Post-NSD 2011

The confirmation of Eddrick Loften's signed Letter of Intent(LOI) today signified the completion of Coach Derek Dooley's first full class at Tennessee. Coach Dooley's first class may not contain the "star power" of past year's classes, but the class is filled top to bottom with high-character and high-quality athletes. New reports out of Knoxville say the coaches even backed off their recruiting some highly-touted prospects, such as Clemson runningback signee, Mike Bellamy, a 5* prospect, because of character concerns. Out of the twenty-eight signees in the class of 2011, only three are said to have possible academic concerns; these concerns typically mean the player is only in need of a higher ACT/SAT score. Just as impressive as the academic side is the lack of character issues associated with the young men of this class; there do not seem to be any troublemakers in this class, unlike the classes of past staffs.

This class is the foundation of the powerhouse Dooley and co. hope to build Tennessee into once again. The class will provide early depth at each position across the board next season, and many of the prospects will see major playing time early on. Look for the biggest impact to be made in the secondary, as well as smaller impacts at tight end, linebacker, and wide reciever.

FINAL CLASS:

QB: Justin Worley - 3* - 6'4" 205+
RB: Tom Smith - 3* - 5'10" 205
RB: Marlin Lane - 4* - 6'1" 210
WR: DeAnthony Arnett - 4* - 6'0" 175
WR: Vincent Dallas - 3* - 6'0" 180+
TE: Cameron Clear - 4* - 6'6" 265
TE: Brendan Down - 3* - 6'6" 235+
OL: Alan Posey - 3* - 6'6" 350
OL: Antonio Richardson - 4* - 6'6" 325
OL: Kyler Kerbyson - 3* - 6'5" 315
OL: Marcus Jackson - 4* - 6'2" 315+
C: Mack Crowder - 3* - 6'4" 270+
DE: Jordan Williams - 3* - 6'5" 250
DE: Curt Maggitt - 4* - 6'3" 215
DT: Maurice Couch - 4* - 6'2" 305
DT: Trevarris Saulsberry - 3* - 6'4" 280
DT: Allan Carson - 2* - 6'2" 327
LB: AJ Johnson - 4* - 6'3" 245
LB: Christian Harris - 3* - 6'2" 235
DB: Byron Moore - 4* - 6'1" 205
DB: Justin Coleman - 4* - 5'11" 175+
DB: Brian Randolph - 3* - 6'0" 190
DB: Geraldo Orta - 3* - 6'0" 180
DB: Tino Thomas - 3* - 6'0" 200
DB: Pat Martin - 4* - 6'0" 205
DB: Izauea Lanier - 4* - 6'1" 190
DB: Eddrick Loften - 4* - 6'0" 200 *Originally part of 2010 class.
ATH: Devrin Young - 3* - 5'7" 156

+Early Enrollee

*Ratings from Rivals.com
*Height, Weight from UTsports.com

~Check my previous blog: "Restocking the Cupboard: National Signing Day 2011" for my first year predictions on each player.