Recruiting Class of 2012 Breakdown

Attachment 536

National Signing Day has come and gone and now Derek Dooley has signed his third class in Knoxville. Some negative surprises the last few days and a positive one today gave this class a slightly different look than what we were expecting. Losing Dalton Santos and Otha Peters really hurt and left us without a true linebacker in this class. We'll have to hit that position hard next year. However, we did add Cordarelle Patterson today, who many thought would head to divisional rival Georgia, and make our Octobers even more miserable. He gives us a really strong wide receiver haul which we really won't appreciate as much until Hunter and Rogers move along, which may not be too far off. Anyway, here's a look at our recruits by position.

And if you want to see more highlights of these guys, head here:

http://8thmaxim.com/site/forum/vols-football/3136.htm

Let's start on offense...

QB

Nathan Peterman **** Fruit Cove, FL
Here we have a QB that went to the same high school as Tim Tebow. His passing stats aren't as wildly impressive as Tebow's were, and his rushing ability certainly isn't close. However, he still threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns leading his team to a 12-2 record. He was the most highly rated QB in Florida and got some interest from a some big time programs but ended up honoring his early commitment to Tennessee. He's already on campus as an early enrollee. It's been rumored that our coaches like him to overtake Justin Worley before too long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeeQMdfEr2I

RB

Davante Borque **** Crowley, LA
Dooley stated he's the kind of running back that can do it all, that he has the power, speed, and moves to be an every down back. He was committed to Miami first, but flipped late to Tennessee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDsNMCRpFAE

Alden Hill *** Alliance, OH
Alden is our biggest back at 6'1, 200lbs. Hopefully he can provide the inside rushing presence we've been lacking lately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb98fmqlmPU

Quenshaun Watson *** Athens, GA
He's the kind of running back Jim Chaney has been complaining about lacking since 2010. Being a track star in high school, he has speed to burn. Hopefully he'll provide us wit some potential for big plays in the rushing game to complement our potent passing attack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTXPa0CziOE

OL
Umm...

WR

Drae Bowles **** Jackson, TN
Supposedly he really impressed during practices for the US Army All-American game with his speed and hands. He runs a 4.5, but was also physical enough to play linebacker in high school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaFkc-JJSKg

Jason Croom **** Norcross, GA
Croom is a big guy at 6'5 220lbs. He's not as fast as Bowles, but once he fills out his frame, he could be a monster. He'll have the size to play TE and could be a force as a possession or endzone receiver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOkCZamYMI

Alton "Pig" Howard **** Orlando, FL
Other than having a great nickname, Alton is fast and a very skilled return man. Another return might not seem crucial with Devrin Young just being a rising sophomore, but we really don't have another returner behind him. He's not a big guy, but we have quite a few of those type players on our team now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mvQRL1Utc

Cordarelle Patterson **** Rock Hill, SC
According to Rivals, this is our type signee. He's a JuCo, but if he lives up to the hype limited eligibility won't be a problem for him because he'll be ready for the NFL rather quickly. He looks at first to be third fiddle to Hunter and Rogers, but his JuCo coaches seem to think he's special enough to excel no matter who he faces on the depth chart. He was compared very favorably to former Hutchinson CC player and first round draft pick Reggie Nelson. He's got good size at 6'3 205lbs and speed to burn. He put up big numbers in JuCo and he will have the opportunity to do the same with Bray's strong arm and Rogers and Hunter demanding plenty of defensive attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EArUSFokOE

TE

Justin Meredith *** Anderson, SC
He didn't put up crazy stats in high school but was evidently good enough to be Butch Davis's first commit of the 2012 class he never got to finish. HIn addition to UNC, he had offers from Florida, FSU, South Carolina, and Clemson. He's 6'5 and 210lbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1KsHWisA4o

Not a bad haul for the offense. It would have been nice to land a more proven running back, but the guys we did get have some potential. Also, it's never a bad idea to take offensive linemen every year. Still, seems like we did well at QB and TE and really well at wide receiver.

As for the special teams, we only took one guy, but he definitely could fill a need....

George Bullock ** Knoxville, TN
For far too long we've struggled in the kicking game. The General would not be happy. At the high school level, George sent about 80% of his kickoffs deep enough for touchbacks. Would be nice if he could kick a few here. His longest field goal was 51 yards. The coaches got in on this guy early and accepted his commitment a long time ago, so they must have felt good about his ability to contribute. If Palardy doesn't live up to his billing as a junior, Bullock will have a chance to play early.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6y19T69RH0

I'll be back with the defense tomorrow.