Countdown 2 NSD: July 12, 2010

Gabe Wright Gives UT Fans Good News

The biggest news comes from Columbus, GA Defensive Tackle Gabe Wright. Sources at Auburn think that UT has made up huge ground with Wright and that he could commit to the Vols very soon. Wright is one of if not the top DT on UT's board. Wright really likes UT defensive line coach Chuck Smith. Wright has been known to tell certain sites that their team leads for his commitment, so it makes it interesting that this is what Auburn folks are hearing. It's safe to say that the Vols are in real good shape on this one.


OT Zach Debell visiting Knoxville on Monday

Tarpoon Springs, FL Offensive Tackle Zach Debell will be visiting UT again on Monday. This will be Debell's 2nd or 3rd official visit this summer. It looked like it was a UT and UGA battle, but after receiving additional offers and taking recent visits to SCAR and Notre Dame, it appears it that them 4 plus Ole Miss, South Florida, and UCLA are his finalist. Debell will visit UT on Monday and participate at Dawg Nights in Athens this weekend. Debell will narrow his list again before the summer is over and make a decision during his senior season.


Vols Growing On Both Antonio Richardson and Kyler Kerbyson

UT appears to be in good shape with the state of TN top prospect Antonio Richardson, who is also UT's top Offensive Line Prospect. Richardson told Scout.com’s Chad Simmons he plans to name a top 10 sometime this fall. Tennessee, it sounds, might be his unspoken favorite.

“Tennessee will likely make my top 10,” he told Simmons. “I went over there to their camp this summer because they are close and I worked at offensive and defensive line. Their coaches are torn because some of them want me as an offensive tackle and some want me as a defensive tackle. I like Tennessee and the coaches they have.”

Richardson is a mentor with the after school program organized by former Vol Buck Fitgerald. Richardson's recruitment will likely come down to UT and Alabama like James Stone last year, who was also a mentor with Fitzgeralds program. Richardson is rated the #6 OT in the nation by Rivals.com.

Kyler Kerbyson is another TN Offensive Lineman who is feeling more love for UT these days. The Knoxville Catholic product says he is feeling local pressure to commit to the Vols, as well as encouragement from Vol commit Alan Posey. Kerbyson told Volquest.com that "I'm definitely thinking about them more," Kerbyson said. "Towards the end of the year I wasn't thinking about them more. I'm starting to enjoy the entire process with Tennessee. They have really picked up things on me and I like it."

Kerbyson has a final 4 of Tennessee, Duke, Alabama, and Florida and says he will likely make a decision around the end of summer/start of school. I really think Kerbyson ends up at UT.


Vols in the Final 4 for CB Damian Swann

It appeared that it would be a battle between UGA and Alabama for elite cornerback prospect Damian Swann of Atlanta. Swann, who is also a very good baseball player, says that Florida and Tennessee have entered the picture are legit contenders with the Tide and the Dawgs.

Swann told the AJC that "Everybody’s telling me the same thing,” Swann said. “Sometimes I think it’s time to make my decision then somebody comes along and now I’m not sure anymore. Everything just sounds so good.” It would be a huge pull for any of the out-of-state teams to pull Swann away from UGA in my opinion, but one for Vols fans to keep an eye on none-the-less.


Vols in Great Shape with the #4 DE Stephon Tuit

It sounds like Georgia Tech will be the Vols main competition for Monroe, GA Defensive End Stephon Tuitt. The 6'5 260 pounder visted UT a couple weeks ago and came away impressed with both the program and the city of Knoxville. Tuitt plans on taking an offical visit to UT with his mother. Tuitt does have a UGA offer but the dawgs didn't make his final list of 7 schools. Tuitt is rated the #4 Strongside Defensive End in the nation by Rivals.com.