A look back at the class of 02

[Jaytrain5]

Ah, memories...let's take a stroll down memory lane and take a look back at the "#2 class in the nation" in 2002.


Jason Allen ATH 6-2 200 4.32 - Muscle Shoals, AL --- 4 star, one of the greatest dbs in school history

James Banks QB 6-3 195 4.5 - Indianapolis, IN --- 5 star, one of the biggest disappointments in school history

Heath Benedict OL 6-6 285 4.82 - Highstown, NJ --- 4 star, all-american who now plays at Newberry College

Mondre Dickerson DE 6-4 268 4.57 - Coffeyville, KS -- 5 star rating...did he even have 5 tackles at UT

Cody Douglas OL 6-4 310 4.9 - La Marque, TX -- 4 star player...Cody turned out to be a good one

Omar Gaither LB 6-2 210 4.5 - Charlotte, NC -- 4 star, Omar was great too...now a Phil. Eagle

Jason Hall DE 6-4 245 4.7 - Chattanooga, TN -- 2 Stars!! definitely underrated out of high school.

Chris Hannon ATH 6-4 190 4.38 - Sarasota, FL -- 4 stars...overrated out of high school.

Parys Haralson DE 6-2 235 4.66 - Canton, MS -- 4 stars...he lived up to his rating, great career at UT

Justin Harrell DT 6-5 300 4.8 - Martin, TN -- 4 stars...thank God he's back this year, we'll need him.

LaRon Harris DT 6-3 305 4.92 - Memphis, TN -- 4 stars...did this guy ever step foot on the field?

Brandon Jeffries OL 6-5 265 4.85 - Shelby, NC -- 5 stars...another 5 star bust

Greg Jones DT 6-6 265 4.8 - Jonesboro, AR -- 4 stars...injury plagued bust

Aaron Kirkland TE 6-5 240 4.8 - Fayetteville, NC -- 4 stars...any production from him?

David Ligon DE 6-5 275 4.7 - Memphis, TN -- 4 star....no comment

Jonathan Mapu DE 6-3 265 4.8 - Kahuku, HI -- 5 stars...jury's still out, we'll know more this fall

Ruben Mayes RB 6-2 240 4.5 - Memphis, TN -- 4 stars...miserable

Marvin Mitchell LB 6-3 230 4.6 - Norfolk, VA -- 3 stars...all we have to show for him is a late night arrest

Leon Pinky TE 6-3 255 4.7 - Santa Clarita, CA -- 2 stars...who?

Gerald Riggs Jr. RB 6-0 220 4.49 - Chattanooga, TN -- 5 stars...I'd call him an underachiever

Rob Smith OL 6-4 290 4.72 - Fort Thomas , KY -- 4 star all-american, who left school early to go undrafted

Antwan Stewart ATH 6-0 180 4.4 - Dumfries, VA -- 3 star...serviceable db

Jonathan Wade ATH 5-11 180 4.3 - Shreveport, LA -- 4 stars...maybe this is his breakout year.

James Wilhoit K 6-1 180 - - Hendersonville, TN --4 stars, the kick against florida in 04 was worth the scholarship

Gibril Wilson DB 6-1 190 4.4 - San Francisco, CA -- 4 stars, excellent safety, but only 2 years here

All in all, this was a good class...but definitely not # 2 in the country. And of this group, only Harrell, Jeffries, Ligon, Mapu, Mitchell, Stewart, Wade and Wilhoit remain. It can't be considered a "travesty" if this group of seniors doesn't contend for an SEC championship...It would more likely be considered a miracle if they did.

 

[Jaytrain5]

and on a side note...

The #1 class in the nation in 2002 was @ the University of Texas, headlined by Vince Young...and as we all know, that class just produced a national championship.

 

[VOLracerx]

I see what you are saying...but...they are rank in th first place based upon their high school accomplishments. There is no telling how these kids will react once in college- everything is different from the time they step on campus to the first game they will play - especially the level of competition.

 

[Jaytrain5]

I see what you are saying...but...they are rank in th first place based upon their high school accomplishments. There is no telling how these kids will react once in college- everything is different from the time they step on campus to the first game they will play - especially the level of competition.

They're not really ranked necessarily on "high school accomplishments"...in other words, the kid who throws the most TDs in the state is not always ranked as the #1 qb in the state. The high profile kids see their stock rise at regional combines that they attend with other next-level high school talents. I agree, that it's very difficult to evaluate a 17 yr. old kid and project what he'll do at the collegiate level...but if the #1 ranked recruiting class in the country wins a national title 4 years later, I'd say the talent scouts do a pretty good job of evaluating players. I'd also say that if the #2 class in the country fails to make a bowl game 4 years later, there are definitely some underveloped and underachieving players on that team.

 

[CrystalEHS07]

I'd also say that if the #2 class in the country fails to make a bowl game 4 years later, there are definitely some underveloped and underachieving players on that team.

Or some discipline problems...



~*Crystal*~

 

[Low Country Vol]

Kirkland was kicked off the team. He was non-productive when he was here.

 

[WA_Vol]

Its hard to look at that list and not feel there has been a lack of talent development at UT. Its only on one side of the ball. Chavis did a good job with the DL and linebackers and Jason Allen may be the best corner at UT ever. But the WR's and offensive line has been the biggest disappointment on this team.

I can't help but feel the OL and WR coaches have not done a good job in the past. Since they are gone, hopefully that means things are going to change. Trooper did a good job with the freshmen RB's, hopefully as a WR coach he will do the same.

 

[mattvols]

it was amazing how many 4 and 5 star guys didnt even hardly step foot on the field

 

[mattvols]

also Rob Smith got picked up by the Browns and reports have said he is playing with the 2nd team so hes got a good chance of making the roster there.

one question why was Gabril only here two years

 

[WA_Vol]

one question why was Gabril only here two years

he was a junior college transfer. only had 2 years of elgibility.

 

[hvwarrior58]

I wouldn't call Jones a bust. He looked promising but personal issues force him to leave. Hannon was a 4 star? I know in at least 1 service that he was either a 1 or 2 star QB.

 

[Jaytrain5]

I wouldn't call Jones a bust. He looked promising but personal issues force him to leave. Hannon was a 4 star? I know in at least 1 service that he was either a 1 or 2 star QB.

Hannon was initially rated as a 2 star prospect by rivals...but he got a lot of late attention from Miami, Alabama, and Florida and ended up as a 4-star guy in their final rankings. Does anyone remember the spring practice @ UT when he shouted to reporters that he was the #1 receiver in the country after beating Jason Allen down the sideline for a touchdown?

 

[kptvol]

Hannon was initially rated as a 2 star prospect by rivals...but he got a lot of late attention from Miami, Alabama, and Florida and ended up as a 4-star guy in their final rankings. Does anyone remember the spring practice @ UT when he shouted to reporters that he was the #1 receiver in the country after beating Jason Allen down the sideline for a touchdown?

I heard that one time he compared himself to Larry Fitzgerald and expected to be the next WR candidate for Heisman. Then he dropped like 19 passes against Florida his junior year. And of course his senior year he was completely worthless.

 

[vols2345]

I can't believe you called james banks one of the biggest dissapointments in school history... At least he did something for us. made some of the biggest catches in UT history. Calling him one of the biggest dissapointments, when you listed 3 or 4 5 stars that didn't even touch the field, is just crazy.

 

[Jaytrain5]

I can't believe you called james banks one of the biggest dissapointments in school history... At least he did something for us. made some of the biggest catches in UT history. Calling him one of the biggest dissapointments, when you listed 3 or 4 5 stars that didn't even touch the field, is just crazy.

How can he not be considered a disappointment...he had more star potential than anyone in that recruiting class. I'll admit he gave us several highlights, both as a quarterback and as a receiver...but you've got to consider the off the field issues with James. His lack of self-discipline stripped him of his final 2 years as a Vol. I don't know about you, but with all the potential JB had, I'm extremely disappointed that I didn't get to watch him play for 2 more years. He wasn't an on-field disappointment -- He was an off the field disappointment.

 

[General Jack]

I'm feeling pretty underwhelmed. Lets hope the 2005 class pans out a little better - and that we'll be back with a top 5 class in 2007.

 

[sickemsmokey10]

I hear that James Banks is tearing it up at Caron Newman

 

[rockytopinalabam]

Ah, memories...let's take a stroll down memory lane and take a look back at the "#2 class in the nation" in 2002.
Jason Allen ATH 6-2 200 4.32 - Muscle Shoals, AL --- 4 star, one of the greatest dbs in school history

James Banks QB 6-3 195 4.5 - Indianapolis, IN --- 5 star, one of the biggest disappointments in school history

Heath Benedict OL 6-6 285 4.82 - Highstown, NJ --- 4 star, all-american who now plays at Newberry College

Mondre Dickerson DE 6-4 268 4.57 - Coffeyville, KS -- 5 star rating...did he even have 5 tackles at UT

Cody Douglas OL 6-4 310 4.9 - La Marque, TX -- 4 star player...Cody turned out to be a good one

Omar Gaither LB 6-2 210 4.5 - Charlotte, NC -- 4 star, Omar was great too...now a Phil. Eagle

Jason Hall DE 6-4 245 4.7 - Chattanooga, TN -- 2 Stars!! definitely underrated out of high school.

Chris Hannon ATH 6-4 190 4.38 - Sarasota, FL -- 4 stars...overrated out of high school.

Parys Haralson DE 6-2 235 4.66 - Canton, MS -- 4 stars...he lived up to his rating, great career at UT

Justin Harrell DT 6-5 300 4.8 - Martin, TN -- 4 stars...thank God he's back this year, we'll need him.

LaRon Harris DT 6-3 305 4.92 - Memphis, TN -- 4 stars...did this guy ever step foot on the field?

Brandon Jeffries OL 6-5 265 4.85 - Shelby, NC -- 5 stars...another 5 star bust

Greg Jones DT 6-6 265 4.8 - Jonesboro, AR -- 4 stars...injury plagued bust

Aaron Kirkland TE 6-5 240 4.8 - Fayetteville, NC -- 4 stars...any production from him?

David Ligon DE 6-5 275 4.7 - Memphis, TN -- 4 star....no comment

Jonathan Mapu DE 6-3 265 4.8 - Kahuku, HI -- 5 stars...jury's still out, we'll know more this fall

Ruben Mayes RB 6-2 240 4.5 - Memphis, TN -- 4 stars...miserable

Marvin Mitchell LB 6-3 230 4.6 - Norfolk, VA -- 3 stars...all we have to show for him is a late night arrest

Leon Pinky TE 6-3 255 4.7 - Santa Clarita, CA -- 2 stars...who?

Gerald Riggs Jr. RB 6-0 220 4.49 - Chattanooga, TN -- 5 stars...I'd call him an underachiever

Rob Smith OL 6-4 290 4.72 - Fort Thomas , KY -- 4 star all-american, who left school early to go undrafted

Antwan Stewart ATH 6-0 180 4.4 - Dumfries, VA -- 3 star...serviceable db

Jonathan Wade ATH 5-11 180 4.3 - Shreveport, LA -- 4 stars...maybe this is his breakout year.

James Wilhoit K 6-1 180 - - Hendersonville, TN --4 stars, the kick against florida in 04 was worth the scholarship

Gibril Wilson DB 6-1 190 4.4 - San Francisco, CA -- 4 stars, excellent safety, but only 2 years here

All in all, this was a good class...but definitely not # 2 in the country. And of this group, only Harrell, Jeffries, Ligon, Mapu, Mitchell, Stewart, Wade and Wilhoit remain. It can't be considered a "travesty" if this group of seniors doesn't contend for an SEC championship...It would more likely be considered a miracle if they did.

Sorry to tell you this but Jeffries is long gone too.

 

[hvwarrior58]

I believe Jeffries was the #2 OL in the nation. He transferred to NC State and is eligible to play this year.

 

[rockydoc]

I wouldn't call Jones a bust. He looked promising but personal issues force him to leave. Hannon was a 4 star? I know in at least 1 service that he was either a 1 or 2 star QB.

Greg was on his way to being a topnotch DL when his family had a tragic accident wit fatalities. Unfair to label him a bust.

 

[ukvols]

You gotta love it when giant posts are quoted in their entirety. :biggrin2: As for contending for an SEC title, didn't the 2002 class play in the SEC final two years ago? Perhaps we can get back there soon.

 

[Hippity_Dippity]

Greg was on his way to being a topnotch DL when his family had a tragic accident wit fatalities. Unfair to label him a bust.

He lost several members of his family in a car wreck on on their way to see him play. He learned of the news TWO HOURS before the game!!!! I'd be a mess too. He is in no way a "bust".

 

[Jaytrain5]

He lost several members of his family in a car wreck on on their way to see him play. He learned of the news TWO HOURS before the game!!!! I'd be a mess too. He is in no way a "bust".

I understand the tragedy that Greg faced. It's unfair to expect an individual to bounce back quickly from circumstances like his -- but we never heard back from him and it's been 2 full seasons. I'm not saying he's a "bust" in the same sense that James Banks or Heath Benedict were busts...All I'm saying is that, regardless of his circumstances, he never panned out as a UT football player.