Tennessee gets high marks from FL stars

After kicking off a college road trip with a visit to the University of Florida, five of the top players in South Florida have since taken in the campuses of Clemson, South Carolina and Tennessee before finishing off their trip with visits to Florida State and South Florida. Among the recent visits, the Volunteers have been getting high marks.

• Frankie Telfort, LB, 5-11/200, Miami Gulliver Prep

The most highly recruited prospect among the group of five stars on the road is Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep linebacker Frankie Telfort. With a long list of schools still under consideration, the past few days have been important in his decision-making process and several schools have left him with good impressions.

"South Carolina, it was under construction so it looks like they're trying to do some new stuff to their program," Telfort said. "Clemson was a small town but it was really serene. It was just beautiful, the outdoors."

Tennessee impressed Telfort with both its landscape and its academics.

"Tennessee had beautiful scenery," he said. "I learned a lot about Tennessee and basically the programs that I want to study. I want to go to pre-med and then go into pharmacy. They've got a lot of guys going into it, I think two other players."

Of the schools on the second leg of the trip, Clemson and Tennessee stood out the most to Telfort.

"Clemson just because it was a smaller school and I could focus on my studies," he said. "The night was pretty boring there but I guess it was because no one was there for school. It was better at their camp. Tennessee seemed to have a really close-knit family. They seem like they have understanding coaches."

By the end of the summer, Telfort hopes to have his final five schools in place. He doesn't anticipate making his final college decision until after his senior season.

• Sterling Griffin, WR, 6-1/174, Opa Locka (Fla.) Monsignor Pace

Like Telfort, three-star wide receiver Sterling Griffin also came away very impressed by what he saw in Knoxville.

"Tennessee was very nice," Griffin said. "I love the coaching staff, the stadium is so big and I always wanted to play in that stadium. All of them were nice but I'd say I liked Tennessee the most because I've always wanted to play in that stadium."

Griffin also enjoyed his stops at the South Carolina programs.

"We got a chance to see some of the players working out at Clemson," he said. "We got to see them actually in the weight room and we got to see how it would actually be. The coaches were nice. We went to Death Valley and got a chance to see Death Valley and the rock and walk down the hill.

"At South Carolina, I liked the stadium. The campus was very nice and the school was good. It's in the city so it has that city feel."

While Griffin hopes that after meeting the coaches at some of these major programs, some interest will pick up, he already has two schools that he holds in high esteem.

"I really like South Florida and Purdue a lot," he said. "South Florida, I like it because it's not so far from home so my parents and friends can watch me play. Their program is on the rise and they play in the Big East conference.

"Purdue I like it because my dad (former WR, Steve Griffin) played at Purdue and also they play in the Big Ten. That's one of the biggest conferences to play in. that's one of the best conferences. They always bring the crowds and I always wanted a chance to be away from home, not just in Florida."

• Brent Singleton, LB, 6-0/194, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage

The only committed prospect on the road trip was linebacker Brent Singleton who was able to see his school of choice for the first time on Thursday.

"I liked South Carolina," Singleton said. "I like their campus a lot. I really like their campus. I felt at home. I felt good. It was good to meet Coach Spurrier and Coach Ellis Johnson."

Despite his comfort in Columbia, Singleton still anticipates making all five of his official visits. He also is keeping his eyes open to other programs.

"There are other options," he said. "I'm still looking and stuff."

Singleton mentioned that the Tennessee visit stuck out to him among the four schools thus far on the tour.

"The Tennessee stadium stuck out," he said. "They have cool coaches. This trip is great. It was great to see my school and all these others."

• Darryl Williams, WR, 5-9/172, Miami Palmetto

Two-star wide receiver/cornerback prospect Darryl Williams went into the road trip with only an offer from UCF. While he hasn't secured another offer on the trip, he has exposed himself to some great programs and put his name in front of some major coaches.

"I like Tennessee the most," Williams said. "I like the stadium. The stadium is real nice. I got to meet the coaches and I think they might be looking at me a little bit. I like it a lot and they seem like they're the most interested in me and they were talking to me."

A great athlete with the ball in his hands, Williams also excels at cornerback where he is being recruited by most schools. He will also be showcasing his abilities at the Florida State Showtime camp.

• Rishard Anderson, CB, 6-0, 171, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage

With ten offers in place, cornerback Rishard Anderson already has many options to play ball at the next level, but his first round of unofficial visits has been a good experience, particularly the Tennessee trip.

"I'd have to say Tennessee was the best," Anderson said. "Everything was good. The stadium was great. They had an indoor stadium with 100 yards. We got to see the basketball coach and the girls basketball coach, Coach Pat. There were some things you never see.

"I like the Clemson stadium and their players and I like the South Carolina coaches and players. The South Carolina coaches are going to see about offering."

On Saturday, a couple of the players will be competing at the Florida State Showtime camp but Anderson will be sitting it out after having surgery on his torn labrum.

"I had a labrum tear in my shoulder," he said. "I just got surgery on it this summer. I'm going to be ready in August."

Currently, Anderson holds offers from the likes of Wake Forest, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Syracuse and Colorado State but he holds the Demon Deacons and the Scarlet Knights at the top of his list.

"I like both of their coaching staffs," he said. "I like the type of players they recruit. Wake Forest is a good academic program and Rutgers I know people there."

The trip road trip has been long and exhausting for all five players, but Anderson claims that it has been worth it.

"It's been worth it," he said. "It's long hours driving but when you get to that school, it's worth it."