ForumsFor the 2009 recruiting class the Vols signed two highly ranked running backs, Bryce Brown and David Oku, to pair with senior running back Montario Hardesty for the 2009 season.
Hardesty ran for 1,345 yards and 13 touchdowns for an impressive 103 yards per game in the mighty SEC while true freshman Brown gained 460 yards on only 101 carries for three scores. While Oku only rushe dfor 94 yards and two scores he also had 863 return yards from his kickoff duties.
For the 2010 class the Vols signed two more running backs in four-star Rajion Neal and three-star Channing Fugate. Fugate is listed as an athlete on Tennessee’s official announcment of signees for 2010 and thus could be used at Linebacker, safety, or even fullback for the Vols.
Entering the 2010 season the Vols will have five or six runningbacks in the program. Brown, Oku, junior Tauren Poole, Neal, and then possibily Fugate. Naturally with no seniors running back doesn’t appear to be an issue but the Vols will look to sign one maybe two more backs depending on who is interested to continue to stockpile backs for the mighty SEC.
One player the Vols have targeted early with new head coach Derek Dooley in place is Ka’deem Carey (Tuscon, AZ/ Canyon Del Oro HS). Carey is a 5’11 180 pound running back that has become somewhat of a sensation in the Tucson area for his impressive running style.
As a sophomore Carey got introduced to the varsity level and rushed the ball 93 times for 898 yards (9.66 average) and had seven touchdowns. His junior year however was when Carey burst onto the scene.
In Carey’s first game against Ironwood Ridge he rushed 25 times for 190 yards and scored twice. He bursted onto the scene that first fall Friday night but the following week was when things really heated up. Carey followed his 190 yard night with a big game against Santa Rita where he rushed 21 times for 284 yards and four touchdowns while earning state player of the week.
Carey would go on to rush 224 times for 2,783 yards and 43 scores while earning first team all-state as a junior and setting the state rushing record for one season. Carey posted five games where he rushed for over 200 yards and even had one 400 yard game late into the playoffs.
Because of Carey’s speed and strength he has become a hot commodity. Colleges are starting to take notice and more and more schools look to enter the mix.
“I have offers from Arizona and Arizona State already,” said Carey. “I am hearing from Oregon, Oregon State, Colorado, Notre Dame, UCLA, and most of the schools on the west coast.”
“Tennessee however just started sending me mail and look to be very serious in the interest they have in me. About three weeks ago I started getting a ton of mail talking about junior day, coach Dooley, and the Vols program.”
Carey hasn’t been back east to the Vols but he already knows a thing or two about what the Vols can offer.
“Oh I know about Tennessee. They have a great football tradition and they are winners. I am very interested in Tennessee. I like the fact they are in the SEC and are a school who runs the ball.”
Carey didnt take part in the US Army Combine or any other early combines but is planning on doing some later in the year.
“Right now I am focusing on school and track. I will do my combines later this year. I am going to Arizona’s junior day this Sunday but outside of that I don’t have many plans for visiting colleges until after school is out.”
So with the Vols reaching out to this talented running back from the cactus state VolNation.com will keep you in the loop.
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