Here are some things we have been working on tonight:
There wasn't a ton of great recruiting news for the Vols on Sunday, but there was news nonetheless.
Defensive tackle D'Andre Christmas-Giles decommitted from the Vols as he had a number of other offers come in over the last few weeks. But, it could have been the LSU offer that was the tipping point for Christmas-Giles. Ole Miss offered as well and visits to Texas and TCU have played a part as well.
That, along with Georgia defensive end Jordan Smith deciding to commit to Florida over Tennessee made for unenviable day. Most believed that Tennessee was in a good spot heading into the visit, but there was some concern at the end of the week as Smith went through with the visit. Butch Jones and Tommy Thigpen were scheduled to be with Smith Sunday night before Smith committed to Florida but we're not sure that visit took place.
Also, Jonathan Kongbo took an unofficial visit to Washington on Saturday and it seems the Huskies are becoming a factor since it is close to home. Tennessee defensive line coach Steve Stripling was in Vancouver Sunday to meet with his family and try and help stem the tide there. Alabama and Oregon visits are expected come January.
So, where does Tennessee go on the defensive line? Keir Thomas is still an option as an early enrollee, but that's looking less likely as South Carolina, along with Miami are all making strong runs. South Carolina, from several we've talked to, feel good about where they are considering their connection with Will Muschamp who recruited him at Auburn. Miami offered last week and are certainly seen as a factor.
Derrick Brown is still a real possibility and he is still scheduled to visit Tennessee Jan. 29. Auburn and Mississippi State are still very much involved and it's yet to be seen where exactly he is on Georgia's board with new Bulldog coach Kirby Smart still filling out his staff. He was at Alabama this past weekend for a visit but it's not clear where the Tide are on Brown's list of schools.
Jeffery Simmons remains a possibility as well, but the Vols are battling the two instate Mississippi schools along with Alabama and Auburn and while he says he wants Tennessee it's hard to find time in his schedule next month if he plans on taking official visits each weekend.
Tennessee remains in the mix with Tyler Clark as well and we heard Tennessee was by to see him on Sunday. If Tracy Rocker stays on board with the 'Dawgs, that one will be tough to close with as well. But, the Vols are trying.
One player that doesn't seem to be an option anymore is Georgia defensive tackle Michail Carter. After showing some signs of interest the last few weeks he let Tennessee know they weren't much of a factor moving forward.
We will continue to try and see where Tennessee goes on the defensive line moving forward.
Tennessee coaches were scheduled to be on the road Sunday night with Derrick Brown, Nigel Warrior, Clark and Jaleel Laguins. Laguins visited LSU this past weekend and we continue to believe that the Vols are likely to receive a visit in January.
Brown and Warrior are expected in the same weekend in January, don't rule out the Vols receiving a visit from Mecole Hardman that weekend as well. It's not set in stone, but it's much more a real possibility now than it has been in the past.
On the offensive side of the ball, Mike DeBord was scheduled to be in Louisiana to see Corey Henderson but bad weather kept him out of the Bayou State on Sunday. As we noted in the War Room, Miami and Utah are making a run there, among others.
Zach Azzanni was scheduled to be on the road recruiting and was set to see Velus Jones and Marquez Callaway today but we couldn't confirm whether he made it to those destinations or not.
It's the time of year that Tennessee's coaches and recruits should be targeted by other institutions, especially in the SEC, and if not, as it's been indicated to us in the past couple weeks, then that's probably not the best sign for the Vols.Zach Azzanni has been key in the recruitment of Jeff George and Corey Henderson, among others, but this also can be where Butch Jones' hands-on approach is crucial, as is Mike DeBord's steady demeanor and NFL background.
Also, Jones' tight relationship with Marquill Osborne shouldn't be overlooked. Those two have spoken almost every Tuesday throughout the fall.But, whether it's Azzanni or potentially Willie Martinez, look for things to continue to percolate in the coming weeks. Mark Richt, particularly, wanted to do as much recruiting as possible before the dead period and then focus on finishing off his staff. Maryland's D.J. Durkin had a similar approach, releasing his running backs coach only after getting maximum work on the recruiting trail heading into this weekend when the dead period hits.
If something were to happen with Martinez, even with Jones' and Osborne's tight relationship, don't be surprised if there's some possible looking around. It's been consistently indicated to us it "would be hard to see Z or Willie not accepting" if formal offers come from Maryland and Miami, respectively.
Finally, a couple of other interesting ties to keep in mind when it comes to Cincinnati, Ohio, offensive lineman Nathan Niehaus. In addition to having grandparents in Lake City and an aunt in Strawberry Plains, Niehaus has other ties to the Vol program.
Niehaus has an older brother who is a center on the Cincinnati team that was recruited to the Bearcats by Don Mahoney. The family really likes Mahoney and has a good relationship with him. The family is also good friends with the family of Dylan Wiesman. In fact, the Wiesman's live three doors down from the Niehaus' just outside of Cincinnati.
While Ohio State could be a factor in January, the numerous ties to the Vols could be hard to overcome for anyone.
There wasn't a ton of great recruiting news for the Vols on Sunday, but there was news nonetheless.
Defensive tackle D'Andre Christmas-Giles decommitted from the Vols as he had a number of other offers come in over the last few weeks. But, it could have been the LSU offer that was the tipping point for Christmas-Giles. Ole Miss offered as well and visits to Texas and TCU have played a part as well.
That, along with Georgia defensive end Jordan Smith deciding to commit to Florida over Tennessee made for unenviable day. Most believed that Tennessee was in a good spot heading into the visit, but there was some concern at the end of the week as Smith went through with the visit. Butch Jones and Tommy Thigpen were scheduled to be with Smith Sunday night before Smith committed to Florida but we're not sure that visit took place.
Also, Jonathan Kongbo took an unofficial visit to Washington on Saturday and it seems the Huskies are becoming a factor since it is close to home. Tennessee defensive line coach Steve Stripling was in Vancouver Sunday to meet with his family and try and help stem the tide there. Alabama and Oregon visits are expected come January.
So, where does Tennessee go on the defensive line? Keir Thomas is still an option as an early enrollee, but that's looking less likely as South Carolina, along with Miami are all making strong runs. South Carolina, from several we've talked to, feel good about where they are considering their connection with Will Muschamp who recruited him at Auburn. Miami offered last week and are certainly seen as a factor.
Derrick Brown is still a real possibility and he is still scheduled to visit Tennessee Jan. 29. Auburn and Mississippi State are still very much involved and it's yet to be seen where exactly he is on Georgia's board with new Bulldog coach Kirby Smart still filling out his staff. He was at Alabama this past weekend for a visit but it's not clear where the Tide are on Brown's list of schools.
Jeffery Simmons remains a possibility as well, but the Vols are battling the two instate Mississippi schools along with Alabama and Auburn and while he says he wants Tennessee it's hard to find time in his schedule next month if he plans on taking official visits each weekend.
Tennessee remains in the mix with Tyler Clark as well and we heard Tennessee was by to see him on Sunday. If Tracy Rocker stays on board with the 'Dawgs, that one will be tough to close with as well. But, the Vols are trying.
One player that doesn't seem to be an option anymore is Georgia defensive tackle Michail Carter. After showing some signs of interest the last few weeks he let Tennessee know they weren't much of a factor moving forward.
We will continue to try and see where Tennessee goes on the defensive line moving forward.
Tennessee coaches were scheduled to be on the road Sunday night with Derrick Brown, Nigel Warrior, Clark and Jaleel Laguins. Laguins visited LSU this past weekend and we continue to believe that the Vols are likely to receive a visit in January.
Brown and Warrior are expected in the same weekend in January, don't rule out the Vols receiving a visit from Mecole Hardman that weekend as well. It's not set in stone, but it's much more a real possibility now than it has been in the past.
On the offensive side of the ball, Mike DeBord was scheduled to be in Louisiana to see Corey Henderson but bad weather kept him out of the Bayou State on Sunday. As we noted in the War Room, Miami and Utah are making a run there, among others.
Zach Azzanni was scheduled to be on the road recruiting and was set to see Velus Jones and Marquez Callaway today but we couldn't confirm whether he made it to those destinations or not.
It's the time of year that Tennessee's coaches and recruits should be targeted by other institutions, especially in the SEC, and if not, as it's been indicated to us in the past couple weeks, then that's probably not the best sign for the Vols.Zach Azzanni has been key in the recruitment of Jeff George and Corey Henderson, among others, but this also can be where Butch Jones' hands-on approach is crucial, as is Mike DeBord's steady demeanor and NFL background.
Also, Jones' tight relationship with Marquill Osborne shouldn't be overlooked. Those two have spoken almost every Tuesday throughout the fall.But, whether it's Azzanni or potentially Willie Martinez, look for things to continue to percolate in the coming weeks. Mark Richt, particularly, wanted to do as much recruiting as possible before the dead period and then focus on finishing off his staff. Maryland's D.J. Durkin had a similar approach, releasing his running backs coach only after getting maximum work on the recruiting trail heading into this weekend when the dead period hits.
If something were to happen with Martinez, even with Jones' and Osborne's tight relationship, don't be surprised if there's some possible looking around. It's been consistently indicated to us it "would be hard to see Z or Willie not accepting" if formal offers come from Maryland and Miami, respectively.
Finally, a couple of other interesting ties to keep in mind when it comes to Cincinnati, Ohio, offensive lineman Nathan Niehaus. In addition to having grandparents in Lake City and an aunt in Strawberry Plains, Niehaus has other ties to the Vol program.
Niehaus has an older brother who is a center on the Cincinnati team that was recruited to the Bearcats by Don Mahoney. The family really likes Mahoney and has a good relationship with him. The family is also good friends with the family of Dylan Wiesman. In fact, the Wiesman's live three doors down from the Niehaus' just outside of Cincinnati.
While Ohio State could be a factor in January, the numerous ties to the Vols could be hard to overcome for anyone.
