Scotty Hopson inks with Vols

He made us all nervous with anticipation, waiting a week after the signing period began to officially put pen to paper on his LOI, but Scotty Hopson has now made himself officially a Volunteer. He signed his LOI in front of the 325 students at University Heights Academy, many sporting orange T shirts celebrating UT and Scotty.

Hopson, ranked 5th by Rivals (revised 4/23) and 11th by Scout in the 2008 class, is the first McDonald’s All-American to sign with Tennessee in 10 years and just the sixth ever. To illustrate what a “rich get richer” world college basketball recruiting is, Duke had 7 McDonald’s All-Americans on its 2007-2008 roster alone. Tennessee hopes to eventually get to that type talent level, and Scotty Hopson represents an excellent piece of that puzzle.

Scotty, a 6′6″ wing out of Hopkinsville, KY, is the AP Kentucky Player of the Year, and an All-American in many circles. While Duke Crews, Ramar Smith, Wayne Chism, J.P. Prince, and Tyler Smith were all highly regarded players, none ranked in the top 25 of recruits, so Hopson is easily the biggest fish Bruce Pearl and staff have landed since arriving in Knoxville.

It’s interesting to note that Elliot Williams, whose loss Vol fans mourned in the fall as he signed with Duke, is actually rated lower than Hopson by most services. So the story has ended well for the Vols, getting a prized wing in the end anyway.

Welcome to Knoxville, Scotty. I think I speak for all Vols when I say I can’t wait to see you in action and I expect big things. You’re a part of something special to us.