UT BLOG: One big loss, two big gains

KNOXVILLE - The University of Tennessee football team's national signing day started with one big blow, but the Volunteers recovered with two big additions.

Four-star defensive tackle prospect J.C. Copeland from LaGrange, Ga., a longtime UT commitment who recently reaffirmed his pledge to the Volunteers, stunned them by signing with LSU.

Just before 10 a.m., though, UT got its first five-star prospect when Calhoun (Ga.) High School wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers confirmed his plans to sign with the Vols.

Rogers' teammate and close friend, Calhoun quarterback Nash Nance, also signed with UT at the Yellow Jackets' press conference.

Around 10:30 a.m., UT's fortunes took another positive step when four-star Nashville offensive line prospect James Stone faxed his scholarship papers to Knoxville.

As of 10:40 a.m., the Vols received the following signatures:

WEDNESDAY SIGNEES

Dave Clark DB 6-2, 190, 4 stars Baton Rouge, La. (JUCO)

Raiques Crump LB 6-1, 210, 2 stars Adamsville, Ala. (Minor)

Marcques Dixon DB 5-10, 182, 3 stars Decatur, Ga.

Zach Fulton OL 6-4, 306, 3 stars Homewood, Ill.

Martaze Jackson DE 6-2, 202, 3 stars Demopolis, Ala.

Eddrick Loften DB 5-10, 195, 4 stars Irving, Texas

Nash Nance QB 6-3, 205, 2 stars Calhoun, Ga.

Rajion Neal RB 5-10, 215, 4 stars Tyrone, Ga.

Marques Pair OL 6-6, 260, 3 stars Sumter, S.C.

Michael Palardy PK 6-0, 170, 3 stars Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

John Propst LB 6-2, 215, 3 stars Hoover, Ala.

Mychal Rivera TE 6-4, 230, 3 stars Van Nuys, Calif. (JUCO)

Da'Rick Rogers WR 6-3, 205, 5 stars Calhoun, Ga.

Dontavis Sapp DB 6-3, 205, 2 stars Valdosta, Ga.

James Stone OL 6-5, 297, 4 stars Nashville

JANUARY ENROLLEES

*Tyler Bray QB 6-6, 180, 4 stars Kingsburg, Calif.

*Channing Fugate FB 6-2, 230, 3 stars Jackson, Ky.

*Ja'Wuan James OL 6-6, 293, 4 stars Suwanee, Ga.

*Ted Meline WR 6-3, 170, 4 stars Miami

*Corey Miller DE 6-4, 230, 4 stars Duncan, S.C.

*Matt Milton WR 6-6, 190, 4 stars Mascoutah, Ill.

*Matt Simms QB 6-3, 215, 3 stars Ramsey, N.J. (JUCO)

*Jacques Smith DE 6-3, 230, 4 stars Ooltewah

Read Thursday's Times Free Press for more UT coverage.

Other contacts for Wes Rucker are www.twitter.com/wesrucker and www.facebook.com/tfpvolsbeat.

Upcoming Events