What team has surprised you the most in the Southeast this year on the recruiting trail?
Simmons: Two jump out to me and one is Georgia Tech and the other is Tennessee.
Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin has just been full of surprises since he took over the job and he has one of the top staffs in the South when it comes to recruiting. They are very aggressive, they do not stop, and they will push the limits. They really have not only recruits talking, but parents and high school coaches as well. Just the way they have hit the ground running, made big first impressions, and the way they are lining up to have a strong class has surprised me a little.
Georgia Tech staying in state for their 2010 class is surprising. They are known for going out of state to Texas, up North, into Florida, and more outside of the Georgia borders than just recruiting in-state kids. They have 12 commitments and all 12 are from the state of Georgia. Paul Johnson has made it known that they are going to recruit Georgia and go head to head against Georgia for prospects in the future.
What player has moved up the most based on what you have seen to this point?
Corey Miller has really surprised me and he has looked more impressive this year than I expected. I have seen him so many times in recent years in games and camps and he has just taken his game to another level in 2009. He has gotten bigger, stronger, better against the run, and is just flat out more explosive. I went into this season looking at Brandon Willis as the more dominant defensive lineman at Byrnes, but based off what I have seen to date Miller is the top guy in 2009.
