Friday, February 6, 2009
Hannan / Sports Tennessee's Grade on National Signing Day: "A" as in DrAma
Posted by Caleb Hannan on Fri, Feb 6, 2009 at 6:42 AM
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Ain't no party like a party where 17-year-olds hold press conferences and, in doing so, make or ruin the days of so many adults. Who should know better.
Wednesday was college football's National Signing Day. The day when high school seniors across the land put on a suit, surround themselves with 37 of their closest relatives and pick one of three (sometimes four or five) pieces of headgear, thus signifying their college of choice.
Technically, National Signing Day need not exist. Most top prospects make verbal commitments after the extended cattle-call known as summer coach's camps comes to a close. That is, they say I'm definitely going to be a Florida Gator. Then they pick Tennessee*.
*Of all the ways in which college coaches impart wisdom to their young, impressionable charges, this lesson in measured duplicity is the one that seems to be, as Malcolm Gladwell would say, the stickiest.
Point is, National Signing Day would be an exercise in boredom if these freakishly gifted young men all stuck to their guns and picked the school they said they'd pick. Fortunately for us, and the Tennessee Volunteers, it doesn't always happen that way...
First, Pahokee, Florida, wide receiver Nu'Keese Richardson, who gave a verbal commitment to the Gators last May, picked up a Florida hat only to drop it on the ground in favor of a Vols cap. Then, Paris, Tennessee athlete (athlete being what they call recruits who don't necessarily fit into one position) Marsalis Teague followed the path blazed by Richardson, dropping the Gators in favor of his home-state Vols.
The Vols also landed Atlanta safety Darren Myles, Jr. Previously linked to SEC rivals Alabama and LSU, Myles came around to Tennessee after a special recruiting visit from God.
Of course, the good Lord isn't the only man responsible for UT's respectable haul (good for 17th in the nation according to Rivals). The Kiffin Klan certainly bring an air of respectability. As does defensive line coach/recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron. The only man in Mississippi to see for all your Hummer-related needs.
Comments (2)
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Yeah, Lane's really making a great first impression.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/02/05/kiffin-meyer/index.html?eref=T1
Sounds like his ethics are right about on par with ole Phil Fulmer and his "You got arrested? You're suspended for one play" discipline. He'll fit in great in Knoxville.
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Posted by
ScottJ
on February 6, 2009 at 10:40 AM
