KNOXVILLE -- Head Coach Phillip Fulmer’s Comments on Tennessee’s 2008 Signing Class:

“I am very pleased with our class overall. There are some really talented young men in this group -- some that will help us immediately and some that will take time to develop.

“It is a solid class academically and there are some outstanding young men from a character standpoint.

“I have said this before, but the success of this group depends not only on their individual playing abilities. It also rests on their determination to work hard with their teammates while learning and responding to the demands of handling college academics and social interactions both on and off the field.”

Volunteers Signee Notebook

- The Vols have four signees who have ties to the football team.
- Carson Anderson’s father, Terry, played linebacker (1976-78) at UT with John Chavis and his uncle, Charlie Anderson, was a defensive end (1974-76) who began his career at UT when Phillip Fulmer was a student coach.
- Ben Bartholomew is the grandson of Sam Bartholomew, who was captain of the 1939 SEC Championship team. His older brother, Will Bartholomew, was a four-year lettermen, member of the 1998 National Championship team and 2001 team captain.
- Aaron Douglas’ father, David, lettered as an offensive tackle on the 1984 and 85 teams.
- Rodriquez Wilks joins his brother, Marsalous Johnson, who just finished his sophomore season as a Vol.

- UT signed players today from seven different states: Tennessee (5), Alabama (2), Florida (2), Georgia (3), Louisiana (3), Mississippi (1) and North Carolina (2).

- Five members of this year’s class helped their teams to either state high school or junior college national championships.

- Two signees, Austin Johnson and Tauren Poole, have enrolled at UT and will participate in spring drills beginning March 11.

E.J. Abrams-Ward
Wide Receiver, 6-5, 210
Thomasville, N.C. (Thomasville HS)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 11 overall athlete in the nation ... No. 1 overall prospect in North Carolina ... Rivals250
Scout.com: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 8 overall strong side linebacker
ESPN: No. 26 overall outside linebacker in the nation
PrepStar: No. 1 overall prospect in North Carolina

Honors: Named Associated Press All-State as a senior in 2007 and sophomore in 2005 ... 2007 All-Southern team ... Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 team ... North Carolina Offensive Player of the Year for Class 1A as a senior ... Three-time All-Conference and All-County selection as a senior, junior and sophomore ... Two-time All-Region selection as a senior and junior.
Stats: As a senior in 2007, rushed for more than 1,200 yards and totaled better than 800 yards receiving ... As a junior in 2006, threw for 596 yards and six touchdowns.
Misc: Four-year letterman and three-year starter in football, starting at linebacker as a sophomore and junior as well as three-year starter on offense ... Also a standout basketball player, scoring topping 1,000 points in his career as a three-year starter ... Earned All-State, All-Conference and All-County honors in basketball as a junior ... A standout baseball player, earned All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior as a pitcher and centerfielder ... Senior team captain for football and basketball ... Coach at Thomasville High School: Benjie Brown ... Full name: Edward John Abrams-Ward ... Born: April 27, 1990.

Carson Anderson
Offensive Line, 6-3, 275
Florence, Ala. (Florence)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 52 overall offensive guard
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: Honored as first-team 6A All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association ... Earned a starting role on the offensive line for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic ... Named All-Area and All-Region as a junior in 2006 ... Earned North Alabama Elite 11 honors heading into his senior season.
Stats: Averaged better than a 90 percent grade over his senior season.
Misc: His father, Terry, played linebacker (1976-78) at UT with John Chavis and his uncle, Charlie Anderson, was a defensive end (1974-76) who began his career at UT when Phillip Fulmer was a student coach ... Coach at Florence High School: Joe Hollis ... Full name: Carson Caine Anderson ... Born: Aug. 26, 1989.

Preston Bailey
Offensive Line, 6-5, 320
Nashville (Montgomery Bell Academy)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 32 overall offensive tackle ... No. 7 rated prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 30 overall offensive tackle
ESPN: No. 26 overall offensive guard
PrepStar: Top 300 All-America Team

Honors: Honored as Mr. Football Division II Lineman of the Year as a senior in 2007 ... Named First Team Division II 2A All-State by the Tennessee High School Coaches Association and First-Team All-State by the TSWA as a senior ... Honored First-Team All-MidState as a junior in 2006 ... Member of Tennessean’s All-Midstate team in 2007 ... No. 6 prospect on Knoxville New-Sentinel Top 25 ... Invited to Army All-American game but could not attend because of injury.
Misc: Helped lead MBA to record 13 wins on way to undefeated Division II-2A State Championship ... Three year starter on offensive line and also played on defense as a nose guard ... Also participated in basketball and threw shot put and discus on track and field team ... Coach at Montgomery Bell Academy: Daniel McGugin ... Full name: Preston Tillman Bailey III ... Born: Jan. 13, 1990.

Ben Bartholomew
Fullback, 6-3, 235
Nashville (Montgomery Bell Academy)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 4 overall fullback ... No. 14 rated prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 8 overall fullback
ESPN: No. 6 overall fullback
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: Named first team Division II-3A All-State by the TSWA as a senior in 2007 ... Division II Mr. Football Back ... Member of The Tennessean’s All-Midstate team in 2007 .. No. 12 prospect on Knoxville New-Sentinel Top 25.
Stats: Rushed for career-high 162 yards in 2007 season opener against Antioch ... Tallied 19 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior in 2006.
Misc: Grandson of Sam Bartholomew, who was captain of the 1939 SEC Championship team ... Brother of Will Bartholomew, who was a four-year lettermen, member of the 1998 National Championship team and 2001 team captain ... Helped lead MBA to record 13 wins on way to undefeated Division II-2A State Championship ... Three-year starter at middle linebacker, two-year starter at fullback ... Also participated in wrestling and track and field ... Won 2007 state shot put championship, with throw of 51 feet, 2 inches ... Won 2007 state wrestling championship in 215-pound division ... Coach at Montgomery Bell Academy: Daniel McGugin ... Full name: Benjamin Oakes Bartholomew ... Born: July 31, 1989.

Willie Bohannon
Defensive End, 6-3, 230
Mobile, Ala. (Blount)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 22 overall weakside defensive end ... No. 27 rated prospect in Alabama.
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 83 overall defensive end
ESPN: No. 86 overall defensive end
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: Named Honorable Mention All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior in 2007 and junior in 2006 ... Stated at linebacker in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in 2007 ... Named first-team All-Region in 2006 and 2007 ... Named second-team All-Region in 2005
Stats: As a senior in 2007, totaled 73 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 games ... Tallied 57 tackles with 15 sacks as a junior in 2006 ... As a sophomore in 2005, totaled 70 tackles and 18 sacks ... Recorded five sacks as a freshman.
Misc: Set school record for most sacks in a single season with 18 as a sophomore ... Played basketball as a junior and member of track and field team as a sophomore ... Defensive team captain as a senior ... Defensive player of the year as a senior and sophomore ... Coach at Blount High School: Ben Harris ... Full name: Willie Sanders Bohannon ... Born: Nov. 7, 1988.

Aaron Douglas
Tight End, 6-6, 245
Maryville (Maryville)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 5 overall tight end ... No. 2 rated prospect in Tennessee ... Member of Rivals250
Scout.com: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 16 overall tight end
ESPN: No. 18 overall tight end
PrepStar: Top 135 Dream Team ... No. 129 overall prospect

Honors: Honored as the Class 4A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year as a junior in 2006 and as a senior in 2007 ... Named to the TSWA All-State Teams in 2006 and 2007 ... Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 team ... 2007 All-Southern team ... No. 1 prospect on Knoxville New-Sentinel Top 25
Stats: Totaled 632 yards receiving and five touchdowns in 2007 ... Tallied 26 catches for 454 yards and three touchdowns in 2006 ... As a sophomore in 2005, caught 20 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown.
Misc: Finished high school career 60-0 with four consecutive 4A state championships ... Also plays basketball and won 2007 4A state championship ... Named to the All-Tournament Team for his play at the TSSAA Basketball State Tournament in 2007 ... His father, David, lettered as an offensive tackle on the 1984 and 85 teams ... His mother is former Lady Vols basketball player Karla Horton Douglas ... Coach at Maryville High School: George Quarles ... Full name: David Aaron Douglas ... Born: Sept. 19, 1989.

Steven Fowlkes
Wide Receiver, 6-5, 213
College Park, Ga. (Banneker)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 19 overall weakside defensive end ... No. 48 rated prospect in Georgia
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 29 overall defensive end
ESPN: No. 121 overall defensive end
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: Named 4A All-State, All-Region and All-County as a senior in 2007 ... All-Area as wide receiver and defensive end ... Played defensive end in 2008 Georgia Athletics Coaches Association North vs. South All-Star game.
Stats: Caught 24 passes for 400 yards and six touchdowns while tallying 53 tackles and 13.5 sacks in 2007 ... Totaled 49 tackles and six sacks in only five games as a junior in 2006 while missing five games due to an elbow injury.
Misc: All-Star player at both wide receiver and defensive end in 2007 ... Played basketball as a freshman and sophomore ... Coach at Banneker High School: Benny Crane ... Full name: Steven David Fowlkes ... Born: June 10, 1990.

Montori Hughes
Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 275
Murfreesboro, TN (Siegel)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 49 overall defensive tackle

Honors: Participated in the Toyota East-West Tennessee All-Star Classic ... Named the Region 4-5A Defensive MVP, All-Region, All-Area and All-County in 2007 ... Named Second-Team All-Midstate by the Tennessean in 2007 ... Siegel team Captain and team MVP as a senior ... Named All-Region, All-Area and All-County as a junior in 2006.
Stats: Led the Siegel Stars in tackles with 106, tackles-for-loss with 25+ and sacks with 13 as a senior in 2007.
Misc: Three-year starter ... Also excels on the basketball court for the Stars lettering two years as sophomore and junior ... Coach at Siegel High School: David Watson ... Full name: Montori Montenez Hughes ... Born: Aug. 25, 1990.

Austin Johnson
Linebacker, 6-3, 240
Hickory, N.C. (Hickory)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 9 overall fullback ... No. 12 overall prospect in North Carolina
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 42 overall middle linebacker
ESPN: No. 41 ranked inside linebacker

Enrolled in school January 2008
Honors: Named All-State as a senior in 2007 and as a junior in 2006 ... Three-time All-Conference honoree from 2005-2007 ... All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 ... 2007 Carolina Panthers Community Captain ... Shrine Bowl Participant in 2007 and captain of the North Carolina team in annual scrimmage pitting North Carolina against South Carolina.
Stats: Finished career with 580 tackles ... Totaled 210 tackles as a senior, 211 tackles as a junior and 160 tackles as a sophomore in 2005 ... As a senior, rushed 108 times for 692 yards and 18 touchdowns and had 35 receptions for 470 yards.
Misc: Three-year starter at linebacker ... Also a standout baseball player ... Member of National Honor Society and Beta Club ... Father signed with Kentucky before completing eligibility at UT-Martin ... Brother, Tyler, plays linebacker at Division II Wingate College ... Coach at Hickory High School: John Worley ... Full name: Austin Thomas Johnson ... Born: June 16, 1989.

Casey Kelly
Quarterback, 6-4, 195
Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 17 overall pro-style quarterback ... No. 81 rated prospect in Florida
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 21 overall quarterback
ESPN: No. 30 overall quarterback

Honors: Earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in football as a junior in 2006 from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune ... Named 2007 Player of the year in baseball as a junior by the Herald-Tribune.
Stats: Threw for 4,212 yards with 37 touchdowns on 292-of-506 passing in his career at Sarasota ... As a junior, threw for 1,807 yards on 128-of-223 passing with 14 touchdowns to earn Player of the Year honors ... As a junior against Southeast HS, threw for 377 yards.
Misc: Missed final four games with injury during senior season of 2007 ... Three-year starter at quarterback ... Also excels in baseball ... Winning pitcher of the 2007 Florida Class 6A state championship baseball game while throwing a two-hitter against DeLand with six strikeouts and one walk ... Participated in the 2007 Baseball Express Cape Cod High School Classic ... Named All-State in baseball as a junior in 2007 while also garnering All-Area honors and Athlete of the Year honors ... Compiled a .349 average and four home runs while playing shortstop and an 11-0 record with a 0.24 ERA on the mound as a junior ... Father Pat Kelly and uncle Mike Kelly played for the Toronto Blue Jays, cousin Dustin Kelly plays for the Boston Red Sox organization, and his brother Chris Kelly plays for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization ... Coach at Sarasota High School: Bob Perkins ... Full name: Casey Patrick Kelly ... Born: Oct. 4, 1989.

Herman Lathers
Linebacker, 6-0, 210
Baton Rouge, La. (Scotlandville)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 43 overall inside linebacker ... No. 36 rated prospect in Louisiana
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 27 overall weakside linebacker
ESPN: No. 104 overall outside linebacker
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: Named All-Metro in 2007 ... All-District 5-5A in 2007 ... Baton Rouge Advocate Second Dozen
Stats: As a senior in 2007, tallied 114 tackles with 18 tackles-for-loss and five sacks ... Also had two interceptions ... As a junior at Istrouma had 96 tackles and 14 sacks
Misc: Played two years at Istrouma high school in Baton Rouge ... Coach at Scotlandville High School: Richard Oliver ... Full name: Herman Lathers ... Born: Dec. 23, 1989.

Tauren Poole
Running Back, 5-10, 194
Toccoa, Ga. (Stephens County)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 25 overall running back ... No. 29 rated prospect in Georgia
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 42 overall running back
ESPN: No. 20 overall running back

Enrolled in school January 2008.
Honors: Two time player of the year ... Member of All-State Academic team ... Career rushing and touchdown leader at Stephens County High School ... Stephens County was region champs all three years he was a varsity member.
Stats: Rushed for 5,413 yards during his career. Finished with 1,350 rushing yards his sophomore year, 1,925 yards his junior season and 2,138 during his senior campaign.
Misc: High School coach Travis Noland was Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton’s head coach at Waynesboro High School in North Carolina ... Coach at Stephens County High School: Travis Noland ... Full name: Tauren Chasmaine Poole ... Born: Oct. 19, 1989.

Stephaun Raines
Defensive Back, 6-0, 180
Dalton, Ga. (Dalton/Coffeyville C.C.)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶ (2006)
Scout.com: ¶ (2006)
ESPN: No. 43 overall wide receiver (2006)

Honors: Class 4A All-State as senior ... Two-time All-Area and All-TriState ... Chattanooga Times Free Press 2005 All-North Georgia.
Stats: As a senior in 2005, accounted for more than 1,700 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns ... Caught 41 passes for 704 yards and seven touchdowns to go with 947 rushing yards and eight touchdowns ... As a junior, caught 49 passes for 912 yards and eight touchdowns ... Also in 2004, carried the ball 12 times for 187 yards.
Misc: Originally signed with Tennessee in 2006 and has four years to play four years ... Three-year high school starter at wide receiver ... Offensive captain and offensive MVP senior season ... Also started at defensive back as sophomore in 2003 ... Three-year letterwinner in track and field ... Events included 100M, 200M, 4x100M and 4x400M ... Top time in 100M was 10.5 seconds ... Redshirted 2007 season at Coffeyville Community College ... Coach at Dalton High School: Ronnie McClurg ... Coach at Coffeyville Community College: Jeff Leiker ... Full name: Stephaun Bershaud Raines ... Born: June 16, 1988.

Dallas Thomas
Offensive Line, 6-6, 260
Baton Rouge, La. (Scotlandville HS)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 54 overall offensive tackle ... No. 40 overall in Louisiana
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 26 overall offensive guard

Honors: First team Class 4A All-State as senior ... All-District as a junior and senior ... First team all-state as a junior ... The Shreveport Times No. 12 ranked prospect in Louisiana.
Stats: As a senior did not allow a sack and graded out at 98 percent ... As a junior did not allow a sack and graded out at 92 percent.
Misc: Coach at Scotlandville High School: Richard Oliver ... Full name: Dallas Treymell Thomas ... Born: Oct. 30, 1989.

Prentiss Waggner
Defensive Back, 6-2, 180
Clinton, La. (Clinton)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 33 overall cornerback ... No. 17 rated prospect in Louisiana
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 41 overall cornerback
ESPN: No. 7 overall cornerback by Tom Lemming
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: All-Metro, Class 2A All-State and District Defensive MVP as a senior in 2007 ... Named Class 2A All-State, Louisiana Class 2A MVP, All-Metro and All-District as a junior in 2006 ... Earned outstanding defensive player award for 2006 by the LSWA ... All-District as a sophomore in 2005.
Stats: Finished with 45 tackles and nine interceptions, while adding 873 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2007 ... Caught 31 balls for 795 yards and 13 touchdowns, with 70 tackles, 16 interceptions and 14 pass break-ups on defense in 2006 ... In 2005, caught 23 passes for 458 yards and five touchdowns, while adding one interception and five pass break-ups ... As a freshman in 2004, brought in 18 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns.
Misc: Four-year starter in football ... Holds school records with 26 career interceptions and 16 season interceptions (2006) ... Three-year starter at guard in basketball ... Currently leads team in assists, averaging more than 10 per game .. Led the basketball team in assists as a junior, averaging 11 per game ... Earned second-team All-District honors in basketball as a junior ... Three-year letterman in track and field ... Qualified for the state championships in the 200m (4th place), 4x200m (4th place) and 4x400m (4th place) as a junior ... Personal best time of 22.0 in the 200m ... Coach at Clinton High School: Robert Signater ... Full name: Prentiss Pierre Waggner ... Born: June 28, 1990.

Marlon Walls
Linebacker, 6-4, 230
Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 22 overall outside linebacker ... No. 6 rated prospect in Mississippi
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 14 overall outside linebacker
ESPN: No. 45 overall outside linebacker
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: Region Defensive MVP as a senior in 2007 ... Selected No. 2 prospect by the Memphis Commercial Appeal ... Named 2007 Player of the Year by the Memphis Touchdown Club ... First-team All-State and All-Region as a senior ... Named Team Mississippi Captain in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic ... Shelby-Metro’s No. 2 Most Wanted Prospect.
Stats: As a senior in 2007 at Olive Branch HS, set a school record with 11 sacks to go along with 127 tackles, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries ... As a junior in 2006 at Wooddale High School in Memphis, finished with 92 total tackles with 58 unassisted and 13 sacks on defense ... On offense as a tight-end, totaled 15 catches with five touchdowns.
Misc: Three-year starter at defensive end and linebacker ... Named team captain as a senior ... Participated on the basketball team as a junior and sophomore ... Competed in track as a junior, participating 400m (49.7), 4x200m and 4x400m ... Coach at Olive Branch High School: Scott Samsel ... Full name: Marlon Lee Walls ... Born: April 9, 1990.

Rodriquez Wilks
Wide Receiver, 6-1, 195
Smyrna (Smyrna)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶ ... No. 63 overall wide receiver ... No. 6 rated prospect in Tennessee
Scout.com: ¶¶¶ ... No. 75 overall wide receiver
ESPN: No. 16 overall wide receiver ... No. 87 on ESPN 150 list
PrepStar: All-Region Team

Honors: First team All-State as a senior and junior ... Mr. Football Back of the Year Class 5A in 2007 ... Named All-Midstate Football Player of the Year by the Tennessean ... Member All-Region as a junior and senior ... BlueCross Bowl Defensive MVP in 2007 state championship game ... No. 2 prospect on Knoxville New-Sentinel Top 25
Stats: As a senior in 2007, caught 77 passes for 1,170 yards and 20 touchdowns. Also, returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns. Had 62 tackles and six interceptions as a cornerback ... 77 receptions was a Smyrna high school season record ... Most career touchdowns in Smyrna history
Misc: Brother of current Vol defensive back Marsalous Johnson ... Four-year starter ... Team captain and Team MVP of Smyrna ... Smyrna won 5A State Championship his junior and senior seasons ... Coach at Smyrna High School: Phillip Shadowens ... Full name: Rodriquez Martell Wilks ... Born: Nov. 12, 1988.

Gerald Williams
Linebacker, 6-4, 240
Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (City College of San Francisco)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 7 overall ILB (2004) ... No. 19 in Fla. (2004)
Scout.com: ¶¶¶¶ ... No. 20 overall DE ... South Hot 100 (2004)
ESPN: No. 20 overall OLB (2004)
PrepStar: All-America (2004)

Honors: Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's 2004 Super Southern 100 team ... No. 118 on Mobile Register Super Southeast 120 in 2004 ... No. 46 overall in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel in 2004 ... Named 2004 first-team All-Broward County Defense by the Miami Herald.
Stats: Finished 2007 with 146 tackles and six forced fumbles for City College of San Francisco ... In 2006 at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, had 96 tackles and two forced fumbles ... As high school senior in 2004 for Boyd Anderson HS, totaled 115 tackles with 15 tackles-for-loss, nine sacks and three interceptions ... Finished with 132 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions as a junior, 105 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore, and 98 tackles and two interceptions his freshman year ... Had 23 tackles, a 25-yard interception return for TD and two sacks against Dillard HS ... Against Miramar HS, had 20 tackles and 89-yard interception return for touchdown.
Misc: Originally signed with Tennessee in 2005 ... Led CCSF to school’s fifth junior college national championship, as named by J.C. Grid-Wire ... Defeated Sierra 24-10 in Hawaiian Punch Bowl to claim Northern California championship ... Then rallied past Mount San Antonio 31-28 for California Community College title ... CCSF finished 12-1 in 2007 ... Four-year high school starter at linebacker ... Also played basketball, averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds per game senior year ... Coach at City College of San Francisco: George Rush ... Full name: Gerald Lee Deangelo Williams Jr. ... Born: Sept. 27, 1986.

(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)