Skipper discusses Tennessee report
Dan Skipper will continue to watch the Tennessee coaching situation unfold but the Arvada (Colo.) Ralston Valley offensive tackle is also focused on winning a state championship so recruiting is not a top priority.
The 6-foot-10, 295-pound three-star offensive lineman who committed to the Volunteers in June said he does not plan to make any movements in his recruitment until at least after his senior season.
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Volquest.com reported Sunday that third-year coach Derek Dooley will not be retained for next season after Tennessee's loss to Missouri this weekend. The Vols are 4-6 and winless in SEC play.
"At this point I don't know," Skipper said. "I'm not going to speculate if the staff leaves. I'll take that as it comes. Right now I'm three weeks away from a state championship.
"That's what I'm focused on right now. We're playing the biggest game of the season next week against a cross-town rival. Right now that's what I'm thinking about. I'm not worried about Tennessee football as of right now.
"I'm not going to do anything until my season is completed or even after that. We'll go from there. I'm busy playing all the way through the Offense-Defense Bowl so I'm really not too worried about anything right now."
Skipper, rated as the fourth-best prospect in the Colorado state rankings by Rivals.com, said he has spoken with Dooley numerous times including during some lunches on his official visit but his strongest relationship is with Tennessee offensive line coach Sam Pittman.
"When I was on my official I talked to coach Dooley and had lunch with him a couple times and that sort of thing but really the relationship is with coach Pittman," Skipper said.
In the last week or so, Skipper said he's seen an uptick in calls from other schools. Many have stopped recruiting him because of his commitment but the three-star said recently it has gotten more involved.
Rivals.com lists Skipper with offers from Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Missouri, Northwestern, Oregon State, Tulsa, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State and Wyoming.
"Some schools stopped, others kept coming," Skipper said. "This past week has been kind of weird. There have been a lot of phone calls this week."