Today On Rocky Top: Sawyers Flips Proves Vols Are Owning State

Nov 30, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

From Bleacher Report

"When Nashville defensive tackle Michael Sawyers committed to the Tennessee Volunteers on national signing day morning, he uttered four words that sums up coach Butch Jones’ pitch to in-state prospects:“I’m a Tennessee boy,” Sawyers told GoVols247’s Wes Rucker(subscription required) shortly after his signing ceremony atEnsworth High School."

From Rocky Top Talk

"National Signing Day came and went with a ton of energy, but a minimum of melodrama for the Tennessee Vols, just as head Coach Butch Jones was hoping. “Basically, [there was] no drama today,” said Jones. “Our coaches did a tremendous job. The relationship building and trust factor has been over a year in the making.”"

From Fox News (AP)

"Tennessee hopes it eventually looks back on Wednesday as the day that sparked the program’s resurgence.The Volunteers jump-started their attempts to end a string of four straight losing seasons by signing what was rated as a top-five class by multiple recruiting services. Tennessee announced a class of 35 newcomers headlined by running back Jalen Hurd and receiver Josh Malone, both labeled five-star prospects by at least one service. The class features 16 other players rated as four-star prospects by multiple services."

From The Tennessean

"On a national signing day in which ESPN cameras lurked around every corner and Tennessee used three live video streams to beam footage to fans, coach Butch Jones offered viewers everything they craved except one thing.Suspense.“There was basically no drama today,” Jones said in a summation Wednesday that was a mix of excitement about his new players and concern about the expectations being heaped on them.The Vols signed 18 new prospects to join the 14 who already enrolled in January, creating a massive class that Jones hopes will provide an injection of speed and talent into a program that has suffered four consecutive losing seasons."