Today On Rocky Top: Mixed Reaction To Nick Saban And More

Nov 10, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Tyler Drummer (3) scores a touchdown on a fake field goal in double overtime against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Missouri defeated Tennessee 51-48 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From ESPN

"Alabama coach Nick Saban’s planned appearance at a benefit event Tuesday in Tennessee shows the Crimson Tide-Volunteers rivalry is alive and well, even if it’s been one-sided lately.Saban’s speech at the seventh annual Athens Area Chamber of Commerce benefit dinner is expected to attract a sellout crowd of 1,500, the largest in the event’s history."

From Go Vols Xtra

"Remember when freshmen football players arrived a day or two before August camp?Today, most programs want their new players on campus as early as possible, and with nearly two months left before practice, almost every member of Tennessee’s 2013 signing class is enrolled, going to class and participating in workouts.The ones who aren’t here are racing to catch up.The only academic casualty in the 2013 class is running back Jabo Lee, who coach Butch Jones said was unlikely to qualify."

From Nooga.com

"Like the offensive line, linebacker is another spot where recent recruiting shortfalls will really start to take a toll soon. That’s why this class is so important for reloading a group that could be down to just a few scholarship linebackers after 2013."

From Fansided 150

"The Missouri Tigers will host one of the top recruits in the state of Tennessee today in three-star Brentwood strong-side defensive end Derek Barnett. He is one of the top ten recruits in the state of Tennessee, and seems to be very high on the two powerful in-state, SEC programs in the Tennessee Volunteers and Vanderbilt Commodores. Barnett is also interested in a few other major SEC programs in the South Carolina Gamecocks, LSU Tigers, and Texas A&M Aggies. The Ohio State Buckeyes, though, would likely land a commitment from Barnett if they offered, as Barnett seems to be high on them already. It is telling that all five 247Sports analysts have chosen Ohio State as the team to land Barnett over Tennessee and Vanderbilt, and it will be interesting to see if the Buckeyes offer."

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