Coach O Takes Care Of Himself: Tennessee Gets Another D-Line Commitment
UPDATE: Upon comments that this isn't necessarily a done deal, I checked and Scout has pulled the story and the "commit" tag. He's still listed as a "High" interest for UT only, so we'll see what's brewing. Meanwhile, take it with the usual grain of Scout salt. (GVX still reports it as done.) [Note by hooper, 04/23/09 10:28 PM EDT ]
You have to give Orgeron this much: he's a stellar recruiter. Especially when it comes to player's he'll be personally coaching. So far, the early tally for Tennessee is three 2010 commitments. In order:
- Jacques Smith, Defensive End from Ooltewah, TN. One of the top few players in the state, Smith has been busy working the phones recruiting other Tennesseans and helping lock down the state.
- Risean Broussard, Defensive Tackle from Lake Charles, LA. Following Janzen Jackson, Broussard is another blow to the concept that Louisiana players only consider LSU.
- Patrick Harris, Defensive Tackle from Hayward, CA. A JUCO from Chabot College, Harris is a 6'-5", 300-pounder with a 4.9 in the 40.
Patrick Harris is the latest addition to the Vols 2010 class. While commitments this early in the game - particularly from nonquarterbacks - are by no means guarantees next March, they are a tremendous help. Defensive line is one o fhte biggest areas of concern we've had over the last couple of recruiting cycles, and the new staff appears to be addressing that need in spades. Harris, as a JUCO, should be able to contribute immediately in the fall of 2010 since defensive tackle is generally a more portable skillset than other positions and he has had two years outside of high school to grow into form. (Meanwhile, the other two may reshirt a year or play more limited roles if they're still growing boys, but that's a long way off.)
Information is sparse on Harris at the moment; Scout gives him the obligatory "it's-early-so-here's-one-star-because-we-know-you'll-rate", and Rivals doesn't even have him in the database yet. Instead, it's easier to gauge him on the tendencies of the staff. Monte's defense relies on quickness and explosiveness from every player, and Orgeron is big into guys who commit to their hits and really like to get their uniforms dirty. We can rest assured that Harris will not be a prima donna player when he gets here.
Looking forward, there is still a chance of adding a couple more defensive tackles to the list. The team is already long on defensive backs and if Moody commits, the linebacker corps will be in good shape; defensive scholarships can instead be used on beefing up the line. The staff can now afford to look for another "project" tackle and end, as the numbers are rapidly converting into depth. The other name to watch is James Carmon, a JUCO from Gulf Coast who is an absolute monster - 6'-7", 370 pounds (!!!). UT is one of his (current) top two, along with Mississippi State. I can't see the staff offering him (as they already have) if he was a slug; they would also likely slim him down to around 340-350 pounds, which would help him both as a player and in his long-term life.
Recruiting season is just beginning and things can always change, but you have to like the outlook for the Vols on the defensive line in this class.
(Now maybe Orgeron can start getting in some other positions...)
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24 comments
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Comments
You may have mentioned it, but I think Harris runs a 4.9 40.
INSANE… I am quite terrified.
by rblakeh on Apr 23, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep, you did mention it
Just couldn’t remember by the time I got to the bottom.
by rblakeh on Apr 23, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just as long as he doesn't do it without his shirt...
(I still have nightmares about that.)
by Hooper on Apr 23, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, both.
I checked back and updated the top of the post.
by Hooper on Apr 23, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he is definitely committed to wanting to come here
It’s just not clear yet if there is a scholarship waiting for him.
by rblakeh on Apr 24, 2009 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case,
then the staff might be waiting to hear back from somebody else.
by Hooper on Apr 24, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
mmm....yahhh
I love the smell of recruiting in the morning!
Give me a thousand Tennesseans, and I'll whip any other thousand men on the globe!-Andrew Jackson
by jimvols on Apr 24, 2009 12:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And now Hyams "calls out" the Volquest staff!
This has been an awesome day! Who says the off-season has to be boring?
by rblakeh on Apr 24, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah.
But it means I’ll have to fix it in the morning. Again. Unless Joel is kind enough to take care of it in the talking points.
/hopes beyond hope
by Hooper on Apr 24, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh
Kind enough, perhaps, yet too busy. What happened? I haven’t even read the morning’s news yet.
Rocky Top Talk
by Joel on Apr 24, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You've probably seen by now.
Scout pulled down the announcement and didn’t list Harris as a commit anymore. GVX had to run a correction in their article because they were basically relying on Scout. There is confusion as to whether he was formally offered, whether he accepted, or what. But everybody seems to agree he’ll come to UT if the door is open.
Itchy trigger fingers, in short.
by Hooper on Apr 24, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hyams is an embarassment to Tennessee sports. I wish sports animal would fire him.
by BigBeefe on Apr 24, 2009 2:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He was going on yesterday about how the rumors about Coleman were nonsense
And he felt Coleman would end up with the starting job.
…While I was reading the Times Free Press article about Coleman quitting :).
by rblakeh on Apr 24, 2009 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Confession time!
I like Hyams and most of the rest of the MSM guys, both on GVX, the Chattanooga TFP, etc. and the radio. There is one guy I don’t care to hear/read as a general rule, but I’m keeping him a secret except to say that no, it’s not John Adams. Having done this for about five years now, I can tell you that those things happen.
Rocky Top Talk
by Joel on Apr 24, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like them fine, too
I just hate that they make it such a habit to sound so confident when they are operating without much basis of fact. Surely they can hire someone to fact-check and look stuff up on the fly.
The people on the Doc Jeff and Heather show sometime last week were saying that Phillip Sims (Rivals Top 100 Player) was the son of Phil Simms (Superbowl QB). Different last names aside, I’ll let you look up the pictures for yourself.
Stuff like that just bothers me.
by rblakeh on Apr 24, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If could happen!
Just ask Strom Thurmond.
(Hey, I lived in SC for 5 years.)
by Hooper on Apr 24, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha, I realize the biological part of it is possible
I’m just saying… It’s not an easy mistake to make.
by rblakeh on Apr 24, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brent Hubbs said that two different VQ staff members have spoken with Harris
He does not have a scholarship offer. He wants to play for UT, coaches want him, but they’re just not sure if he qualifies or whatever.
by rblakeh on Apr 24, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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