SEC commissioner Mike Slive ordered Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and Florida coach Urban Meyer to end their public verbal tiff this week.
Slive didn't say anything about recruiting.
So with an inspiring effort against Florida in their back pockets, Tennessee's coaches called every one of Florida's 15 verbal commitments for the 2010 class, according to a source close to the recruitment of those prospects.
Every one? Yep, every single one, and some undecided prospects, too.
The message was clear and concise: The Vols would have surely beaten Florida had it not been for Superman saving the day - and Tim Tebow is a senior.
Now, Florida fans and realists know that the "No Tebow = Vols Win" equation takes a serious leap of faith. Football is too complex a game to use such simplistic reasoning.
Perhaps another quarterback could have led the Gators to a victory? Perhaps backup John Brantley (who is considered a better pocket passer than Tebow) could have lit up the scoreboard. But let's not let logic get in the way of a good recruiting sales pitch.
Tebow certainly seemed to be the difference, at least at times. Especially when he avoided UT's Wes Brown and Rico McCoy on a key third-down conversion.
I'll let you debate just how important Tebow was.
The second part of UT's sales pitch was all about talent. Florida has more, granted. But the Vols are closing in on the defending national champions. And, UT's coaching staff kept last Saturday's game close.
So imagine what UT's coaches can do with comparable talent?
The confidence of UT's staff is the underlying factor in the pitch. Even in losses, they're still recruiting.
Remember the UCLA loss when the Bruins took a Neyland Stadium-sized needle and poked it into Knoxville's Big Orange balloon of excitement? The Vols picked up three highly rated prospects the very next day.
Now, it's not unusual for coaches to hold a silent commitment (likely receiver DeMarco Cobbs) for just the right moment when its fan base needs a boost. But to land three in a one day?
It seems Kiffin and recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron will continue wooing prospects no matter the scenario.
Has the Tennessee River run over? More room for prospects' families in the Vol Navy.
Neyland Stadium has been condemned? Tom Black Track has always been the better venue.
UT's recruiting is riding higher than at anytime after a loss in the 10 years I've been covering the Vols. Yet I'd offer three suggestions:
No. 1: Don't lose to Ohio.
No. 2: Watch for the Gators to strike back. I still find it odd that quarterback Jesse Scroggins seemed more worried about UT's minor NCAA violations after his summer trip to Florida. Meyer won't stand idly by.
No. 3: Stay cocky. Prospects love it.
Visitors: UT is set to host two - juco defensive tackle David Mahoney and teammate Kenny Davis - official visitors this weekend. While that might seem like a low number, prepare yourself for a bevy of prospects for the Auburn and Georgia games in the next two weeks.
Mahoney would be a huge pickup for the Vols. The 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle from Pierce Community College in Woodland Hills, Calif., is widely considered one of the best junior college defensive tackles in the nation. Mahoney has scholarship offers from several schools.
Davis, a wide receiver, also is expected to officially visit. The 6-3, 190-pounder is committed to Kansas State.
It's hard not to imagine an immediate upgrade on UT's defensive line if the Vols land Mahoney. While junior college players can be hit or miss, the Vols have two other junior college defensive linemen committed: John Brown from Booneville, Miss., and Pat Harris from Hayward, Calif. Those two, along with Mahoney, should overcome the junior college odds.
The Vols will need help next year as they lose defensive tackles Wes Brown and Dan Williams.
Fashion Statement: So much for Kiffin not liking orange. I'm told that Kiffin decided to have the Vols don orange pants last week against Florida. The white-on-white was considered a little old fashioned by some.
Makes you wonder if black jerseys will ever make their debut. Just kidding.
Lakeland gettting +##%@!% jobbed
