VOLS/Gran Doing Work in South Florida

Todd Chandler grew up wanting to play for the University of Miami. Afterall, almost his entire Northwestern team went on to play there after winning a mythical National Championship in 2007. So it was no surprise when the 6'1-290 pound DT committed to Randy Shannon's Hurricanes last December.

But after attending UT's lineman camp a couple weeks ago, Chandler admitted that he was impressed by UT Defensive Line Coach Ed Orgeron and that his mind was beginning to wander.

"Im committed but Tennessee is starting to weigh on me; I can say that," Chandler told GoVolsXtra. "I'll definitely take an officail visit to Tennessee. It's going to come down to signing day," Chandler said.

So how does UT stack up against Miami two weeks after visiting Knoxville?

"I can see myself going to Miami," Chandler told the Miami Herald. "But I'm getting recruited by Tennessee and Georgia the hardest....."But, like I told them, it would take something special for me not to go to UM."

When Lane Kiffin was hired as UT's headcoach he promised fans that his staff would not be outworked in regards to recruiting. Running Backs Coach Eddie Gran, who is in-charge of recruitng South Florida, has already landed 3 committments from the Miami area, including the nation's #1 kicker last week in Michael Palardy.

Michael Langston of FlaVarsity.com says UT & Eddie Gran are making serious noise in South Florida. Of the 100 top prospects in the state, 38 of them have UT in their top 5 or are seriously considering the VOLS according to Langston.

Over the last week UT fans got further proof that Eddie Gran is going to town in the talent rich area. Both the #1 LB Jeff Luc and the #1 CB Lamarcus Joyner announced that they would be using one of their 5 offical visits to check out the VOLS when they play Auburn on Oct. 3. Luc had just returned from a tour of a dozen or so South Eastern schools and apparently UT stuck out the most. UT is the only school that Luc plans to see at this time, but will likely use all 5 of his official visits throughout the season.

I'm sure Miami and all the in-state schools will get their's when recruiting the southern part of the state, but don't count UT out on a couple blue chip recruits like Luc, Joyner, Riggs, and Chandler.

Luc could be the answer at Middle Linebacker

Linebackers like Jeff Luc are hard to come by. UT fans are crossing their fingers that the 6'1 230 lb is enjoying his camp and is impressed by our coaches and program.

Luc wreaks havoc in the backfield like the Tasmanian Devil. Before his ridiculously sick video (above) came out, no one had ever heard of Jeff Luc or Treasure Coast, FL.

Watching that video there is no surprise he is the #1 LB and the #8 overall player in the nation. Is that very first sack not one of the nastiest hits you've seen on video? Is that QB okay/alive?

So do the VOLS have a chance of landing Luc? I would have to say yes, well maybe.

Luc isn't set on staying in-state by any means, but it's still unlikely that all three of the Florida teams screw it up. If Luc had a favorite, it would most likely me FSU but from all indications he is still very much open.

The VOLS have a couple things going for them; immediate playing time and Monte Kiffin. Rico McCoy is the only returning starter from the 2008 core. Lane Kiffin's staff has made LBs a top priority for 2010 and you can't do much better than Jeff Luc.

The word from camp yesterday was that Luc was seen getting the full press from Monte Kiffin and All American Eric Berry. You see, Luc is exactly the type of ILB that Monte Kiffin needs to play "Mike" in his cover 2 defense. Someone quick who can do it all and cover the entire field. I know I would be impressed if I was being recruited by Eric Berry and Monte Kiffin.

Luc would be huge for UT on many fronts, and would definitely be some sweet and overdue karma for losing Donta Hightower (Lewis Co, TN) in 08 and Justin Maclin (Memphis) a week ago to LSU. Luc could start from day one, something that Hightower has done at Alabama since he's been there.

In my opinion landing Luc would be as huge as Scroggins. If we landed both after this camp, I don't know what I would do. If anything comes of it, I'll let you know.