It’s been a busy day on The Hill.
After Tennessee ended its season Saturday, here’s the latest on Rocky Top from me, @Austin_Price and @Brent_Hubbs …
With the dead period over, Tennessee coaches will hit the road this week as the Vols look to build upon their 2019 class.
Tennessee currently has 20 commitments and hopes to sign the majority of its class in the early signing period (Dec. 19-21).
It started Sunday with tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer in California to see 4-star linebacker Henry To’oto’o and JUCO defensive lineman Nick Figueroa.
The staff is scheduled to see Grayson standouts Owen Pappoe, a 5-star linebacker committed to AU, and Kenyatta Watson, a 4-star cornerback committed to Texas, this week. The Vols are hoping to flip both prospects and have them join teammate Wanya Morris in Knoxville. Others set to see Tennessee coaches this week include Chris Akporoghene, a UT OL commit, and his IMG teammate 5-star OLB Nolan Smith. The Vols recently hosted Smith and Akporoghene on visits, with the former looking like a long shot.
The staff will see most of their committed guys this week but will undoubtedly focus on some big fish like Pappoe, Smith and Darnell Wright, who is slated to get a visit from the Tennessee staff.
Looking to add speed, Tennessee continues to work to get Baylor commitment Jaylen Ellis to visit in the month of January. The staff will check in on him this week.
Finally, and sticking with speed, Tennessee continues to trend with in-state tailback Eric Gray. The Memphis native won his third-straight Mr. Football Award tonight and is scheduled to host both Jim Harbaugh and Jeremy Pruitt in-home this week. Gray remains committed to Michigan but Tennessee and Ole Miss are working diligently to change that.
Quarterback commitment Brian Maurer confirmed to Volquest Sunday night that Jeremy Pruitt will be in his home on Thursday. The question is will offensive coordinator Tyson Helton be with him?
Pruitt made it clear to Volquest and other outlets on Sunday that Helton was not getting fired, as was suggested Saturday night by footballscoop.com. But Helton might not be a part of Pruitt’s program moving forward.
On Sunday, Western Kentucky fired head coach Mike Sanford after two years. Helton’s name immediately surfaced as a candidate, and by late Sunday evening ESPN reported Helton was the leading candidate.
Sources indicated to Volquest that Western Kentucky’s search could go fast and that Helton could be in Bowling Green early this week to visit with AD Todd Stewart about the job. Helton knows Stewart well, working for him with the Hilltoppers in 2014 and 2015 as the then-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Jeff Brohm.
Meanwhile, Tennessee held a team meeting Sunday, with Pruitt outlining the expectations for this offseason. The Vols will start their exit meetings tomorrow, so any potential attrition could start soon. Also, Tennessee will start “voluntary workouts” tomorrow that will last until final exams.
After Tennessee ended its season Saturday, here’s the latest on Rocky Top from me, @Austin_Price and @Brent_Hubbs …
With the dead period over, Tennessee coaches will hit the road this week as the Vols look to build upon their 2019 class.
Tennessee currently has 20 commitments and hopes to sign the majority of its class in the early signing period (Dec. 19-21).
It started Sunday with tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer in California to see 4-star linebacker Henry To’oto’o and JUCO defensive lineman Nick Figueroa.
The staff is scheduled to see Grayson standouts Owen Pappoe, a 5-star linebacker committed to AU, and Kenyatta Watson, a 4-star cornerback committed to Texas, this week. The Vols are hoping to flip both prospects and have them join teammate Wanya Morris in Knoxville. Others set to see Tennessee coaches this week include Chris Akporoghene, a UT OL commit, and his IMG teammate 5-star OLB Nolan Smith. The Vols recently hosted Smith and Akporoghene on visits, with the former looking like a long shot.
The staff will see most of their committed guys this week but will undoubtedly focus on some big fish like Pappoe, Smith and Darnell Wright, who is slated to get a visit from the Tennessee staff.
Looking to add speed, Tennessee continues to work to get Baylor commitment Jaylen Ellis to visit in the month of January. The staff will check in on him this week.
Finally, and sticking with speed, Tennessee continues to trend with in-state tailback Eric Gray. The Memphis native won his third-straight Mr. Football Award tonight and is scheduled to host both Jim Harbaugh and Jeremy Pruitt in-home this week. Gray remains committed to Michigan but Tennessee and Ole Miss are working diligently to change that.
Quarterback commitment Brian Maurer confirmed to Volquest Sunday night that Jeremy Pruitt will be in his home on Thursday. The question is will offensive coordinator Tyson Helton be with him?
Pruitt made it clear to Volquest and other outlets on Sunday that Helton was not getting fired, as was suggested Saturday night by footballscoop.com. But Helton might not be a part of Pruitt’s program moving forward.
On Sunday, Western Kentucky fired head coach Mike Sanford after two years. Helton’s name immediately surfaced as a candidate, and by late Sunday evening ESPN reported Helton was the leading candidate.
Sources indicated to Volquest that Western Kentucky’s search could go fast and that Helton could be in Bowling Green early this week to visit with AD Todd Stewart about the job. Helton knows Stewart well, working for him with the Hilltoppers in 2014 and 2015 as the then-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Jeff Brohm.
Meanwhile, Tennessee held a team meeting Sunday, with Pruitt outlining the expectations for this offseason. The Vols will start their exit meetings tomorrow, so any potential attrition could start soon. Also, Tennessee will start “voluntary workouts” tomorrow that will last until final exams.
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