Class Watch: UT is working to sign a top-notch quarterback for the 2009 class and is willing to go to parts afar to do so.
Josh Nunes from Upland (Calif.) High and Allan Bridgeford from Mission Viejo (Calif.) High are two prospects that UT has shown interest in. Bridgeford would seem to be off UT's board after committing to Cal on May 8, although National Signing Day in February still is a long way away.
Nunes has scholarship offers from several West Coast schools. Nebraska and Oklahoma also are pursuing the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder.
Expect more quarterbacks to crop up on UT's board following the conclusion of the spring evaluation period this month.
The Vols have plenty to sell a quarterback prospect. This season, UT will have a junior starter in Jonathan Crompton that will be yielding the position in 2010. The Vols have two quarterbacks on their roster, sophomore Nick Stephens and redshirt freshman B.J. Coleman, with no game experience.
Both have shown flashes, but probably wouldn't be considered overwhelming threats to a top-notch prospects' playing time.
That means a quarterback with enough talent could redshirt in 2009, learn UT's system and compete for a starting position in 2010 with four years of eligibility remaining.
It will be interesting to see what kind of quarterback UT offensive coordinator Dave Clawson recruits. Athleticism could prove more important to the first-year assistant than his predecessors, although pocket passing surely will be a part of the equation.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at
hookerd@knoxnews.com.
