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Herman Edwards praises Butch Jones’ recruiting success at Tennessee
By Jason Hall
Published:
Add Herman Edwards to the list of people impressed by the job Butch Jones has done at Tennessee. The former NFL coach and current NFL analyst praised the Jones earlier this week during the Under Armour All-American Game practices in Orlando, Fla.
Related: Jack Jones: Vols top OL prospect praises Butch Jones as a recruiter
Tennessee had five commitments participate in Friday’s game. Edwards, who served as a coach opposite Steve Maruicci, credited Jones and his staff for the Vols’ success on the recruiting trail and growing presence in both All-American games.
“That says something about him and his coaching staff,” Edwards said. “It’s all about ‘can you connect with the kids?’ And I was a college coach. When I retired [from the NFL] I was at San Jose St. It’s about the kids and the opportunity because all of these universities are good, but the connection you have with kids is key and when you get these type of players it says a lot about what he does.”
Tennessee currently ranks as the No. 5 overall class for 2015. The Vols also have three committed players and several targets in Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Jack Jones, Tennessee’s top offensive line prospect, echoed the sentiments of Edwards following Wednesday’s UA Skills Challenge. Jones praised his future coach’s ability to connect with players and their families, which he expects to ease his transition as an early enrollee this month.
“He’s done a great job,” Jones said. “My family loves him, my parents both love him. He’s kind of taken us in as his family. That’s his big thing is being a part of this UT family. It’s been great to be a part of those coaches and for him to be upfront and straight with us, he’s not going to beat around the bush with anything. He’s going to be straight up. He tells me how he feels. He’s told me to recruit other guys and anything I can do to help I will do. I really like him a lot and I think he’s going to do even better things at UT.”
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
