'20 AL ATH Damarcus "Dee" Beckwith (Tennessee signee)

[JacketVol]

It's not over yet as Coach Pruitt was 1st to offer and Dee really does like Pruitt a bunch. Little brother will still play a role although it won't make or break his decision. Barnes is 100% on DB being on the basketball team they just have not actively recruited Dee. I really believe he just likes the campus at Fl, the weather may play a role and the fact that Fl has shown him more love in basketball. South Carolina basketball also reached out but he's shown no interest in them lately even though they were 1st to offer to let him play both. Still some work to do academically as well and you never know how that will turn out. It stinks for the Vols if he ends up in putrid Gainesville, I personally believe that he's going to be a star wherever he goes but especially in Knoxville as we've just never had an athlete with his combo of size, strength, speed an charisma. Dee's a good kid, raised right and has a good head on his shoulders and tbh it's probably a tough decision for him in choosing between the 2, let's hope that he winds up in Knoxville but right now it's likely just hope. Pruitt is a closer and the main recruiter here so I'd give us a 35-45% shot still as FL doesn't lead by much, lots can happen in recruiting in a few short weeks. We're running out of room as well so that may play a role too.

I think we get this kid.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

He may still only play football in college, but Wideman is a top 150 basketball player according to Rivals. I didn’t realize that until recently. That’s high level for that sport as well.

Wideman is definitely viewed as the better basketball player as of right now. I would compare Dee to a younger Pons as a basketball player. He needs lots of work to be really good.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

I think we get this kid.

I hope so, he'll be a star on the hill I believe.

 

[CAVPUT]

Not everyone is all about the $$$. Kids still have dreams and they follow them until the dream is no longer reality. I don't think his father has a problem with him chasing his dreams so not sure why you or I would either.

Agreed, and if he has plans for a career outside of professional sports, I can completely understand that. Maybe his dream is engineering or medical care. If so, enjoy and play both sports if you can. If his dream is to play professionally, he needs to understand what these next 4 years mean and how demanding it is to try and balance school and football much less school and multiple sports.

 

[Jimmy Football]

Wideman is definitely viewed as the better basketball player as of right now. I would compare Dee to a younger Pons as a basketball player. He needs lots of work to be really good.

If he needs Pons-level development, he isn’t going to get it from Mike White.

 

[chargervol]

It's simply because they are in contact with him and actively recruiting him for basketball. He hears from Florida football or basketball pretty much every other day. That's not a knock on our guys as football and Coach Pruitt has shown Dee lots of love, to be honest Pruitt is probably the only reason the Vols still have a shot. As for my "insider" knowledge it's really not all that. Dee's father and our owner go back a ways as our service has been around in Florence for 35 years, we had signed Dee up for basketball and Cam for football in our service several years ago before Dee blew up in Football recruiting. When we first signed them up we thought Cam had a shot playing football for a small college and that Dee might be a mid major basketball guy. My updates come from personal contacts we've had with Dee, Cam and dad as we are completely out of the actual recruiting and what happens between them and the schools recruiting them. I'm a lifelong Vol fan and am just expressing my opinion from those conversations. I'm also not giving up because as of just 3-4 weeks ago I too thought Knoxville is where he would end up.

Yeah, I get Fl is showing more love in BB, maybe I worded it wrong.

If only 1 P5 program is showing him THAT much love in BB and that same school really wants him for fb, seems like he might be at least a little suspicious.

 

[Jaws]

Sorry but I don’t buy that UF is his leader. I think he’s a Vol come NSD.

But more than anything, I’m glad that we have a coach that would never take such cornball pics as Mullen does. He’s just a cornball. I don’t get why kids like him. Of course, I felt the same way about Pittmans “yesssssir” crap but recruits adore him.

It’s just your fandom coming out. Florida fans (and others around the SEC), think your coach looks like a big toe and can’t understand why recruits would like him. See how this works?

At any rate, regarding Beckwith, I actually agree with you, Tennessee is still very much in the picture with him according to a Gator insider I trust. I don’t claim the info as my own, just what I’ve read from a guy who’s right about 80-90% of the time.

I’d say UT at this point.

 

[JacketVol]

I would rather have Wideman if only could get one of the two. That kid is insane. Both would be ridiculous

 

[RiseToTheTop]

Pulaski vs VQ for the #closetodee crown!

cant wait til its over

 

[LittleVol]

Screw TE...id throw this dude out there at WR and play him like Marlon Brown..let all 6ft’5 of this dude high point the ball and go over small Cb’s let him eat.

He's much more dangerous than a Marlon Brown. He has all those skills of him, plus he can run the ball.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

If he needs Pons-level development, he isn’t going to get it from Mike White.

That may be true but that doesn't change the way he's been recruited by both schools. I'm certainly not a fan of Florida but I think it's crazy to believe that a kid would not be impressed if both football and basketball were showing interest. Regardless of what folks around here say, Mullen is a really good coach and his players seem to really like playing for the man, he's not the dud many on here like to believe.

 

[GVol1966]

Lol ok, then anyone could be a generational talent. Speaking in 99.99% probabilities. FFS get a grip man lol

Yep see how ridiculous that is. Kids never played a minute in college and you already know he’s eh, and I say he may be a top 3 draft pick.
Difference is , you say it like it’s past tense and you know, and I say “might” be

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Agreed, and if he has plans for a career outside of professional sports, I can completely understand that. Maybe his dream is engineering or medical care. If so, enjoy and play both sports if you can. If his dream is to play professionally, he needs to understand what these next 4 years mean and how demanding it is to try and balance school and football much less school and multiple sports.

I think he does understand it's just all happened really fast. Dee was not a bigtime football recruit until just this time last year when Pruitt 1st offered. He always thought basketball was his future just wasn't sure of what level. All of that changed when Coach Pruitt came around and offered.

 

[Volfansince1980]

Everyone remember OD? Pepperidge Farm remembers

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Yeah, I get Fl is showing more love in BB, maybe I worded it wrong.

If only 1 P5 program is showing him THAT much love in BB and that same school really wants him for fb, seems like he might be at least a little suspicious.

South Carolina basketball showed a lot of interest as well, and we have offered for him to be on the basketball team also. It is suspicious but I can see him getting a chance at basketball down in Gainesville long before he'd get any shot in Knoxville.

 

[chargervol]

South Carolina basketball showed a lot of interest as well, and we have offered for him to be on the basketball team also. It is suspicious but I can see him getting a chance at basketball down in Gainesville long before he'd get any shot in Knoxville.

Well, as you said, he still has work to do academically. If he's struggling playing both and meeting academic standards in HS, I will have to see him pull off FB and BB, while maintaining his workload in college, before banking on that one.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

He's much more dangerous than a Marlon Brown. He has all those skills of him, plus he can run the ball.

His ability to run with the football and seemingly always falling forward is what separates him as a receiver I believe. His yards after contact are going to be insane from the WR position.

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Well, as you said, he still has work to do academically. If he's struggling playing both and meeting academic standards in HS, I will have to see him pull off FB and BB, while maintaining his workload in college, before banking on that one.

I totally agree. I also think if he does end up just playing football it will be in Knoxville.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I wonder how Florida has all these spots, especially when they are going to pick Avantae Williams

 

[jbr82]

Sounds like Price is leaning more TN this morning with Beckwith on Swain’s show

 

[Jimmy Football]

I wonder how Florida has all these spots, especially when they are going to pick Avantae Williams

And aren’t they still a factor for Gibbs?

 

[TrippieRedd]

And aren’t they still a factor for Gibbs?

I’m not too sure, tbh. I think Gibbs stays at GA Tech.

 

[chargervol]

I totally agree. I also think if he does end up just playing football it will be in Knoxville.

I think the chances are high that he does end up playing 1 sport because of reasons listed previously. Mullen and White aren't unaware.

Iow, I think FL is selling him a boatload of BS. And apparently he prefers that over the straightforward "you'll have an opportunity to earn it" style that Barnes and Pruitt are known for.
Good luck to him.

 

[Jimmy Football]

I’m not too sure, tbh. I think Gibbs stays at GA Tech.

Really? Wow. I figured he was gone when he didn’t sign on ESD.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Really? Wow. I figured he was gone when he didn’t sign on ESD.

Don’t take my word for it. We will find out soon.