Published February 2, 2011 - 3:59pm
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Derek Dooley was faced with a tough task as he took over the reigns as head coach of the University of Tennessee in January 2010. He was faced with rebuilding a roster that had been depleted by having three head coaches in three years and numerous off the field problems. The Vols had depth issues at almost every position. In less than a month, Dooley managed to fill some of those holes and patch others with his first recruiting class last February. After a full year on the recruiting trail, Coach Dooley’s second class looks like a giant step forward towards getting the Vols back to where they want to be: competing for SEC championships. This class fills significant needs at defensive tackle, in the defensive backfield, and on the offensive line. It also provides key depth and potential stars at almost every other position.
I’ve been told that the best way to determine a balanced recruiting class is by seeing if the class fills out an entire depth chart position by position. The 2011 recruiting class does just that. See below the signees and their projected positions. However, this class does much more than fill needs with bodies. This star studded class is generating a lot of buzz from national recruiting services. The class is expected to be ranked in the top 15 of the final recruiting rankings, boasting thirteen 4 star recruits.
Furthermore, there is one often overlooked but important aspect of this class. It seems Derek Dooley has put a lot of effort into getting to know each recruit and their background. This way he is able to minimize risk by not taking many guys that might have academic issues, character issues, or create off the field problems. With a thin roster, the Vols can hardly afford to miss on many prospects or have them fail to qualify. On average in college football, only about half of the players in a signing class remain on the team for the entire four years. Accordingly, Dooley focused on recruiting guys who are good in the classroom, in the locker room, and on the field. Bringing in a star studded class with minimized risk is quite a feat for the second year head coach. This class should go a long way towards restoring Tennessee’s reputation on the field, and in the community. The class of 2011 has a bright future ahead of them at Tennessee.
2011 Tennessee Signees
OFFENSE
- QB: Justin Worley, Rock Hill, SC: National Gatorade High School Player of the Year
- RB: Tom Smith, Apopka, FL
- RB: Marlin Lane, Daytona Beach, FL: Rated a 4 Star by Rivals and Scout
- OL: Kyler Kerbyson, Knoxville, TN: Rated a 4 star by Scout
- OL: Marcus Jackson, Vero Beach, FL: Rated a 4 star by Rivals
- OL: Alan Posey, Athens, GA
- OL: Mack Crowder, Bristol, TN
- OL: Antonio Richardson, Nashville, TN: Army All American, Rated a 4 star by Rivals and Scout
- TE/OL: Cameron Clear, Memphis, TN: Rated a 4 Star by Rivals and Scout
- TE: Brendan Downs, Bristol, TN
- WR: DeAnthony Arnett, Saginaw, MI: Rated a 4 star by Scout and Rivals
- WR: Vincent Dallas, Ellenwood, GA
DEFENSE:
- DT: Maurice Couch, Garden City, KS: Rated a 4 star by Scout and Rivals
- DT: Trevarris Saulsberry, Gainesville, FL
- DE: Jordan Williams, Gainesville, FL
- DT: Alan Carson, Oxford, AL
- LB: A.J. Johnson, Gainesville, GA: Rated a 4 star by Rivals and Scout
- LB: Christian Harris, Woodstock, GA
- LB/DE: Curt Maggitt, West Palm Beach, FL: Rated a 4 star by Rivals and Scout
- DB: Byron Moore, Wilmington, CA: Rated a 4 star by Rivals and Scout
- DB: Pat Martin, Greeneville, SC: Rated a 4 star by Rivals
- DB: Izauea Lanier, Scooba, MS: Rated a 4 star by Rivals
- DB: Brian Randolph, Marietta, GA: Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year
More recruits that exceed single depth chart numbers (Note, a recruits position on this depth chart is not indicative of who the better prospects are)
- DB: Justin Coleman, Brunswick, GA: Rated a 4 star by Rivals
- DB: Geraldo Orta, Valdosta, GA
- DB: Tino Thomas, Memphis, TN
- RB: Devrin Young, Knoxville, TN
CDD trusts his process, and Vol Nation trusts him. Congrats to CDD and staff for an excellent class. Go Vols!
Defensive Backs are strong in this recruiting class. A lot of depth there.
I doubt there is another team in the country who signed 7 db’s. Wilcox likes to run a 4-2-5 defense in a lot of situations, so I guess he is loading up. With the young guys they have coming back, the secondary should be a strength for the vols soon.
You’re correct Ben, Wilcox did some unique things depending on opponent while at Boise. But the primary reason for the DB haul was that UT has little depth in the secondary. They pull in Brent Brewer after several years in minor-league baseball and he ends up starting when they need to switch Prentiss Waggner to corner. Now Brent’s a good athlete and ended up playing well, but how about getting thrown in the fire when you haven’t played football in 4 yrs? Unfortunately, that was the hand UT was dealt with all the upheaval the last three years. When half your travel squad going to LSU is on their first road trip, you know there’s some lessons about to be learned. Vol Nation is proud of the way the young Vols fought and the rebuilding of Rocky Top by CDD and staff. GBO !!
Guess we’ll see what happens. It was a good class for sure, but we see it every year, for example 2008 Miami recruiting class. #1 class and produced nothing, if these coaches are the real deal then maybe UT will be a threat. Same with UGA, though most think Mark Richt is done. But Tennessee’s coaches have their work cut out for them.