'19 JUCO DE Nick Figueroa

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Nick Figueroa, the No. 1 strongside defensive end in the 2019 junior-college rankings out of Riverside, Calif., is down to a final three of Tennessee, Southern Cal and UCLA after his weekend visit to see the Vols. He has three days to come to a decision before announcing his commitment on Wednesday morning, when the Early Signing Period gets underway.

Figueroa split time during his Tennessee visit between head coach Jeremy Pruitt, defensive line coach Tracy Rocker and tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer, his primary recruiter who has grown close with Figueroa during the process and put the Vols in the thick of his decision. The schematic fit is there and Tennessee is a program that Figueroa said he sees on the rise. It’s just a matter of how much distance will play a factor in his decision. Getting him out of Southern California won’t be easy, but the Vols are doing everything they can to do just that. During dinner Saturday night, it was athletic director Phillip Fulmer, whom Figueroa described as “kind of a celebrity,” who sat next to his parents.
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Ron Swanson said:
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Phil closing the deal with Mom and Dad... I don't care what anyone says about the state of our program, our coach, etc--- sitting with Phil Fulmer at a meal-- the guy is just charismatic and almost soothing with his calm, low tone... talk about a guy who could give Mom the feels that sonny-boy will be taken care of and watched out for this far away from home. Prolly gave her his home and cell number...
 
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I wrote Wednesday that I didn’t think Tennessee would add a DL during the early signing period. I’ll stick with that prediction for now. The Vols certainly impressed Nick Figueroa and his family, with the JUCO DE raving about his visit. UCLA isn’t much of a factor here, but USC definitely is. Figueroa thought he had his mind made up before taking the OV to Rocky Top. Now he’s a bit more unsettled on that decision. Ultimately, I think distance is going to be the determining factor here, but the fact Tennessee is a program that Figueroa believes could help him reach his potential gives the Vols a shot.
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-Simonton
 
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bignewt said:
I love Phil is involved with recruiting. Not many ADs out there doing that.
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Met Phil one time and he was a very classy guy. Nothing but respect for him. Crouch said in a prior visit that he met Phil and that was a first he'd heard of programs doing that. Also having a natty ring on that bear paw of his shaking your hand is somethin no other school can boast far as I know.
 
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AaronUT said:
Met Phil one time and he was a very classy guy. Nothing but respect for him. Crouch said in a prior visit that he met Phil and that was a first he'd heard of programs doing that. Also having a natty ring on those bear paws of his shaking your hand is somethin no other school can boast far as I know.
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Can't hurt having a street on campus named after you either.
 
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Hope we get this stud. Need to add to the DL and this is the one I want here the most out of remaining targets.
 
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Ron Swanson said:
-Simonton
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If distance is a factor, he sure didn't make that known in the airport interview. This kid has his head in the game. He said if he was fortunate enough to make it to the NFL, he would not be able to control where he lives. He was gonna apply that line of thinking when he makes his final decision. I have no idea where he's gonna commit but I believe we put ourselves squarely in the mix.
 
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Batman1948 said:
If distance is a factor, he sure didn't make that known in the airport interview. This kid has his head in the game. H said if he was fortunate enough to make it to the NFL, he would not be able to control where he lives. He was gonna apply that line of thinking when he makes his final decision. I have no idea where he's gonna commit but I believe we put ourselves squarely in the mix.
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Its between us and USC at this point. Thing is, most of those Cali kids dream of playing for SC. I like what he said in the exit interview though, we have a chance.
 
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i think for Cain and Figuera, how long can the high of the visit be maintained, before you get home, and go over what you though you knew to what you know now, and how does that or should it, if at all, change your decision?

i think i really won't be surprised either way with either of these two. i think we did what we set out to do. did we do enough to close?
 
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Evergrenevol said:
I begrudgingly agree.. I saw a picture on Twitter of his family hosting what looked like the entire Southern Cal coaching staff.
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He received his offer from USC on 3 December. USC staff was in home on the 5th and he OV'd the weekend of the 8th. We are sitting well right now. He loves Big Country and that bonnd is strong. We're about to stop losing these battles and start winning some.
 
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MiramarVol said:
He received his offer from USC on 3 December. USC staff was in home on the 5th and he OV'd the weekend of the 8th. We are sitting well right now. He loves Big Country and that bonnd is strong. We're about to stop losing these battles and start winning some.
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certainly hope so.
 
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