College football

Tennessee jumps all over for top class

By wire services
Published February 3, 2005

Tennessee traveled far and wide to assemble one of the nation's best recruiting classes.

The Volunteers signed 27 players Wednes- day, and went into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and Washington, D.C., for topflight prospects.

"The University of Tennessee is a great product to sell with the traditions, facilities and academic support," coach Phillip Fulmer said. "If we can get them to campus, then we've got a chance to sign them."

Tennessee had the No. 1 class according to SuperPrep and scout.com editor Allen Wallace , one of the leading recruiting analysts.

Tom Lemming of ESPN.com and College Sports Television had the Vols behind Nebraska, and Max Emfinger placed Tennessee third, just behind Oklahoma and Southern Cal.

The Vols haven't had a class regarded this highly since 2000, when Fulmer brought in a group that included linebacker Kevin Burnett, offensive linemen Jason Respert and Michael Munoz, tight end Jason Witten and quarterback Casey Clausen.

A surge late Wednesday put two-time defending national champion USC in the No. 1 spot, according to rivals100.com, just ahead of Oklahoma and Tennessee.

USC, the consensus No. 1 on signing day last year, landed two of the nation's best linebackers, Brian Cushing from New Jersey and Luthur Brown from California. Late Wednesday the Trojans landed two of the nation's top defensive linemen, Walker Ashley from Minnesota and Kyle Moore from Georgia. Those four, all uncommitted when the day started, pushed USC to the top.

"It looked like it might not have been their year but it turned on a dime," Bobby Burton of rivals100.com said of the Trojans. "To have back-to-back No. 1-ranked recruiting classes is unheard of."

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan signed 30 players and did particularly well recruiting junior colleges. The class could have an immediate impact on the Cornhuskers, 5-6 last season.

The class the Vols signed included defensive end Raymond Henderson from Wisconsin, linebacker Andre Mathis from Pennsylvania, defensive back Adam Myers-White from Ohio and linebacker Rico McCoy from Washington. All were rated among the best at their positions nationally.

And as usual, the Vols did well in the Deep South and Florida, landing cornerback Demetrice Morley from Miami, defensive back Slick Shelley from Fort Smith, Ark., and offensive lineman Josh McNeil from Collins, Miss.

Elsewhere, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville went for need and speed in a class without a player at the glamour positions of running back or quarterback. The Tigers lost one coveted recruit - running back Antone Smith, who decided to stay in Tallahassee to play for Florida State - but signed another Floridian, speedy Pompano Beach cornerback Walter McFadden. He also was pursued by USF, Michigan State and Illinois.

There will be no excuses from Georgia coach Mark Richt and his top recruiter, Rodney Garner, if this class of 19 signees aren't big hits on the field.

"We never got to a B list," Garner said. "Every kid is an A-list guy we targeted from Day 1." The Bulldogs signed three Parade high school All-America picks - defensive tackle Kade Weston of Red Bank, N.J., and Charlotte, N.C., teammates Joe Cox and Mohamed Massaquoi.

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden landed a big bonus with Antonio Clay of Jefferson, Ga., Clay, who reportedly had committed to Oklahoma, chose the Tigers over the Sooners and Florida State. In all, the Tigers signed 25 players, including nine from the Palmetto State, one more than in-state rival South Carolina.

[Last modified February 3, 2005, 01:08:13]