01-29-2006, 01:55 PM
It contains Tommy's repeated enthusiasm:
"But Memphis coach Tommy West genuinely sounds excited about his program's chances come Wednesday's National Signing Day, despite just seven public commitments so far."
I admit that I've been confused as to the excitement on the class with just seven commitments as of today while we keep seeing players like L.T. Walker and the city of Memphis players that we were recruiting all go to Ole Miss, Kentucky, or elsewhere. But --- I trust TW and hope that it will be decent when the smoke clears.
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NCAA Signing Day: Outlook for Memphis & the Vols
By DAVID BRANDT
dbrandt@jacksonsun.com
It's almost a given that college football coaches will be optimistic this time of year - at least in public.
But Memphis coach Tommy West genuinely sounds excited about his program's chances come Wednesday's National Signing Day, despite just seven public commitments so far.
I'm expecting about 15 signings on Wednesday," West said. "Three bowl games in a row has really boosted the status of this program. We're getting better athletes in here. We're getting better students and I really think we're getting some better people."
Coming off a 7-5 season and a 38-31 victory over Akron in the Motor City Bowl, the Tigers will certainly have a few holes to fill come preseason camp in August.
The biggest crater, of course, comes from All-American running back DeAngelo Williams, who has exhausted his eligibility. But also gone are receiver Maurice Avery, tight end John Doucette, kicker Stephen Gostkowski as well as several other starters.
Among the most highly-touted commitments are Oxford (Miss.) quarterback Matt Malouf, who picked Memphis earlier in the week over Ole Miss, and linebacker Corderick Govan (Charleston, Miss.).
West isn't alone with his optimism about this recruiting class. Rivals.com's Southeast region recruiting analyst J.C. Shurburtt was also impressed with the Tigers' pull.
"The kind of guys that Memphis is talking to are very high-quality prospects," Shurburtt said. "That really impressed me. They're still waiting to see how things shake out with the SEC schools, but they should end up with some really good players."
Memphis - which has recruited West Tennessee heavily in the past - hasn't shown as much interest this year. McKenzie QB Drew Hayes and Hardin County QB Adam Milligan are still in contact with the Tigers, but both are also looking at college baseball as a possible route.
Vols recruiting class rises in recent days
For Tennessee fans used to seeing recruiting classes among the best in the country, this season's crop comes as a minor disappointment though some late commitments have improved the Vols' ranking.
Tennessee sits No. 23 in the country according to Rivals.com, but recently received a verbal commitment from quarterback prospect Nick Stephens from Flower Mound, Texas.
Though this class won't blow the socks off the SEC on paper, Shurburtt said he thought the Vols pulled off a solid effort - especially considering a hugely disappointing 5-6 season in 2005.
"I'm not going to say it's a great class, but I think it's a decent one," Shurburtt said. "I think they'll be pleased with (Stephens) - that was a good pickup at quarterback. They were smart this time by getting some high character guys who they can build around."
- David Brandt, 425-9636
Player commitments
MEMPHIS
-Charlie Bryant, TE, Memphis
-Corderick Govan, LB, Charleston (Miss.)
-Jeremy Longstreet, LB, Olive Branch (Miss.)
-Matt Malouf, QB, Oxford (Miss.)
-Deven Onarheim, TE, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson High
-Matt Reagan, K, Knoxville Bearden
-Josh Weaver, DE, Marietta (Ga.)
TENNESSEE
-Chad Cunningham, K, Dawsonville (Ga.)
-Dorian Davis, LB, Iowa City (Iowa)
-Walter Fisher, DE, Coffeyville (Kan.)
-Blake Garretson, DT, Morristown
-Justin Garrett, DB, Pasadena (Cailf.)
-Michael Goggans, TE, Alexander City (Ala.)
-Quintin Hancock, WR, St. Augustine (Fla.)
-Daniel Lincoln, K, Ocala (Fla.)
-Dustin Lindsey, RB, Alcoa
-Jacques McClendon, OL, Chattanooga
-Darius Myers, OL, Chatham (Va.)
-Chase Nelson, DE, Tulsa (Okla.)
-Cody Pope, OL, San Diego
-Stephaun Raines, WR, Dalton (Ga.)
-Jarrod Shaw, DT, Lafayette (La.)
-Lee Smith, TE, Powell
-Nick Stephens, QB, Flower Mound (Texas)
-Luke Stocker, TE, Berea (Ky.)
-Victor Thomas, DE, Olive Branch (Miss.)
-LaMarcus Thompson, LB, Stone Mountain (Ga.)
-Brent Vinson, ATH, Hampton (Va.)
-Gerald Williams, LB, Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.)
- Source: Rivals.com
"But Memphis coach Tommy West genuinely sounds excited about his program's chances come Wednesday's National Signing Day, despite just seven public commitments so far."
I admit that I've been confused as to the excitement on the class with just seven commitments as of today while we keep seeing players like L.T. Walker and the city of Memphis players that we were recruiting all go to Ole Miss, Kentucky, or elsewhere. But --- I trust TW and hope that it will be decent when the smoke clears.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NCAA Signing Day: Outlook for Memphis & the Vols
By DAVID BRANDT
dbrandt@jacksonsun.com
It's almost a given that college football coaches will be optimistic this time of year - at least in public.
But Memphis coach Tommy West genuinely sounds excited about his program's chances come Wednesday's National Signing Day, despite just seven public commitments so far.
I'm expecting about 15 signings on Wednesday," West said. "Three bowl games in a row has really boosted the status of this program. We're getting better athletes in here. We're getting better students and I really think we're getting some better people."
Coming off a 7-5 season and a 38-31 victory over Akron in the Motor City Bowl, the Tigers will certainly have a few holes to fill come preseason camp in August.
The biggest crater, of course, comes from All-American running back DeAngelo Williams, who has exhausted his eligibility. But also gone are receiver Maurice Avery, tight end John Doucette, kicker Stephen Gostkowski as well as several other starters.
Among the most highly-touted commitments are Oxford (Miss.) quarterback Matt Malouf, who picked Memphis earlier in the week over Ole Miss, and linebacker Corderick Govan (Charleston, Miss.).
West isn't alone with his optimism about this recruiting class. Rivals.com's Southeast region recruiting analyst J.C. Shurburtt was also impressed with the Tigers' pull.
"The kind of guys that Memphis is talking to are very high-quality prospects," Shurburtt said. "That really impressed me. They're still waiting to see how things shake out with the SEC schools, but they should end up with some really good players."
Memphis - which has recruited West Tennessee heavily in the past - hasn't shown as much interest this year. McKenzie QB Drew Hayes and Hardin County QB Adam Milligan are still in contact with the Tigers, but both are also looking at college baseball as a possible route.
Vols recruiting class rises in recent days
For Tennessee fans used to seeing recruiting classes among the best in the country, this season's crop comes as a minor disappointment though some late commitments have improved the Vols' ranking.
Tennessee sits No. 23 in the country according to Rivals.com, but recently received a verbal commitment from quarterback prospect Nick Stephens from Flower Mound, Texas.
Though this class won't blow the socks off the SEC on paper, Shurburtt said he thought the Vols pulled off a solid effort - especially considering a hugely disappointing 5-6 season in 2005.
"I'm not going to say it's a great class, but I think it's a decent one," Shurburtt said. "I think they'll be pleased with (Stephens) - that was a good pickup at quarterback. They were smart this time by getting some high character guys who they can build around."
- David Brandt, 425-9636
Player commitments
MEMPHIS
-Charlie Bryant, TE, Memphis
-Corderick Govan, LB, Charleston (Miss.)
-Jeremy Longstreet, LB, Olive Branch (Miss.)
-Matt Malouf, QB, Oxford (Miss.)
-Deven Onarheim, TE, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson High
-Matt Reagan, K, Knoxville Bearden
-Josh Weaver, DE, Marietta (Ga.)
TENNESSEE
-Chad Cunningham, K, Dawsonville (Ga.)
-Dorian Davis, LB, Iowa City (Iowa)
-Walter Fisher, DE, Coffeyville (Kan.)
-Blake Garretson, DT, Morristown
-Justin Garrett, DB, Pasadena (Cailf.)
-Michael Goggans, TE, Alexander City (Ala.)
-Quintin Hancock, WR, St. Augustine (Fla.)
-Daniel Lincoln, K, Ocala (Fla.)
-Dustin Lindsey, RB, Alcoa
-Jacques McClendon, OL, Chattanooga
-Darius Myers, OL, Chatham (Va.)
-Chase Nelson, DE, Tulsa (Okla.)
-Cody Pope, OL, San Diego
-Stephaun Raines, WR, Dalton (Ga.)
-Jarrod Shaw, DT, Lafayette (La.)
-Lee Smith, TE, Powell
-Nick Stephens, QB, Flower Mound (Texas)
-Luke Stocker, TE, Berea (Ky.)
-Victor Thomas, DE, Olive Branch (Miss.)
-LaMarcus Thompson, LB, Stone Mountain (Ga.)
-Brent Vinson, ATH, Hampton (Va.)
-Gerald Williams, LB, Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.)
- Source: Rivals.com