( which by the way is very impressive) we can see why Clowney is a hot commodity. While it doesn't look as if Clowney will pledge to UT on or after February 2, We would like you to at least keep one date in Mind!


August 27,2010


 Why, some of you may ask is this date important. SmokiesPost remembers this date as the date that Clowney led South Pointe High school into Rock Hill, SC for a matchup against Northwestern. Northwestern Quarterback Ely knew he was in for a battle with the beast on the other side. As it happened Ely went down early in the game and things began to  look bleak for Northwestern.

Enter Justin Worley.

Justin Worley who was a little known QB at the time entered the game to fill in for Ely. And what does he do. Only torched Clowney and his defense for 5 TD's in one half. Northwestern would go on to win this game 42-20.

So keep the chin up Big Orange fans. We may not get Clowney or the highest rated recruiting class in the country. But we did get , however, the Gatorade national player of the year who isn't worried about "little" old Clowney.

Can UT dazzle before NSD ? The stage is set !

Derek Dooley will have a tough January stretch.

We all know the importance of the last visit. UT has a pretty good list for January 28th. Can Dooley reel them in. Smokiespost will keep you posted:

 

 

 

This is how UT visits will play out for the month of January.