If bloodlines mean anything, offensive lineman Michael Muñoz could be considered one of the most important commitments in Tennessee football history.
|  | | As a Cincinnati Bengal, Anthony Muñoz set the standard for offensive linemen. |
One of the top prospects in the nation, Muñoz (6-7, 285) played for perennial power Moeller in Cincinnati. His father, Anthony Muñoz, played for the USC Trojans and was an NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals. The elder Muñoz is one of the greatest players in pro and collegiate football history and is regarded as the prototype offensive tackle.
Michael was recruited by most colleges in the country and had visits scheduled to Texas and Ohio State. He had been to Michigan and Florida State before visiting Tennessee.
Michael introduced his father during the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies last August in Canton, Ohio. "He's always been so supportive," Michael said. "I
could ask him questions about different coaches and each university, and he would tell me what he knew. I could tell that he was happy with my decision.
"I feel like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I kept telling myself that whatever school I picked, I had to be comfortable enough to know that I would be staying there for the next four years. It was like a family at Tennessee and I just knew that I needed to be there."
With the commitment of Muñoz, Tennessee has the top recruiting class in the nation thus far. The Vols already have verbals from two of the top quarterbacks in John Rattay and Casey Clausen.
Michael's sister, Michelle, plays basketball as a junior at Mason, Ohio, and committed to Pat Summitt's Lady Vols last summer. "I called to tell (Michelle) about it before I told coach (Phillip) Fulmer," said Michael. "She was screaming, along with my girlfriend.
It's nice to be with my sister, but I also looked for a place for me as a person."
Tennessee offensive line coach Mike Barry recruited Michael. The two met when Barry was coaching at USC and Michael attended a Trojans summer football camp.
"The coaches are great, and coach Barry is such a great teacher," Michael said.
"My father told me that I couldn't do any better than coach Barry, and the SEC is the best conference in the nation. Everyone down in Tennessee loves the team and loves the Vols, and I can see why. It's a great place. It's just a privilege to be a part of such a great program. I just felt comfortable and I knew I should be down there. I think I fit in. I love the SEC and the Vols run a pro-style offense."
Latest football commitments
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Independents
Notre Dame has a commitment from defensive lineman Kyle Budinscak of Bridgewater/Bridgewater-Raritan, N.J., who also considered Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue. The Irish also added defensive back Garron Bible of Kingwood, Tex., over
Oklahoma and TCU.
Big Ten
Michigan has verbals from receiver/linebacker Larry Stevens of
Tacoma-Wilson, Wash., who also considered Washington, Nebraska and Oregon; and receiver/defensive back
Calvin Bell of Simi Valley, Calif., who chose the Wolverines over USC, Arizona and San Diego State.
Indiana added running back Prince Pack of Detroit-St. Martin, Mich.; offensive lineman Clay Stewart of Lodi, Ohio; offensive lineman Antoine Grant of Jones County J.C., Miss., tight end Ryan Hamre of Orlando-Boone, Fla.; and defensive/running back Rico Lloyd of Dumfries-Potomac, Va.
Defensive linemen D.J. Whitfield of St. Louis-Vashon, Mo., and Clifford Dukes of Great Mills, Md., committed to Michigan State.
Defensive lineman David Owen of Dallas-St. Mark's, Tex.; receiver/defensive back Jacque Reeves of Lancaster, Tex., and top defensive back Emmanuel Franklin of Houston-Jones, Tex. picked
Purdue.
Defensive lineman Mike Maloney of Joliet, Ill., committed to Illinois over Northwestern. Illinois also has received commitments from receiver Adrian Sezer of Vinton, La., receiver
Jamaal Clark of St. Louis-Riverview Gardens, Mo., over Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Michigan; offensive/defensive lineman Clark Collins of Evanston-Evanston Township, Ill.;
offensive lineman
Duke Preston of San Diego-Mt. Carmel, Calif.; offensive lineman Brian Koch of St. Charles-Francis Howell, Mo.; and
running back Nana Ageyman of Roselle-Lake Park, Ill.
Wisconsin added offensive linemen Jonathan Clinkscale of Pasadena-Muir, Calif.,
Ryan Wilkerson of Sugar Land-Clements, Tex., defensive back
Ryan Aiello of El Camino-Oceanside, Calif., and kicker Adam Espinoza of Arcadia, Calif., over Oregon.
Iowa has a commitment from receiver Warren Hollway of Homewood-Floosmoor, Ill.
Northwestern has commitments from standout running back Dan Pohlman of Barrington, Ill., over Illinois, Miami (Fla.) and Duke; linebacker
Ryan Peterson of San Diego-La Costa Canyon, Calif.; and running back Noah Herron of Mattawan, Mich., over Iowa, Indiana and Illinois.
Ohio State has commitments from quarterback Rick McFadden of Struthers, Ohio, over West Virginia; linebacker
Jack Tucker of Cerritos College, Calif., over Arizona State, Iowa State, Missouri, Oregon and Kansas State; and defensive back/receiver
Brandon Childress of Bedford-Chanel, Ohio, over Minnesota and USC.
Rian Melander of St. Paul/Cretin-Derham Hall, Minn., considered
the top lineman in the state, committed to
Minnesota. The Gophers also have one of the top receiver prospects in Ohio, Keith Mathews of Akron-Hoban.
Big 12
Nationally rated quarterback Kevin Long of Iowa City-West, Ia., passed on hometown Iowa, Illinois and Iowa State for
Kansas. The Jayhawks also have commitments from linebacker
Columbus Wooley of Blinn College, Tex., over Kansas State, Houston, Iowa State and Washington; defensive lineman
Ryan Atkinson of Citrus College, Calif., over Iowa, Louisville and Connecticut; defensive back
Johnny McCoy and defensive lineman
David McMillan, both from Killeen, Tex.
Kicker Jeremy Flores of Scottsdale Junior College, Ariz., J.P. deZerega, a linebacker from Wheat Ridge, Colo., and offensive lineman Neal Hannifin of Cerritos College, Calif., are set for Colorado. Devvin Richardson, a defensive/running back from Chandler, Ariz., has pledged to Colorado over Oregon, Colorado State and UNLV. Quarterback Taylor Barton, a redshirt freshman from Portland-Beaverton, Ore., is transferring from Colorado (unknown destination).
Missouri has pledges from offensive lineman Joe Gianinio of Eureka, Mo., over Illinois and Arkansas State; linebacker James Kinney of Kankakee, Ill., over Illinois, Western Michigan and Minnesota; defensive lineman Micah Minshall of Olathe-North, Kan.; and offensive lineman
Phillip Hawkins from Chicago-Morgan Park, Ill., over interest from Tennessee, Michigan State and Miami (Fla.).
Running back
D.D. Cox of Boulder-Fairview, Colo.; receiver Chay Nease of Thomas, Okla., and defensive lineman Chris Akin of Weatherford, Okla., have committed to
Oklahoma State.
Running back
Geremy Woods of Andrews, Tex., is a soft verbal to
Texas A&M. He is still considering Purdue. Also headed for A&M is running back
Mathus Gill of Brenham, Tex.
Oklahoma gained running back
Jerad Estus of Wichita Falls-Hirshi, Tex.; and Marcus Chretien, a defensive lineman from Kilgore J.C., Tex. Chretien, who was the defensive player of the year in the
Southwest Junior College Football Conference, selected the Sooners over Southern Mississippi and Mississippi.
Linebacker
Ken Greene of Independence Community College, Kan., picked Kansas State over Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Minnesota. Offensive lineman Nick Leckey of Grapevine, Tex., also chose Kansas State.
Defensive lineman Kerry Carlson of Rochester CC, Minn., picked Iowa State.
MAC
Offensive linemen Ben Lueck of Oswego, Ill., and Gary Young of Chicago-Mount Carmel, Ill.,
committed to Northern Illinois. Defensive/offensive lineman
Garrett Bush of Canton-McKinley, Ohio, chose
Ohio over Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Syracuse. Quarterback
Andrew English of Crestwood-South
Oldham, Ky., committed to
Marshall.
C-USA
Linebacker Bobby Leffew, a linebacker from Danville-Boyle County, Ky., and offensive lineman Buster Ashley of Owensboro, Ky., pledged to Louisville. East Carolina picked up a major commitment in linebacker Vonta Leach of Rowland-South Roberson, N.C. Others were Tennessee, Florida, Florida State and North Carolina.
Big East
Virginia Tech gained tight end/linebacker Jared Mazzetta of Flemington-Hunterdon Central, N.J.; defensive lineman/tight end James Miller of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and receiver/defensive back
Richard Johnson of Randallstown-Milford Mill, Md.
Syracuse has running back
Greg Hanoian of Marion-Tabor
Academy, Mass.; Brian Hooper, a defensive lineman from Auburn, NY.; offensive lineman
Matt Tarullo of
Colonie, NY., who decommitted from North Carolina State; defensive back
Cedric Edmonds of Tampa-Hillsborough, Fla., over Pittsburgh,
Illinois, and Virginia; offensive lineman
Adam Terry of Queensbury, N.Y.; offensive lineman
John
Glass of Allentown-Dieruff, Pa./Valley Forge Military Academy, Pa.; and defensive lineman
Antwan Lewis of Port St Lucie West-Centennial, Fla., over Southern Mississippi and South Florida.
Running back Julius Wallace of Martins Ferry, Ohio, and Dave Routt, a defensive back from Butler CC, Kan., have committed to
Pittsburgh.
Miami added two commitments in linebacker
Kyle Cobia of Lakeland, Fla., and receiver/defensive back
Antonio Warren of North Miami Beach, Fla.
Troy Marion, a running back/linebacker from Sussex-High Point, NJ., has committed to Rutgers over Colorado and Syracuse. He rushed for 1,600 yards as a senior.
ACC
Linebacker Chad Mascoe of Kissimmee-Osceola, Fla., committed to
Florida State over Alabama, Auburn and Maryland.
Maryland has received a verbal commitment from linebacker Jon Condo of Philipsburg-Osceola, Pa. Condo had a school-record 173 tackles this season.
Defensive lineman Larry Jessup of Miami-Country Day, Fla., chose
North Carolina. Defensive lineman/linebacker
Clarence Gaddy of Lillington-Western Harnett, N.C.,
committed to the Tar Heels. Gaddy, who registered 16 sacks as a senior, had decommitted from North Carolina State after the coaching change. He also considered
Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, NC State, Tennessee and Virginia.
Offensive lineman Jeremy Phillips of Watkinsville-Oconee County, Ga.,
picked
Georgia Tech.
Three standouts at Fork Union Military Academy are set for
Virginia: defensive back Jamine Winborne, tight end Zach Yarborough and receiver Almondo Curry. Also headed for Virginia are offensive lineman Tom Howell of Sarasota-Riverview, Fla., receiver Michael McGrew of Birmingham-Shades Valley, Ala.; and offensive lineman
Joe Holt of Clearwater, Fla.
Receiver
Ronnie Thomas of Quincy-Shanks, Fla., has chosen
Clemson after catching 58 passes as a senior. He has cancelled visits to Southern Mississippi and Central Florida.
Jermicus Banks, a defensive lineman from Raleigh-Millbrook, N.C., has decommitted from North Carolina State. He is now considering North Carolina and Virginia.
Chris Mitchell of Buffalo-Sweet Home, N.Y., made a verbal commitment to Duke over Kentucky and Pittsburgh.
SEC
Running back Rudi Johnson, a first-team JUCO All-American who helped lead Butler County CC, Kan., to the Junior College National Championship, committed to Auburn. Also headed to the Tigers are teammates Sam Breeden, a receiver, and quarterback Daniel Cobb. Cobb is a transfer from Georgia. Auburn also added kicker Philip Yost of Auburn, Ala.
One of the top offensive line prospects in the nation, Shannon Snell of Tampa-Hillsborough, Fla., picked
Florida over Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA and Georgia. The Gators also have defensive back Deshawn Carter of Ponchatoula, La., over Michigan; Earnest Smith, an offensive lineman from Jacksonville-Ed White, Fla.; and linebacker/defensive lineman Kennard Ellis of Orlando-Dr. Phillips, Fla./Southwest
Mississippi Community College over Auburn and Mississippi. He originally signed
with Florida, but did not qualify.
South Carolina has running back Corey Alexander of Mississippi Gulf Coast CC; and DeAndre Eiland, a defensive back from Tupelo, Miss.
Poplarville, Miss., linebacker Skylor Magee has decommitted from LSU.
Arkansas gained defensive lineman Arrion Dixon of Wynne, Ark.; and offensive lineman
Brian Hill of Harrison, Ark.
Receiver Clarence Parker of Wesson, Miss., and
defensive lineman Jadice Moore of Port Gibson, Miss., picked
Mississippi State.
Receiver Chris Collins of Liberty-Amite County, Miss., and receiver Trey Fryfogle of Lucedale-George County, Miss., committed to Mississippi.
Tennessee received commitments from defensive back Charles Small of Coffeyville CC, Kan.; and
Victor McClure, a defensive lineman from Chattanooga-Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
Quarterback
David Greene of Snellville-South Gwinnett, Ga., committed to Georgia. Greene also considered Mississippi and Georgia Tech.
Pac-10
Running back James Bethea of Reseda-Cleveland, Calif.; outstanding receiver Chad Heydorff of Glendale College, Calif.; receiver Geoff McArthur of Pacific Palisades-Palisades, Calif.; and defensive back Ryan Gutierrez of Colvis, Calif., will play for California.
Punter Allan Cox of Snow JC, Utah., and running back Chris Bruhn of Woodland Hills, Calif., committed to
Washington State.
UCLA won the fight for offensive lineman Paul Mociler of Bellflower-St. John Bosco, Calif. He drew interest from California, Notre Dame, Stanford. The Bruins also have a verbal commitment from defensive lineman/linebacker Scott Parkhurst of Long Beach CC, Calif., over Washington State, Kansas State, California and USC.
Offensive lineman Lee Davis of LA Harbor JC, Calif., is headed for
Oregon State after considering Virginia, Oregon, Georgia Tech and Missouri.
Arizona State has reported commitments from defensive lineman Danny Masaiani of Foothill College, Calif.; receiver Donnie O'Neal of Coffeyville CC, Kan; offensive lineman Adam Snyder from Whittier-La Serna, Calif., and running back
Michael Williams of Lakewood-Mayfair, Calif.
Washington has picked up huge offensive lineman Brandon Lockheart of Compton-Dominguez, Calif., over Oregon State; running/defensive back
Rich Alexis of Boca Raton-John Paul II, Fla., over Miami and Indiana; linebacker Marquis Cooper of Gilbert-Highland, Ariz.;
defensive back Greg Carothers of Helena-Capital, Mont.;
offensive lineman Ryan Brooks of Richland, Wash., and linebacker Junior Coffin of Silverdale-Olympic, Wash.
Kicker/punter
Tommy Kirovski of Palomar College, Calif., pledged to
Arizona over Oregon and Cincinnati.
Huge All-American tight end
Will Svitek of Newbury Park, Calif., has committed to
Stanford over Ohio State, Arizona and Arizona State. A two-time national decathlon champion, Svitek will also compete in track. He caught 40 passes for 620 yds and five touchdowns as a senior. He also had nine sacks on defense.
Mountain West
Quarterback Rudy Camano of Mt. SAC, Calif., has decommitted from Cal State Northridge to
New Mexico. San Diego State added three junior college players in Glendale College, Calif., tight end Brian Gelt; Mesa College, Ariz., defensive end Andrew Brigham and West Los Angeles College, Calif., wide receiver Craig Mitchell, who signed with USC last spring, but did not qualify. San Diego State gained a recommitment from quarterback/defensive back Danny Armstrong of Palm Desert, Calif. Linebacker Brock Stratton of San Antonio-Roosevelt, Tex., gave a verbal commitment to BYU. Danielle McLean of Waco, Tex., decommitted from BYU.
WAC
Offensive lineman
Micah Meador of Humble, Tex., Jordan Kramer, a running back from Lewisville, Tex; and running back Ed Bailey of Klein, Tex.,
picked
Rice. Quarterback Zach Moore of Weatherford, Tex., offensive lineman
Zach Bray of Montgomery, Tex., and running/defensive back
Kenny Boyd of Omaha-Paul Pewitt, Tex., chose
TCU. Allan Adami, a defensive lineman from Corpus Christi, Tex., is headed for SMU. Hawaii has received a commitment from
offensive lineman Phil Kauffman of Honolulu-St. Louis, Hawaii. Fresno State picked up a commitment from Pete Hingano, linebacker from Sanger, Calif.
Basketball signings/commitments
Men's database search | Women's database search
The Big East dominated the Class 2000 men's early signing period (Story). UConn headed the women's recruiting battle (Story).
Junior prep Aaron Robinson, a 5-9 155 guard from Rockford-Guilford, Ill., has committed to Minnesota.
Bill Hodge is the executive editor and director of recruiting coverage at
FANSonly.com. For daily columns on prospects, commitments and signings, plus databases, go to
FANSonly.com's recruiting
index.
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