WRU |
WRU
Two years ago Clemson and Tennessee started a battle as both claimed to be "Wide Receiver U." No one could win the official title because there is no trophy in this branding war. The only real winners claimed when prospects chose their school. A lot of information can be compiled to assist in this debate. Years ago Tennessee did produce NFL talent at the position, but most prospects have never heard of Stanley Morgan and Peerless Price. Recently, Clemson has dominated this category with players like Nuk Hopkins, Sammy Watkins, Jaron Brown, Martavis Bryant and Adam Humphries. On the field, it hasn't been close either. Last year the Volunteers top receivers were Von Pearson (38 receptions, 409 yards, 3 TDs), Josh Malone (31-405-2) and Josh Smith (23-307-2). Clemson top three were Artavis Scott (93-901-6), Charone Peake (50-716-5) and Deon Cain (34-582-5). That list did not include Mike Williams, who missed the season after catching 57 balls for 1,040 yards and six touchdowns. Yesterday the battle heated up once again. Amari Rodgers is a four-star prospect who is considered one of the nation's wide receivers. Rodgers is the son of national title-winning quarterback, Tee Martin. Rodgers lives in Knoxville, TN. Despite the natural draw and the family ties to the UT program, Rodgers committed to Clemson on St. Valentine's Day. This is a major development. Not only did he spurn Tennessee, Rodgers turned down an opportunity to play for his father who is the offensive coordinator at Southern Cal. Rodgers committed to the Trojans last season, but backed out of that commitment when Clemson offered. Rodgers is the perfect prospect at the Tigers' "Two" wide out. This is the spot that is currently occupied by Scott and Ray Ray McCloud. This is the jet sweep, screen pass, underneath specialist that excels at turning a short pass into a big play. This commitment is big for several other reasons. Clemson stole Tennessee commitment Hunter Johnson in the fall. Johnson is the nation's only five-star quarterback in the class of 2017 and is considered one of the top passers in the past few classes. Last week Tennessee lost its biggest commitment for 2017 when wide receiver Tee Higgins of nearby Oak Ridge, TN decommitted after an unofficial visit to Clemson. Some consider Higgins the nation's top wide receiver prospect in the country. This past fall the wheels of this trifecta began when Clemson recruiting coordinator and quarterback coach Brandon Streeter stayed after Johnson despite his commitment to the Vols. Streeter convinced Johnson to visit in December and Johnson soon flipped to the Tigers. Rodgers may have eventually ended up at Clemson as well, but Johnson's commitment didn't hurt. Rodgers spent the fall hearing from Tennessee coaches how Johnson was going to be the star in the Volunteer offense, so when he flipped to Clemson, it had to make the Tigers even more attractive. Clemson currently leads for rivals.com's number one wide out in the class of 2017, J.J. Robinson of Lakeland, FL. Could Clemson pull off a miracle passing class of Johnson, Rodgers, Robinson, and Higgins? Would that be the highest rated class at quarterback and wide receiver in rivals.com history? Things got a lot more interesting yesterday when Rodgers became the second commitment and key piece to this equation. Prayer List The prayer list is a medium for our community to recognize those that are in need. If you would like to add someone to the list, please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com. Please let me know when it is appropriate to remove a person off the list. Those who need our prayers include: Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got Igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S., Daniel Rosborough, the Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L., Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys," Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas V. family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers, Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Stacey McKeown, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Jonathan and Jacki Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland and family, Catherine Sewell, Randy Davenport, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T., Bill Hilbig, Rita Elrod Hammond and family, Jim McKeller, Tony Alewine, Sharon Storck, Dick Baird, Richard Bagnal, Dustin and Brittany Peurifoy, Jan Allan, Josh Cox, Gregg and Sylvia Lewis, Travis Hamrick, Kaki Harmon, Jammie McKellar and babies, Karen Edwards, Jackson Lindsey, Cathy Hutson Gregg, Kristin Heckman, Jennifer Johnson, Jay Johnson, Lyndsie Johnson, Emily Davis, Hayes Davis, Judy Towe, Johnny Towe, Ken Brown, Elaine Brown, Rhonda Thompson, Tim Davis, Jacob Greinke, Jack Finley, Richard and Clara Crawford, Zach and Griffin Johnson, Israel, Frankie Allen, Bobby Allen, the Wessinger family, the Parsons family, Todd Price and family, Rosemary A Flynn, Dr. Mickey Shealy family, Mr. Gillespie, Bobbi Nicholson, Dr. Matt Stower, Tyler Kemmerlin, Parks Hutto, Patrick DeStefano, Robert Summerville, Michelle Richey, Julie Moore, Ashley Fitch, Drew Moyer, Kevin Anderson, Lyn Price, John Robert Smith, Allison Williams, Nicholas Wickiser, Lena Wright, Elizabeth Bruner, Bobbi Simpson, Hammond Family, Elaine G. Duvall, Addison Grace, Bennie Cunningham, Kevin Orcutt, Alan Finley, Keith Wells, Steve Byrd, Jessica Hernandez, Wayne Mullins, Rita Alexander, Tony Osterman, family and friends of Gary Cooper, Tonya Gibson, Mary Carmen Harman, Derk Denton, Tim Vacek, Mike Vacek, Jerry Brown, Phil Compton, Alma Jean Sullivan, Lindsey Motley, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency
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