Last night on Score Atlanta’s The Official Visit, co-hosts Fletcher Proctor and Scott Janovitz had a chance to speak with Monroe-Area (GA) defensive end Stephon Tuitt. Standing 6’5 260lb, this mountain of a man would be a welcome addition to any recruiting class, but after speaking with him last night, it doesn’t sound like even he knows where that will be. Tuitt spoke last night about two recent recruiting trips he took, visiting Knoxville and Derek Dooley’s Tennessee Volunteers as well as hitting up the Plains to see Gene Chizik and the Auburn Tigers. Tuitt seemed infatuated with the SEC as he loved both of his visits. “Auburn is a great college game-day campus and I like the coaches,” Tuitt revealed when asked about his trip west to Auburn. “Tennessee was another great visit, but Auburn’s beating them a little bit.”
The most important thing though seemed to be the coaches. Several times Tuitt emphasized the importance of the coaches and how their relationships with him would ultimately affect his decision. Said Tuitt of his philosophy, “If you have a great relationship with the coaches (during recruiting), you’ll be more comfortable at the school when you go there.” Both Auburn and Tennessee passed the coaches test, as did Georgia Tech, where high school teammate Bryan Chamberlain has already committed to attend.
“Everybody there is a great coach,” Tuitt said of Auburn, as he came away quite impressed with the staff Chizik has put together. “Gene Chizik is a great defensive coach and Coach (Ted) Roof is a great coordinator,” Tuitt said, serving as an Auburn recruiting poster. “With Coach Roof, I want to and I think I can produce at an early stage.”
Tuitt was also quick to praise Tennessee’s coaches, especially line coach Chuck Smith. “He’s always excited and he’s one of the best at the speed rush,” Tuitt gushed. “They have coaches that can get you to the next level.”
Georgia Tech fans shouldn’t get discouraged though over Tuitt’s apparent love for the SEC coaches. Tuitt admitted that Georgia Tech is “still in the hunt.” “I love Georgia Tech,” Tuitt reassured Yellow Jacket fans. “I have a great relationship with the coaches and the players. And Paul Johnson has won everywhere.” The defensive end also seemed to be intrigued by new Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh, who has been a playoff coach in the NFL and has a Super Bowl ring on this resume. “They know how to win.”
So to which of these three did Tuitt guarantee an official visit this football season? Surprisingly none of these received a guarantee. Tuitt would only guarantee a trip to Notre Dame this fall, saying, “Notre Dame is Notre Dame. They’re one of the greatest schools in the country.” Tuitt did admit that he would likely go visit Auburn and Georgia Tech officially as well. “I’ll commit after I take all of my visits,” Tuitt declared.
Interestingly, when asked for a top three, Notre Dame didn’t make the cut. Instead Tuitt gave a top three of Georgia Tech, Auburn and Miami, who is still in the running because he has family in the area. Whichever school gets Tuitt’s services, be it Tech, Notre Dame, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida or Miami, will be getting a dedicated player. “I work hard on the football field and like to learn,” Tuitt said of himself. “I’m going to play hard for the team I sign with, the team I love.” Tuitt wrapped up his interview by saying that college football is the greatest and he can’t wait to suit up at the next level.
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