Once again, Lane Kiffin and the Tennesse Volunteers have remained relevant and in the news. I reported on their inordinate amount of offers out to 2010 prospects and now Kiffin and Co. are the first to go out and secure a commitment for, get this, Class of 2013.
Yes, you heard me, the Tennessee Volunteers have nailed down a commitment from a 13 year old. Now before you go willy nilly on Lane Kiffin, I am going to give some blame to the media on this one (I guess that’s going to involve me too!). I am sure there are many 13 year olds in the country that think they have a firm idea as to where they want to play college football. However, I am sure that this particular 13 year old’s declaration has been made public because it’s Tennessee and makes for a good news story. Kiffin gets some blame here because he wanted an atmosphere where the Vols are constantly on the tip of everyone’s tongue and by golly, that’s what he’s getting.
It should be noted that the 13 year old named Evan Berry is brother of current Tennessee Volunteer defensive back Eric Berry. It’s only natural that younger brother would want to go where older brother and father played. Evan Berry also has a fraternal twin that is also a talented football player and looks to be a future division I prospect. Does he want to go to Tennessee also? No, according to father James Berry. Elliot Berry is partial to LSU and that’s where his heart lies at the moment. Evan, the Volunteer commit, is 5’8″ 145 while Elliot is 5’11”.
Perhaps Tennessee did some things to make Evan’s declaration a media event. If so, once again, Kiffin has kept Tennessee football in the limelight. I hope Kiffin can keep it there when there’s actual football being played this Fall. If Kiffin’s staff happens to range into the area of 187 offers put out to 2013 prospects some time this summer, you can bet that I will be all over that story.
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You could at least have spelled Kiffin’s name right once out of the 6 times you used it.
Would I really spell it right once and not the other five times? Thanks for the heads up. I don’t know why but I keep putting e in that man’s name. Kiffin. Kiffin. Kiffin. Kiffin. Kiffin. Kiffin. That should do the trick.
Oh No, it isn’t…
Kiffin/UT did not “go out and secure” a commitment from Evan. He is simply saying he wants to attend UT.
Evan has been saying he was coming to UT since he “committed” with his brother on tv over 2 years ago. There has been no offer extended to him, this is just like any other legacy saying he wants to follow in the footsteps of his family members when the time comes.
I think I cleared that up as the article went on. I did not pile on Kiffin for this article. I don’t think I have ever piled on him. I think he’s actually doing a great job of keeping Tennessee football in the consciousness of football fans. He will have to put a great product out on the field and I don’t think anyone will pull their starters against UT this season in a blowout situation. However, more people are talking about UT football than they have since 1998.
Here’s another one for you…He will be the class of 2013.
Thanks for the clarification. His brother (Elliott) might be a better prospect.
Volfan:
Where are you getting that Tennessee did not offer Evan? You can’t commit without an offer. I don’t think this is a story all over the Internet without Tennessee extending some kind of offer (written or verbal).
Sure, they made a verbal offer. To attract attention from people like you, which obviously worked. They do not however have to follow through with this offer. Being that it is verbal, it is up to the school if they wish to honor it in 2013.
p.s. Do you know who Eric Berry is? One of the best SS to play college football. Ever. Just to clear that up for you. I’d offer his sister a free ride.
This article sounds like it came from a bitter KY fan. If you are going to report something;
1.) Check you spelling
2.) Stay neutral. Pictures of a baby, come on.
3.) Chech you math – 2013
4.) “willy nilly” – Maybe Berry’s 13yr old brother can help you with your writing.
Volsinthehouse:
(1) I have spell check so maybe your spelling is off (wouldn’t be surprised)
(2) I don’t come to your job to tell you how to do it. This is assuming you have a job.
(3) The article was corrected to 2013, one of your local papers originally reported Evan Berry’s graduation year as 2014. I had to correct a Tennessee newspaper’s poor information.
(4) Willy Nilly is a phrase but if you are going to talk about my spelling, perhaps you should check how you wrote #1 and ask yourself who needs help with their writiing… “check you spelling”???
Putting the picture of the baby was genius!! It got people like you to get all riled up and send mixed up responses like this.
You will wear yourself out trying to defend Lane Kiffin.
*Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read much more, thanks for that info.