The Tennessee Volunteers, on a wild National Signing Day, came up empty in

their quest for a premier wide receiver.

In a somewhat surprising development, the Georgia Bulldogs received letters

of intent from two of the nation’s most highly-regarded receivers, Reggie

Brown (Carrollton, Ga.) and Durrell Robinson (Spartanburg, S.C.).

Brown first committed to coach Jim Donnan’s Bulldogs on Wednesday

afternoon, the first day recruits could officially sign with schools.

Brown, a speedy high school All-American, chose Georgia over Ohio

State.

It was originally believed Robinson would only sign with the Bulldogs if

Brown went to Ohio State. The Bulldogs already had a commitment from

Michael Johnson, yet another highly-rated wideout.

However, less than an hour after Brown made his choice known at a press

conference, Robinson also signed on the dotted line with the Bulldogs,

according to an administrator at Byrnes High in Spartanburg, at his own

press conference.

That will come as stunning news to Tennessee, which was believed to be the

frontrunner for Robinson up until the last week or so.

The Vols were at the top of Robinson’s list until he began a telephone

correspondence with Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter. Georgia then moved

to the top of the list, but most felt he would still sign with the Vols if

Brown decided on Georgia first.

With very little experience returning at the wide receiver position for

Tennessee, it seemed an ideal situation for a freshman to come in and make

an immediate impact. However, as of press time, the Vols had not received a

single commitment from a receiver.

Meanwhile, the Vols also lost out on two running backs as well on

Wednesday.

According to reports, Palmetto (S.C.) High School star Derek Watson, who

first verbally committed to South Carolina and then backed out and

committed to Tennessee, will be a Gamecock after all.

Also, Nashville Pearl-Cohn H.S. star Santonio Beard signed with Alabama on

Wednesday. He, too, backed out of a verbal commitment to Tennessee.

However, the Vols did receive a commitment from Sacramento (Calif.) running

back Onterrio Smith, one of the nation’s consensus top 50 players.

No official details will be released concerning Tennessee signees until

noon today. Head coach Phillip Fulmer will then address the Vols’

recruiting haul at a 1 p.m. press conference.

As signing day continued yesterday, Texas and Florida State emerged as two

of the big winners. The Longhorns received commitments from eight of the

nation’s top 100 recruits, including quarterback Chris Simms, who last week

backed out of a verbal commitment to Tennessee.

The Seminoles, losers to the Vols in the Fiesta Bowl, came back Wednesday

with several big signings, including running back Nick Maddox, defensive

lineman Darnell Dockett and athlete Rufus Brown.

Other recruiting winners on Wednesday included Michigan, Alabama, UCLA,

Florida, LSU and Southern Cal.