Vols get an early start on spring recruiting

Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer and his staff were busy working the phones Sunday as coaches were able to call for the first time during this recruiting cycle. Several of the Southeast's top prospects reported a call from the Vols. Other programs like Auburn and Ole Miss also got in touch with many of their top targets early.

Fulmer and company were the only staff to call Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater offensive lineman Michael Brewster on Sunday. Brewster, considered by many to be a contender for the nation's top overall offensive lineman and the state of Florida's top overall prospect, holds a slew of offers from programs across the country, including USC, Florida, LSU, Alabama and Ohio State, his top five.

Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell offensive tackle Preston Bailey spoke with three coaches from the University of Tennessee on Sunday. Offensive coordinator and Nashville-area recruiter David Cutcliffe, recruiting coordinator Greg Adkins and Fulmer all spoke with the talented Volunteer State lineman.

Fulmer also was the only coach to contact Columbia (S.C.) A.C. Flora offensive lineman Kenneth Page on Sunday. Page is the Palmetto State's top offensive line prospect.

The Vols also were in touch with Camden (Ark.) Fairview running back D'Anthony Curtis. As of the early evening, they were the only school to call the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder.

"I talked to nearly the entire staff," he said.

Tennessee was one of two schools to call Sardis (Miss.) North Panola defensive tackle Templeton Hardy. Ole Miss also dialed up the 6-foot-4, 295-pounder, who is considered to be one of the top prospects at his position in the Southeast in this year's class.

"They both said they are going to come to my practice and both talked to my momma," Hardy said.

The Vols, along with Auburn, also called in-state offensive lineman Barrett Jones of Memphis

Auburn's staff also was particularly active.

Tigers recruiter Terry Price called Orlando (Fla.) Boone cornerback/athlete Jeremy Brown. As of Sunday evening, Auburn was the only school to phone the talented prospect.

Auburn and Ole Miss (another very active program) got on the phone with pre-evaluation Rivals100 offensive tackle Greg Shaw of Miami Pace. The Tigers and Rebels were the only two to call the talented trenchman Sunday.

Auburn also phoned Frostproof (Fla.) running back Carlton Thomas and was the only school to do so.

The Rebels were the only team to call Miami Krop linebacker Etienne Sabino on Sunday. Sabino is one of the most sought after prospects in South Florida in this year's class.

Ole Miss, along with Minnesota, placed a call to Memphis (Tenn.) Wooddale linebacker Marlon Walls. Walls is one of the top overall prospects in the state of Tennessee for this year's class and one of the best prospects in the greater Memphis area.

Ole Miss and Florida called Folkston (Ga.) Charlton County running back Ralph Bolden as of early Sunday evening.

There were more calls placed as programs are now able to interact more deeply with prospects. The spring evaluation period runs through May 31.