X's Recruiting Updates

'X' Says:What is on the horizon over the next few weeks-

Pat Martin is the next up. Martin is the 14th rated defensive back/safety prospect in the nation. Martin , from Greenville, South Carolina, has had Tennessee out in front for is commitment for quite awhile now. However, his recruitment has played out all over the Internet. He has kept fans of Tennessee and South Carolina , schools that seem to be his top two choices, spun up for weeks. Martin is set to publicly announce his decision Sunday, or Monday, or whenever he feels like it. Yes, it has been that kind of recruitment. Still like Tennessee when he decides to announce. If you are looking for another positive to Martin becoming a VOL. If he is "in", he is all in meaning he is a commitment that will likely be recruiting like crazy for you.


Two other prospects I really like and I would keep an eye on the both with Tennessee are


1. Vincent Dallas. Dallas is an athlete/wide receiver from Ellenwood, Georgia. If you my remember my last post I marveled about how someone rated a three star prospect rated as such by the so-called Internet recruiting experts could have an any more impressive offer list than Vincent Dallas. Dallas is an early enrollee which is a positive and is being recruited by Tennessee as a wide receiver. Many believe Tennessee leads. Florida is involved tough. One thing to keep in mind now. With Teague and Meline moving to defensive back and wide receivers Gerald Jones and Denarius Moore graduating this fall, the wide receiver dynamic for Tennessee in its 2011 recruiting class has now changed. Hearing that Teague has a real future as a SEC defensive back but jury is still out on whether stays at defensive back or moves back to wide receiver. Regardless, Tennessee is now going to look at signing at least two wide receivers in this class. Dallas is one they would love to have. Though Dallas doubles as a safety in high school, his ticket to college is at the wideout position.


2. Gionni Paul. Paul a 6'0"210 lb linebacker prospect from Kathleen High School in Lakeland, Florida. Paul is right at the top of Tennessee' linebacker list and I have reason to believe Tennessee is close to the top of Paul's list. He is a SEC caliber linebacker prospect holding offers from LSU, Auburn, and Mississippi (as well as Tennessee). Florida and Georgia are interested but have not offered a scholarship ... yet. Paul has been on campus with his family. Expect him back this fall. Again, just another prospect to watch with Tennessee.


More to follow early next week...


'X'
'X' Says:Amazing how a few practices and position changes jumbles up the whole recruiting board. I will try and get you more later in the week on recruiting but consider:

We aren't one full week into practice and it looks like 3 defensive back signees aren't going to get in school (Dave Clark (we are sure Clark won't), Marques Dixon and Eddrick Loften (doubtful on both)); 2 receivers (Marsalous Teague and Ted Meline) are now playing defensive back; and ....2 defensive line starters (Marlon Walls and Ben Martin) are gone for the season. Who knows how well those two kids will come back from their injuries?

With respect to the defensive backs, Teague for sure, the kid who signed with Florida State but played baseball for a while (Brewer I think) are going to have to play this year. Meline is a true freshman and defensive back is new to him. He may have to play whether he is ready or not. Meline is a little raw but in time he is a player.

Sadly we are in worse shape at the defensive tackle position especially if John Brown doesn't get eligible...... somebodies are going to have to play in there whether its Sykes, Jeffrey, Bowen ,or another walk on....

Unless Chuck Smith is a miracle worker, I think we know Victor Thomas can't contribute much at defensive tackle .

UT is going to have to sign at least one if not 2 JUCO defensive tackles in their 2011 class and hope they can get both in school by January.

I don't think Dooley really wants to go that direction (see the sagas of John Brown and Dave Clark with the academics) but he may not have a choice.

More later in the week.

'X'
'X' Says:Stock Up/Stock Down - Late July 2010 Edition

Back after some rough sledding. Enough about me though. As the summer winds down and fall practice is looming, let’s take look at prospects that, over the last two to three months, Tennessee has helped themselves with (get it… Stock Up). Conversely, we'll also take a look at a handful of prospects Tennessee's position for whatever reason has slipped a little and in some cases maybe a lot (….Stock Down).

Regardless of whether a prospect falls under the “Stock Up” or the “Stock Down” side of the ledger, there is still 6 months until National Signing Day. Plenty of recruiting work yet to be done.

Can’t pass along everything but just remember ... spell the names right. Its "Basilio" and its “X”.

Have fun with it...


Stock Up.

Antonio Richardson, Ensworth High School, Nashville, Tennessee. Offensive Lineman. Richardson is the best prospect in the state of Tennessee for the 2011 class and it is not even close. Richardson is a nationally recognized recruit now and Tennessee people only expect his stock to skyrocket as his senior season at Ensworth unfolds. Though not in the business of predicting where prospects choose to sign, Tennessee on July 29th is in as good a position with Richardson as one could expect given all the uncertainty around the football program for the past few years. The key thing to watch, in addition to how the offensive line performs and progresses, is the stability of the offensive staff specifically Coaches Chaney and Hiestand. Both coaches, more so Coach Chaney, have forged excellent relationships with the Antonio Richardson and those close to him. Expect Richardson's recruitment to take a few twists and turns and don't look for a decision from him until late in the recruiting process.

Mack Crowder, Bristol High School, Bristol, Tennessee. Offensive Lineman (Center). Yes, one of the worst kept secrets in East Tennessee is Tennessee is leading the pack for a commitment from Mack Crowder. Appears I'm being the master of the obvious but follow me. Can anyone think of another prospect Tennessee has made up as much ground with in the past 2 to 3 months than Mack Crowder? Crowder has emerged from a group of 5 to 6 offensive line/center prospects to be the Number 1 prospect on Tennessee's board at the Center position ... a real position of need in this recruiting class. Remember Issac Luatua the center prospect from California? Luatua was at the top of Tennessee’s interior lineman board early on until the staff made a visual made and realized Luatua is not much taller than Basilio. After that, attention appeared to turn toward Ryan Kelley from West Chester, Ohio, or so we thought. My understanding is after Tennessee received and evaluated Crowder’s tape and worked him out, he emerged above all others as the #1 center prospect. It has been that way for a while.

I'm not certain any of the other schools recruiting Mack Crowder feel they are in as good a shape with him as Tennessee believes it is. Florida has pushed to get Crowder on campus but Florida is not a real threat. Virginia Tech may have been a concern at one time but not so much now.


Stephon Tuitt, Monroe High School, Monroe, Georgia. Defensive Lineman. Georgia Tech is still the team to beat for this prize of a defensive lineman who is the second best high school defensive lineman in Georgia. However, people closer to this situation than I expected Stephon Tuitt to have publicly committed to the Yellow Jackets by the end of the summer. That hasn’t happened and Tuitt continues to visits schools. He has been to the Tennessee campus at least twice over the summer. Georgia Tech will be tough to overcome; however, Tennessee has immediate playing time to offer for defensive lineman next season and Tuitt is one that you expect to play early wherever he goes to school. Consider too that elite defensive line prospects, like Tuitt, will sit back and watch how the defensive line responds to Chuck Smith during the season... could be a key factor with Tuitt and others as well.

Lateek Townsend, Marlboro County High School, Bennettsville, Georgia. Linebacker. Lateek Townsend shows up here for two reasons. One, linebacker is a continuing priority in this recruiting class. Tennessee needs linebackers (hopefully at least two) that have big play ability and Townsend certainly fits that bill. Second, two to three months ago Tennessee was not even showing up Townsend's recruiting radar. A couple of linebacker targets on Tennessee's radar look to be heading to other destinations. The staff 's persistence with Townsend along with the help of other prospects Tennessee is recruiting got Townsend to campus. Now, Tennessee appears to be in line for return visits this fall by Townsend… Townsend won’t make a decision anytime soon even if and he does expect his recruitment to be another one that takes a number of twists and turns before National Signing Day. Certainly expect Townsend to be back on campus this fall to check out the game day atmosphere.

Terry Bell, Teneroc High School, Lakeland, Florida. Defensive Tackle. You first read about Terry Bell in this market hear first (check the tape - June 4). Bell is simply a stud. He plays both ways ( offensive and defensive tackle) in high school. Tennessee likes Bell and is recruiting him as a defensive tackle. As I told you back in May, Bell has a Tennessee scholarship offer (though an offer from Tennessee doesn’t show up in Bell’s Rivals profile) . Bell holds scholarship offers from over 25 schools including all the major Florida schools. Bell would be tough to pull from Florida (Florida State seems to be in the lead). Depth chart issues may help Tennessee and other schools outside Florida here. We all know how well Florida has recruited across the defensive front in the past two years. Too, Florida State signed 4 defensive tackles in its 2010 recruiting class and already has 2 defensive tackle commitments for its 2011 class.

Bell consistently mentions Tennessee as one of his top schools. Tennessee is right there and the opportunity for early playing time works to Tennessee’s favor here.

Zac West. Lexington Christian High School, Lexington, Kentucky. Offensive Lineman (Guard). Zac West was first introduced as a Tennessee recruiting target this market right here on May 27. West projects as a guard and is rated as one of the top overall prospects in Kentucky for 2011. West has steadily climbed up Tennessee' s recruiting board. He has been to the Tennessee campus and now holds an offer from Tennessee. West fits a need for Tennessee at one of the interior line positions. West does not appear to be at the top of the list of interior line targets on Tennessee board but he is close. Expect West back during the fall.

Brandon Fulse, Fort Meade High School, Fort Meade, Florida. Tight End. Beating a dead horse but Basilio first introduced we introduced you to Brandon Fulse on April 4. Fulse is a specimen and one of the most physically imposing prospects on Tennessee's board. Fulse is being recruited as a tight end though he projects as possibly a defensive end or defensive tackle in college. He is a four star prospect that has consistently mentioned Tennessee among his favored schools. In interviews, he states Tennessee is recruiting him as a tight end. The kid is one of the most athletic kids on the board. Expect Fulse to be on campus this fall and expect Tennessee to be quite involved in this recruitment. Fulse holds over 25 offers but Tennessee has put themselves in a good position here.


Stock Down... Gonna get ripped for some of these but here goes.

Jeff Pagan, Asheville High School, Asheville, North Carolina. Defensive End. Maybe you can give this staff a pass on getting a late start recruiting one of the best defensive line prospects in the Southeast who happens to live 2 hours west of campus. I have a hard time though. Geez, Pagan has always liked Tennessee, lives within in an earshot, and by the way, he can play. Pagan committed to Florida this spring. Tennessee seemed to make up ground during spring evaluations and Pagan was on campus a couple of weeks ago. Too much point to Florida or possibly Clemson as an upset. Just not feeling Tennessee is good shape here.


Pat Martin, JL Mann High School, Greenville, South Carolina. Cornerback. Hear me out on this one.....Most think Pat Martin could be one of Tennessee's next commitments. Martin can play. He is a highly rated cornerback at a position of need in this recruiting class. However, in each recruiting class, there are always a couple of kids that play to the masses. I’m thinking Martin is that guy. Martin likes the attention and there is nothing wrong with it. Let the kid have his time. If Martin does commit to Tennessee soon, is it really over or will the recruitment play out in social media forums until National Signing Day? I’m not buying this one right now. I was a few weeks ago. Regardless, Pat Martin is a fantastic prospect. Tennessee needs an upgrade in its defensive backs and he is a prospect you definitely take. His recruitment will be both interesting and fun to follow.

Cameron Clear, Memphis Central High School, Memphis Tennessee. Tight End/Athlete. Tennessee is certainly in the thick of Clear's commitment. Clear, one of the top prospects in Tennessee, is a priority for the Tennessee staff not a doubt about it. Clear is being recruited as a tight end though he may play on Sunday's as a lineman on either side of the line of scrimmage. Honestly, many thought Clear’s name would have already shown in up Tennessee's commitment list by now and it hasn't. Clear's stock has risen and is now he is getting recruiting attention from the likes of Florida, Florida State, and Auburn among others. He also seems to be enjoying the recruiting process. Nothing indicates Tennessee has fallen out of the chase for Clear but schools like Florida and SEC West Division rivals Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Auburn are reasons to worry.

Rory Anderson, McEachern High School, Powder Springs, Georgia. Tight End/Athlete. Good grief! Rory Anderson’s star has fallen faster than Lindsay Lohan’s hasn’t it? Has any prospect whose commitment to Tennessee was thought to be a certainty in the spring seen his stock fall faster than Rory Anderson? Tennessee takes a commitment out of left field from Andrew Power a JUCO tight end. Then, Tennessee makes Bristol High tight end prospect Brendan Downs, former Duke and now Tennessee commitment, a priority. Also, remember Tennessee is right in the thick of recruiting battles for Brandon Fulse and Cameron Clear both being recruited as tight ends (though both may end up at different positions in college). None of this bodes well for Anderson. Now fast forwarding to July 30th in my opinion, there would have to be two or three "recruiting misses" before Anderson becomes a legitimate target again.


Torrey Campbell, Barron Collier High School, Naples, Florida. Cornerback. A week to ten days ago Torrey Campbell may have shown up in the “Stock Up” List. Campbell is a true cornerback with skills. Keep in mind one of the worst kept secrets around the complex is the collective displeasure with the current group of defensive backs on the roster. Whether it is that some lack athleticism and/or others just simply can’t be completed counted on, expect Tennessee to sign 4 to 6 defensive back/athlete types in the upcoming class. Tennessee has two prospects committed that project as defensive back commits now and is in great recruiting shape with a handful of other defensive backs (i.e., Pat Martin, Avery Walls, Chris Jones, Tino Thomas, to name a couple). Numbers are already starting to get tight for defensive backs.

Campbell is an impressive athlete. He was nowhere to be found with Tennessee until spring evaluations. Kudos to Coach Hinshaw and Coach Joseph getting Tennessee involved to where Tennessee is in Campbell's top two schools. Again, the good news is Tennessee is well positioned with a number of very good defensive back prospects and already has two committed. One wonders how hard Tennessee is or will push for a commitment from Campbell now.

Kent Turene, Boyd Anderson High School, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. Linebacker. Maybe you were not surprised that Kent Turene verbally committed to USC a few weeks ago. It did take a few people within the Complex by surprise. Turene is a big time prospect holding over 20 offers (including one from Tennessee) with ties to the Tennessee program. People won’t say this but I believe Tennessee felt like it had as good a shot to land Turene as any school. That is the bad news he is committed to USC. The good news is Tennessee will not and has not quit recruiting Turene . I am going to pay attention to what goes with USC this season especially with that head coach and his staff. The Turene quick commitment was a bit odd, even suspicious, and is far from solid in my opinion. The last chapter in this recruitment has yet to be written.

Chris Milton, Charlton County High School, Folkston, Georgia. Athlete. Chris Milton is another prospect I view similarly to Torrey Campbell. Milton and Tennessee kind of popped up as an item at the beginning of the summer. Tennessee looked to be in good shape here and his leader for a period of time but things have changed. Even though Milton recently visited Tennessee, it looks like, for the same reasons as mentioned with Torrey Campbell, Chris Milton is a part of a “fall back” plan now.

D'Anthony Arnett, Saginaw High School, Saginaw, Michigan. Wide Receiver. Arnett is flat out one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country. Arnett along with his family just finished up a visit to the Tennessee campus. All reports indicate Arnett had a good trip. However, I just don’t see Tennessee being in the hunt when it comes to decision time for Arnett. My position is this is a prospect that can play immediately at most any college in the country. At Tennessee, the wide receiver depth chart may play a factor in his decision. Tennessee is well stocked (quantity and potential quality) at the wide receiver position. Arnett likes a couple of other schools where playing time may be more enticing. Hope something happens that changes my mind here. Arnett might be the best prospect on our board. Other wide receiver prospects like Darryl Collins, Vincent Dallas, or Chris Gallon may be more legitimate targets as of now.


Notes:

Tennessee got a nice one with the commitment of Justin Coleman from Brunswick, Georgia.

Has anyone checked out the offer list for Tennessee wide receiver/athlete target Vincent Dallas? Geesh, Dallas is a highly thought of prospect with just as impressive an offer list as any 4 or 5 star prospect…. and Dallas just has 3 stars by his name. Explain that one star grazers?

Don’t read too much into the written accounts of interviews granted by Gainesville, Georgia, linebacker prospect and Tennessee target AJ Johnson liking others schools more than Tennessee. As long as Lance Thompson remains on Tennessee’s staff, Tennessee will be in good shape with Johnson.

After initially being a bit concerned about defensive tackle recruiting, X is eating his words. Tennessee is hard after a number of well thought of defensive tackle prospects and I’m impressed. Add Deon Green from Orlando, Florida, to the list. Green who is a South Carolina commitment is being courted hard by Tennessee. You have to like these reports of Tennessee aggressively recruiting these prospects like Deon Green, Darryl Collins, Danny Woodson and a handful of others committed to other schools. Back to Green, look for him to be on campus this fall. Just another prospect to add to the list as one to watch.

Still like Tennessee and defensive back prospect Avery Walls though he has been quiet for awhile now.

Alan Posey, barring injury, will be a very good SEC offensive lineman.

Though Marietta, Georgia offensive lineman Thomas O'Reilly is committed to Auburn, but expect O'Reilly will be back to the Tennessee campus this fall (he was here over the summer) . Recruitment worth paying attention to.

In closing, if you have a friend you haven’t checked in on for awhile… Do it today. You never know when you’ll make that persons day and may save a life.

Peace

X

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