UT still in mix for Scroggins

Lamaison to UT, not so fast.

It was reported late last night by Mt. San Antonio Community College that Nick Lamaison was transferring to UT. However, today the press release has been removed from the teams website and Lamaison is offering no comment per GoVolsxtra.

The good news is that QB Jesse Scroggins has dropped Florida from consideration and will choose between USC and the VOLS per Rivals.com.

This appears to be a credible report and that the VOLS are holding out on Lamaison until Scroggins makes his decision at the end of the week.

Scroggins head and shoulders better than Rettig at USC Camp

Will UT land a quality QB in the 2010 class? That is hands down the #1 question on VOLS' fans mind this summer. After reading many credible reports from the USC Rising Stars Camp it is likely that the answer to that question is 'NO.'

Not only is Jesse Scroggins the top QB left on UT's board, he represents the last of the top uncommitted QB's in the 2010 class. That doesn't mean that some kid from BFE won't emerge his Senior season as a legit SEC QB. But for now, the talent level of uncommited QB's drops off significantly after Scroggins.

As planned, Jesse Scroggins took the short ride down the road this week to the USC camp, showed he is legit, and got his Trojan offer. Scouts called him the cream of the crop, very polished and having a strong arm. Througout the day, the USC coaches showed Jesse plenty of love. Reports were that OC Jason Bates was with Scroggins throughout the day and that Scroggin's met with Pete Carrol during lunch.

Also in attendance was Chase Rettig, a QB who UT is recruiting in case they miss out on Scroggins. Rettig had a decent morning from some accounts, but most reports hardly mention anything other than that he was in attendance.

This is the second camp that both Scroggins and Rettig attended in which Scroggins mopped the floor with competiton. Since Scroggins was already considered a must get last week, what is he to the VOLS' program now? Not only would they be losing out on a great QB prospect, but Rettig doesn't even appear to be a legitimate plan b.

For the VOLS' fans who think Scroggins will be intimidated from USC incoming QB Matt Barkley, think again. Scroggins had this to say about competing against the #1 QB in the nation, or anyone for that matter:

"It definitely does not scare me. I want to be the best and I work so hard for it, and while other kids were playing video games and laying down my dad had me outside working."

"I'm a competitor and they told me to have the mindset to start. If you want to start, you need to go in thinking you will. If you have the mindset of not being first you're a loser, and you won't accomplish anything."

Ouch, guess that clears that up.

Other UT prospects in attendance were George Uko, Dietrich Riley, Dion Bailey, and Demarco Cobbs.

Like Scroggins, Uko received a USC offer but didn't appear to be overly excited.

"I didn't commit," Uko said. "I'm going to make my decision after my Senior season. I'll take some visits and then see where I am at."

Uko went in thinking he would get an offer and the VOLS are the only team in his top 5 not in the Pac-10.

Both CA safeties Dion Bailey and Dietrich Riley looked good in camp. Riley picked off a pass over the middle, but Bailey only competed during the morning session.

Demetrious Wright, # 6 cornerback from Corona, CA, did not make the short trip to USC as planned. Wright has a top 6 that includes both USC and UT.

UT Camp Update

This week around 200 high schoolers from around the country are participating in UT's final camp of the summer.

The VOLS received their first committment of the week from Kentucky FB Channing Fugate, 6'2-220 lbs.

Projected to play H Back at UT, Fugate rushed for 36 TD's and 3,052 yards as a junior. Fugate, who some compare to former Rutgers FB Brian Leonard and former LSU FB Jacob Hester, says he is solid to UT and will not visit anymore schools this Summer or Fall.

Although there are dozens of the nation's top 2010 prospects in town, all eyes and attention will be on California QB Jesse Scroggins who is believed to be favoring UT and Florida. Scroggins is rated the #6 Pro Style QB in the nation and the top uncommitted QB on UT's radar.

You have to like UT's chances for landing the stud QB. Scroggins has family in Nashville and Memphis and would have the opportunity to start as a true freshman. UF on the other hand already has a 2010 QB committed and the spread offense doesn't necessarily fit Scroggins style. After camping at UF earlier in the week, a decision from Scroggins should be made very soon.

And let's not forget the Power of the Rock, which was painted on UT's campus this morning. Call me superstious, but it worked for Nu'keese Richardson and Bryce Brown.

Other big names at UT's camp are:

Jeff Luc, #1 ILB in the nation (check out the video below, dude is a beast), been hanging out with Eric Berry and Monte.

Lamarcus Joyner, #2 CB in the nation.

Demarco Cobbs, rivals top 100 athlete.

Cody Riggs, brother of former VOL Gerald Riggs and top 100 CB

Dion Bailey, Scroggins teammate and #12 safety in the nation

Keion Payne

Anthony Johnson, UT committment for 2011 and perhaps the top DT in the nation for next year.

Also in attendance are a dozen or more QB's from California and 9 players from Pahokee H.S. Obviously the UT staff has made amends with the Pahokee staff based on the turnout at the camp. It will be interesting to see if UT gets anymore committments this week.