re: Tennessee Football Recruiting

JASON CARR DL, 6-6/280, MEMPHIS, TENN.
Carr has been solid it appears since the coaching change. The 6-6, 280 pound 4-star defensive lineman is certainly important for Jones and Co. Carr has been and is being pursued hard by Ole Miss and he has said that he expects to take some official visits throughout the month of January meaning Tennessee can't afford to assume anything with him.
Official visit date: TBD
Other teams in the mix: Ole Miss, Alabama, Vanderbilt

CARL LAWSON DL, 6-2/250, ALPHARETTA, GA.
The Vols are trying to go from the outhouse to the penthouse with the nation's second ranked player. Tennessee has made up significant ground in the last couple of weeks after Butch Jones' visit to see Lawson and his father. The changes at Auburn have made things interesting for the one time Tiger commitment. The hiring of Rodney Garner likely doesn't help Auburn as Georgia didn't offer Lawson while Garner was there.
Official visit date: 1-11-2013
Other teams in the mix: Auburn, Clemson, Ole Miss

DEE LINER DL, 6-2/273, MUSCLE SHOALS, ALA.
It seems to be kind of anyone's guess what's going on with Liner who has been an Auburn commitment but has refused to comment on his recruitment. Alabama is thought to be a factor. Auburn is still trying with new defensive line coach Rodney Garner and Tennessee is trying to use their ties to Liner with both Tommy Thigpen and Willie Martinez to be a factor as well. Liner has also indicated some interest in the Vols going back to June when he visited with Volquest at the Rivals.com 5-star challenge.
Official visit date: TBD
Other teams in the mix: Auburn, Alabama

KEITH BRYANT DL, 6-2/306, DELRAY BEACH, FLA.
Bryant is someone that's been somewhat interested in Tennessee for some time and kept in contact with the former staff regularly. Earlier this month Bryant de-committed from Miami as his mother would like to see him go to school outside of South Florida. But, right now, Florida State is considered the leader with Bryant also giving South Carolina and Tennessee a close look.
Official visit date: 1-25-2013
Other teams in the mix: Florida State, Miami, South Carolina, Alabama

REUBEN FOSTER LB, 6-2/230, AUBURN, ALA.
The five-star linebacker was all set to go to Auburn before the Tigers staff was fired. Now, Foster seems pretty open to schools and Tennessee is trying to get him on campus. Foster is scheduled to visit Washington on Jan. 11th and Georgia on Jan. 25th. Auburn is not out of the picture but being an Auburn resident Foster might not take an official there. The question is can new Tennessee assistant and linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen who was at Auburn get Foster to Knoxville for a look.
Official visit date: TBD
Other teams in the mix: Alabama, Auburn, Washington, Georgia, LSU, Miami, South Carolina

TREY JOHNSONR LB, 6-1/222, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA.
Tennessee is one of Johnson's five finalists joining Auburn, Ohio State, Florida and Penn State on the list. Johnson was also a one time Auburn commitment who has opened things up and Johnson obviously knows Tennessee assistant Tommy Thigpen who has been to see Johnson in the last couple of weeks. Johnson has also been on Tennessee's campus before for an unofficial visit. The problem is that according to Johnson's coach, the Georgia native is thinking about announcing at the Under Armour and if so look for Ohio State to receive that commitment.
Official visit date: TBD
Other teams in the mix: Ohio State, Penn State, USC, Auburn

E.J. LEVENBERRY LB, 6-3/226, WOODBRIDGE, VA.
The on again off again attraction with Tennessee and the Levenberry's has been something to watch. Levenberry has always liked the Vols. He is a huge fan of current Vol Curt Maggitt and he has always been interested. The problem is that former defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri wasn't interested in him. Things got started back up with the Vols when Sunseri left thanks to the work of former graduate assistant Brandon Staley. When Staley wasn't retained that hurt the Vols with Levenberry who's committed to FSU. The question now is how comfortable is Levenberry in Tallahassee now that Sunseri has landed there as a position coach.
Official visit date: TBD
Other teams in the mix: Florida State, Oklahoma
DEFENSIVE BACKS

JALEN REEVES-MAYBIN DB, 6-1/200, CLARKSVILLE, TENN.
Reeves-Maybin was solid throughout the coaching search and into the transition and it helped that Jones had recruited Reeves-Maybin while he was at Cincinnati so there was already some familiarity there. Reeves-Maybin is enrolling early and will be at UT within the next two weeks.
Official visit date: 12-14-2012
Other teams in the mix: None

JALEN RAMSEY DB, 6-0/190, BRENTWOOD, TENN.
Ramsey has been a top target for Tennessee for a few years now and he's been on campus numerous times but something never clicked between him and the old staff. The question is can this new group of coaches make up enough ground to get Ramsey's last official visit. The Vols are battling Oregon and Florida State as all three try and get a visit from the five-star cornerback.
Official visit date: TBD
Other teams in the mix: USC, Washington, Mississippi State, Florida, Oregon, Florida State

VONN BELL DB, 6-1/190, ROSSVILLE, GA.
Tennessee was always Bell's favorite school growing up but Bell felt the past staff wasn't recruiting him as hard as other schools like Alabama and Ohio State and that's why both schools are seemingly in front of the Vols for Bell right now. The good news for Tennessee is that they're scheduled to receive the last visit from Bell in January, but will Bell have already made a decision by the time he sees the Vols? Tennessee has a lot of ground to make up in such a short time.
Official visit date: 1-25-2012
Other teams in the mix: Alabama, Ohio State
As Requested