re: Tennessee Football Recruiting

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Recapping what we learning on the recruiting trail this week.

Starting with the biggest fish on Tennessee’s board in offensive tackle Darnell Wright. This has long been a Tennessee and Alabama battle. He will visit Georgia in December and the Tide and Vols in January. Tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer has long been the key to this recruitment because the relationship the two have. The first year Vol assistant spent a good amount of time on Thursday with Wright and we continue to be told Tennessee remains in a very good spot. Wright will play in the Under Armour All-American game alongside Wanya Morris later this month.

It will be interesting to see if Oklahoma EJ Ndome Ogar signs this month. If he doesn’t, the Tennessee may be a legitimate opportunity. Wanya Morris told Volquest last month that if Tennessee could land Wright, Ndome Ogar would be in a good spot. Now people close to the Texas native tell us that some are pushing him to play the long game and visit Tennessee again.

Heading to the peach state, Tennessee is heavily involved with two big time linebackers. Grayson’s Owen Pappoe has been a rumored flip weeks but remains committed to Auburn. He will visit Tennessee next weekend but a flip is no slam dunk. Some people close to Pappoe are urging him to stay true to his word, but next week’s visit could finally put the Vols over the top.

Then there is Trezman Marshall who has been committed to Georgia for quite a while. He has continued to take visits and some have had Alabama as a dark horse for Marshall. After talking to people late in the week, we believe it’s a clear Tennessee and UGA battle with Marshall extremely torn. The tie to Kevin Sherrer is playing a pivotal role.

Staying at linebacker, Henry To’oto’o should be back to Knoxville in the next couple of weeks. With Alabama flipping Christian Harris and heavily in it for Nakobi Dean, that could play a key role in To’oto’o’s decision. Sources tell Volquest he prefers to play in the SEC and has every intention of leaving the west coast.

Moving back to the Volunteer state, Tennessee is expected to get another visit from running back Eric Gray this weekend unofficially. It may be the worst kept secret out there in recruiting that the Michigan commitment won’t be one for much longer. Tennessee remains the favorite to land him with this being his third visit to Knoxville in the last two months.

Finally the two big linemen that Tennessee continues to chase in this state are at least listening and haven’t shut the door on Tennessee. Both Zion Logue and Bill Norton had positive visits this week as Tennessee tries to get a visit out of both in the next couple of weeks. How will Georgia’s loss of Mel Tucker effect them if at all?

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