With National Signing Day (no, not that one) right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at last year's class to see how things shook out.
The following guys didn't even make it onto campus:
- No. 6, DE Rae Sykes -- DNQ; enrolled at Coffeyville Junior College; plans to re-sign with the Vols (?)
- No. 10, DT Rolando Melancon -- DNQ; enrolled at Louisiana Tech?
- No. 11, S Deshaun Barnes -- Asked for and received a release from his letter of intent; plans to enroll at Auburn
- No. 18 Rufus Williams, who was denied admission.
- No. 32, DE Cory Hall -- DNQ; attending Northwest Mississippi Junior College; plans to re-sign with the Vols
Information on these guys is difficult to find. I believe that's all good info, but correct me if I'm wrong. It looks like Sykes and Hall are the only ones we expect to re-sign with Tennessee. We could have used Sykes in 2007, and we can probably use him in 2008.
The following guys enrolled, but didn't play this season:
- No. 4, WR Ahmad Paige -- DNP
- No. 8, LB Chris Donald -- DNP
- No. 12, OL Darris Sawtelle -- DNP
- No. 13, WR Todd Campbell -- DNP
- No. 16, DT William Brimfield -- DNP
- No. 19, RB Daryl Vereen -- DNP
- No. 21, OL Cody Pope -- DNP
- No. 22, CB Art Evans -- DNP
- No. 23, CB C.J. Fleming -- DNP
- No. 24, DT Donald Langley -- DNP
- No. 26, QB BJ Coleman -- DNP
- No. 28, Athlete Anthony Anderson -- DNP
- No. 29, WR Tyler Maples -- DNP
- No. 30, RB Josh Hawkins -- DNP
The biggest surprise to me here is Ahmad Paige. Anybody know the story with him? Sawtelle, you can sort of understand, what with offensive line being the second toughest position to learn and the fact that we had a solid o-line already established. What about Brimfield and Langley? It would seem that they could have helped on the defensive line.
That leaves these guys, who played at least some during 2007:
- No. 1, Athlete Eric Berry
- No. 2, DE Ben Martin
- No. 3, WR Brent Vinson
- No. 5, RB Lennon Creer
- No. 7, WR Gerald Jones
- No. 8, LB Chris Donald
- No. 9, LB Chris Walker
- No. 14, WR Darnius Moore
- No. 15, S Nevin McKenzie
- No. 17, WR Kenny O'Neal
- No. 18, DE Rufus Williams
- No. 20, CB DeAngelo Willingham
- No. 25, RB Dennis Rogan
- No. 27, LB Savion Frazier
- No. 31, FB Kevin Cooper
Over the next week or two, we'll take a closer look at the guys who played. Initial impressions are that we did a pretty good job of getting the best of the class onto the field this season and gave opportunities to everyone. Berry and Vinson played a lot, and Creer, Jones, Moore, McKenzie, Willingham, and Rogan all played key roles and minutes.
What about you? Anything surprise you here?