Spurrier's dirty recruiting in the past

[Baldfan]

Can somebody tell me if this happened or not?

In the late 90's or near that time when Coach Fulmer and Spurrier were HC's at UT and UF, there was a recruit who verbally committed to TN late in his Junior year. He stated that he was still committed to UT even after there was some question about it. Then on signing day, he signed with UF and it was suspected that Spurrier instructed him to "play" Fulmer like he did. I believe the kid was a five star recruit and he was our supposed "big fish" that year.

Did this happen? If so, who was the recruit and what were the actual details? If you can help me with this, it will settle a big debate I have had with a Gamecock fan for some time.

Thank you!

 

[vols-1]

I remember it happened with Chris Simms and cost TN big time. He keep saying he was comming to TN, so no other big QB would sign with TN. Then he changed his mind at the last month, and went to TX for some reason to back up Applewhite.

 

[Mason72]

I always heard Brandon Stewart pushed alot of QB recruits away from us due to his experience at UT.

 

[DAVOL]

The player was Derrick Chambers in the '96 recruiting season he was committed to us and signed with the gators on nsd. I recall him saying something he was always a gator that he committed to us to keep vol fans at his school from giving him a hard time.This story does not make it sound as shady as it was at the time.It's Decision Day For Football Recruits - Orlando Sentinel

 

[Vol423]

I remember it happened with Chris Simms and cost TN big time. He keep saying he was comming to TN, so no other big QB would sign with TN. Then he changed his mind at the last month, and went to TX for some reason to back up Applewhite.

That's revisionist history. Chris Simms was verbally committed to UT and then signed with Texas because he was afraid to compete with the other QB's verbally committed to UT.

 

[TnScooby]

That's revisionist history. Chris Simms was verbally committed to UT and then signed with Texas because he was afraid to compete with the other QB's verbally committed to UT.

And IMO he made it much worse by playing the race card as justification for his "change of heart"...His claims were severely overblown IMO but generally accepted as fact because of his last name..I do think it did cause some recruits to look at UT in a different light during that time and I have always felt like he should have been forced to back up his statements or publicly apologize for the remarks...JMHO

 

[Baldfan]

The player was Derrick Chambers in the '96 recruiting season he was committed to us and signed with the gators on nsd. I recall him saying something he was always a gator that he committed to us to keep vol fans at his school from giving him a hard time.This story does not make it sound as shady as it was at the time.It's Decision Day For Football Recruits - Orlando Sentinel

A long and belated "Thanks" for answering my question. Funny how these guys that waver (with the exception of Stroud) never pan out.

 

[txvolsfangatorh8r]

I always heard Brandon Stewart pushed alot of QB recruits away from us due to his experience at UT.

probably but dont really blame him.
but that has nothing to do with spurrier