X's Recruiting Updates

'X' Says:
So what is the line from the that old Tom Petty song, “The Waiting is the Hardest Part”. Is there any better way to describe what most of us will be doing between now and Wednesday morning?

For Tennessee, the recruiting hay is in the barn. Now it’s the waiting. Big picture. Recruiting boards are paired down to a select few. Contingency plans are in place. In home visits are over. Coaches are off the road for the most part. This is the last recruiting visit weekend before recruiting goes dark Sunday night. Then, you hold your breath until Wednesday, February 1.

The numbers tell the story for Tennessee. 2 spots left in the class. 3 maybe 4 committed prospects taking visits this weekend. A pool of 5 prospects still on the board. 1 with an outside chance of 2 visitors on campus this weekend.

Information will be very scarce from now until Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening when kids get back from their final visits. Then, it is complete craziness until Wednesday.

After midnight on Sunday, there is not to be any contact between recruited prospects and coaches. This is a complete farce. Everybody knows it. There are plenty of ways coaches can get connected to prospects during this so called dead period. It is really a joke. This maybe the most stressful time for the kids and their families. I’m convinced many kids really don’t make their final decisions until the evening before or morning of National Signing Day. I remember Jacques McClendon, one of my favorite Vols of all time and one who had been committed to Tennessee for months, having a few second thoughts before he signed the papers. Big decision. First decision with consequences many of these kids have had to make.

The question for Coach Dooley is how solid are the relationships built with a couple of kids who are being pursued by other schools. Now, do these kids hold true to the commitments made for months or, do family or other pressures prevail? Coach Dooley knows the prospects he has to worry about keeping their end of the bargain. Tennessee has planned accordingly.

Even though this is all suppose to be about the prospects. It never amazes me how in some cases a parent or both parents begin to enjoy “being recruited” more than the player enjoys it. Honestly, the kids get sick of it after awhile. Tennessee has 2 of these situations in this class. Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Tennessee lost one or both of these prospects.

The following is the worst part of the whole process for me. Not the waiting until Wednesday. Not a prospect being committed to a school for months and then on signing day sign with another school. Remember it is kids we are dealing with and kids change their minds..... frequently. If you have one of these like I do you know what I'm talking about. No, the worst part for me is Basilio makes me predict how Tennessee is going to close this thing out. I don’t know for sure. I can tell you with certainty that while recruiting staff members have a feel for how they close they won’t know for sure about these kids until Wednesday morning. That is just the way it is. So here goes ......

I will break this into a couple of parts. The first is who stays and who goes and the second is how does Tennessee close.

Who Stays & Who Goes

Tennessee has 4 committed players still taking visits. I’m worried about all of them but I worry about everything. Let’s look at each one.

Dalton Santos. Down to Tennessee or Texas for Mr. Santos. If the kid, who has to spend the next 4 years of his life in either Austin or Knoxville, is making the choice, he picks Tennessee. Tennessee is giving him the opportunity to play his natural position (inside linebacker) and play early. Texas will likely move Santos to defensive end. He is too much of a tweener in my opinion for a defensive end.
My gut says the dad is going to be influential in the final decision . With that said, in my opinion Santos is headed to Texas. I think a lot of people involved in recruiting of Santos from Tennessee’s side feel the same way.


If Davante Borque is left to make the decision, he comes to Tennessee. If he and his father take the trip to Nebraska this weekend, we’ll have to wait until Wednesday morning to see where he ends up.


Otha Peters. I think he signs with Tennessee.


Ladarrell McNeil is a tough one. Oklahoma State has put an enormous amount of heat on McNeil. Oklahoma State is closer to Dallas than Knoxville is. McNeil would be a boost to an otherwise dreadful recruiting class Oklahoma State has put together. McNeil has steadfastly told Tennessee he is coming. We’ll see what he says next week. McNeil’s family loved its time in Tennessee. I’m going against most traditional thinking that he flips to Oklahoma State and say he sticks with Tennessee. Whether he signs with Tennessee or Oklahoma State, he will be the best prospect in either class.


How Does Tennessee Close

These are difficult because there are compelling reasons to be made for each of these prospects choosing Tennessee. Here are the 4 uncommitted prospects left on the board.


Wide Receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Tennessee is getting the last in home visit with Patterson. In my way of thinking this is key. Six weeks ago Tennessee was completely out of the Patterson sweepstakes. When Charlie Baggett “retired”, Tennessee was dead in the water with Patterson. Moving Darin Hinshaw to Wide Receiver Coach was the first step in repairing the relationship with Patterson. Hinshaw has done the rest. I do know Patterson feels comfortable at Tennessee. Even when the recruitment seemed off track, Tennessee just kept in touch and over time has seemed to re- capture whatever momentum there is with Patterson. Off the record, Tennessee is cautiously optimistic here. You look for any sign you can find in recruiting. Maybe it is me gasping for things but I think it speaks volumes Darin Hinshaw gets the last visit with Patterson.


Defensive lineman Korren Kirven. Kirven could step up Wednesday morning and sign papers with Virginia Tech and I wouldn’t be one bit surprised. His family has ties to Virginia Tech, he has a number of friends on the Virginia Tech team, and Blacksburg is a very easy drive for his parents to make every Saturday instead of driving down that gosh awful I-81 to Knoxville. Virginia Tech is the easy choice for him. The problem is Kirven loves Tennessee. He has been on campus so many times since the summer Tennessee is almost like a second home to him. Tennessee has the momentum here. This is another one where family may prevail though.



Quinshad Davis. Davis could be the steal of the class. The next great Tennessee receiver . A star in waiting. You wonder what Tennessee sells Davis if Patterson commits to Tennessee ? Let’s look at it. Tennessee could barely put 5 receivers on the field in a 5-wide set last season especially after Justin Hunter’s injury. Tennessee has already lost two receivers in the off season (Arnett and Milton), Zac Rogers graduates after the 2012 season; and you have the feeling some combination of Hunter, Rogers, and even Patterson could leave for the NFL draft after next season. Now , the depth chart doesn’t look so bad. Davis could very likely be an every down receiver by 2013. All the so-called analysts and experts are picking Tennessee here ...something tells me to watch Wake Forest.


Jacoby Briscoe. Defensive lineman like Kirven and Briscoe, are the type Tennessee needs to sign more of to return to SEC prominence. You simply stockpile and redshirt defensive tackles. Follow the Alabama model. I have always been told this late in the game you don’t turn down defensive lineman. It is clear Kirven is the top defensive line target. Briscoe is scheduled to visit this weekend. Honestly, I will be surprised if this happens. As good a prospect is Briscoe is, simply don’t think Tennessee has room.


Demetrious Wilson, Wide Receiver. How bad is Arkansas looking the last couple of days. Cutting loose a long time commitment two days before the last visit weekend. Then, 4 hours later not taking the commitment from Demetrious Wilson. a kid they have seemingly wanted and have been recruiting hard. Regardless, Wilson is the third of three wide receiver options Tennessee has remaining on its board. If Patterson doesn’t sign with Tennessee, look for Wilson to be a VOL. If Patterson falls to Tennessee and Davis goes elsewhere, I don’t think Tennessee can take 2 JUCO wide receivers.


To sum up, while Tennessee's board says "5" prospects are on it, I really think the pool of prospects to watch is more like "3". Kirven, Patterson and Davis.

That is it. Another recruiting cycle in the books. Look for updates between now and Wednesday morning
I will have a wrap of 2012 recruiting on Thursday after the smoke clears and a look ahead .

Have a great weekend.

Buckle the seat belt.

X'


PSX: If and if...If Tennessee ends up signing only 24 prospects in this class, watch Tennessee and Rutgers commitment Quanzell Lambert. Right now Lambert isnt planning to sign with any school next Wednesday. He doesn't have any official visits left but he can visit a school like Tennessee on his own dime. Lambert is a big time inside linebacker prospect. If Santos does go to Texas as many think, Tennessee would have a spot for an inside linebacker. I know there have been discussions between Lambert and Tennessee as late as last evening.

Now I'm done.

X'
'X' Says:
'Signing Day can’t get here fast enough.

I remain cautiously optimistic Tennessee is going to close out this recruiting cycle strong……

Still a lot of work to be done to close it out though.


My opinion of course but I can have one. You know me I’m a Vol not a reporter. I do have a bias. I live and breathe this recruiting stuff.

You have to hand it to this Dooley guy. In the midst of the program seemingly going up in flames around him, possibly teetering on the edge of being run out of town, and losing 6 assistant coaches……. This guy could close out with a top ten recruiting class.

Give a ton of credit to two coaches you don’t hear much about Darrin Hinshaw and Terry Joseph. These two along with Dooley stayed on message with recruits and their parents and held things together until reinforcements arrived.

X'
'X' Says:
'Recruiting Notes and a Look Ahead:

Well, nine days to go and we can put this recruiting class in the books. This time of the year is not a time for the faint of heart. There is likely to be more prospect movement between now and signing day than in years past. This hard 25 rule the SEC has instituted if nothing else will add another layer of excitement to National Signing Day. Prospects committed to SEC schools with academic issues or are academic risks are at risk of having their seat at the table taken come Signing Day. Couple of SEC teams are going to have to pass on a really good player or two to comply with this new rule. This rule may make a school or two look bad when an offer is pulled at this late of a date. Criticize Coach Dooley all you want. Looks like he got his academic culling done early instead of late. Better to take the hit one month before signing day than a few days before signing day like other teams may be forced to. Another reason is we are dealing with 17 and 18 year old kids who are prone to change their mind.... a lot.... in a short period of time......


One brief look back. Tennessee capped off a light recruiting weekend by wrapping up a big time commitment in Deion Bonner a cornerback from Carver High in Columbus Georgia. Bonner is a big time talent. Before his off the field transgression last summer, Bonner was rated as the third best prospect at any position in the state of Georgia for 2012. One of the premier cornerbacks in the country in my opinion. Likely headed to either Georgia or Alabama before the incident, Bonner was one of the first telephone calls Coach Sunseri made when he donned the orange.

This Bonner guy is really good. He is a good enough talent that I'm not surprised Dooley and Sunseri, after sitting down with the kid, are taking a chance on him. Again, my opinion, if Bonner remains true to Tennessee and does sign with Tennessee next Wednesday, he is easily one of the top five signees in this class. Has a chance to be an early contributor next season.

As with recruiting the good comes with a little bad.. sort of. Cornerback commitment Daniel Gray up and out of nowhere took an official visit to West Virginia this past weekend. Hard to tell whether Gray was told Tennessee may not have room for him come signing day or whether he saw the writing on the wall (folks the Bonner commitment to Tennessee has been one of the worst kept secrets of recently memory). Gray says he is solid to Tennessee but if a kid is visiting other schools this late in the game you have to worry.

And of course there is the Dalton Santos deal. Of all the commitments, Santos is the one Tennessee and all Vol fans are concerned with and with good reason. Visiting a school Santos grew up idolizing the last recruiting weekend of this recruiting cycle does not bode well for Tennessee.
To be honest, Santos seems like a kid that has been looking for another place to go to school since Peter Sirmon left. I’m sort of over all the Santos drama. Good prospect but needs work in a strength and conditioning program. Honestly, I'm not sure how great an immediate fit he is for the new defensive coordinator anyway.

Enter Memphis standout Chase Robison a 6'4" 230 lb outside linebacker/defensive end/athlete type from Memphis Christian Brothers High School. To be honest, Robison may fit a need in this recruiting class more so than Santos. Robison has a few things you can't teach. Great first step. Uses his hands really well. Quick to the ball. In my previous post, I noted one area of concern in this class is the lack of an athletic off the edge rush end. Tennessee struck out in its pursuit of Alabama defensive end JaMichael Winston so the next prospect up is Robison. Tennessee's staff is moving quickly. Robison has an offer and is visiting this weekend. You think if he visits and wants to come to Tennessee they find a place for him. Coach Sunseri had evaluated Robison at Alabama and was familiar with Robison's skill set. Our previous defensive staff for some inexplicable reason did not give this kid a look.


If the Santos and Gray commitments hold Tennessee has two spots left in the recruiting class. My guess there is about a 70% chance one or both end up somewhere other than Tennessee come signing day. That being the case, Tennessee has three possibly four spots left. I told you last week there would be movement/changes in the commitment list. Still not certain we have seen the last of it. The way Tennessee is still continuing to recruit kids, my guess is there are three if not more spots up for grabs.

So who fills out the class? Way too early to know but Tennessee wants at least one more wide receiver, one more defensive lineman, and the best available athlete (I believe it is Robison).

Six weeks ago just before the JUCO signing period, I didn’t give Tennessee much of a chance to sign JUCO wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Tennessee had led for Patterson, the #1 JUCO prospect in the country at any position, for the longest time. Whether Patterson didn’t do something he was suppose to do academically or whether it was the bad ending to a bad season Tennessee looked to be on the outside looking end of Patterson's recruitment. Tennessee has survived all the late November and December mess thanks in large part to Darrin Hinshaw. Not saying Patterson winds up at Tennessee but now it wouldn't surprise me at all. Auburn seems to close well and Patterson keeps mentioning them.

Another wide receiver prospect to watch in Gaffney, South Carolina's Quinshad Davis. Davis is a 4 star prospect Rivals lists Davis as one of the top 250 prospects in the country and he just got named to the Parade All American team. Yet, for some reason, Davis remains largely under the radar. His leader was Wake Forest until Tennessee moved into the picture. Tennessee gets his last visit this weekend. Davis stands 6'3" weighs about 185 lbs. Davis would be a heck of a prospect to close with.

Could Tennessee take both Davis and Patterson? Remains to be seen. Patterson is still to some extent considered an academic risk while Davis will give you four years, has outstanding grades, and has the potential to be a star.

On defense, the kid Tennessee wants is Korren Kirven. Kirven is a big-time defensive lineman who lives virtually in the backyard of Virginia Tech. It is fact Kirven loves Tennessee. Kirven visited Tennessee two weekends ago and had a great visit. Problem is Alabama loves Kirven and is one of their top remaining targets and oh yes there is Virginia Tech too. By the way, Kirven visits Virginia Tech this weekend. Kirven wants the opportunity to play some defensive end in college. Tennessee has consistently recruited Kirven with defensive end as an option for him. I have always maintained since the summer that even though Virginia Tech has long been the favorite the longer Kirven went and did not commit to Virginia Tech the better it was for Tennessee's chances. If Peter Sirmon is still with Tennessee I would say absolutely Kirven was a VOL. Now it is going to be interesting to see if Dooley, Sunseri, and Palermo can quickly restore Kirven's comfort level with Tennessee. You continue to hear good things with this recruitment. I think its Kirven or bust in terms of defensive lineman for Tennessee.


Another prospect to watch this week is California cornerback Devian Shelton. If Daniel Gray does in fact de-commit or winds up "pursuing other options" officially freeing up another spot in the recruiting class, watch for Tennessee to move to get Shelton in for a visit. As mentioned last week, Shelton has long liked Tennessee. For some reason the previous defensive staff just wasn't that interested in Shelton. Shelton is a four star prospect and RIVALS TOP 250 prospect who is one of the top cornerback prospects in the country. If he visits Tennessee this weekend, tells me Tennessee has a spot for him and would be one to watch.

For what it is worth, people have suggested Tennessee should ask kicking specialist George Bullock to walk on or to grey shirt instead of taking up a spot in the signing class. The rationale being his spot could be used for another wide receiver or another linebacker. All I ask people thinking in this vane is go back and watch tape of Tennessee's kickers from last year...... Finished? Bad huh! Bullock is an upgrade over what is on campus and will help next year in some aspect of the kicking game. Also, if Tennessee doesn’t offer Bullock a scholarship other schools will. Lot of schools would have a spot for a talented kicker like George Bullock.


Too many moving parts right now but X remains cautiously optimistic Tennessee is going to finish

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