Tennessee Football: What if Lane Kiffin Never Left the Vols?

1. Tennessee Football would have had the No. 1 Recruiting Class for 2010.

Let’s not forget that Lane Kiffin was putting together an amazing class for the Vols before he bolted for Knoxville. Even after he left, Derek Dooley came in and was able to put together a Top 10 class.

Most of that class committed before he got there, and many of the guys who committed after he got there were players Kiffin was going after.

So that class would’ve largely remained in tact. Then there are the other guys he was gong after.

Let’s just start with four-star safety Ahmad Dixon. He is now in the NFL and was committed to the Vols. His de-commitment came after Kiffin’s departure.

Then there’s four-star linebacker Michael Taylor. Taylor de-committed from the Vols also after Kiffin left and became a four-year starter with the Gators.

J.C. Copeland, a four-star defensive end, was the final de-commitment who panned out in college. He went to LSU and became a four-year player, converting to fullback.

Four-star linebacker Brandon Willis also was committed before Kiffin left. His de-commitment sent his college career into a tailspin. He first committed to UNC, then transferred to UCLA, then went back to UNC before transferring to UNLV.

Had Kiffin stayed, Williss’s career likely would’ve been a smooth four-year run in Knoxville.

Two commitments, four-star Athlete Delvin Jones and five-star Wide Receiver Markeith Ambles, would’ve assured the No. 1 class. However, those two were kicked out of their programs. So it’s harder to project how they would’ve worked out.

But then there’s Blake Sims and Nickell Robey. Robey was a four-star defensive back that Tennessee football was a favorite to land until Kiffin left for USC, and Sims, whom Kiffin ended up coaching at Alabama, also considered Tennessee seriously.

That would have made this a historically great class. And with a class like this, it means a loaded team for 2010. That takes us to our next point.