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Orange rush Quartet of running backs highlights Tennessee signees
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer believes he has found players to help the Volunteers at running back, receiver, defensive back and linebacker. Just how much help the 2001 recruiting class will be won't be known until the full team begins practice in early August, however. "It seems we signed a very athletic group of guys, some guys that will fit immediate needs and add to the foundation already in place," Fulmer said Thursday, the day after 22 high school players sent in their national letters of intent. Tennessee signed four running backs -- the Vols' biggest priority after the departure of senior Travis Henry. Jabari Davis of Stone Mountain, Ga.; Cedric Houston of Clarendon, Ark.; Derrick Tinsley of Marietta, Ga., and Keldrick Williams of Montgomery, Ala., will vie for time with veteran Travis Stephens and Troy Fleming, who will be a sophomore in the fall. "That's a pretty good class. We would be thrilled about getting any one of those," Fulmer said. "[They] certainly give us security that we can put a quality Southeastern Conference tailback on the field." Fulmer would like to have one "featured" back but wants to see how the newcomers fare in practice before deciding. And there were some disappointments, Fulmer acknowledged. One of the best recruits in the state, quarterback Ingle Martin of Nashville's Montgomery Bell Academy, picked Florida instead. "That was a loss," Fulmer said. "But it has to fit both ways." Fulmer had hoped to recruit three or four offensive linemen but was happy with Paul Monroe of Sevierville, who is already enrolled, and Richie Gandy of Darlington, S.C. Tennessee added depth at quarterback with C.J. Fayton of Virginia Beach, Va. Fulmer compared his athleticism to Tee Martin, who helped lead the Vols to the 1998 national championship. "It helps that he is a different dimension," Fulmer said. Fayton also could see time at receiver. Without Eric Westmoreland and Anthony Sessions next fall, the Vols were looking for more depth at linebacker. Tennessee signed Kevin Simon of Concord, Calif., and Jason Mitchell of Abbeville, La. Simon is one of the top-rated recruits in the nation, and Mitchell is the brother of Brandon Mitchell, a defensive lineman with the New England Patriots. Ovince Saint Preux, of Immokalee, Fla., is considered a pass-rush specialist at defensive end with good speed, Fulmer said. He will compete in the hurdles, long jump, shot put and discus this spring. After going through a season with a young secondary, Fulmer also searched for some immediate-impact players. He found Julian Battle, a junior college transfer from West Palm Beach, Fla., who played both wide receiver and defensive back at Los Angeles Valley Community College. Battle provided one of the most tense moments of signing day for the Vols -- first signing scholarship papers for North Carolina State then changing his mind during the day. Fortunately for the Vols, the papers were not valid because his mother, who lives in Florida, had not signed them. Battle told her to sign the Tennessee papers instead. "It was a funny day of how that happened," Fulmer said. "We're glad we came out on the good end of the stick." Tennessee looked for another prospective punter now that David Leaverton graduated. The Vols signed Justin Reed of Punta Gorda, Fla., who also plans to play college baseball. In addition to the signees, Fulmer wants to look at a new walk-on during spring practice. Kelley Washington, of Stephens City, Va., spent the past four years in minor league baseball after being drafted in 1997 by the Florida Marlins. He played quarterback and on defense at Sherando High School. The Vols begin spring drills on March 27.
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