How well did Kiffin Recruit?

I honestly believe Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has put together an outstanding staff. First and foremost, Kiffin is a good recruiter and has a good eye for talent. And perhaps his best recruiting job was what he has done in putting together his staff.



Eric Gordon was the first big get for the new Tennessee staff.
It starts with his father, Monte, whom he was able to lure away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The elder Kiffin is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history. Many people assume he has been an NFL lifer, but he spent many years as an assistant at Nebraska (1966-76) and Arkansas (1977-79) and was coach at North Carolina State (1980-82). You would think the Vols will be able to attract many elite defensive prospects who will want to play for Kiffin.

Ed Orgeron is the new defensive line coach, and if he isn't the top recruiter in college football, then he's certainly one of the best. He left the New Orleans Saints to join Kiffin's staff.

David Reaves was the first assistant to join Kiffin – his brother-in-law – and he did a good job recruiting while an assistant at South Carolina.

Kiffin's most recent hires are tremendous recruiters: Eddie Gran, Frank Wilson and Lance Thompson. Gran was one of Auburn's top recruiters for Tommy Tuberville. Wilson was Orgeron's ace recruiter at Ole Miss. Thompson just left Alabama for Tennessee, and he was voted the Rivals.com recruiter of the year last season.

Tennessee is No. 15 overall in the Rivals.com team national rankings and No. 6 in the SEC rankings. Most of this group is left over from the Phillip Fulmer regime, though Kiffin has landed some good prospects, such as Nashville Hillsboro cornerback Eric Gordon and Tallahassee (Fla.) Leon wide receiver James Green. Over the next two visit weekends, Tennessee is going to load up on some talented prospects, and you would think a prospect or two of the four- or five-star variety will pick Tennessee. Keep a close eye on players such as wide receivers Marlon Brown, Alshon Jeffery and Patrick Patterson, offensive lineman Peter White, defensive end Sam Montgomery and cornerback Janzen Jackson.

You will see the Vols and their recruiting efforts soar in the long term, and I expect Tennessee to become a major force in recruiting once again.

Rivals