Tennessee Jack
Sinaasappel is terug.
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It would seem Heaps was the staff's early #1, and some even believe Tennessee finished second in the Jake Heaps sweepstakes to the boys of BYU.
It doesn't matter now, 2nd/3rd/4th are all the same in recruiting battles.
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney watched several quarterbacks in the spring and during this time, Jesse Scroggins of Lakewood, California received a written offer to quarterback Lane Kiffin's new-look Volunteers.
Things looked good early for the Vols and perhaps they could've secured a speedy commitment, had distance/time/expenses not all been a factor. By the time the Vols got Jesse on campus, he had already visited national champion Florida.
Some might suggest Florida's only in this race to weaken the Volunteers and you can't say stranger things haven't happened. Taking on Scroggins wouldn't hurt the Gators, but he is a luxury more than a need with heir-apparent John Brantley already on the squad, along with several prototypical dual-threat signal callers.
With Jesse stopping off in Knoxville, it seemed a commitment to the Vols was just days away to many hopeful Vol fans. The buzz and interest from Tennessee observers easily surpassed that surrounding the Florida and Trojan programs.
It seemed the plan was to attend USC's rising stars camp and pick up a scholarship offer (one many believed had already been awarded secretly weeks earlier).
It seemed like nothing but a formality; a small symbol of self-vindication.
Then suddenly the pending announcement was pushed back several weeks. Rumors quickly spread that Scroggins had committed to the Trojans. These reports, however, proved to be false.
On Sunday night, Scroggins informed the VolQuest staff, that he was still planning to announce on July 25th.
Some observers believed this to be a strategic announcement, since it fell around the time of SEC media days. I didn't buy this explanation and just days later Scroggins informed an ESPN representative, that he could push his decision up by as early as next week.
Got all that?
An early decision helps Tennessee. They either get their man and start taking their figurative wheelbarrow coast-to-coast stockpiling blue chippers and road graders, or they move on to the next passer on their board.
It seemed for many that it was a foregone conclusion Chase Rettig would be next on the Vols offer list. I never thought it was that simple and remained open to other names.
That alternative development was revealed this week, when unsung, Illinois signal caller, Tommy Rees was offered by the Volunteers' staff. This doesn't remove Chase Rettig from the equation, but it does suggest Rettig wasn't as highly regarded as some speculated.
That order would seem to be---
Jesse Scroggins
Tommy Rees
Chase Rettig
I would put a quarterback like Jonny Miller next and I've also read reports to suggest, that Georgia signal caller, Hutson Mason, could also return to the fold in this year's quarterback quest.
Personally I'd take a quarterback with elite accuracy like Mason over the biggest arm available, which is why I'm not as high on Rettig as some. I've been troubled by reports that Rettig often struggles to maintain consistency as well as his tendency to force throws.
I have no guesses as to when Rettig will bring his mental and physical tools together, in order to develop into the elite quarterback many believe he can be.
Rees is an intriguing prospect in several regards. The son of famed coach and consultant, Bill Rees, he certainly has the football pedigree many covet.
Bill Rees has an impressive résumé, one which was built during time with the UCLA Bruins, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns. He is a noted recruiter and talent evaluator. With Tommy aboard, it could open various new doors nationwide to under-the-radar talent for the Vols' high-energy staff.
Another intriguing thing about Rees is the lack of game film. Scout, Rivals, ESPN and YouTube are all devoid of any in-game highlights. The lone film I've seen is a pair of tosses at a Vols summer camp.
With Rees' father's connections and the unusually down year at quarterback, you would expect to see some film circulating on the net.
One final question on Rees should be asked---how much would landing an Illinois quarterback with NFL connections aid in landing other Illinois targets like WRs Matt Milton and Kyle Prater, along with safety and Illini pledge, Corey Cooper?
Before anyone anoints Tommy Rees the next savior of Tennessee football, keep in mind, that none of these players have thrown a single a pass in their senior seasons of high school. A new name could also emerge during the season, thus disrupting all previous plans for this class.
I fully expect the Vols to land a quarterback in July, be it Scroggins, Rettig or Rees.
The next thing that will be interesting to watch is what they'll do in regards to a second quarterback. With Lamaison still very much in the Vols' quarterback picture, will they still take two incoming freshman? If so, will they lock one up immediately or will they take their time in the hopes of finding an unpolished gem over the next 8 months?
It doesn't matter now, 2nd/3rd/4th are all the same in recruiting battles.
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney watched several quarterbacks in the spring and during this time, Jesse Scroggins of Lakewood, California received a written offer to quarterback Lane Kiffin's new-look Volunteers.
Things looked good early for the Vols and perhaps they could've secured a speedy commitment, had distance/time/expenses not all been a factor. By the time the Vols got Jesse on campus, he had already visited national champion Florida.
Some might suggest Florida's only in this race to weaken the Volunteers and you can't say stranger things haven't happened. Taking on Scroggins wouldn't hurt the Gators, but he is a luxury more than a need with heir-apparent John Brantley already on the squad, along with several prototypical dual-threat signal callers.
With Jesse stopping off in Knoxville, it seemed a commitment to the Vols was just days away to many hopeful Vol fans. The buzz and interest from Tennessee observers easily surpassed that surrounding the Florida and Trojan programs.
It seemed the plan was to attend USC's rising stars camp and pick up a scholarship offer (one many believed had already been awarded secretly weeks earlier).
It seemed like nothing but a formality; a small symbol of self-vindication.
Then suddenly the pending announcement was pushed back several weeks. Rumors quickly spread that Scroggins had committed to the Trojans. These reports, however, proved to be false.
On Sunday night, Scroggins informed the VolQuest staff, that he was still planning to announce on July 25th.
Some observers believed this to be a strategic announcement, since it fell around the time of SEC media days. I didn't buy this explanation and just days later Scroggins informed an ESPN representative, that he could push his decision up by as early as next week.
Got all that?
An early decision helps Tennessee. They either get their man and start taking their figurative wheelbarrow coast-to-coast stockpiling blue chippers and road graders, or they move on to the next passer on their board.
It seemed for many that it was a foregone conclusion Chase Rettig would be next on the Vols offer list. I never thought it was that simple and remained open to other names.
That alternative development was revealed this week, when unsung, Illinois signal caller, Tommy Rees was offered by the Volunteers' staff. This doesn't remove Chase Rettig from the equation, but it does suggest Rettig wasn't as highly regarded as some speculated.
That order would seem to be---
Jesse Scroggins
Tommy Rees
Chase Rettig
I would put a quarterback like Jonny Miller next and I've also read reports to suggest, that Georgia signal caller, Hutson Mason, could also return to the fold in this year's quarterback quest.
Personally I'd take a quarterback with elite accuracy like Mason over the biggest arm available, which is why I'm not as high on Rettig as some. I've been troubled by reports that Rettig often struggles to maintain consistency as well as his tendency to force throws.
I have no guesses as to when Rettig will bring his mental and physical tools together, in order to develop into the elite quarterback many believe he can be.
Rees is an intriguing prospect in several regards. The son of famed coach and consultant, Bill Rees, he certainly has the football pedigree many covet.
Bill Rees has an impressive résumé, one which was built during time with the UCLA Bruins, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns. He is a noted recruiter and talent evaluator. With Tommy aboard, it could open various new doors nationwide to under-the-radar talent for the Vols' high-energy staff.
Another intriguing thing about Rees is the lack of game film. Scout, Rivals, ESPN and YouTube are all devoid of any in-game highlights. The lone film I've seen is a pair of tosses at a Vols summer camp.
With Rees' father's connections and the unusually down year at quarterback, you would expect to see some film circulating on the net.
One final question on Rees should be asked---how much would landing an Illinois quarterback with NFL connections aid in landing other Illinois targets like WRs Matt Milton and Kyle Prater, along with safety and Illini pledge, Corey Cooper?
Before anyone anoints Tommy Rees the next savior of Tennessee football, keep in mind, that none of these players have thrown a single a pass in their senior seasons of high school. A new name could also emerge during the season, thus disrupting all previous plans for this class.
I fully expect the Vols to land a quarterback in July, be it Scroggins, Rettig or Rees.
The next thing that will be interesting to watch is what they'll do in regards to a second quarterback. With Lamaison still very much in the Vols' quarterback picture, will they still take two incoming freshman? If so, will they lock one up immediately or will they take their time in the hopes of finding an unpolished gem over the next 8 months?
