The Vols picked up a huge commitment Monday morning when the #1 player in state committed. Tennessee now has the two of the top 3 player in the Volunteer state and 6 of the top 15 on the record.
'X', presented by Smoothie King is jacked up about it too!
'X' Says
'Butch Jones got the week leading up to the Orange and White Game off to a good start. This morning Blackmon High School Athlete Jauan Jennings committed to Tennessee.
Jennings is 6'4" 185 and is a very raw but exceptional athlete. He is a 4 star prospect with loads of potential and in my opinion one of the top five prospects in the state for 2015.
Tennessee beat Auburn and Miss State for Jennings. Both schools were recruiting Jennings as a QB.
Jennings plays quarterback and wants to play quarterback in college. Tennessee is going to give him that shot. He is a better quarterback prospect in my opinion than many give him credit for. Above average arm and better than average speed. Athletically though, he has a chance to be a big time safety in the SEC
I think Tennessee takes Jennings and another at quarterback in this class HOWEVER if Jennings was the only quarterback Tennessee took I would be fine with that.
This Jennings kid is a VERY good prospect. Sure, he is a bit raw as quarterback BUT he is a high school junior, has gotten by for the most part on his athleticism so far, and will only get better as he matures and gets better coaching.
You watch his film and his potential jumps off the screen. He is a lean kid, has an above average arm that will only get stronger as he matures, he is an instinctive runner, he is fast but may be quicker than fast AND plays in a system that is very similar to Tennessee's.
247 has Jennings rated as the top prospect in the state. You know what? I am not so sure that isn’t accurate. Depending on which service you go by Jennings had between 15 and 20 offers. Alabama, Ohio State, and Auburn wanted him as did schools like Vanderbilt, Penn State, Duke, and Georgia Tech. You don’t get into the last 4 schools I mentioned based solely off athleticism.
Tennessee got a good one in Jennings. I don’t think enough people realize just how good a prospect he is. If Jennings was from Blackmon high school in Georgia or Florida as an example I believe he would be a much higher profile and sought after prospect than being from Blackmon High School in middle Tennessee.
He is a great fit for Tennessee.
More to Come:
I would expect another if not two more commitments leading up to or after the O&W Game. I wish I could tell you more but if I did that, I might get found out.
Go Vols
'X'
Funny you should ask. First of all, I like Kevin Ollie. Great story. 13th head coach to win it all at his alma mater. 1st coach to win NCAA Tournament in his first tourney since Steve Fisher at Michigan in 1989. While UConn was the lowest seed #7 to ever win the National Title! I love that story. And it was also GREAT to see Kentucky lose! It's also worth stating that Calipari is a heck of a coach! Seven freshmen in the National Title game. If they have a better night at the foul line, we are probably talking about a guy winning 2-3 National Titles. But as it is, UConn is Regal! 2 National titles in four years for them! Shabazz Napier is one of my all time favorite players. I fell in love with him in this tourney. Just a tremendous will to win. When he turned in the middle of a possession last night and literally pushed Ryan Boatwright away from him for running an incorrect cut during a set play, I fell in love! For all the talk about the kids, a veteran, two time National Champion in Napier IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE TOURNEY!
Keith Hatfield! Jeez! What a basketball mind!
Hatfield's Hardwood Report
'A topsy turvy NCAA Tournament ended with a most unlikely champion. UCONN survived a near death experience against St. Joe's in the first round, then navigated their way through the field to become the first seventh seed to ever cut down the nets. It is a testament to the program that Jim Calhoun built that the Huskies never wavered in their belief that they could beat anyone. They handled every challenge tossed at them along a tough path to the title.
Kevin Ollie showed that winning press conferences isn't the end game in the hiring of coaches. UCONN resisted the urge to chase a big name when Jim Calhoun retired. They chose instead to bet on continuity. It's a wager that paid off huge last night.
Kentucky did not have a great night with the title on the line. After a brilliant run to the final, the young Wildcats looked out of sorts. UCONN had a lot to do with that. UK's inability to consistently exploit their advantage in the post was their undoing.
UCONN's title is a testament as to why making the NCAA Tournament is so important. Outside of their locker room, nobody gave them a shot when the tournament tipped off. That doesn't matter at all now. They seized an opportunity and cashed it in to the fullest.
Quick Hitters:
I'm sure Mark Emmert loved handing the trophy to a school that was banned from last season's tournament for inadequate APR numbers. Of course, anything that causes that pompous gasbag discomfort brings me joy.
The NBA team that looks past Shabazz Napier's slight build and selects him in the draft will be handsomely rewarded. At worst, he'll be an excellent backup point guard at the next level.
On the other hand, teams will overvalue the Harrison twins. If they do the expected and leave school, two franchises will get caught holding the bag on two thoroughly average players.
The addition of Chuck Person to Bruce Pearl's staff is intriguing. The Rifleman brings a wealth of NBA experience to the Auburn sidelines
Manhattan made a commendable decision on Steve Masiello. They eschewed the easy solution, which was to fire Masiello, and gave their coach a shot to make things right.
Time to turn attention to early entry decisions. If Jarnell Stokes returns, Tennessee will be a contender for a spot in preseason Top 25s.
Thanks for being there!
Keith'
How much do I love the Butch Jones era? Oh my you're stealing my heart here! Check out the roster for the Orange & White Alumni Flag Football Game that will take place at halftime on Saturday! Tony Robinson has literally been training for this game! Sweet!
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Shabazz Napier rips the NCAA in victory last night. I'm really in love today!
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Muffet McGraw didn't clap when Briana Stewart of UConn won player of the year Saturday. And then all hell breaks loose.
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Then Geno turned around called her out. NEXT LEVEL. Say what you want about Geno but he doesn't let the gals push him around.
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Nicole Auerbach made me cry a little this morning with this article. And I'm a living heart donor.
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These folks may have a future at Thompson Boling Arena if they move north.
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The 'Men Vols' bring back a top 33 team according to ESPN.
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Dave Hart is attempting to move the season opener with Utah State to Sunday Night! That's a GREAT IDEA! This should be Tennessee's new tradition! Boomsday Weekend! Fireworks Saturday! Fireworks in Neyland Stadium on Sunday Night! And a huge celebration on Monday. The game with UNLV was a homerun 10 years ago! Do the right thing Spike Lee! Do it Dave Hart. And make it a mainstay. Way to break the story John Brice @ Volquest. Get it done and make it a tradition.
Final thought: it's going to be great when Kevin Ollie clashes with Geno over the best parking spot in UConn's lot and wins! Show him your ring KO when you pull rank!
Tony B
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